News Staff More than 100 people showed up on Thursday in Hollidaysburg for the 31st annual Blair County Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Service. The purpose of the service is to honor the officers killed in the line of duty that served Blair County at some point in their career.
A Virginia man was arrested in Altoona Wednesday night after he allegedly overdosed while behind the wheel at a stop sign, losing control of his car and causing it to hit a gas meter. Jose Ortiz, 28, of Alexander, Virginia, was driving on 9th Street when he became unconscious at the intersection of 7th Avenue.
Law enforcement in Blair County is hosting a special memorial service to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be held this evening at the memorial site in front of the Blair County courthouse at 6 p.m. The service is held every year to honor officers who gave their lives protecting their communities.
The woman accused of shooting Cameron County District Attorney Paul Malizia in the leg is claiming she only bit him and never touched a handgun, according to court documents. The affidavit of probable cause for 31-year-old Porice Mincy, of Long Island, was released this morning. Bail was denied for Mincy.
The Altoona Community Theatre has a long history of sharing performances with the community and this weekend they’ll be looking back with a celebration. A theatrical celebration of the theatre’s 75th anniversary is set for Saturday, tickets range from $50 – $75. The show will take place from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Airport manager Tracy Plessinger says the travel experience could soon change at the Altoona/Blair County airport, and that the airport is submitting it’s candidacy for funding. Officials say the money funding the terminal would come from the bipartisan infrastructure agreement signed into action by President Biden.
The Altoona City Council has awarded bids to two companies to remove 11 blighted buildings in the city during Monday’s City Council Meeting. G&R Excavating and Demolition, Inc. of Tyrone awarded a contract to demolish properties. In total, the contract is $100-thousand and it will be paid by the General Fund.
Funds from Altoona’s American Rescue Plan Act will be going towards an EMPATH unit at UPMC. The unit will be for those with behavioral health needs and it will be much quieter than the main areas inside the emergency department. It will also provide better resources for those who are dealing with mental health issues.
The Miracle League of Blair County is celebrating a $1,500 donation from a local junior high school class reunion. On June 3, the last class that ever attended the Logan Junior High Class held a class reunion in Altoona. Fifty-five classmates and eight teachers from nine states pitched in to help.
An Altoona man was placed in Blair County Prison over the weekend after being accused of breaking into a house Friday in the 900 block of 8th Avenue. Melvyn Frazier, 59, is charged with burglary, criminal trespassing, possession of a controlled substance and more.