Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
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Homes in Cove townships in Blair County are poised to be connected to middle-mile fiber infrastructure by 2026. This announcement comes as part of a nearly $2.5 million project funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), jointly undertaken by Allegheny Broadband Inc. (ABI) and Crowsnest Broadband. Dwayne Zimmerman, owner and founder of Crowsnest, said that the federal government allocated $200 million in ARPA funds for Pennsylvania. Following this allocation, the state invited applications...
Fourth grade students from schools across Bedford County including those from Northern Bedford County Elementary attended the Bedford Chamber of Commerce’s Touch-a-Truck event at the Bedford County Airport on Thursday, April 18. Jenny Delong of Bun Air which is in charge of all the flight operations at the Bedford County Airport said they host events like the Touch-A-Truck event to help the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. This event has been at the airport for the last three years, and b...
Lisa Litzenberger, a dedicated employee of McDonald’s in Roaring Spring, recently received the “Outstanding Women of Excellence” award from the company. The award was to acknowledge and celebrate women who made significant contributions in their respective roles. “It was humbling — I cried and my mom cried. You are just not used to getting that type of recognition, “ Litzenberger said. On the day she received the award, she was given flowers, a gift card, a monetary award, and a celebratory...
The Roaring Spring community united to bring the UNTO humanitarian aid program to the area. More than 200 volunteers from various denominations congregated at the Roaring Spring Arch on Saturday, April 6, to package 45,000 meals destined for food-insecure regions globally. “It is a whole community effort,” Pastor John Nothwang of Christ Church and member of the Ministerium said. On Friday evening, trucks with thousands of pounds of rice and beans showed up at the Arch that were then unl...
A fire damaged a two-story duplex on Wednesday, April 10, in the afternoon in Williamsburg. Deputy Fire Chief Steve Lane of Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department said a neighbor called in the incident, and when his crew first arrived on scene the whole back of the house was on fire at 821 W. Second St. The homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was outside when he heard the fan in the attic pop and then saw flames coming out of the window at about 1:30 p.m. Deputy Chief Lane said...
Martinsburg Borough recently installed electronic radar speed signs at West Allegheny, East Allegheny, and South Market streets. Martinsburg Police Chief Kerry Hoover said the signs can tell police how fast traffic is going and the times that speeding tends to happen. The signs show motorists driving towards the sign how fast they are going and will signal the driver to slow down when their speed gets too high. Chief Hoover said the signs can detect the speed of vehicles going both ways and not...
After retiring from working in education all of his life, Chuck Kensinger, 74, of Martinsburg has taken up hiking as a new hobby with a goal of trekking the entire Mid State Trail in Pennsylvania. The Mid State Trail is 331.6 miles and often called the “wildest trail” because of the varied terrain, Kensingner said. “I enjoy setting goals,” he said, about what he liked about hiking. His friend Bob Shinskie, 68, a retired school administrator from Spring Mills, Pa., near State College, and he...
Gary Brumbaugh has been in the fireworks industry for over 30 years doing both professional shows and having a retail store for the last seven years in Royer just outside of Williamsburg. “I have always enjoyed doing the professional shows — since we opened the store, every year we do better,” he said. Consumer fireworks were legalized in 2017, the Brumbaugh Fireworks opened in 2018. The store started out as just one building and there was no sprinkler system at the time, which meant they could...
During Martinsburg Borough’s monthly council meeting on Monday night, it was announced that the 2024 Agricultural Parade would be on Tuesday, July 9. Council members approved to allow the pertaining streets to be closed for the parade subject to the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park obtaining the necessary PennDOT permits....
Located just outside of Curryville, Peach Hill is a store that sticks to agricultural tradition while also looking towards innovation. For Dave and Marlene Martin, owners of Peach Hill, farming and the store is their livelihood — and a legacy that was passed down through generations. In 1972, Dave’s father Ammon Martin, first set up a humble roadside stand near their current store. “It evolved from a roadside stand,” Marlene said. The store they own today was built in 2007, and the Martins bough...
It has been a tradition for the Brown family to have their annual reunion the Sunday before Labor Day. This year the event will happen on September 1. James Brown said it started in 1915 at the Morrison’s Cove Memorial Park even before there was a park, when it was known as Snyder’s Grove. According to Morrisons Cove Memorial Park website, the park was founded in 1915, when a group attending the Brown family picnic decided the area with White Oak trees would be a beautiful place for a park. He believed the first reunion was in 1910, but he has...
Two honorees from The Cove will be celebrated by WISE Women of Blair County at the organization’s tribute dinner happening on April 17 at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Juls Bratton and Michele McIntyre are the two honorees who were selected by a committee. WISE is an acronym that means Women Involved in Scholarship and Empowerment and the organization is dedicated to empowering women and eliminating racism through collaboration, service and education. Through the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, funds raised at the annual tribute dinn...
Morrisons Cove 1st Federal Credit Union has been loyal supporters of the community and its members since it was founded. Lynnette Hamm CEO said the Morrisons Cove 1st FCU started out as D.M. Bare Paper Co. Federal Credit Union in 1954. It was established and chartered by the late Vance D. Myers along with six other credit union charter members to aid the employees of the D.M. Bare Paper Co., which would be later known as Appleton Papers, Inc. “A group of men at the paper mill decided to start a...
Fire companies from all over in Blair and Bedford counties were fighting a massive fire which started at 10:05 p.m. Monday night and continued to burn into Tuesday in Claysburg at the site of the U.S. Lumber Distribution Center. At 8 a.m. there were still flames and big clouds of smoke coming from 218 Ward Drive, which is a lumberyard and distribution center. Scott Eicher, Fire Chief for Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company said they do not know what started the four alarm fire, and it will be...
Representatives from Garver YMCA presented their plans to apply for some grants to update their facilities to the Roaring Spring Borough Council members during their monthly meeting. On Monday, March 11, Holly Keller of Garver said that there is some COVID money available through grants for a multi-purpose community facilities program. She said the purpose of these grants are for community development, and what they need to do is show that their organization was affected by COVID. “We would like to improve Garver YMCA – it needs much imp...
Here are the February Students of the Month for NBC Middle School: Grade 8 – Lilly Johnson, daughter of Ryan and Aleecha Johnson Erik Swanseen, son of David and Emily Swanseen Grade 7 – Lily Miller, daughter of Lucas and Jennie Miller. Jerran Moyer, son of Jerry and Christa Moyer Grade 6 – Leah Steele, daughter of Jonathan and Lucene Steele Ryen Pepple, son of Gabriel and Danelle Pepple...
Clover Creek Cheese Cellar welcomed the first two calves of the year on the morning of Friday, March 8, to their 126-acre Ojala Farm in Williamsburg. Cheesemaker Anthony Rice, said their cow Mikaela gave birth to twins, a boy and girl. “The boy is Maldon and the girl is Mezcal,” he said. When naming the calves, they like to have the first letters match the mother’s. Rice said they had a calf guessing contest to see who could predict whether Mikaela would give birth to a boy or girl. “We have twi...
Laverne Nolt of Laverne’s Produce Supply said that agriculture is always a challenge and there is never a normal year. “One time a guy asked me what a normal year is and I said I don’t know,” he said. On their farm they grow about 10 acres of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkins, and they have other fields to grow corn and soybeans. With the weather being warmer than usual, Nolt said they might see pests emerge earlier. “Especially with the vegetables, we get pests that come out early,” h...
Many local companies that specialize in windows, doors and siding, were talking about what was trending lately for homeowners at the Blair Home, Garden and Healthy Living Showcase at the Blair County Convention Center earlier this month. Shawnee Vinyl Shawnee Vinyl owner Jim Barnes said that a lot of people were looking for windows that are easy to clean and energy efficient. He said some other qualities that homeowners look at when buying windows is if the glass is able to reflect UV rays, is...
Penn State Extension volunteers Joanne Rowland and Jim Dixon from the Master Gardeners of Blair County were at the Blair Home, Garden and Healthy Living Showcase earlier this month. Rowland said the master gardeners are volunteers who support the Extension’s educational programs in consumer horticulture. “Today we are educating people about the different types of bugs both good and bad,” she said. The booth had information about each type of bug and what made them beneficial or invasive. Dixon said Lantern flies will still continue to be a prob...
Blair County: A People’s History is set to premier at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona next month, on Thursday, April 18, a film that encapsulates roughly 250 years worth of history from indigenous people up until the present. This film was produced and directed by Mark Frederick, and written by his older brother Jared Frederick. Some of the themes the movie will highlight include the early canal system and other transportation methods, the iron industry, the railroad industry and how it is all in...
The Blair County Historical Society has welcomed its new executive director to its team. Dustin Smith, an Altoona native, said that he is looking forward to bringing a “fresh perspective” to the organization while putting an emphasis on the community in the county, including the Cove. After he graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle High School, he went on to Penn State Altoona to initially pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, but soon realized it was not for him. Assistant history Professor Jared Frederick talked to him about the history pro...
Last October, areas of the continental United States were able to experience an annular eclipse, and now the opportunity has arrived again with a full solar eclipse happening on April 8. Fred Marschak, retired Hollidaysburg Planetarium director, volunteer and Martinsburg resident, said he saw his first total solar eclipse with his wife, when they visited China in 2009. “Seeing one in person is like being in the front row for a show,” he said. The cities in the path of the totality which are clo...
Claysburg Area Hall of Fame Committee will be holding its 10th induction ceremony on Saturday, April 13, at 3 p.m. at the Claysburg-Kimmel High School Auditorium. The public is invited to this no-charge event. No advance tickets are needed. The program will include the presentation of Hall of Fame Members with a reception immediately following with light refreshments. The inductees for the 2024 program are: Bill’s Place - Bill and Suie Burket - Pioneer Award, Dahl Bowser, Lynn and Janice Crist, Brent Miller, Dolan Mosser....
Dark Hollow Sugar Camp, a maple syrup business located in Jack’s Corner in Northern Bedford County, has benefited from the colder temperatures in February, which has allowed them to produce more of the sweet substance than in previous years with more mild winters. Owner Tyler Hrivnak, said the sap in the sugar maple trees they use on his property and in the surrounding woods, was running pretty well because of the conditions. He uses the sap that is tapped from about 800 trees. The sap collected...
The Claysburg-Kimmel School District was generously awarded an $80,000 grant from the Claysburg Education Foundation to create a sensory room for the Multi-Disabilities Support classroom and the Life Skills Support classroom at Claysburg-Kimmel School District. This donation will provide critical resources to support students with sensory processing needs and enhance their educational experience. Sensory rooms are designed to provide a safe and calming space for students with sensory processing issues, allowing them to regulate their sensory...
The Claysburg Education Foundation is excited to unveil plans for a hydroponics educational facility generously funded by Mark and Karen Barnhart. This innovative initiative aims to benefit students and communities within the Claysburg-Kimmel School District and beyond, fostering educational advancement, community engagement, and sustainable agriculture practices. Hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil, utilizes a water-based nutrient solution. This technique has gained traction among small farmers, hobbyists, and commercial...
After 30 years, Jeff Batzel will be retiring as an athletic director at the end of 2024, with his time spent at Northern Bedford and Everett school districts. Batzel is an NBC alumnus, and a lifelong resident of the district residing in the Yellow Creek area. “My father was the first AD in the school’s history, and I am the third,” he said. Ryan Cherry will be taking over the position and will be the district’s fourth athletic director in 60 years. “That is pretty interesting and amazing w...
The creation of the calendar and why the leap year exists is a story of trial and error, according to James Lowe, board chairman of the Blair County Historical Society. From his research, he found that the first calendar year was created in 753 BC by Romulus with only 10 months and 304 days, plus an undefined winter period. This was eventually modified to include 12 months with a total 354 days with no fluctuating winter period. “Since the actual time for the Earth to orbit the Sun is 365.224 da...
Local police departments gave an update on an individual who was disrupting services in churches in the Cove and a few others in the area. Chief Kerry Hoover of the Martinsburg Police Department said that the departmeint is not releasing the man’s name, but said the man causing the disruptions was having medical or mental health problems. “The incident has been addressed and there is no further threat,” Chief Hoover said. Hoover said Sunday patrols have been added as a precaution in Martinsburg Borough and Huston Township and police are worki...
Roaring Spring Borough Manager Lisa Peel gave an update on the Five Points Traffic Light project (which began earlier in February) at the most recent borough council meeting. “Right now, we are waiting on Penelec to come out and approve where we would like to put the electric meters for the traffic lights,” she said at the council’s monthly meeting on Monday night. Changes were made because the original plan had the traffic lights wired back into the borough building as the current ones are. But with the possibility of moving the borough offic...
Traditions has been a part of the Cove community since 2007, offering a place to dine and also experience the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions of the area. Restaurant Owner Tyler Zimmerman, who has been there since the restaurant opened, said the retail store was opened in 2003 by Marcus Zimmerman. He said the store was opened as an opportunity in the area to provide the essentials of food and clothing that people needed while also creating jobs. “We have created a lot of jobs for a lot of p...
Martinsburg Borough Council approved dissolving the Trooper Landon Weaver Fund and splitting the remaining funds between Cove Christmas Love and the Martinsburg Food Pantry. During borough council’s monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 5, Mayor Richard Brantner, Sr. talked about what the borough would do with the fund during his report. Trooper Weaver was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 30, 2016, while investigating a protection from abuse (PFA) order violation. Brantner, Sr. said he did not k...
At 91 years old, Herbert Houp of Woodbury, a Korean War veteran, is a testament to a life well-lived, marked by dedication, craftsmanship, and a passion for painting. He served in the Korean War from 1953 to 1954, where he drove tanks. “I got out on Christmas Day,” Houp said. When he returned home, he went to work at the Blank Book Company in Roaring Spring where he spent 11 years operating a ruling machine that added lines to paper. Houp’s career took him to Martinsburg Cove Building Servi...
A Martinsburg native and Central High School graduate, is set to embark on the Iditarod 2024, Alaska’s iconic sled dog race commencing on March 2. Jeff Reid is a retired Navy SEAL, and is finding support from his hometown and family, particularly from Spring Dam Brewing Co. in Roaring Spring. Owner Anita Baker, his mother-in-law, is committed to help him and her daughter Jeri achieve their dreams. Baker said that the brewery is collecting donations and organizing fundraisers to offset the expens...
A former Cove business woman and pastor recently published a devotional book. The book titled “Simply, Good Morning and Shalom” written by Millie Baker, is a year-long devotional with an extra section at the end for special days that have no set date. “Each thought I send out — now to over 100 people — begins with a greeting of good morning and ends with a blessing of Shalom — a wish for inner peace,” she said is how the book got its title. Baker said the devotional is meant to help people s...
A local volunteer organization that has been around since 1947, is continuing to help different causes within the community. The Martinsburg Community Fund, which many might know from the thermometer in front of the Hometown Bank at the corner of North Market and East Allegheny Streets, is an annual fund drive. Randy Stoltz has been chairman of the volunteer organization for more than 20 years and said that there are eight members on the board. “It is a unique thing – it gives an opportunity to...
In the quest to improve internet connectivity in the Cove area, Dwayne Zimmerman, owner of Crowsnest Broadband, talked about the challenges faced by residents and solutions presented to deal with varying levels of service across the region. He said that the service quality in the Cove area is “decent,” but varies significantly depending on the location. There is an AT&T cell tower at the northern end of Clover Creek and another near Smith Transportation. T-Mobile has one tower in Fredericksburg...
The North Woodbury Township supervisors have put out a notice that the Creps Road Bridge would be closing. According to the notice, it was a decision made by Blair County and PennDOT. Since this is a county bridge, the supervisors said they had no input in closing the bridge and directed questions to the Blair County commissioners. Amy Webster, Blair County commissioner, said the bridge was closed on Jan. 24, due to “structural deficiencies.” She said there is a short detour in place, but the...
Fallon Smith, manager of the Cove Community Theater, recently discussed the theater’s recent endeavors and upcoming projects with the Herald. The theater, located in a converted church building in Loysburg, has been a hub for various performances for five years, including escape rooms and murder mysteries. Their most recent attraction, “Escape the Hop Soda Shop - Escape Room,” transported participants from a modern-day day diner to the 1950s, and participants were given the challenge of finding their way back. The experience, which took place...
Scott Barger, in his bid to be the state representative for the 80th District, is taking the opportunity to connect with constituents through his “Bagels with Barger” tour. The 80th District includes Blair County and part of Huntingdon County. The Restored Grounds coffee shop in Martinsburg was the second stop of six for Barger recently. Barger is challenging incumbent state Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg, in the upcoming 2024 spring Primary Election. Barger is seeking the nomination to be...
During the recent Northern Bedford County School Board of Directors meeting, many community members showed up to support Leidy Transportation in hopes that the district would choose to renew its contract with the bus company. Community members Brittany Hall, Bill Imler, and Kassi Leidy voiced their opinions during the public comment session of the meeting. The result was that the school board approved a five-year transportation contract with Leidy Transportation LLC, spanning the 2024-25 through 2028-29 school years. The contract, with an 8-1...
Daniel Miller, 14, of East Freedom, had his dream come true at the First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Jan. 11-13. Keith Isley, a rodeo clown, played a big part in turning Miller’s aspirations into reality. Daniel’s mother Delsa Miller said her son was born with only a 50 percent chance of survival. She said there was a hole in his diaphragm which allowed his intestines to go up through that space and fill his chest cavity, where the lungs were dev...
Northern Bedford County Middle and High Schools implemented an “unplugged day” where laptops, computers, cellphones, email, smartboards, and other internet-connected devices were off-limits to raise awareness about the impact of technology on students and staff. Middle school Principal Kendra Pritchett said the only exceptions were landline phones, copy machines, and essential security equipment. “We found that a lot of the things we do on a daily basis, we had to figure out a different way to d...
A resident of the Cove, Fred Gutshall, 76, often receives compliments on the handcrafted canes he uses in public. “They ask where did you buy it — and I say I made it,” he said. “They are just amazed.” Canes like the one he uses are personally made using materials he finds in the woods, and can take up to two years to finish just one. Gutshall files the wood to take out the notches and create a smooth surface for each cane. “It takes a lot of work,” he said. The hobby was inspired by a friend a...
Roaring Spring Community Library’s Seed Library program was created to promote gardening and food security, according to director Michelle McIntyre. The program serves residents of Blair, Huntingdon, and Bedford counties. All seeds are free. Residents of these counties may select their orders from a form, and pick up their seeds at the library of their choice. Stephanie Fulcher, program organizer, said they have over 30 varieties of lettuce and tomatoes, 20 varieties of hot and sweet peppers, a...
Some local schools received portions of the PA Farm Bill grants which totaled nearly $500,000 to prepare for the next generation of success in agriculture. Spring Cove School District was awarded $7,493 to go towards updating their agriculture curriculum, Hollidaysburg Area School District received $7,500 for their Tiger Victory Garden, and Williamsburg Community School District got $7,500 for overhauling small gas engines. “I am very excited about receiving the grant money so the students will have opportunities for more hands-on experiments i...
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) will continue its tradition of celebrating the area’s talented young artists with the return of Artists of the 21st Century, the museum’s 26th annual student art exhibition. Student artwork will be displayed at SAMA Altoona from Jan. 26 until April 7, at SAMA Bedford from Feb. 2 until April 14, and at SAMA Ligonier from February 16, 2024. This exhibition is sponsored by the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators. The opening reception for SAMA Alt...
Leadership Blair County Youth Program, of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce is cultivating leadership skills among local high school students. The program is an extension of the adult version which started in the early 2000s, according to Chamber representative Brittany Mayer. She said it is gaining popularity among 10th grade students because of the exposure to various facets of their community. "The students really took charge of it this year," Mayer said. Designed to showcase the career...
Pennsylvania State Police and humane societies in the area rescued more than 90 dogs that were found in a home on Old Route 220 in Bedford County in late December. On Dec. 30, Pennsylvania State Police were called to a home along Old Route 220 for a report of animal cruelty. When the officers arrived at the home, they noticed an overpowering smell of dog feces. While they heard dogs barking, no one was home at the time. Officers returned to the home on Dec. 31., at this time they made contact with an 82-year-old male and 62-year-old female who...
