Week of October 3, 2024
Week of October 3, 2024
The Claysburg-Kimmel High School has planned their homecoming parade and football game for Friday, Oct. 11. The events are tentatively scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with a parade. The parade will start at the Claysburg Area Community Park before moving south onto Bedford Street and then making a right onto Oakdale Avenue. The parade will conclude at Athletic Road. Prior to the football game, the visiting band and the Claysburg-Kimmel band will each perform their halftime shows. The alumni band will be on the field for the playing of the...
The Annual Benefit Auction for the Clinic for Special Children and Central PA Clinic returned for the 27th year on Sept 13-14. On Friday, people were busy setting up items to be auctioned and many were in line to buy rib dinners. The dinners included Hatfield's ribs, a homemade roll, homemade baked beans, homemade mac and cheese, and the choice of coleslaw or applesauce. There were 800 dinners to be sold and 775 were sold immediately. Just as popular were the homemade baked goods of pies and...
The Central High School Marching Band participated in Bandfest at Tussey Mountain High School on Saturday, September 14 along with several other area school districts. Band Director Gabrielle Swackhamer said there were 65 students who attended along with Assistant Director Dan Drumm, and Band Front Advisor Erica Coppersmith. "When we were there, we watched other bands perform their halftime shows, and then performed ours for them," Swackhamer said. They played their warm-up tune "Ashes" by...
Blair County Sheriff James Ott thinks that there needs to be more done about the battle with the fentanyl epidemic. He said that they are starting to make changes. Talking about his experience with the fentanyl problem, Ott said that he is in a unique position because he wears two hats. With his profession, it is a struggle every day that they see the increasing battles on the street with the abuse and the opiate addiction that they have. “We see that battle,” Ott said. “We watch family members turn themselves inside out trying to save...
PA CareerLink Blair County will be holding a job fair with over 100 employers for various industries on Wednesday, Oct 9 at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will early access for veterans at 9:30 a.m. to thank them for their service. This is a chance for people to meet face-to-face with employers where they are seasoned professional, just entering the workforce, or considering a career change. Over 60 employers are hiring for a variety of roles and many are willing to interview on the spot. There is no cost to attend....
Alexys Tomlinson, a freshman at Claysburg-Kimmel High School is the first student to swim for the district. "I have always loved swimming - I have always enjoyed the water," she said. Tomlinson's journey started when her mother Tiffany Tomlinson told her about swim practice at the Hollidaysburg YMCA for eight and under. "I said yeah we should go," she said. "My first practice went so well, I was so happy, and I loved it. I didn't want to stop and just wanted to keep going back." Tiffany said...
Pennsylvania’s fiscal 2024-2025 budget contains historic investments in education based on a new formula intended to more fairly distribute funding among school districts. Rural school districts in particular have been hard hit by underfunding, relying on local tax increases and supplementary funding to deliver services. The changes stem from a Commonwealth Court decision in February 2023 which ruled Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional and in need of reform. Local school district administrators agree that the new formula...
Herald correspondent Eric Shields and Cove resident Byron Smail both received awards from The Blair County Historical Society at its Heritage Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 26 at The Casino in Lakemont. Shields received the Preservation of Blair County History award for his "They Came From Blair County" books, which talk about the achievements of Blair County residents. "I was in the hospital when I got the news that I was getting the award, so it was a nice pick me up," he...
Three adults were displaced after a fire broke out at a home in Greenfield Township last Friday before noon. Chip Eckard, assistant fire chief of the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company said the fire which occurred at 763 Bedford Street, was called in around 11:35 a.m. by a passerby who saw smoke coming from the structure. He said when his crews first arrived on the scene, the front right bedroom was involved in flames and there was black smoke coming from the window. Eckard said they...
The Blair County Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 17 at the Roller Hojeth Memorial Library, 431 Scotch Valley Rd. The speaker will be current President, Jim Snyder, who will be giving a presentation on the Altoona Area forgotten cemeteries. The meeting is free and open to the public. The library is handicap...
A little known area outside of Williamsburg, tucked away near Short Mountain in Catharine Township, is an area called Point View. For the next few weeks, we are going to dive into the history of this area, but first – I wanted to ask, what are some memories the readers have of this quaint little village? Here is what a few had to say: Elise Eastep: Mrs. Waddington lived in the castle (what I called it), and I spent a lot of time there in my younger years. She was an amazing woman – taught me how to crochet and how to upholster furniture....
The Williamsburg Girls’ Volleyball team held their Senior Night festivities before their game with Southern Huntingdon on Thursday evening, September 26. The four seniors honored were: Scotlyn Barroner, Abby James, Samantha England, and Eleanor Brubaker; the team also honored Coach Marina Brubaker who will be handing the reins over to a new coach following the end of the season. Coach Brubaker led the Lady Pirate volleyball team for six seasons. Scotlyn Barroner Scotlyn is the daughter of...
Events like National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Susan G. Komen® MORE THAN PINK Walk® have been integral to raising awareness about the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women across the globe. Though such campaigns and events have helped many women better understand breast cancer and their own risk for the disease, certain myths surrounding breast cancer persist. Such myths are not harmless and can, in fact, lead to unsafe outcomes that jeopardize women’s health. Questions about breast cancer should always be directed to a...
Breast cancer affects millions of individuals each year. The World Cancer Research Fund International reports that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women across the globe, affecting roughly 2.3 million women each year. Despite the global prevalence of breast cancer, various organizations report high five-year survival rates, particularly among women whose cancers are detected in the earliest stages of the disease. In fact, a 2023 study published in the journal BMJ found that the risk for dying from breast cancer in the...
For more than 30 years, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has united communities in the nation’s largest movement to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central PA will take place on Sunday, October 13 at Peoples Natural Gas Field - home of the Altoona Curve, providing a supportive community for breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, caregivers, supporters and families alike. The registration and sign-in starts at 12:30 p.m.,...
Dunnings Creek Friends Meeting (Quaker) will present the Autumn 2024 event in th “Still Listening” guest speaker series on local history on October 20. Local author Kevin Mearkle will discuss his recent book The Underground Railroad in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Bedford County has a lot of information on the local Underground Railroad movement due in part to the numerous local newspapers and the high level of literacy among the people. The geography of this mountain-and-valley region was a major factor leading significant numbers of...
This year, a new book club started at the library. Next month, on October 28, we will be discussing “The Shining” by Stephen King. We are welcoming new members. Craft classes are starting up again as summer is over and the children are in school. Time to work on some fun projects. We will be making homemade cards on October 14. We will feature the Iris folding technique and rubber stamping. On November 11, we will be making Christmas trees out of tomato cages. On December 12, the Blair County Conservation Department will offer the popular...
The Friends of The Martinsburg Community Library are currently holding two fundraisers. Now through October 21, they are selling certificates for half gallons of Ritchey’s ice cream. Orders are being taken at the library or see a Friend. Certificates are $6.75 each and will be available for pick-up on Nov. 8. The certificates can be used for up to one year and make great stocking stuffers. The Friends will also be selling Bedford Candy beginning October 8. Orders can be taken at the library or see a Friend. This sale ends November 22 and...
Claysburg's l-r Payton Hinish, Ava Dibert and Jayme Acker celebrate a point during an away match with Northern Bedford County Tuesday, Nov....
Father Caspian feels out of place wherever he is placed. He feels he is not your typical priest and he may be right. When we meet the somewhat less than zealous priest, Father Caspian has just been sent to run the Sister Mary Margaret Mission for Those Experiencing Homelessness. Father Caspian seems to be lacking in every way regarding initiative when it comes to the priesthood. Or life, for that matter. He just can't seem to get it right. He says the wrong thing, upsets the wrong people, none...
We are 20-year residents of Martinsburg, having moved here from Houston, Texas to join our daughter’s family. From the beginning we were impressed with the well-maintained houses and buildings of Martinsburg, especially the old Methodist Episcopal Church at 202 Market Street built in the mid-1800s. Over the past two decades the abandoned church has been an antique store, a resale shop and recently the Restored Grounds Coffee shop. The coffee shop owner renovated the termite damage, plumbing and HVAC system. She recently closed the shop and...
On November 5, 2024, we have the privilege of voting for leaders in our nation. Are you registered to vote or are you among those who say, “I don’t vote?” Please don’t squander this right and responsibility you have as a citizen of the United States to vote for qualified candidates. You may think you are not voting, but in reality you are voting because you are allowing others who support abortion and gay marriage to have more influence. Since we are blessed to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people, we have...
Long-time Anchorage, Alaska resident Merle H. Mountain, 83, died Sept. 13, 2024, of cardiac arrest at Providence Hospital. Merle was born Sept. 2, 1941, to Oro F. and Dolly R. (Reighard) Mountain, in New Enterprise. In 1960, Merle graduated from Northern Bedford High School, and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. Merle is survived by his son Dale Mountain of Baltimore; his brothers Paul Mountain of Martinsburg and Wilbur (Marian) Mountain of Palmyra; his life partner Jan Sgroi of...
Robert Louis "Bob" Korona, 90, of Martinsburg, passed away Thursday morning, Sept. 26, 2024, at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring. He was born July 23, 1934, in Pittsburgh, son of the late Louis Wade and Lois Burnham Korona. On June 22, 1957, he married Sylvia J. Smith in Tionesta, and she preceded him in death Jan. 25, 2024, following 67 years of marriage. He is survived by three daughters: Linda L. Korona of Parma Heights, Ohio, Katherine L. Cason of State College, and Lisa J....
Have you ever felt miserable because you were hot, sweaty, dirty and maybe even itchy? It may have been because you have been really busy and worked very hard with garden, yard, or some other kind of work. Well, that may be the physical counterpart of your emotions when you are guilty of something. The Holy Spirit may be convicting you of some wrong (sin) you have committed. You may have said or done something harmful to a friend, neighbor, stranger, or even God. Just as much as you need a...
If you’re applying for a job, you would be ready to explain what you bring to the table – what skills, what experience, or willingness to learn or character that shows a high level of commitment, etc. Last week when we began to think about the first of the Beatitudes (derived from a Latin word for blessing) which is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3), we noted that being poor in spirit is a basic characteristic of all who follow Jesus because we admit we are not good enough the way we...
You may have missed it. Last Sunday is when summer officially ended and autumn began. One thing that some people will miss about summer is being in or on the water. Folks love fishing, swimming, boat rides, cruises, or just sitting and looking at the ocean or a lake. I did not get to any major bodies of water this summer. However, I did see several beautiful waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains. On one hike, my son and I climbed over some slippery rocks to get a closer look at the stunning falls. As we navigated the plunge pool to return...
Budget Workshop Catharine Township will be holding a Budget workshop on October 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Catharine Township Municipal Building located at 1229 Recreation Dr., Williamsburg, PA. Abandoned Vehicle The following abandoned vehicle will be sold at public auction at Walter’s Auto Wrecking, 403 Walter’s Lane, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10am. 2016 GMC Station Wagon, VIN 1GKS2BKC4GR294728 NOTE: There will be a minimum bid and the title will be branded Formerly Abandoned. For more information, Call...
