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  • N. Bedford 'Unplugs' Students and Teachers for a Day

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 25, 2024

    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...

  • Cove Veteran Handcrafts Sturdy Wooden Canes

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 18, 2024

    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 Library Expands Its Seed Library

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 18, 2024

    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...

  • Local Schools Win Grants For Ag Curriculum Projects

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 18, 2024

    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...

  • Student Art to be Displayed in Two Locations

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 18, 2024

    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 Gives Students Community, Volunteer Experiences

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 11, 2024

    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...

  • Bedford Humane Society Flooded With Animals and Volunteers After More Than 90 Dogs Are Rescued

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 11, 2024

    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...

  • Central Student Publishes First Book

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 11, 2024

    A senior from Central High School just published her first book after spending many years developing the story while also staying on top of school work and club responsibilities. Julianna Myers, 17, of Roaring Spring, is the author of the book "Metal Heart" which was officially published on Dec. 19, 2023. The original story started when she was in fifth grade and was inspired by a game she played with her friends called "space aliens." At first, the story was about humans versus aliens, but...

  • Well-Known Horticulturist Passes Away After 31 Years With Penn State Extension

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 4, 2024

    A well-known horticulture educator with the Penn State Extension who passed away early in December is being remembered by the people who worked with him locally and across the state. Thomas G. Ford, 63, of Duncansville, was a commercial horticulture educator for 41 years, with 31 of those being with the Penn State Extension. Joe Diamond of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said he was a valuable resource to those in the agricultural community who produced fruits and vegetables. “Tom did a t...

  • NB Bands Together to Support Two Students Diagnosed With Cancer

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Jan 4, 2024

    Two students at Northern Bedford County Middle School are fighting cancer and their community has stepped up to help them during this difficult time. After experiencing cyclical fevers and through diagnostic testing, TJ Helsel, 13, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Nov. 15, 2023, a cancer that attacks the lymphatic system. Quinton Morrow, 14, was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a cancer that affects the spine and brain, on Dec. 17, 2023. The Northern Bedford...

  • Central Students Take a Hack at Cloud Technology

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 28, 2023

    Students from Blair, Bedford, and Cambria counties, including students from Central High School, explored the world of cloud technology during the Major League Hacking’s Global Hack Week, hosted by South Hills School of Business and Technology. With about 100 students in attendance, the event aimed to provide interactive STEM sessions and foster interest in technology careers. “Our students had a great experience at the event,“ Kayla Wheland, a business and computer information technology teacher at Central, said. She said there were multiple s...

  • AAA Presents Awards to Eight Local Police for Traffic Safety Efforts

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 28, 2023

    Traffic safety is important all year round, especially during the holiday season when there are more people out on the roads and not always great weather conditions. Eight police departments in Blair County were honored by AAA East Central on Thursday, Dec. 14, for their dedication to increasing traffic safety and education. The four local departments that won the Platinum Awards included Blair County Sheriff's Department, Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, and Pennsylvania State Police Troop G....

  • Martinsburg Family Uses Decor To Raise Funds for Humane Society

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 28, 2023

    Ron and Jaynne Bowers on Oakdale Road have been decorating their yard for Christmas to collect donations for the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society for several years, and it has expanded to homes across the street. "It started with just one or two things about 15 years ago," Jaynne said. In 2008, the first year, they collected $130, and that amount increased steadily over time. "During the pandemic, all of a sudden, our totals jumped up dramatically," she said. They thought $880 in 2019 was gre...

  • Williamsburg Native Dies in Tragic Murder-Suicide

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 28, 2023

    On Tuesday evening, a Greenwood couple died in what appears to be a murder-suicide, as reported by Logan Township Police Chief Dave Hoover. In the basement of their residence on the 600 block of South Dartmouth Lane, Blase Raia fatally shot Brooke (Zimmerman) Raia in the head before turning the handgun on himself. The call for police assistance came at 7:30 p.m., and state police were called in to process the scene, collecting evidence and providing support to the Logan Township Police Department. This incident is believed to be the result of...

  • Spring, Stone Manors Facing Rent Increase Due to Water Issues

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 21, 2023

    In a community meeting held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, residents of Spring and Stone Manors came together to discuss the escalating water issues affecting the lives of about 192 people who live in the parks. Spring Manor resident Mark Fiddes said the meeting was attended by about 60 people, mainly residents who gathered to address a letter from Mobile Realty, the owner of both trailer parks, which announced a rent hike. “The issue started at the beginning of the month when we all received letters about the owner raising the rent,” he said. Fid...

  • Medical Experts Say Respiratory Illnesses Just Starting

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 14, 2023

    Local health experts gave a snapshot of what they are seeing in doctors offices and hospitals in regards to flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases. As the seasons change and the ongoing challenges of respiratory illnesses persist, medical experts agree that they are seeing a lot of the usual this time of year. Dr. Matthew Bouchard, affiliated with UPMC Altoona and Bedford, reported that flu cases are currently mild, with very few positive cases. “We tend to see an increase in flu cases over the holidays,” he said. Dr. Eli...

  • Women's Health Services of Roaring Spring to Provide Care in Wake of Nason Closure

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 14, 2023

    Women's Health Services of Roaring Spring officially opened on Dec. 7, which is filling a void for a much needed resource in the Cove community. "We discovered that there was a significant need for the female population for timely visits to a gynecologist," Dr. Stephen Bisacco of the practice said. He understood that the public was upset that the gynecology department at Nason Medical Center closed. After that, some people had to travel 45 minutes or more to get a routine examination, Bisacco...

  • Possible Closure of Jugtown Bridge Concerns Residents

    CATI KEITH, Staff Writer|Dec 14, 2023

    Residents of the neighborhood near the Jugtown Bridge between East Freedom and Claysburg, have growing concerns over the future of the structure as county officials decide its fate. Bridge 73, which spans over the Beaver Dam Creek, connects Everett and Mountain Roads with about 40 residents living across the bridge. Debra Miller, a resident, said the community has unanimously agreed that they need a new bridge. The addition of a cul-de-sac would cut off their access to Everett Road and Dunnings...