"Blair County Thrives: Investments, Legacy Foundations, and High School Sports Domination in The Blair Buzz!"

Trivia Question❓

Which Blair County town is known for hosting the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

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Shapiro Administration Invests Nearly $4 Million in Blair County, Fueling Major Business Expansion

The Shapiro Administration is making a major investment in Blair County’s economic future.

Yerty Auto Service, Inc., a growing local business, has been approved for a $1.85 million PIDA loan to fuel its expansion.

Having outgrown its facility in Roaring Spring, the company will use the funds to acquire and renovate a 126,008-square-foot industrial site at 301-331 Chestnut Avenue in Altoona.

This strategic move into the former Lumax Industries building is part of a larger $4.5 million project.

Crucially, the expansion is projected to create 10 new full-time jobs within the next three years.

Facilitated by the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation, this investment is a significant win for the community.

It underscores the state's commitment to revitalizing key local properties and fostering long-term business growth right here in our area.

Have a business opening, community event, local hero story or pet-related news to share? Email Us your updates for next week's newsletter! theblairbuzz@gmail.com

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Interesting Facts

Blair County, Pennsylvania is home to the famous Horseshoe Curve, a historic railroad landmark that was completed in 1854 and is considered an engineering marvel.

📅 Blair County Events: January 12 - January 18, 2026

January 12, 2026:
Mother Goose (9:30 AM) — A free educational program for infants and toddlers at the Altoona Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Area Public Library.
Military Food Share (11:00 AM) — A community support event for veterans and active military families at the Duncansville VFW. Source: Altoona Mirror.
Altoona City Council Meeting (5:00 PM) — A public civic meeting held at Altoona City Hall to discuss local municipal affairs. Source: City of Altoona.
Paws 2 Read (5:00 PM) — A free program where children can practice reading to therapy animals at the Altoona Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Area Public Library.
LEGO Club A (6:00 PM) — A free building and creativity session for children at the Altoona Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Area Public Library.
Frosted Jar Luminaries (6:00 PM) — A paid adult crafting workshop ($3 fee) to create winter-themed decorations at the Altoona Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Area Public Library.
Boys Varsity Basketball: Tyrone vs. Hollidaysburg (7:30 PM) — A local high school rivalry game hosted at the Hollidaysburg Area High School gym. Source: Tyrone Eagle Eye News.

January 13, 2026:
Toddler Time (9:30 AM) — A free interactive story and activity hour for toddlers at the Altoona Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Area Public Library.
Girls Varsity Basketball: Altoona vs. State College (4:50 PM) — A high school basketball matchup held at the Altoona Area High School gym. Source: NFHS Network.
Toddler Tuesday (6:30 PM) — A free high-energy storytime for children ages 18 months to 3 years at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library. Source: Bellwood-Antis Public Library.
January 14, 2026:
Magical Make Believe Storytime (10:30 AM) — A free weekly storytime program for preschoolers at the Roaring Spring Community Library. Source: Roaring Spring Community Library.
PopUp Evening Pantry (5:00 PM) — A community food assistance event open to the public at the Roaring Spring Community Library. Source: Roaring Spring Community Library.
Twisted Stitchers Knit In (5:00 PM) — A free social gathering for knitting and crochet enthusiasts at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library. Source: Altoona Community Theatre Arts Calendar.
Shake Our Canz & GoodZ Charity Event (6:00 PM) — A paid charity event ($10 donation) at Fit N Fun House in Altoona to benefit Sister Paula’s Soup Kitchen. Source: Altoona Mirror.
Bellwood-Antis Community Trust Meeting (6:30 PM) — A public meeting focused on community improvement projects held at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library. Source: Bellwood-Antis Public Library.
January 15, 2026:
Breakfast Club: The State of the County (7:45 AM) — A paid professional networking breakfast featuring county officials at the Blair County Convention Center. Source: Blair County Chamber of Commerce.
Create a Winning Safety Culture Workshop (9:00 AM) — A paid professional development seminar for businesses held at the Curry Innovation Center in Altoona. Source: Eventbrite.
Allegheny Mountain Toastmasters Club Meeting (6:00 PM) — A free public speaking and leadership development meeting at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library. Source: Meetup.com.
Virtual Student Panel for Admitted Students (9:00 PM) — A free online informational event hosted by Penn State Altoona for prospective students. Source: Penn State Altoona.
January 16, 2026:
Hot & Spicy Foods Day (All Day) — A themed culinary event open to the campus community at Port Sky Cafe, Penn State Altoona. Source: Penn State Altoona.
The 9-Teez Concert (7:30 PM) — A paid live musical performance featuring 90s hits at the historic Mishler Theatre in Altoona. Source: ConcertFix.
Tantric Live Concert (9:00 PM) — A paid live rock performance ($15 tickets) at McGarvey’s Bar and Grill in Altoona. Source: AllEvents.in.
January 17, 2026:
Story & Craft Hour at the Museum (10:30 AM) — A free creative session for children ages 3-6 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona. Source: Altoona Community Theatre Arts Calendar.
Self-Publishing Comics and Graphic Novels Program (12:00 PM) — A free educational workshop led by professional cartoonist Brian Middleton at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library. Source: Bellwood-Antis Public Library.
Tyrone Golden Eagle Classic Youth Wrestling (All Day) — A youth wrestling tournament featuring local athletes at Tyrone Area High School. Source: PYWrestling.
January 18, 2026:
The Monkee Men Concert (7:30 PM) — A paid tribute concert celebrating the music of The Monkees at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona. Source: Vivid Seats.

Need a Pet Sitter for your next out of town visit or vacation? Find one now!

The 7-day weather forecast for Hollidaysburg, PA, from Monday, January 5, 2026, through Sunday, January 11, 2026, is as follows:

Monday, January 12, 2026: High 38°F / Low 29°F, Partly sunny

Tuesday, January 13, 2026: High 47°F / Low 33°F, Mostly cloudy

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: High 43°F / Low 27°F, Rain and snow

Thursday, January 15, 2026: High 28°F / Low 18°F, Partly sunny

Friday, January 16, 2026: High 28°F / Low 18°F, Mostly cloudy

Saturday, January 17, 2026: High 33°F / Low 22°F, Snow showers

Sunday, January 18, 2026: High 30°F / Low 18°F, Snow showers

As of January 2026, Blair County is seeing several major business expansions and development projects.
While many grand openings for the new year are currently in the construction or planning phase, there have been significant announcements regarding new facilities and leadership changes.

New Business Expansions & Relocations (January 2026)

Yerty Auto Service, Inc.¹ (Altoona): In early January 2026, the Shapiro Administration announced a $1.85 million PIDA loan for Yerty Auto Service to acquire and renovate a massive 126,000-square-foot industrial facility at 301-331 Chestnut Avenue.² Formerly occupied by Lumax Industries, this site will serve as the company's new, expanded headquarters, moving operations from Roaring Spring to support larger-scale production and quality control.
Sunbelt Rentals & East Penn Manufacturing: Funding was approved in January for two new 30,000-square-foot "flex" buildings in Blair County.³ Sunbelt Rentals (equipment) and East Penn Manufacturing (battery storage) are slated to occupy these modern, high-quality spaces as part of a $5.4 million economic development project.⁴
Souders Industries Inc.: This manufacturing firm is currently merging its regional operations into a new building in the Altoona area. While site prep is ongoing this month, production at the new facility is officially scheduled to begin in April 2026.

Upcoming Openings & Near-Future News

Sheetz (Beale Ave, Altoona): Plans were recently reviewed for a brand-new store at 3315 Beale Ave.⁵ Construction is scheduled to begin in late winter 2026, with the grand opening targeted for Summer 2026. This location will feature a 4,996-square-foot store and a new car wash.⁶
EV Charging Stations (Tyrone): The Sheetz at 1400 Logan Ave in Tyrone is currently undergoing upgrades to install six electric vehicle charging stations in partnership with Electrify America.⁷ These are expected to be fully operational in the first half of 2026.
Discover Blair County Tourism Agency: A new leadership phase for Blair County tourism began this month. Following a search concluded in late December, Morgan Koziar has officially stepped into her role as the inaugural director of operations and marketing for this newly formed agency, aimed at boosting destination marketing for the county.⁸

Local Business Events (January 2026)

If you are looking to network or visit established local businesses that are currently active in the community, the Blair County Chamber of Commerce has several events this month:

Jan 27: Chamber "After Hours" event at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

Jan 29: "Women Mentoring Women" networking event hosted at Sugar Run Brewing Company in Duncansville.

Public & Infrastructure Developments

New Blair County Prison: As of January 9, 2026, county commissioners are finalizing a deal to purchase 77.73 acres in Blair and Allegheny townships for the construction of a new county prison.¹¹

Coroner's Office Expansion: On January 10, 2026, an amendment was approved for the Blair County Coroner’s office to lease additional decedent storage space in East Freedom, including a new cooler facility.

Following is a list of local shoutouts, heroes, causes, and volunteer opportunities for Blair County, PA, for the week of January 12 through January 18, 2026, including highlights from the preceding week.

Logan Township Police Officers Lauded for Quick Actions — A trio of Logan Township police officers were recently recognized for their professional and rapid response in safely resolving a late fall incident involving a motorist on Plank Road.
Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary Students Prep for LEGO Competition — Local students at Claysburg-Kimmel are being highlighted for their dedication and skill-building as they prepare for an upcoming FIRST LEGO League competition, focused on assembling real-world robots and developing leadership abilities.
Magulick Memorial Tribute Highlights Impact on Education and Sports — Recent local news shared a heartfelt shoutout to the legacy of a local figure, Magulick, who is remembered for touching the lives of many through dedicated teaching and coaching roles in the community.
Tyrone High School Athlete Kyle Scott's Undefeated Season Accomplishment — Senior wrestler Kyle Scott is receiving a local shoutout for his impressive 18-0 record this season, earning him the title of Athlete of the Week for the Tyrone Area High School.
Tyrone Unified Bocce Team Defends Backyard Brawl Title — The Tyrone Unified Bocce team is celebrated as local heroes for successfully defending their Backyard Brawl title on Jan. 6, 2026, showcasing community spirit and athletic teamwork.
Student-Created Evergreen Arrangements Bring Seasonal Joy to Tyrone — High school students in Tyrone were recognized on Jan. 5, 2026, for their community-minded project creating evergreen arrangements to brighten local areas and provide seasonal cheer.
TASD Librarian’s Historic Karmann-Ghia Recognized for Unique Community Presence — A local shoutout was given to a Tyrone Area School District librarian whose restored vintage vehicle has become a well-known and appreciated sight across the Tyrone community.
January Veterans Leadership Program Food Share for Local Veterans — This local cause provides essential support to veterans on Jan. 12, 2026, with a food share event held at the Rivers Edge VFD Social Hall starting at 9:00 AM.
Hollidaysburg Area School District “Daffodil Kickoff” to Support Cancer Causes — Students and community members are encouraged to wear yellow on Jan. 13, 2026, as part of a district-wide "Daffodil Kickoff" to raise awareness and support for local health missions.
Toddler Tuesday Winter Storytime Series at Bellwood-Antis Public Library — Beginning on Jan. 13, 2026, this community initiative offers local families a specialized literacy and socialization program for children ages 18 months to 3 years, running weekly through March.
Blair Chamber Breakfast Club Series: The State of the County Fundraiser — This community-focused event on Jan. 15, 2026, at the Blair County Convention Center brings together local leaders and residents to discuss the 2026 outlook while supporting regional development initiatives.
Hollidaysburg PTO Best Way Pizza Night Community Fundraiser — The Hollidaysburg PTO is hosting a fundraiser on Jan. 15, 2026, at the Duncansville Best Way Pizza location from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to support student activities and school supplies.
Self-Publishing Comics and Graphic Novels Informational Program at Bellwood Library — Local cartoonist Brian Middleton will lead a free community program on Jan. 17, 2026, to help aspiring local creators understand the process of publishing their own work.
January Prize Bingo Event at Hancock American Legion Post 26 — A community fundraiser featuring prize bingo will take place on Jan. 18, 2026, at 1:30 PM, benefiting local veteran and community outreach programs through the American Legion.
PA MEDI Medicare Health Insurance Volunteer Recruitment Opportunity — Blair Senior Services is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to join the PA MEDI program to help local seniors understand health insurance options and navigate Medicare benefits.
Clothing Sorter Volunteer Opportunity at Society of St. Vincent de Paul — The SVDP Altoona Thrift Store is currently looking for volunteers to assist as clothing sorters to support their mission of providing for area families in need.
Helpline and Reassurance Volunteer Training with CONTACT Altoona — This local nonprofit provides vital support to Blair County residents and offers semesterly training for those interested in serving as helpline volunteers for residents in need.

Have a business opening, community event, local hero story or pet-related news to share? Email Us your updates for next week's newsletter! theblairbuzz@gmail.com

Blaze:

If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Blair Buzz Newsletter!

...

My name is Blaze! I am 7-years-old.
I first came into the shelter back in March of 2024, after being found as an injured stray. I had a pretty hard life outside so I took some time to heal from my injuries whenever I first arrived. I was found to be FIV+ as well.

It is now October 2025 and I still find myself looking for my perfect home! I am feeling pretty overlooked, seeing all of these little “ankle-biter” kittens going home. Am I not cute? Why does nobody want me? Do I not deserve my own home too? I want to be spoiled and have lots of toys and plenty of treats to fill my belly!

I promise I do enjoy the company of my people and will accept pets, it is just on my terms at times.
I will come to you for attention but once I’m done, you better be ready to “catch these hands”! Even once I warm up to someone, I often use my mouth and hands to show affection, so be prepared for my shenanigans! My perfect home would be a lower traffic household where I am free to essentially do my own thing and am provided with a warm/dry place to sleep, a full belly, and plenty of love! I am not a kitty who enjoys being overly handled, so I won’t enjoy chaotic young children in my home.
It is believed that I will not enjoy sharing my space with dogs, other cats.

Don’t know what FIV is?
If a cat tests positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), it means their immune system is weakened, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases. While there's no cure, FIV+ cats can live long, healthy lives!

-FIV attacks a cat's white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off infections. This weakens the cat's immune system, making it vulnerable to secondary infections and diseases that a healthy cat could easily fight off.

-FIV is NOT transmittable to humans or dogs.

-FIV IS transmittable to other cats, if a deep bite wound is inflicted by an FIV+ feline. (Thus why FIV Positive cats should not live with FIV Negative cats)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** Blaze is in our care at the Central PA Humane Society located at 1837 E Pleasant Valley Blvd in Altoona, PA 16602. Each cat gets microchipped, spayed/neutered, Snap FIV/FeLV Combo tested and vaccinated. (We DO NOT declaw) The adoption fee covers those costs. Adoption fees are listed on the applications. In person applications take priority over ones mailed or emailed (especially on a popular animal). An application must be filled out in order to visit with any cat.
Applications can be found on our website www.centralpahumane.org under the ‘Adopt A Pet’ tab or at the shelter. For online applications, copy the link below into your internet browser.
https://www.centralpahumane.org/.../85441f...

Applications can be emailed to Cattery@centralpahumane.org

A Petfinder inquiry is NOT an application, and they may not be responded to. We can only accept so many applications for each animal. We do adopt out of state, but we do not transport and we cannot hold the animal. **

PA Kennel License #1333.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Martinsburg

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Warmly,

Charles Sisk

Editor