📰 WEEKLY PREVIEW |
* Top Stories: Rotary Club bets big, $21,000 in scholarships |
Trivia Question❓If you could somehow drain all the water from the Pacific Ocean, the volume of water removed would be large enough to fill the Moon's entire interior approximately how many times over, given that the Pacific holds roughly 710 million cubic kilometers of water and the Moon's volume is about 21.9 billion cubic kilometers? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Wildfire |
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Governor Josh Shapiro joined thousands of spectators in Altoona to welcome Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 — a legendary locomotive touring the country as part of the America250 celebration. The event at Rose Yard drew an estimated 100,000 visitors, showcasing the Heritage Fleet alongside Norfolk Southern's America 250 Series. Built in the 1940s, Big Boy 4014 is the only one of eight surviving locomotives of its kind still in operation. Its stop in Pennsylvania marks a historic first — the Big Boy hasn't traveled east of the Mississippi in decades. Leaders highlighted Pennsylvania's deep railroad roots, noting the state's 5,600 miles of active track still move roughly 170 million tons of freight each year. Altoona's Juniata Locomotive Shop helped prepare several featured engines, reinforcing the city's proud rail heritage. The 7,000-mile multi-city tour has already drawn over 200,000 Pennsylvania spectators, delivering a meaningful boost to local tourism and economies. Read More... |
Sipes Smokehouse BBQ is marking a major milestone — 15 years of serving Blair County — with a four-day anniversary celebration running July 16 through July 19. The beloved family-owned restaurant at 8461 Woodbury Pike has built a loyal following over the years with slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, and signature sauces. To thank the community, Sipes is rolling out special anniversary pricing throughout the event. Highlights include a dozen wings for $9.99, two chicken dinners with four sides for $20, two half-rack rib dinners with four sides for $40, and loaded fries for $15. Owners Bryan and Audrey Sipes are inviting both longtime regulars and first-time visitors to come out and celebrate the occasion. For the full menu, ordering, or catering inquiries, visit the Sipes Smokehouse BBQ website. Read More... |
The Rotary Club of Altoona has awarded $21,000 in scholarships to 21 graduating seniors, reaffirming its decades-long dedication to education and leadership in Blair County. This year's recipients were selected for their academic achievement, community involvement, and clear educational goals. Seventeen students from the Altoona Area School District received awards, alongside four students from Bishop Guilfoyle Academy. Altoona Area recipients include; Colin Etters, Julian Pringle, Brookelyn Weaver, Shayla Austin, Natalie Etters, Sage Bower, Koby Webster, Samarra River Wertz, Chloe Kessling, Luke Schimminger, Khamden Thompkins, Grace Hovan, Kaya Sprankle, Savana Coho, Brooke Dalby, Kirra Klein, and Anthony Lockard. Bishop Guilfoyle honorees are Gia Adams, Leah Byrne, Rebekah Adams, and Lauren Lehman. Since 1998, the club has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to help local students pursue college, vocational training, and technical certifications — guided by Rotary's founding principle of service above self. Read More... |
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Hop to it: Levity Brewing Co. |
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Family-Friendly Events in Blair, June 29 – July 5, 2026 |
Duncansville Community Days |
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Hoopsfest 2026 (3-on-3 Basketball Tournament) |
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Central PA Card Show |
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Rockin' the Yard: Separate Ways (Journey Tribute) with Rock Hazel |
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📚 Blair County Public Library Events: July 13 – July 19, 2026The Blair County Library System has 8 member libraries. Below is the link to the Blair County Library System where you can access the calendars and events for all libraries. Be sure to check all confirmed events during July 13 – July 19. |
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The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by |
Crazy Train Hobbies |
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Blue and White Snack Bar — 905 Union St., HollidaysburgA Hollidaysburg landmark is back. The Blue and White Snack Bar reopened for business on May 12, 2026, bringing a neighborhood institution back to life after it had sat dark since owner Nancy Kerns passed away on May 10, 2020. The little counter's roots stretch all the way back to 1938, when Ellis P. "Curley" Kerns first opened it, landing at 905 Union St. in 1948. Steve and Christina Bender actually bought the business back in 2020 after Nancy's brother Carl Hoover listed it on Facebook, and they finally threw open the doors this spring, running it alongside their son Justin. Steve brings restaurant chops from his days cooking at King's Family Restaurant in Altoona, while Christina is a mortgage lender at Freedmont Mortgage in Hollidaysburg. For Christina, the pull was simple: "We wanted to preserve it for the community". Steve is humble about filling big shoes: "We can't compare to them, they were so ingrained in the community. All we can do is keep the idea going, keep the dream alive. They were so loved". They kept the original bar, stools, and candy case to hold onto the feel locals remember, and they're serving breakfast and lunch weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plans to add ice cream and milkshakes soon — and maybe even Saturday hours if folks keep asking. The reopening caught fire thanks to a Facebook post from former state rep Jim Gregory, who lives within walking distance; as Christina put it, "We want people to know we are here, we are excited and want the dream to live on". Stop in for a weekday breakfast or lunch and tell them you're glad they're back.altoonamirror Penn Public Truck and Equipment Inc. — 711 11th St., AltoonaA piece of Altoona history is staying local. Penn Public Truck and Equipment Inc., founded way back in 1918 by Roy Rittenhouse (it started life as the Altoona Auto Spring Co. on a former stable lot between Seventh and Eighth avenues), recently changed hands — and the new owners are no strangers to wrenches. Fred and Amy Mellott, along with their son Cy, purchased the longtime business at 711 11th St., as reported in the Mirror's "Briefcase" column in mid-June 2026. The Mellotts have run their own truck repair shop, F.M. Mellott & Sons LLC, for more than 20 years and also own Bull Run Trucking LLC — and they'd been relying on Penn Public's services almost weekly before the chance to buy it came up. For Fred, it's about carrying on a trusted name: "Penn Public has a tremendous reputation. When the opportunity to acquire it presented itself, we were excited to have the torch passed to us and continue the tradition". If you run trucks, equipment, or just need a shop that knows Altoona iron inside and out, this century-old business is in familiar, capable hands — swing by 711 11th St. to welcome the Mellotts and keep local industry rolling. |
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Here are 5 positive, family-friendly, and tourist-welcoming trends and events happening across Blair County. 1. Heritage Plaza Summer Concert Series (Altoona)
3. Rockin’ Live Music at Lakemont Park (Blair County)
4. Crafternoon Terrarium Making (Altoona Area Public Library)
5. Historic Walking & Neighborhood Exploring (Tyrone)
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Local Shout-outs, Heroes, Causes, Fundraisers, Volunteer Opportunities
A round-up of the good news, good people, and good causes keeping Blair County connected this week.
## 🌟 Local Shoutouts **Clocktower Lights Up Hollidaysburg Again After $100K+ Campaign** **Baker Mansion Lands $99,250 Historic Preservation Grant** **Blair County Job Vacancy Rate Drops to ~15%**
## 🦸 Local Heroes **Neptune Fire Company Rescues Two Teens from Tyrone Floodwaters** **500+ Cyclists Ride for Veterans in Record-Setting Freedom Ride**
## ❤️ Local Causes **Cooling Centers Open as Extreme Heat Hits the Region** ## 💰 Fundraisers **Freedom Ride Supports Local Veterans** **Firefighters' Charity Golf Tournament Aids Local Kids** **Courthouse Clocktower Campaign Tops $100,000**
## 🤝 Volunteer Opportunities **Volunteer at a Blood Drive in Blair County** **Lend a Hand at Juniata Civic Association Community Day** **Hoopsfest 2026 Needs Volunteers** **Get Out to a Farmers Market (and Thank a Volunteer)**
*Know a shoutout, hero, cause, or fundraiser we missed? Just hit "Reply" with the details and we'll feature it next week. |
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If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Blair Buzz Newsletter! |
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The Blair Buzz newsletter is sponsored by |
Tom and Joe's Restaurant |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: About 30 times (the Moon's volume is roughly 30 times greater than the Pacific Ocean's total water volume) |
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Warmly, Charles Sisk Editor |