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Nitro Circus 2.0: Extreme Stunts Hit Altoona! 🔥
Nitro Circus 2.0: Extreme Stunts Hit Altoona! 🔥
Don't miss out on the latest news in Blair County: Solar farm approved, Slinky history exhibits, and thrilling Nitro Circus coming to Altoona! 🌞🎢🚲
Charles Sisk
Apr 13, 2026
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The Blair Buzz is currently running a BOGO for Memorial Day & May sponsorships. When you purchase the month of May at the discounted rate, you will also get the month of June at no charge. The closing date for the available slots that are left is April 24, 2026. We would love to have you join us!!! |
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Reach the Heart of the County: The Blair Buzz is where the county’s most active citizens, small business owners, and non-profit leaders gather to stay connected. Why Sponsor the Buzz? Values-Based Alignment: Place your ad alongside uplifting, local stories that matter to families and community leaders. High Engagement: Our subscribers are "doers" who actively look for ways to support small business and non-profit organizations. Support Local Storytelling: Your sponsorship keeps the "Buzz" alive, allowing us to highlight the boutiques, volunteers, heroes, and success stories that make Blair County home. Join our next issue: Connect with your neighbors and grow your local influence. Contact us today to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities. |
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Logan Township supervisors have approved a new solar farm development in Blair County, marking a major step for local renewable energy.
The farm will be built on a hillside bordered by Old Sixth Avenue Road, Greenwood Road, and East Hamilton Lane.
Community input led developers to shift the main entrance off Burgmeier Drive, near the Sheetz at North Eighth Street bridge, easing earlier resident concerns over access via East Hamilton Lane.
A secondary emergency entrance from East Hamilton Lane will support safety vehicles, with further checks promised to ensure reliability.
Construction is expected to begin soon, with the facility aiming to go live within a year.
This solar farm aligns with Pennsylvania’s push for sustainable energy, echoing similar plans in neighboring Taylor Township.
These projects are set to diversify Blair County’s energy mix while inviting ongoing community involvement.
Read More... |
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The Reiser House at Hollidaysburg's Canal Basin Park will soon feature new Slinky exhibits, celebrating the iconic toy’s ties to the area.
After pushback from locals over plans to dedicate the whole first floor to Slinky displays, the borough reached a compromise: both Slinky and historic canal exhibits will share space in the museum.
Mayor Chad Repko hopes these additions will boost the Reiser House’s low visitor numbers.
Some residents raised concerns about the costs and stressed the importance of expert input in curating and designing the new displays.
Rebekah James, daughter of Slinky inventor Richard James, supports honoring her family's legacy while also preserving canal history.
If the site is included in the National Parks system in the future, the Slinky exhibits would be removed per federal guidelines.
The evolving project seeks to blend Hollidaysburg’s rich canal heritage with the beloved toy’s story, keeping community voices at the center. Read More... |
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Hollidaysburg High School’s baseball team made a dramatic statement in the Curve Classic tournament opener, shutting out Penn Cambria 15-0 at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Pitcher Liam Jancula dazzled with a four-inning no-hitter, allowing no walks, while the Golden Tigers’ defense stayed sharp behind him.
Head coach Jon Szynal attributed their success to aggressive pitching and solid teamwork.
Offensively, Hollidaysburg jumped ahead early, with key doubles from Josh Banks, Donald Miller, and Braden Hatch fueling rallies in the first and second innings.
Smart, disciplined at-bats kept pressure on Penn Cambria, whose fielding mistakes helped the Tigers extend their lead.
Despite minor defensive hiccups, Jancula stayed composed, and Hollidaysburg kept adding runs, sealing the win in four innings.
Looking ahead, Hollidaysburg advances to face Tyrone in the semifinals, while Penn Cambria moves to the consolation round. The Curve Classic remains a highlight on Blair County’s baseball calendar. Read More... |
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Altoona gets a jolt of adrenaline as Thrill Sports, P1 Live, and RNC Entertainment present the 2026 Nitro Circus 2.0 Tour at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday, August 8.
Founded by Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus unites top daredevils for a high-flying showcase of Freestyle Motocross, BMX, skate, and scooter stunts.
Adam Jones will attempt a spectacular 75-foot backflip through a blazing 35-foot wall of fire — a feat rarely seen live.
For fans of classic thrills, Ryan Bean risks it all with a 40-foot dive into just 3.5 feet of water from the show’s famed ramp.
Cody Matechuk also brings Nitro’s daring snowmobile tricks to Altoona, using the innovative Next Gen Ramp for jaw-dropping jumps — without a flake of snow in sight.
Read More... |
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 Great Wall of China is not actually visible from space with the naked eye, despite popular belief. |
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🗓️ Family-Friendly Events in Blair County, PAApril 13 – April 19, 2026
✅ FREE EVENTS1. "See You @ the Symphony" — Kids Music Program
2. "Paws 2 Read" — Kids Reading to Animals
3. Breastfeeding Storytime
4. Friends of the Library Puzzle Swap
5. Maker Mondays — Children's Room Craft Activity
6. Storytime & Craft (Tuesdays & Fridays) — Hollidaysburg Library
7. "Cow Check-In" Storytime & Craft
8. Hollidaysburg Library Lego Club
9. "Historical Headscratchers" Trivia Night — America250 Edition (After-Party)
10. "The Power of Creativity" — Family Arts Program (Spring 2026 Series)
11. Blair County Genealogical Society — "The First Year of the American Revolution" Lecture
12. Walker Evans in Cuba: The Hemingway Collection — Exhibition Opening
13. Giants of Science — Outdoor Live Music Concert
14. Bealls Anniversary Weekend — Community Celebration & Giveaways
15. Center City Church — 9th Anniversary Weekend (Community Worship Event)
💰 PAID EVENTS1. Altoona Curve vs. Portland Sea Dogs — Home Baseball Series 🏟️
2. Jaffa Shrine Circus 🎪
3. "Blair County: A People's History" — America250 Special Screening 🎬
4. Turn to Stone: A Tribute to ELO 🎸
5. 7th Virtue Live — Heidelberg Country Club 🎵
6. "Crafternoon: Dream Catchers" — AAPL Adult Craft Program
7. Friends of the Library Monthly Book Club — "Station Eleven"
📌 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISITORS⚠️ Date/Scheduling Caveats:
🏆 Top Picks for Families Visiting Blair County This Week:
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The 7-day weather forecast for Hollidaysburg, PA is as follows: Monday, April 13, 2026: High 79, Low 64, Cloudy, occasional rain showers
Tuesday, April 14, 2026: High 85, Low 64, Warm, cloudy, 22% chance of rain Wednesday, April 15, 2026: High 78, Low 60, Warm with showers tapering off Thursday, April 16, 2026: High 74, Low 51, Mainly clear, pleasant Friday, April 17, 2026: High 72, Low 46, Partly cloudy, comfortable Saturday, April 18, 2026: High 74, Low 53, Partly cloudy, warm Sunday, April 19, 2026: High 72, Low 49, Partly cloudy with afternoon showers |
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Here is a look at two exciting new additions to the Blair County business community that are opening their doors just in time for spring. SpeedPro Central PA526 N. 4th St., Ste. 1, Bellwood, PA Beech Tree CafeHollidaysburg, PA If you’re looking for a cozy spot with a side of local history, look no further than the Beech Tree Cafe. Owners Jimmy and Laura Peters are already familiar faces in the Hollidaysburg food scene (they also operate The Dream Restaurant), but their newest venture is a true passion project. The cafe offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where you can grab specialty coffees, homemade waffles, fresh pastries, and delicious sandwiches. What makes the space truly special is the furniture: when an ancient beech tree in the yard of their historic home had to come down, they repurposed the wood to craft the cafe’s tabletops, preserving a piece of local history for everyone to enjoy.
The Peters family has been part of the Hollidaysburg community since 2001, and this new cafe is a way for them to give back to the town they love. They recognized a need for a dedicated, community-focused coffee and breakfast spot that felt like an extension of home. "The tree was a piece of our history," Jimmy explained. "We felt we needed to do something with it, and now it represents the heart of our cafe." It’s the perfect place to catch up with a neighbor or settle in with a book on a quiet morning. How to Support: Stop by for a morning latte or a weekend brunch to welcome them to the neighborhood!
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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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🌼 Blair Buzz Community NewsletterWeek of April 10, 2026 | All Corners of Blair County 🏆 LOCAL SHOUTOUTSRecognitions, Achievements & Accomplishments from Across the County 🎠ALTOONA — AAHS Drama Club Blooms with "The Secret Garden" This Weekend Don't miss your last chance to catch this one! About 40 students from Altoona Area High School are bringing the beloved classic "The Secret Garden" to life, with freshman Lila Eamigh starring as Mary Lennox and director Ben Cossitor describing the story as one about healing and learning to become a family. By all accounts it's been a beautiful run and a real community showpiece. Key Details: Performances run at 7 p.m. nightly Thursday through Saturday, with tickets at $10 for adults and $5 for students, available online and at the door. Altoona Area High School Auditorium, 1404 Sixth Avenue. Tickets: altoonaasd.booktix.com 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 9, 2026 🏅 ALTOONA — Blair County Sports Hall of Fame Celebrates 21 Years TOMORROW This is a huge night for local sports history! The Blair County Sports Hall of Fame holds its 21st induction ceremony on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Blair County Convention Center, with ESPN anchor Hannah Storm as the guest speaker. This year's class honors Kristi (Little) Kaack and Lori (McConnell) Elgin for their basketball accomplishments, coach Dave Baker for 58 straight years of high school football coaching, and George Geishauser for his career at Bishop Guilfoyle and Tulane. The back-to-back Altoona Lady Lions PIAA state champion teams from 1995 and 1996 will also be celebrated. Key Details: April 11, Blair County Convention Center. Tickets are $100; contact Kathy Millward at (814) 312-4753 or kmillward@beardlegalgroup.com. 📰 Source: Blair County Sports Hall of Fame / Altoona Mirror 📚 HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County Genealogical Society Unveils Major Expansion History lovers across the county, take note! The Blair County Genealogical Society recently completed a two-year addition to its Roller-Hojeth Memorial Library, adding 1,200 square feet — creating a dedicated meeting space for up to 80 people and freeing up shelving in the original 6,000 square feet of the library. The website has also been upgraded with an online obituary index of more than 700,000 names, and the library now has a searchable catalog by title and author. Admission is always free! Key Details: 431 Scotch Valley Road, Hollidaysburg. Hours: 6:30–9:30 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and 6:30–9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturdays. Phone: 814-696-3492. Memberships from $25/year. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 4, 2026 🎡 TYRONE — Irish Heritage Festival a Smashing Success Again! Tyrone did it again! The Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce's Irish Heritage Days celebration drew crowds this past March, with the cookie crawl featuring 17 businesses and groups — and organizers expecting between 330 and 350 people for the Gold Rush 5K/10K race alone, the most early registrations the event has ever seen. Chamber president Diane Irwin said it's "just so nice to see the community returning and getting together to celebrate not only their Irish heritage, but their community roots in Tyrone." A lovely tradition for northern Blair County! Key Details: The Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 814-684-0736 for info on upcoming events. Visit tyronechamber.com. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, March 15, 2026 💛 LOCAL HEROESPeople Going Above & Beyond 🌸 HOLLIDAYSBURG — County Leaders Stand Up for Kids This Child Abuse Prevention Month Hats off to the dedicated team at Blair County Children, Youth & Families! County leaders gathered at the Blair County Courthouse on Thursday morning for a flag-raising ceremony marking Child Abuse Prevention Month, with children from the Kids First Lily Pond Child Development Center reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing. CYF Administrator Shannon Tucker told the crowd: "I'm proud of the work we do. And I'm blessed with good staff who I can absolutely trust to answer the call of a child in need." Key Details: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. To report suspected child abuse in Blair County, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 10, 2026 🧹 TYRONE — Hundreds of Students Clean Up Their Community, One Rake at a Time Now this is what community spirit looks like! Hundreds of Tyrone Area High School students fanned out across their borough Wednesday morning for the school's annual community service day, sweeping sidewalks downtown, raking leaves and spreading mulch at Reservoir Park, cleaning tombstones at Grandview Cemetery, washing police cruisers at the Tyrone Municipal building, and cleaning up around Cedarwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. One sophomore said he loved playing at Reservoir Park when he was younger and was happy to give back. Kids, you make Tyrone proud! Key Details: The annual service day involves all grades 9–12 and satisfies a community service graduation requirement. Contact Tyrone Area High School at 814-684-0600. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 2, 2026 🚒 MARTINSBURG AREA — Volunteer Firefighters from Across the County Save 600+ Cows When two barns caught fire in the middle of the night at a Martinsburg-area dairy farm, Blair County's volunteer fire companies rose to the occasion in a big way. Farm owner Eric Frederick was starting his day around 2:25 a.m. when he spotted the fire; firefighters from Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, East Freedom, Duncansville, Williamsburg, Claysburg, Allegheny Township, Hollidaysburg, Southern Cove, Saxton and Six Mile Run all responded — with roughly 60 to 70 firefighters on scene. Thanks to their combined effort, all but one of more than 600 cows housed in two threatened freestall barns were saved. Key Details: This story is a reminder of how much our volunteer fire companies do for every corner of Blair County. Support your local VFD! 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, March 2026 📣 LOCAL CAUSESIssues Affecting Our Communities 🏠HOLLIDAYSBURG — Re-Entry Coalition Works to Give Former Inmates a Fair Shot Everyone deserves a second chance, and the Blair County Prison Re-entry Coalition is working hard to make that happen throughout the county. The coalition is seeking grants to cover six months of housing costs for recently released individuals, and is also working to identify landlords willing to accept third-party rental payments and tenants "with a colorful history." They're also looking for community members willing to speak on behalf of the organization to local groups, employers, and landlords. Key Details: Contact coalition director Ken Dean or Blair County Dept. of Human Services director Trish Johnson for more info or to get involved. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 6, 2026 📚 CLAYSBURG — Claysburg-Kimmel School District Faces Budget Crunch Families in the southern end of the county should be aware of this one. Claysburg-Kimmel School District is facing a roughly $1.4 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year, with anticipated expenditures of $17.1 million against revenue of $15.7 million — driven by rising payroll, healthcare costs, and inflation. Even with a tax increase to the Act 1 Index limit of 5.1%, the best-case scenario would still leave a $686,000 gap. Community members are encouraged to engage with the school board as budget discussions continue. Key Details: Claysburg-Kimmel School Board meets publicly; check the district website at ckbulldogs.com for meeting dates. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 9, 2026 🧡 COUNTY-WIDE — Operation Our Town Fights Drugs With Community Power From Altoona to Tyrone to Williamsburg, Operation Our Town is doing quiet, important work every day. OOT invites area students in grades 6–12 in Blair and surrounding counties (ages 11 and up) to submit a 30–90 second video on the theme "I don't do drugs, I..." — a fun, positive way for young people to share what keeps them on the right path. Their grant programs support nonprofits throughout the county. Key Details: Visit operationourtown.org for video contest details and grant application info (grant cycle runs August 2026–August 2027). 📰 Source: Operation Our Town 🎗️ FUNDRAISERSActive Campaigns Needing Your Support 🥫 HOLLIDAYSBURG — Women's Club Food Drive THIS Saturday for Local Shelters Got a can or two to spare? The GFWC Hollidaysburg Area Women's Club will sponsor a drive-up food drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, with all items and cash collected going to benefit local organizations including the American Rescue Workers, the Hollidaysburg Tiger Pack Program, and Blair County shelters. If you can't make it Saturday, collection boxes are placed at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library and the Blair Regional YMCA beginning the week of April 6. Key Details: Drive-up event Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Drop-off boxes available now at Hollidaysburg Area Public Library and Blair Regional YMCA. 📰 Source: Altoona Mirror, April 2026 🇺🇸 COUNTY-WIDE — America250PA Blair County Needs Your Support for July 4th Celebration The nation's big 250th birthday is coming, and Blair County is planning something special! The America250PA Blair County commission is planning events leading up to the E.P.I.C. celebration on July 4, 2026, and is accepting tax-deductible sponsorships through the Central PA Community Foundation to help cover planning and promotion costs. Every dollar helps make this a celebration worthy of Blair County's rich history. Key Details: Donate online or send a check; visit america250pablair.org for details. 📰 Source: America250PA Blair County 🙌 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESWays to Give Back Right Now, Wherever You Live 🚨 COUNTY-WIDE — Blair County Emergency Management Recruiting Disaster Volunteers Your neighbors may need you someday! Blair County Emergency Management is recruiting Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers to assist during disasters — including shelter operations, supply distribution, damage assessments, communications support, cleanup, and emotional care for victims. No experience needed, training is provided, and the county would love to build a volunteer contingent in every municipality — from Tyrone to Williamsburg to Claysburg. Key Details: Call 814-940-5905 to sign up. Visit blairco.org/departments/emergency-management/volunteers. 📰 Source: Blair County / Altoona Mirror 📞 ALTOONA — CONTACT Altoona Needs Helpline Volunteers (No Experience Needed) CONTACT Altoona has been assisting Blair County and surrounding communities since 1982, offering volunteer opportunities for people who want to provide caring, compassionate support to those in immediate need — with in-depth training provided. This is a great opportunity for residents across the county who want to make a personal difference, one phone call at a time. Key Details: Call 814-946-0531, dial 2-1-1, or visit contactaltoona.com/volunteer. 📰 Source: CONTACT Altoona 🎉 COUNTY-WIDE — America250PA Blair County Needs Event Volunteers for July 4th Want to be part of history? As the America250PA Blair County commission moves forward in planning the nation's 250th birthday celebrations, they have a great need for volunteers — opportunities include sitting on a committee or staffing event booths. This one's for residents from every corner of the county — Tyrone, Roaring Spring, Bellwood, Duncansville, you name it. Key Details: Submit the volunteer form at america250pablair.org. 📰 Source: America250PA Blair County 💙 Stay Connected, Blair County! Have a story to share about someone making a difference in our community? Know about an upcoming fundraiser or volunteer opportunity? We'd love to hear from you for next week's newsletter! Send it to theblairbuzz@gmail.com Remember: Our community is strongest when we support each other. Whether you're donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every bit helps make Blair County a better place to call home. |
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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If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Blair Buzz Newsletter!
Here is Karma.
Meet Karma! We couldn't decide if we should still use her Valentine's Day photo and we just had to because of how perfect the photo is! She is a 2.5 yr old Pitbull Mix. This girl has energy for days. She LOVES people. She even likes to show off her tricks of sit and paw for a treat. She previously lived with two little dogs (they have since been adopted.) She has a more dominant personality when around dogs - so she will need the other dogs to be ready for this during a meet and greet! No cats for her! She would do great with children! ** Karma is in our care in Altoona PA. She is available for adoption. Each animal gets microchipped, spayed/neutered, 4DX tested (if over 6 months of age), flea treated, 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, then "Adoption." Scroll down and under number 2 you will see dog adoption application. Do not click on "browse our pets." Applications are also available 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
Please give Karma the forever home she deserves! |
Quote Of The Day |
"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." - Unknown |
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