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🌱 What led Blair County to settle a foster care case for $97,500?

Altoona, Pennsylvania Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good morning Altoona! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led Blair County to settle a foster care case for $97,500?
  • How a one-day cleanup could boost downtown Altoona all summer long
  • Demolition date set for Altoona’s fire-damaged Knickerbocker Row homes

Also on today's calendar: EagleMania - The World's Greatest Eagles Tribute Live in Concert.

Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A gusty t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 84, low: 62.
  • Sunday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 82 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Blair County settles foster care case for $97,500 (altoonamirror.com) — Blair County commissioners have approved a $97,500 settlement in a federal lawsuit involving former foster children removed from an Altoona home in 2008. The case centered on claims that county child welfare workers improperly separated the children from their family and failed to protect them from years of abuse by foster parents later convicted and imprisoned in Clearfield County.
   

2. WTAJ to volunteer in downtown Altoona for cleanup ahead of summer events (wtaj.com) — Downtown Altoona’s Heritage Plaza is getting a spruce-up as WTAJ staff join local partners to clean and paint ahead of the Big Boy steam engine’s July 8 visit and other summer events. Organizers say a fresher plaza should quickly benefit nearby businesses and hope it inspires residents to tackle litter and upkeep in their own neighborhoods.
   

3. Demolition set for historic Altoona homes damaged by fire (wtaj.com) — Altoona officials have scheduled demolition to begin July 1 on historic Knickerbocker Row homes along Fifth Avenue that were heavily damaged in an October 2025 fire. Structural engineers are guiding a careful teardown to protect neighboring buildings, while the fire investigation remains open and some adjacent owners decide whether to repair or demolish their properties.
   

4. Altoona Area Public Library kid librarians inspire young readers (altoonamirror.com) — Young “kid librarians” at the Altoona Area Public Library will each curate weeklong book displays from June 15 through August 15, giving local children fresh reading ideas all summer. Four local kids, ages 6 to 10, are sharing their favorite series and graphic novels, while the library hopes the program deepens families’ connection to this community space.
   

5. Penn State Altoona faculty podcast explores novel ‘House of Leaves' (psu.edu) — Penn State Altoona professors Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff have released a new episode of their locally produced “Horror Joy” podcast, recorded right here in Altoona. They dive deep into the cult novel “House of Leaves,” unpacking its haunted-house structure, tricky typography, and themes of trauma, memory, and community while sharing how students respond to the book’s mind-bending puzzles.
   

📸 Around Altoona

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Altoona

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📣 Altoona Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday June 12
  • Conversation & Games →
    Hughesville Public Library, 146 S 5th St, Hughesville
    12:30 pm
    • Saturday June 13
  • Yoga on the Beach →
    Canoe Creek State Park, 205 Canoe Creek Rd, Hollidaysburg
    9:00 am
  • Dino Yoga & Movement →
    Hughesville Public Library, 146 S 5th St, Hughesville
    10:30 am
  • Stream Exploration →
    Canoe Creek State Park, 205 Canoe Creek Rd, Hollidaysburg
    4:00 pm
    • Monday June 15
  • Summer Semester Begins (Includes ESY)
    Central PA Digital Lrng Foundation CS Duncansville, PA 16635
  • Photography Basics →
    Hughesville Public Library, 146 S 5th St, Hughesville
    4:00 pm
  • Township Supervisors Regular Business Meeting
    Allegheny Township 3131 Colonial Dr, Duncansville, PA 16635, USA
    5:00 pm
    • Tuesday June 16
  • Star Wars Event →
    Hughesville Public Library, 146 S 5th St, Hughesville
    5:00 pm
    • Thursday June 18
  • Wee Make Music & Storytime →
    Hughesville Public Library, 146 S 5th St, Hughesville
    10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • An early-morning standoff in Altoona has come to an end, with a large police presence and residents asked to avoid the area.
    8:55AM on Jun 10: Large police presence in Altoona prompts public to avoid the area due to an active incident. (Nextdoor )
  • Disabledperson, Inc posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate at Walmart in Altoona, Pennsylvania in Altoona. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Altoona. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Altoona here.

Ok Altoona! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Altoona

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Altoona

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.