Verobish claims 79th District seat

March 22, 2026

Republican Andrea Verobish has apparently defeated Democrat Caleb McCoy Tuesday in a special election in the 79th state House District to fill the unexpired term of Lou Schmitt, who resigned in December to become a Blair County judge. With all 44 district precincts counted Tuesday evening, Verobish had 5,330 votes to McCoy's 3,923 - 57% vs. 42%. Given that both candidates will be running unopposed in the May 19 primary, there will be a reprise of Tuesday's election in November, except that a full two-year House term will be the reward for the winner. The race that climaxed Tuesday was ...

Singer spreads joy with nursing home performances

March 22, 2026

With 20th-century songs by Barry Manilow, Bobby Vinton and James Taylor in his back pocket, local entertainer Ricky Howsare has been making a positive impact on area nursing home residents by singing their favorite songs. About 20 residents of Garvey Manor adored his February ...

More than 600 cattle saved from fire

March 22, 2026

A fire early Saturday, March 14, destroyed a pair of attached barns at the Frederick Dairy Farm in Martinsburg RD, but farm employees and firefighters saved all but one of more than 600 cows housed in two nearby freestall barns threatened by the blaze. Farm owner Eric Frederick was starting ...

Tyrone community rallies around beloved Tyrone Area High School teacher

March 15, 2026

TYRONE — Former students, current coworkers and community members are coming together to support Tyrone Area High School teacher Jonathan Holmes and his family after Holmes was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, POEMS syndrome. Holmes has been unable to teach since Jan. 12 because of his ...

Lighting the spark: GACTC expands to welcome more female students enrolling in male-dominated trades

March 15, 2026

Young women are coming in large numbers to pick up trade skills in male-dominated fields, leaving trade schools like Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center with a need to expand their program offerings. The center outgrew the female locker room and installed 30 additional lockers during ...

Folcarelli to retire after 65 years in the family business

March 15, 2026

A longtime Altoona businessman is planning to move on after 65 years in his family business. James D. “Jim” Folcarelli, 84, plans to retire near the first of April upon the sale of Folcarelli Sheet Metal Fabrication Inc. The family business was founded by his parents Jim and Bess ...