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The Herald office will close at noon on Friday, June 4. The office will re-open at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 7, and resume normal hours. The Herald apologizes for any inconvenience. Thank you for your support of community journalism....
Terry L. Malloy, 73, of Martinsburg, passed away peacefully at home May 24, 2021, surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 26, 1947, in Altoona, the son of the late Luke and Dora (Stoltenberg) Malloy. He married Carol A. Page May 22, 1987. He is survived by his wife; six children: Michael Malloy, Patrick Malloy, John Rizzo (Christel), Scott Rizzo (Amy), Kara Garver (Jim), and Ryan Rizzo (Kristy); seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Terry was a...
Joanne Batzel, 84, of Waterside, passed away May 25, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Del. She was born July 26, 1936, in Everett, daughter of J. Ivan & Mary (VanPelt) Clark. She married John Batzel Jr. Nov. 9, 1954, in Winchester, Va. He preceded her in death Aug. 1, 2013. Joanne is survived by the following family: daughter, Debbie Dibert & husband Donald of Middletown, Del.; sons: Greg & wife Pam of Osterburg, and Michael & significant other Trish Dasher of Woodbury,...
Nancy Ann (Casaday) Varner, 87, a resident at Homewood at Martinsburg, formerly of Roaring Spring, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday morning, May 29, 2021, at the home after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born Oct. 15, 1934, in Tipton the daughter of the late Floyd and Beatrice (Bland) Casaday. She married her childhood neighbor, high school sweetheart, dedicated caretaker, and the love of her life, Herschell “Pat” Varner Dec. 26,1953. She is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, who is a resident at Cambr...
Tom Prestash, District Executive of PennDOT District 9, will be the keynote speaker at the next Blair County Chamber Breakfast Club on June 10 beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Prestash’s presentation is entitled, “Maneuvering Around the Cones.” He will outline PennDOT’s strategy for completing key highway and bridge projects with as little inconvenience as possible to drivers. To register, call the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online....
On Saturday, May 29, 2021, officers of the Blair County D.U.I. Task Force made their presence known locally by conducting a D.U.I. roving patrol. The following results are from the detail: • 69 individual contacts • 61 citations or warnings issued for vehicular violations • 1 D.U.I. arrest • 1 misdemeanor – drug possession and paraphernalia arrest • 1 arrest warrant served • Remember, friends don’t let friends drive impaired!...
As Spotted Lanternflies hatch across much of the state, Pa. Department of Agriculture crews have begun to spray an insecticide that kills the insects on contact along railways, interstates and other transportation rights-of-way. Contact spraying is a new element of strategic efforts to slow the spread of the invasive pest, which moves primarily by hitching a ride on vehicles traveling out of infested areas. The insecticide has been thoroughly researched and found to be safe for use in the areas...
The Blair County Library System has announced the return of the Fort Roberdeau Family Pass Backpack Program for 2021. Blair County Library patrons are invited to check out a free family pass to visit Fort Roberdeau with the Blair County Library System Backpack Program. The backpack includes literature on Colonial America and the wildlife your family can see at Fort Roberdeau, as well as kid-safe binoculars and a magnifying glass. Fort Roberdeau features the reconstructed Revolutionary War fort,...
“A Twisted Tale” is a young adult series of books published by Disney, written by Liz Braswell, Jen Colonitan and Elizabeth Lim. Currently, there are eleven books in the series with a twelfth one being released in September 2021. The series is based on what-if scenarios of popular animated Disney movies and characters. I, being a Disney fan since roughly 1982, was a little hesitant to consider an alternate reality for the most beloved characters of my childhood, but decided to give this series a try. The first book in the series is titled “A...
Stacey Karchner, a Family Recovery Life Coach through the BALM (Be A Loving Mirror) Family Recovery Program will be teaching a free course sponsored by Blair County Drug and Alcohol Partnerships for those in Blair County who are affected by another’s Substance Use Disorder/Addiction. BALM evolved around the fact that those with Substance Use Disorder are human beings and deserving of love just as any other person is. At the core of BALM is loving kindness. As a family member it’s important to be a model of recovery, regain peace and calm, bel...
After getting vaccinated, I eagerly returned to some parts of normal life, expecting the essential workers I interacted with would be already vaccinated. After all, they became eligible for the vaccine before I did, and our county has one of the highest rates of vaccinations in the country. I was surprised when a few people told me they weren’t vaccinated. They wanted to get vaccinated, and planned to, but they couldn’t afford to risk feeling sick from side effects for two days while they had to work. It’s sad and ironic that the very people wh...
With the emergence of Brood X Cicadas underway in Pennsylvania, Wolf Administration officials encouraged Pennsylvanians to keep their hands off of insecticides as these once-every-seventeen-year bugs make their appearance. While large and loud, these rare insects are not harmful and will not be around for long. “The risk of harming beneficial pollinators or other bugs, or pets or other wildlife that may eat cicadas, to wipe out a temporary annoyance is not worth it,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Save the insecticides for the t...
Herald of June 4, 1896 Fred Smouse of Martinsburg was building a dike for Dr. J.W. Wengert of Clover Creek (Fredericksburg). The wall of considerable length was intended to prevent the inundation of the doctor’s lawn and garden, which has been a very common thing in the past as the town has been flooded often on Main Street beyond the comprehension of those not familiar with the place. The East Sharpsburg school house was being used a meeting house by the Dunkards. About 500 people attended a baseball game on Decoration Day between M...
Herald of June 3, 1971 Winifred Steward of Ore Hill was killed when an early-morning fire swept through her mobile home on May 29. Rev. Gale D. Crumrine of Troy, Ohio, was named pastor at the Memorial Church of Brethren, succeeding Rev. Floyed H. Mitchell who had accepted a pastorate in Chambersburg. About 50 friends and relatives cooperated in a barn-raising effort at the Earl Newswanger farm in Martinsburg RD 1. The Herald reported that it was the first such event done by the Old Order Mennonites in this area. John Ginter was installed as...
Herald of June 1, 1921 The Blair County Baseball League opened the season with the first game at Roaring Spring between the “Baretown Nine,” representing Morrisons Cove, and the Altoona YMCA team. Biggest attraction for local fans was Martinsburg’s Herb Bolger. The premier hurler for the league was “on the slab” for Roaring Spring winners of the game with a 7 to 4 score. Two parades were held in Williamsburg on Memorial Day: one in the morning by service organizations and the other by the Catholic and Protestant friends at the dedicatio...
Herald of May 30, 1996 The Spring Cove School Board gave final approval to a $15 million budget at its May meeting and voted to increase real estate taxes four mill. A fourth grader at the Roaring Spring Elementary School could face suspension from school for up to a year for having a gun in his school locker. Paulette Woomer, administrator of Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, said, “The 1996 celebration dinner was one of the best financially for the park in many years.” The income was $9,400, and after expenses the net profit was $8,268. “Wa...
Herald of June 6, 1946 Two father and son combinations were among the 10 high scorers at the annual bowling tournament held at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, placing in the top 10 were William Carper, 77, and his son Elvin, and Lester Holsinger and his son Robert. Miss Betty Brumbaugh of Martinsburg graduated from Juniata College during the college’s first peace-time commencement since 1941. She was an elementary education major. State police and agents of the Humane Society and Children’s Aid Society were investigating the report of bru...
Herald of June 2, 2011 By a vote of 6-3, the Northern Bedford School Board approved a $15.6 million structural renovation project to the middle/high school building. Tyler J. Clark of Martinsburg was named valedictorian and Rachel R. Fry of Martinsburg salutatorian for the Central High School Class of 2011. Friends of Spc. Chad Edmundson laid a wreath on a memorial in his honor in Williamsburg during the Spc. Chad A. Edmundson Memorial Motorcycle Run and Remembrance Day on May 18. The Williamsburg Chapter of the National Honor Society recently...
Most people know that there are things in life that we can control. I control my thermostat – until my wife changes it. I decide what clothes I will put on in the morning and how fast I will drive. Folks also realize that there are some things that are out of control. Even as I type this sentence, there is a severe storm warning – with blue skies overhead. We cannot control the weather. I have no say in what people around me say about me or what their activities are. The more I have the right perspective about control the better my life wil...
Let’s see why humankind does not want to connect with God. I can think of three reasons: 1. Rebellion against God. 2. Transgression against God’s Law. And 3. Opposition against God’s standards. 1. Rebellion against God was first exhibited by Satan. We don’t know much about it, but it is spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah and confirmed by what Satan did in the Garden of Eden in an attempt to turn humans against God. A root cause for the rebellion may have been a desire for a new taste, pleasur...
St. Patrick Catholic School in Newry paid tribute to the 337 Blair County residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 with a special prayer service, followed by students and staff tying 337 ribbons, one for each victim of the virus, outside the school....
Julie Russell, who has been employed at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center for 14 years, was announced as a recipient of the 2021 Mercy Award. The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program established in 2002 to honor the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, LifePoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a LifePoint employee can receive. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spi...
STORAGE SALE DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF RENT: Roxie Dick, 404 Apt #1, Mile Level, Williamsburg; Terry Clyde, 301 Union Ave. #362, Altoona; Elizabeth Close, 233 Juniata Valley Rd., Hollidaysburg; Brenda Knorr, 112 Wertz Ave., Altoona; William Carlos, 7246 Davis Rd., Alexandria; Tommy Lee Smith, 109 N. 6th Ave., Altoona; Virginia Walker, 427 Avaro Dr., Blairsville; Gerald Reiter, 145 Miles Gr., Julian., will be sold on June 7, 2021 at 12 noon at Smith’s Self Storage, 16643 Dunnings Hwy, Duncansville, Pa 16635. 814-695-1363. All welcome. Invitation to B...
La Secretaria Interina de la Salud de Pensilvania, Alison Beam, anunció el 27 de mayo que la orden de mascarillas del estado se levantará para el 28 de junio. “Después de revisar la información sobre vacunaciones dadas a las personas de 18 años o más, y discutir el tema con el Cuerpo Especial Legislativo para la Vacuna COVID-19, hemos determinado que la orden de mascarilla de Pensilvania se puede levantar el 28 de junio, o cuando 70 por ciento de los adultos del estado hayan recibido su segunda dosis, cualquiera pase primero,” dijo la Secret...
The Herald’s Weekly Virus Report Reported on 6/01/21 #Cases / #Deaths / Rate* Bedford: 3,237 - 138(n/c) - 288.2 Blair: 10,553 - 338 - 277.4 Cambria: 10,279 - 432 - 331.8 Centre: 15,358 - 224 - 137.9 Clearfield: 6,269 - 147 - 185.5 Fulton: 755 - 15(n/c) - 103.2 Huntingdon: 4,271 - 132 - 292.4 Somerset: 5,758 - 212 - 288.6 *Rate is number of deaths per 100,000 population. It is used to compare county death rates. Reported on 5/25/21 Bedford: 3,219 - 138 - 288.2 Blair: 10,486 - 335 - 275.0 Cambria: 10,245 - 430 - 330.3 Centre: 15,291 - 222(n/c) -...
On Sunday, May 30, The Hemlock Project hosted an event with the Blair County Young Democrats to clean up the Wopsononock Mountain Lookout in Dysart, PA. Over the course of two hours, 25 volunteers cleared more than 43 bags of trash. This event was titled "Earth Day in May." Members of the Blair County Young Democrats and the Blair County Young Republicans participated in this event. Darius Morgan and Bridgette Jackson, who are both running for Altoona City Council, were also in attendance....
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that six states and the District of Columbia will share $7.25 million for actions to improve local rivers and streams in locations most beneficial to the downstream Chesapeake Bay. Both Bedford and Blair counties are in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and are subject to the rules and regulations applied to the watershed. Farmers in particular can be affected by bay watershed regulations, because controls can be placed on any substances applied to crops or land in the watershed, to avoid having...
Rising real estate prices are all over the news, with reports of homes selling well above asking prices. A similar phenomenon is happening to farmland and timberland tracts, impacting many farmers and forest products operators. Record high lumber prices are also causing challenges across the state, especially with construction projects. Overview To understand the reason for these rising costs, look to supply and demand. For buyers participating in today's real estate market, expect to pay more...
Harry Felton of North Woodbury Township places registration stickers on kayaks he and his wife Linda use to enjoy one of their favorite summer activities....
At $3.04, the national gas price average only increased one penny leading up to Memorial Day weekend. The majority of states saw no change to pump prices or a decline on the week. However, prices may not stay stagnant. For the week ending May 21, demand jumped to 9.4 million b/d – the highest reported number since early March 2020 and up nearly 100,000 b/d over the same week last year, indicating motorists. In Pennsylvania, the current average is $3.158. A year ago, the average was $2.244. In Blair County, the current average price is $...
As I sit here after my family’s cookout on Memorial Day weekend, I can’t help but think of all the delicious food we had and the wonderful memories and stories that were shared – all around the table. This inspired my question for the week – “What is your favorite Memorial Day picnic dish?” Here is what a few residents had to say: Grace Risbon: Potato salad Brandi Schwaderer: Pasta salad John Fay: Baked beans Jon McClintock: Deviled eggs Rebecca Miller: Pickled eggs and beats Elizabeth Smith: Macaroni salad Tisha Ray: Macaroni and cheese Tim...
Summer cookout season is here! My sister Julie and I recently bought a home and are finally getting to have our extended family over for the first party of the season. This inspired me to give two recipes that we get to serve at our first party! Strawberry Pretzel Dessert When I think of this recipe, I think of my old co-worker Nancy Bookhammer, who was our cook at the daycare facility where I work. We had so many fun memories cooking in the kitchen and lots of conversations. I’m glad she still comes to visit some days so this recipe is a l...
Rebecca Miller, owner of Girl Gamer Gear, has been crafting her whole life in Williamsburg. "Crafting has been something I have done since I was small," Miller said. "My folks always encouraged me to use my talents for others." Miller learned a lot about crafting from her family. Her grandmother owned a ceramic shop, where Miller started painting at a young age. Miller's mother taught her to sew and crochet. "My mom has always sewn and made my clothes when I was little and crocheted. She tried...
American Legion Veterans saluted the cemeteries on Memorial Day as part of their festivities. The Legion Auxiliary prepared a breakfast for Veterans at 8 a.m., followed by a tank memorial ceremony at 10....
"What a different life with water from the sky," goes the first line in my diary for last Monday, May 24. "I walked up to the greenhouse for 'old-time's sake' but it was dark and empty," continued my ramblings. The rainy day and the white "paint" I applied on the roof in that extra warm weather in an effort to steady the mercury climb, made it seem like a room totally unlike the former. In my gardens, the beautiful rains soaked into the soil and helped the newly planted seedlings settle into...
Lil' Focht's Daycare of Martinsburg recognized seven graduates this year from preschool....
The people of Williamsburg were treated to more than just ice cream Memorial Day weekend. Reggie and Leslie Lower, owners of Lower Trail Creamery, arranged for Slingers Throw House to come May 29. Customers could come for ice cream and throw axes. Slingers Throw House is an axe-throwing entertainment house located in Altoona. The business started last June. "We brought our workers there at Thanksgiving break," said Reggie. "We got around to talking and made plans for them to come this summer."...
Editor’s Note: In the Herald’s graduation preview published on Page A-10 in the May 27, 2021, edition, the date for Central High School’s graduation ceremony was incorrect. The ceremony is to be held today, June 3, 2021, at 7 p.m., weather permitting. The rain date for this ceremony is tomorrow, June 4. Note: We at the Herald want to get it right, so we publish clarifications and corrections as needed. If you spot an error in the Herald’s pages, please contact Editor Anna Baughman at news@mcheraldonline.com or (814) 793-214...
As temperatures and motorcycle/bicycle traffic on commonwealth roadways are on the rise, May was recognized as both Motorcycle Awareness Month and Bicycle Safety Month. There were more than 3,400 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania roadways in 2020, resulting in 217 fatalities. Crashes rose by more than 300 from the 2019 number of 2,977, while fatalities also rose from 174 in 2019. Nationally, bicyclists killed in crashes with vehicles increased 36 percent from 2010 to 2018 with most of them occurring among male riders 20 years and...
Rain showers on Friday afternoon, May 28, pushed the pause button on outdoor work. This included the replacement of sewer lines along Christiana Street in Martinsburg, which caused the street to be closed for a few days....
The Pa. Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in lieu of holding a public meeting, will be accepting comments on a proposal to replace the bridge carrying Route 2020 (Royer Mountain Road) over Piney Creek in Woodbury Township, Blair County. The Route 2020 (Royer Mountain Road) Bridge Project will include the complete replacement of an existing I-beam bridge. A detour will be implemented during construction. The project will require right-of-way acquisition from land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) that is used as a f...
Twenty-six teams from around the region descended upon the Cove on Saturday morning, May 30, at 9 a.m. to hit the basketball courts. Divisions included 10u, 12u and 14u for both boys and girls teams. Four outdoor courts were utilized at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park while four indoor courts were used at the Garver Memorial YMCA....
The Northern Bedford Boys Track & Field squad was represented in three events at the state championships last weekend in Shippensburg. The boys 4 x 800 relay team of Nicholas Strayer, RJ Gates, Connor Laird and Chase Imes finished 20th in the 23 team field with a 9:09.81. Senior Ian Zimmerman ran in the 1,600 meter run and finished in 4:28.69. Although it was his best time of the year, he narrowly missed the medal stand, finishing 10th of 26 competitors. Junior Mason Detterline jumped 42-3.5 feet in the triple jump, which was good enough to...
By the second week of May, I was becoming anxious about finding some fly hatches and some rising trout. I had continued gobbler hunting to put in some time, but I did not even go one mid-May morning when I saw the daybreak temperature was only 32 degrees. My son, Bob, had been hunting for an hour or so before work each morning, trying to roust up a tom. On the 32-degree morning, he set up on a bird that gobbled incessantly from its roost. Bob let it fly down before calling to it. "I had to call...
One of the "unsung heroes" of the Blair County volleyball community was recently recognized for his years of service to the sport. Ken Streilein of Duncansville was honored by the Horseshoe Volleyball Club for his 30-plus years as a coach, official and club director. Horseshoe Volleyball Club technical director and former Tyrone Area High School girls' volleyball coach Mike Kraft presented a plaque to Streilein in front of a gathering of area coaches and officials. Streilein has served as a...
The Pa. Department of Aging has received a three-year $270,295 grant to expand its Healthy IDEAS (Identify Depression and Empowering Activities for Seniors) Program within the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to better identify and address depression symptoms among older adults. The Blair Senior Services, Inc., AAA is offering the program. The Southern Blair Senior Center is located at 15229 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom. The center’s telephone number is (814) 317-5181. The center’s website is at https://www.blairsenior.org/so...
The Pennsylvania courts released this info-graphic highlighting data from the state's mental health courts in recognition of May being Mental Heath Awareness Month. In 2019, 61 percent of all discharged participants graduated successfully from these treatment programs and among those graduates, there was a 134 percent increase in employment. Mental health courts link key justice system officials with leaders in the mental health system to divert offenders with severe mental illness into a...
The Pa. Department of Health has reminded Pennsylvanians that tick-borne diseases are present across the state, encouraged residents to seek treatment if they have been bitten by a tick and provided tips to prevent tick bites from occurring. There are simple ways to reduce their chances of being bitten by ticks: • Cover exposed skin with lightweight and light-colored clothing • Avoid tick-infested habitats such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass • Use an EPA-approved insect repellent • Once returning home, immediately check yourself,...
Claysburg American Legion Band and Claysburg Community Band are looking for interested musicians who would like to join their ranks. According to Dan Crist, leader of Claysburg American Legion band, Claysburg Community Band is a new concept. Matt Stombaugh, Claysburg-Kimmel’s band director, is starting Claysburg’s Community Band, of which he will be the director. “The Legion Band will be the nucleus of the Community Band,” said Crist. “But we [the Legion Band] are looking for others who would like to come and sit and play their instrumen...
On May 28, the Pa. Dept. of Health provided an update on the 2020-2021 flu season, which was one of the mildest flu seasons on record and ended on May 22. Flu activity remained low across the commonwealth and nationally the entire season. The 2020-21 season, with the co-circulation of COVID-19, was comparable to the 2015-16 season when the H1N1 flu virus predominated. As of May 22, there have been 3,664 laboratory-confirmed flu cases and 21 flu-associated deaths statewide. This is a 95 percent decrease from cumulative count of cases at the end...