In September 1862, at the "darkest hour" of the American Civil War, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin invited the governors of the Northern states to a secret meeting in Altoona. This gathering, known as the Loyal War Governors' Conference, resulted in a formal declaration of support for President Abraham Lincoln and his newly announced Emancipation Proclamation. While the grand, 106-room hotel that hosted this historic event was demolished in 1931, what was its name, and which local Greek Revival mansion—home to a prominent ironmaster whose own family was divided by the war—now serves as the county's primary museum for Civil War history? 

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission is inviting dedicated conservationists to apply for positions as State Game Wardens, key protectors of wildlife and habitats throughout the state.

Candidates need a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, and a strong passion for wildlife conservation.

Applicants should be physically fit, academically proficient, and adaptable to varying work schedules and environments.

Training takes place at the historic Ross Leffler School of Conservation, renowned as the nation’s first program of its kind.

The rigorous 44-week program blends classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, covering law enforcement, habitat management, and public outreach.

Cadets earn bi-weekly pay and receive essential accommodations during training.

Upon graduation, wardens are placed across Pennsylvania—including Blair County—enforcing wildlife regulations and connecting with local communities.

Applications are open January 12 to February 28, 2026, offering a rewarding chance to protect Pennsylvania’s natural heritage.

The Altoona Railroaders came up just short on Friday night, falling 69-66 to the Prescott Cardinals in a fiercely contested matchup.

This narrow defeat ends Altoona’s remarkable 11-game winning streak and stands as their closest loss since early January.

Despite the setback, the Railroaders still boast a stellar 16-4 record this season.

Prescott, meanwhile, was energized by the win, pushing their streak to three straight victories and moving to 14-7 overall.

Looking ahead, Altoona will try to bounce back at home against Osceola on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Prescott faces Somerset the same night, aiming to keep momentum alive.

The community can expect high-energy games as both teams battle to strengthen their conference positions.

A piece of Blair County’s coal mining history is being brought back to life just miles from the iconic Horseshoe Curve.

The abandoned town of Glen White, once a bustling hub with historic coke ovens built in the 1890s, is the focus of a major new volunteer effort.

Led by local historian Kevin Stiver, the project aims to reclaim the town's legacy after it was sold to the Altoona Water Authority and abandoned in the 1940s.

For decades, nature silently consumed the town, leaving only the crumbling ovens behind.

Now, the Altoona Water Authority has officially granted permission for a restoration project to begin.

Stiver and his team are planning work days to clear the overgrowth and stabilize the historic structures, with the goal of creating a unique local attraction.

The effort will finally honor the families who once lived and worked in this forgotten community.

Hollidaysburg was chosen as the county seat in 1846 largely because it was already a major transportation and commercial hub, serving as the main transfer point between the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal and the Allegheny Portage Railroad, which made it a logical central place for government, law, and commerce in the newly formed Blair County.

📅 Blair County Events: February 16 - February 22, 2026

Monday, February 16, 2026: High 48°F, Low 34°F, Mostly cloudy

Tuesday, February 17, 2026: High 53°F, Low 36°F, Cloudy

Wednesday, February 18, 2026: High 52°F, Low 38°F, Light rain

Thursday, February 19, 2026: High 53°F, Low 39°F, Light rain

Friday, February 20, 2026: High 54°F, Low 33°F, Light rain

Saturday, February 21, 2026: High 46°F, Low 34°F, Light rain

Sunday, February 22, 2026: High 35°F, Low 19°F, Cloudy with a chance of snow 

☕ A Sweet New Spot on the Horizon — Eden Doughnuts Cafe (Proposed) — Tyrone

If you’ve been craving fresh doughnuts (and a cozy place to gather), there’s exciting news brewing in downtown Tyrone! Local entrepreneurs Ervin and Mary Lapp are moving forward with plans to build a brand-new, freestanding doughnut café and drive-thru at 1261 Pennsylvania Avenue — right near the heart of town. While the Lapps haven’t pegged an exact opening date yet, they received zoning approval this winter to move ahead with construction after finalizing property agreements with neighboring landowners. Hours are expected to start early (ideal for coffee and morning sweets) with plans to stay open through the afternoon — and eventually into the evening as staffing grows. (altoonamirror.com)

Ervin and Mary started with a beloved mobile doughnut unit that’s become a local favorite at community events and markets, and they’ve dreamed for years of establishing a permanent hometown spot where families and friends can gather. Their vision includes a welcoming interior café space connected to a quick and convenient drive-thru window — perfect for busy commuters or weekend strolls downtown. There’s even a custom patio planned where neighbors can linger over a latte and conversation. This café promises not just delicious eats but a place of connection — a truly community-centered business that echoes the spirit of #BlairCounty pride. (altoonamirror.com)

While the grand opening timeline is still in the works, residents can support the Lapps’ dream by following their progress on local planning meetings and by sharing encouragement with them as they bring this sweet vision to life.

🍴 Coming Soon: Containers Yard & Taproom Project — Altoona

While hard details are still emerging (official opening dates and tenant lists are rolling out), there’s a buzzworthy redevelopment underway in Altoona that’s poised to become a new favorite local hangout. A large outdoor space — referred to locally as the Yard project — is being outfitted with multiple restaurants, a retailer or two, and a new Taproom. Alongside live music and community events planned through summer, this project aims to give locals a place to socialize, dine, and enjoy seasonal gatherings in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere. (Facebook)

Developers shared on social platforms that the vision blends great food and fun community space — something Blair County hasn’t truly seen before in one location. While we don’t yet have full details on who will be operating each restaurant, this kind of multi-vendor experience is exactly the sort of neighborhood destination that brings us together — think family outings, date nights, and casual meetups with friends all in one cheerful spot. (Facebook)

Keep an eye on their official social pages and construction updates — and when these businesses open their doors, we’ll have all the behind-the-scenes stories you and your readers will love.

🍩 Bonus Community Growth Note: Small Business Momentum

Even if not every new venture has opened just yet, Blair County’s business community is expanding in meaningful ways. Local economic leaders recently shared that 2025 was a major year for investment, with more than $82 million in capital attracted, over 400 jobs retained, and 32 new positions created thanks to local business growth and expansions supported by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Upcoming months are expected to continue this momentum as adaptive reuse projects and entrepreneurial ventures take root around the county. (altoonamirror.com)

The meeting took place at the Logan House Hotel (now the site of the Altoona Post Office), and the museum is the Baker Mansion, which features a "Mansion Divided" exhibit detailing the Baker family's ties to both sides of the conflict.