Altoona man honoring life of fallen homeless friend by helping others
Blair Co., PA (WJAC) — Homelessness in many Pennsylvania cities has been a growing issue, with the problem being exacerbated during the pandemic.
In Altoona, one man’s encounter with a homeless man just before he lost his battle to drug addiction changed his lifeto the point that he makes it his mission to help others in that position, in a movement named after his fallen friend.
After Josh Roland lost his friend Ben in 2019, he started 'BEN Blessed' in his honor, to help other homeless people in Altoonajust like him.
Controversial commentator to hold 'Pray the Gay Away' event at PSU despite protest
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WJAC) — Right-Wing political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was invited to Penn State’s University Park Campus by student organization Uncensored America.
The announcement sparked outcry and prompted comments from the institution.
According to the event's webpage, Yiannopoulos "will talk about free speech, faith, conversion therapy, hairstyle, and more."
The event's tagline is "Pray the Gay Away."
The University says it does not condone what Yiannopoulos has to say, but that he has the unquestioned right to say it.
Local constable accused of 'impersonating public servant,' illegally removing farm animal
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State police in Somerset County say a Meyersdale man is facing charges, accused of "impersonating a public servant" and "illegally removing an animal" from a local farm.
Investigators say on April 6th, troopers were dispatched to a farm along Greenville Road, in Greenville Township, for reports of a dispute over a farm animal.
Police say 60-year-old George Porter allegedly stole a Mouflon Ram from the victim's farm.
Middletown High School football season canceled following new video evidence
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — The Middletown Area School District has canceled its 2022 football season. In a letter from the Superintendent on August 24, 2022, they say a video shows more involvement from students in hazing than originally thought.
The letter from the superintendent said the district has obtained video of a separate hazing incident within the football team. Dr. Chelton Hunter said the incident took place inside the heat acclimation room.
Should we be concerned about giant, parachuting spiders eventually invading Pennsylvania?
They’re big, they’re colorful, they have eight legs, they can parachute and they’re invading the East Coast and news headlines.
Following new research out of the University of Georgia (UGA) this month, news reports about “Joro spiders” invading the East Coast exploded.
“Giant spiders expected to drop from sky across the East Coast this spring,” one headline said.
“Giant venomous spiders infiltrated the southeastern US and are expected to spread rapidly, experts say,” said a CNN headline.
Altoona native Lou Schmitt to take over for McGinnis in state House
ALTOONA, Pa. -- Altoona native Lou Schmitt claimed the Republican nod for the 79th District seat Tuesday night. Schmitt defeated Altoona School Board member Sharon Bream by a 67-33 margin.
Schmitt campaigned on pro-life, pro-Second Amendment platform with a message of adding jobs to Blair County.
Schmitt will likely take the seat held by state Rep. John McGinnis for the last six years, as no Democrat entered the race. When McGinnis first took office in 2012, he said he would only hold office for three terms.
Body cam video shows runaway stolen vehicle in wrong-way crash that killed bystander
MILFORD MILL, Md. (WBFF) — Authorities released footage that shows a deadly police pursuit that ended in a fiery wrong-way crash on a Maryland highway. Baltimore County Police Department released the body-worn camera footage on Thursday from a fatal police pursuit last month that killed a bystander. Dimeka Thornton, 37, of Windsor Mill, Maryland died from after the crash on the Beltway, police said.
The release of body-worn camera footage in this incident was delayed to allow the family and subject officers to view the video before it was released to the public.
Documentary on history of Blair County to debut next week; digital copies to be available
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A while ago, the Blair County Historical Society teamed up with a local production company to produce a documentary that focuses on the history of the county, and to raise money for various preservation efforts within the historical society.
The long hours spent working on the project are finally over, and the production team anxiously awaits the special premier event, which takes place at the Mishler Theater next week.
Forest Hills hosts job fair for elementary students
Forest Hills School District held a job fair Wednesday morning to teach 4th graders about different fields of study they can choose when they reach college.
15 business representatives and professionals explained their duties and what education students need for their positions.
4th grade teacher Kaitlyn Leach said they wanted to inspire students to learn about career options available in their own backyard.
Leach said, “So, we invited all of these local businesses and professionals, and they were so excited to come showcase what they do and get our students ready once they hit college.