Is ignorance bliss or just plain scary?

July 30, 2026

During a meeting with a Blair County Assistant District Attorney, the ADA reiterated to me the unpredictability of jurors’ decisions in sexual assault cases by telling me a horrific story. Recently, the ADA led the prosecution in a rape case during which the defendant was acquitted even after admitting to initially lying to police about having intercourse with the alleged victim, only retracting that lie after DNA evidence proved otherwise. My reason for writing is not because of the jury’s decision, but something much more concerning. The ADA told me that a member of the jury ...

When is enough, really enough?

July 28, 2026

Once again, President Donald Trump is dominating the headlines with claims about the 2020 election. We’re exhausted by the endless loop of lies, yet some media outlets still indulge him, giving credibility to claims that have been repeatedly investigated and rejected. It’s like a parent rewarding a child after endless whining — they reinforce the behavior, so it never stops. How much time, money and taxpayer resources have already been spent disproving the fantasy of a “stolen” election? Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Epstein victims continue pleading for justice and the ...

Christians shouldn’t be exclusionary

July 27, 2026

If one compares the words that Pete Hegseth uses and the words used by Taliban or Iranian leaders, it is difficult to determine a difference in their perspectives of the value of nonbelievers and how they should be treated. They believe that it is their duty to convert, eliminate or exclude nonbelievers. Each accepts the use of the sword to bring the “others” to yield to their way of thinking and living. There is no mercy shown to nonbelievers. It is Christian Sharia Law although Hegseth and his like can’t see it. They are the same as their perceived enemies. Blind. Hegseth takes ...

Big Boy made a big impression

July 26, 2026

The arrival of “Big Boy” in our little town of Altoona left a big impression on me as I know it did for thousands of others. I was transported back in time over 60 years. As a child, I would lie in my bed at night hearing the steam whistles, dispatchers and the screeching of cars, a haunting yet comforting sound. Altoona was once a bustling railroad hub; my father and grandfather were employed by the PRR. Big Boy brought that lost era back. Seeing that gigantic steel monster was like my early childhood years were flowing into my present. I could feel the intense radiating heat ...

Group plans ‘sit in’ over ordinance

July 23, 2026

I consider myself an independent thinker, and I believe people have every right to peacefully protest. That said, I find the idea of a sit-in over this issue confusing because I’m not sure it moves us closer to meaningful solutions. I don’t particularly like the ordinance myself. However, from what I’ve personally observed, our mayor and others involved have spent considerable time trying to connect people with resources rather than simply making arrests. Homelessness is a complex issue affecting communities across the country, and I don’t believe there is one simple ...

Grateful for support during July 4th race

July 22, 2026

It takes much more than a race team to bring another successful Angie Gioiosa 4th of July Race to downtown Altoona. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time before, during and after the race; our generous sponsors; our setup crew; and our race timer for helping make the event run smoothly. A special thank you goes to the Mishler Theatre for opening their doors for the day before race packet pickup; the volunteers from the Cathedral for providing a wonderful food setup, along with cold watermelon and popsicles that were enjoyed by so many participants ...