Breaking News

Opinion

Restoring Gable’s worth the effort

Editorials

While it is far-fetched to even be thinking in the following way, the main point of that thought process has a worthy objective behind it for the city of Altoona. Here goes: How wonderful it would be if some Altoona lottery player were to win a hundreds-of-millions or a billion-dollar Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot and decide to do something special and great for this wonderful city? Some people also might wonder whether there might be enough wealth in and around the city whereby a number of individuals or entities might be willing and able to come forward to make possible the ...

Local SSA angels deserve praise

Letters to the Editor

On Monday, Jan. 12, I had an appointment at the Altoona Social Security Administration office. While awaiting my appointment time, a loud, uncooperative man continued to verbally disrespect the female SSA representative. I noticed the security guard as he kept “one eye” on the loud subject. After 30 minutes of “back and forth” disagreement, the man walked out loudly swearing. Yes, these are the Federal employees placed on furlough for 45 days while their paychecks were being held back. Thank you “rank and file” SSA Patriots. Stephen Timothy Hanczar Tyrone

Support urged for House Bill 1957

Letters to the Editor

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed HB 1957, a joint resolution that would begin the constitutional amendment process to protect reproductive rights in the Pennsylvania Constitution. The next step is for the resolution to be passed in identical form by the Pennsylvania Senate. I call on all elected officials, especially Judy Ward, to set aside personal, moral or religious beliefs when voting on this measure. This resolution does not impose policy; it simply allows the people of Pennsylvania to decide the issue directly through a popular vote. Voting against this ...

America a challenge to ‘might makes right’

Letters to the Editor

Donald Trump would have us believe that the “real” world is one governed by strength, power and force. A world where “might makes right.” A world where America can threaten, coerce or attack anyone anywhere to serve its perceived interests. Indeed, “might makes right” was the governing standard for human civilization throughout most of history. Power and strength ruled. The few at the top prospered. Life for everyone else was miserable. That is, until that paradigm was challenged 250 years ago … when America’s founding fathers charted an alternate course. Unwilling ...

Filling city hub more than empty gesture

Editorials

When hundreds of thousands of people descend on Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft in April, they should be greeted by a spruced-up Steel City. The landmark fountain at Point State Park has recently undergone a $3.4 million upgrade. Market Square is in the midst of a $15 million face-lift. And Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers, is getting improvements of its own. In downtown Pittsburgh, eyes are turning to empty storefronts. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit focused on community and economic development, is stepping up efforts to fill vacant retail spaces. It would be ...

Poll shows gap between haves and have-nots

Letters to the Editor

The results of the altoonamirror.com Web Poll that appeared in the Jan. 10-11, 2026 edition of the Mirror caught my attention with particular reference to the word “affordability.” Affordability, as mentioned in the poll, was used to describe the economy and rising prices with the question as to whether people are able to easily pay their monthly expenses. Operative word being “easily.” Before examining the results of the poll, keep in mind that Donald Trump recently referred to the term affordability as a “con job,” a “false narrative” and a “hoax,” especially by ...