Hospitality Industry to Get Relief

The Wolf administration will use the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) to provide relief to an industry that was ravaged by the pandemic, including those in Centre and Clearfield counties in our region. The most recent round of relief for the hospitality industry will see $1.8 million going to Centre County. Clearfield County will … Read more

HOLIDAYSBURGH MAN HEADED TO PRISON-POSSIBLY FOR DECADES

A Holidaysburg man is headed to prison for a long, long time…. On Thursday, Blair County Judge Jackie Bernard sentenced 39 year old Michael Forshey to 17.5 years to 35 years in prison for four drug-related offenses, after recognizing Forshey’s lengthy criminal history which included eight prior drug delivery convictions, 39 arrests, and 24 confinements. … Read more

CDC SAYS “DITCH THE MASK”

New CDC guidance as of Thursday, will permit fully vaccinated people to go maskless almost everywhere. But the CDC still advises unvaccinated people to wear masks in many settings. While it is welcome by most people, it also is going to be done in somewhat of an honor system. Yesterday, the CDC said fully vaccinated … Read more

PRIMARY IS TUESDAY

Pennsylvania’s spring primary election takes place next Tuesday, when voters will cast ballots in municipal contests, school board races, county elections and judicial races. Voters will also weigh in on proposed amendments to Pennsylvania’s constitution. Polling places open at 7 a.m. and they must stay open until 8 p.m. — and longer if needed to … Read more

PA AG Begins Looking Into Contact Tracing Data Breach

The Pennsylvania attorney general said Wednesday his agency has begun looking into a breach of COVID-19 contact tracing data that may have compromised private information of some 72,000 people. The state Health Department disclosed two weeks ago that employees of a contact tracing vendor ignored security rules and created unauthorized documents outside the state’s secure … Read more

Old McCrory Building Inspection Reveals Time Is Ticking

A new engineering report sheds new light on the current condition of the old McCrory’s building on 11th Avenue in Altoona. The city hired an engineer to take a look at the building. While the engineer’s report shows that the masonry and steel structural members of the building remain in fair to good shape, the … Read more

School Tax Going Up To Make Up For Loss During Shutdowns

Taxes for folks with property in the Altoona Area School District could be going up in the next fiscal year, but instead of increasing by a specific millage, the increase would be based on the state’s Act 1 index, which allows the school district to increase property taxes by up to 4.3%. Under that scenerio, … Read more

Teen Charged As Adult In Altoona Stabbing

In Altoona, a teenager is being charged as an adult following an attack in which the victim as stabbed three times. 17 year old Joshua Riggleman is under arrest… The victim… whose name has not been released… is being treated at UPMC Altoona for a punctured spleen. Riggleman is facing felony charges including attempted homicide … Read more

Somerset Domestic Dispute Ends Peacefully

Troopers in Somerset County say a domestic incident, which authorities first believed to be a hostage situation, this morning has been peacefully resolved. Troopers were called to a home in the area of Reading Mine Road. A 302 mental health warrant was issued, and the man was eventually convinced to come outside after several hours. … Read more

Senator Judy Ward Showcases PACE/PACENET Plan

The PA Senate adopted a plan by Senator Judy Ward that will allow thousands of Pennsylvanians to retain eligibility for PACE and PACENET. Ward explained what it is all about… http://blogaudio.virtualnewscenter.com/WRTA-051221-WARD-DRUGS.mp3 The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.