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"Controversy at Prince Gallitzin Winter Fest, Candy vs. Drones in Blair County - What's the Buzz?"
"Controversy at Prince Gallitzin Winter Fest, Candy vs. Drones in Blair County - What's the Buzz?"
"Controversy at Prince Gallitzin Winter Fest, Candy vs. Drones in Blair County - What's the Buzz?"
Get ready for Winter Fest at Prince Gallitzin State Park, sweet treats in Altoona, and Blair County's exciting drone program launch! 🎉🛷🍬🚁
Charles Sisk
Feb 9, 2026
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Trivia Question❓What famous amusement park located in Blair County, Pennsylvania was the inspiration for a popular 1980s movie franchise about space travel and a group of adventurous kids? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Prince Gallitzin State Park will celebrate its beloved Winter Fest on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the marina.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sled riding, with everyone encouraged to bring their own sleds and skates due to limited park supplies.
Weather permitting, ice fishing demonstrations will take place, while open water fishing on Glendale Lake will be available if ice conditions are unsafe.
Fishing gear is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and the festivities kick off with a non-timed 5K fun run or walk at 10 a.m. from the marina pavilion.
Attendees can also try disc golf, geocaching, explore wildlife exhibits, and stop by the Pennsylvania Game Commission booth for hunting and trapping resources.
Warm up by the bonfire with mountain pies, hot dogs, and hot chocolate, all provided by the Friends of Prince Gallitzin group.
Admission is free, with donations welcome to support park projects—a perfect winter tradition for families and friends. Read More... |
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When it comes to Valentine's Day traditions in Altoona, one sweet choice remains supreme.
Despite a world of gift options, candy is still the top seller, and local chocolatiers are preparing for a massive surge as the holiday lands on a Saturday.
For businesses like Bedford Candies, it's one of the busiest times of the year, with owners bracing for peak traffic on Friday and Saturday.
The undisputed star of the show is the classic chocolate-covered strawberry.
Shops across Blair County, including MarCia’s Chocolates and Dutch Hill Chocolates, see immense demand for the fresh-dipped delicacy, often requiring pre-orders.
While other gifts like jewelry from local stores see a significant uptick, the timeless, heart-shaped box of chocolates remains the most popular way for residents to show their affection, providing a welcome boost to our small business community. Read More... |
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Blair County is advancing public safety by launching a new drone program this year.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) has secured $65,000 — thanks to key donations from Chemstream and Norfolk Southern’s Safety First program — for the purchase of two advanced drones.
LEPC will also fund ongoing operator training to ensure readiness.
Currently, the county employs a certified drone operator, and several local fire departments are working to achieve similar credentials.
Additional agencies, including Logan Township Police, are developing their own training programs for drone use.
Experts stress the need for multiple trained teams, aiming for around ten operators countywide for rapid deployment.
Drones, equipped with video, heat sensors, lights, and speakers, will assist in finding missing persons, disaster response, crowd monitoring, and more — representing a significant leap in local emergency capabilities. Read More... |
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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 |
The oldest known dwelling in Blair County, Pennsylvania is the Lee House, built in 1798 and still standing in Hollidaysburg today. |
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📅 Blair County Events: February 9 - February 15, 2026
Free EventsHere are the upcoming events at our local Blair County libraries for the week of February 9–15, 2026. Please note that some programs require registration in advance. Altoona Area Public Library
Hollidaysburg Area Public Library
Paid Events
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The 7-day weather forecast for Hollidaysburg, PA, from Monday, February 9, 2026, through Sunday, February 15, 2026, is as follows:
Monday, February 9, 2026: High 26°F, Low 0°F, Cloudy |
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From a major expansion of a local auto favorite to a cozy home care service in Hollidaysburg, here are two local stories that showcase the growth and heart of our community this month. Yerty Auto ServiceLocation: 301-331 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA Projected Date: Renovations began early 2026 Many of us are already familiar with the team at Yerty Auto Service, but they are currently working on a massive project that is going to be a game-changer for the Chestnut Avenue area. Owner Jason Yerty and his team have secured a loan through the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation to acquire and completely renovate a whopping 126,000-square-foot industrial facility. This move isn't just about more space; it's a total upgrade that will include everything from a new roof and HVAC to a modernized cafeteria for their growing team. What makes this special is the level of investment back into Altoona's industrial roots. Jason’s vision for the new property is to create a seamless, high-tech workflow for vehicle production and quality control while bringing 10 new full-time jobs to the area. While the big grand opening is still a bit off as they finish these major upgrades, you can continue to support them at their current operations and follow their progress as they breathe new life into one of our city's largest industrial spaces.
Cornerstone CaregivingLocation: 110 Jefferson St., Suite 104, Hollidaysburg, PA Opened: Late 2025/Early 2026 If you’ve driven through Snare Plaza recently, you might have noticed a new neighbor! Cornerstone Caregiving has officially opened its doors in Hollidaysburg to provide much-needed personalized home care services for our seniors. This business is all about helping local residents maintain their independence by providing a helping hand with daily tasks like meal prep, transportation to doctor's appointments, and—perhaps most importantly—friendly companionship. The team chose Blair County because they saw a genuine need for senior support that feels more like family and less like a clinical service. They are filling a vital gap in our community by allowing our seniors to stay in the homes they love while receiving high-quality, compassionate care. It's a wonderful addition to the downtown Hollidaysburg business family that truly prioritizes the well-being of our older neighbors.
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Hello, Blair County neighbors! I’m your local community journalist, and I’ve been out and about this week gathering the most heartwarming and important stories from across our beautiful county. From preservation efforts at the Horseshoe Curve to exciting new celebrations for our nation’s big birthday, there’s so much to be proud of in our neck of the woods. Here is your community update for the week of February 8, 2026. 🌟 Local ShoutoutsA New Era for Local Emergency ServicesOur very own Mark Taylor, director of the Blair County Department of Emergency Services, has officially retired after 11 years of dedicated service to our 911 Center and Emergency Management. Mark has been a steady hand for our county through a decade of growth, and we wish him the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement!
🦸 Local HeroesThe "Unofficial Mayor" Saving Glen WhiteLocal historian and Altoona native Kevin Stiver is leading a passionate group of volunteers to save the history of Glen White, an abandoned coal mining town near the Horseshoe Curve. Kevin, who jokingly calls himself the "unofficial mayor" of the town that no longer exists, is working to restore the historic coke ovens and turn the area into a historical attraction for all of us to enjoy.
💡 Local CausesPlanning for an E.P.I.C. 2026 CelebrationThe America250PA Blair County commission is officially in high gear! They are looking for community members to help plan the county's role in the United States' 250th anniversary. This "E.P.I.C." (Education, Preserve, Innovate, Celebrate) initiative is all about highlighting our rich local history and making sure Blair County is a beacon of hope for the July 4, 2026, festivities.
💸 FundraisersBlair County Night to ShineGet ready for an unforgettable night! This coming Friday, February 13, the Bavarian Aid Society will host "Night to Shine," a prom experience for people with special needs. This event is free for guests and supported by local donations and the Tim Tebow Foundation. It’s a wonderful way to see our community come together to celebrate every single person.
🤝 Volunteer OpportunitiesBe a Voice for Our SeniorsBlair Senior Services is actively looking for dedicated neighbors to join their VOICE Program. Specifically, they need PA MEDI volunteers to help local seniors navigate Medicare options and Ombudsman volunteers to act as confidential advocates for residents in long-term care facilities. If you have a few hours a month, your time could truly change a life.
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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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Here is Mr. Sad Eyes, his adoption is fully sponsored.
Mr. Sad Eyes is a 3 year old male. He is 58 Ibs. He is a Shepherd mix. He needs time to warm up to new people so children should be old enough to understand he needs time and space. He cannot live with cats. He is dog selective but would probably do best as the only dog. He would require at least two visits if interested.
** Mr. Sad Eyes is in our care in Altoona PA. He is available for adoption. Each animal gets microchipped, 4DX tested, spayed/ neutered and vaccinated. The adoption fee covers those costs. Adoption fees are listed on the application. An application must be filled out in order to visit with any dog or cat. They can be found on our website www.centralpahumane.org under the Adopt A Pet tab or at the shelter. Our animals are posted on Facebook and Petfinder when time permits. 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 cannot hold the animal. ** PA Kennel License #1333
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Lakemont Park - known as Hill Valley in the "Explorers" movie. |
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