ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
12/23/20 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski /
Multiple crews are on the scene of a fully involved house fire Wednesday morning. The fire, at 2279 Reservoir Road in Frankstown Township began before 9 a.m. The Geeseytown Community Fire Company volunteers and other crews from the area were called in, according to dispatch.
Geeseytown Community Fire Company firefighters extinguished a Frankstown Township house fire Wednesday, and while no occupants were injured, the home was destroyed, a fire company spokesman said.
“When personnel first got on scene, the fire was fully evolved,” said Paul Grove, Geeseytown’s assistant fire chief. “It was an exterior attack only. There was no way we were going into it.”
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
A Huntingdon man was arrested on charges of embezzling $100,000 from a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services for disabled Huntingdon County residents, according to the county’s district attorney, Dave Smith.
Adam Pfingstl, 44, was arraigned last week by Huntingdon County Magisterial District Judge Rufus Brenneman on 12 counts of theft-related felony charges, court documents stated.
Pfingstl, the Huntingdon County PRIDE executive director, allegedly stole funds from the organization starting in April and up to December, according to a news release.
A Pennsylvania State Police investigation accuses Pfingstl of using the stolen money to pay for online gambling, personal purchases, lottery tickets and cash advances, the release stated.
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
Children from the Maxwell family in Martinsburg crowd together for a group hug with Santa Claus on Monday, after law enforcement personnel helped deliver holiday tidings donated by Professionals Auto Body, of Altoona, to families in need around Blair County. Photo by Ike Fredregill
MARTINSBURG With Donner, Blitzen and the crew still out to pasture prepping for the big night, Santa Claus caught a ride with the Blair County Sheriff’s Office on Monday for a special pre-Christmas visit.
According to his list, Lindsey Maxwell’s four young children were due for a grand holiday experience one that could only be provided with the help of a local business, and so important, it required an armed escort.
ifredregill@altoonamirror.com
Jerry Hagen plows the driveway of his Grant Street home in Gallitzin with the help of his granddaughter, Kylee Patterson, 8, on Thursday afternoon.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Drivers kept the Altoona Police Department busy during the storm Wednesday, but it was a quiet night for the Altoona Fire Department and surrounding townships.
Altoona police spokesman Sgt. Matt Plummer said police responded to 18 motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported.
“Heavy snowfall always makes travel difficult in Altoona due to the hills, turns and narrow streets throughout the city,” Plummer said in a digital message. “Credit is due to the Altoona Public Works Department, which worked around the clock to keep our roadways safe and clear, despite being understaffed because of the pandemic.”
Kobak Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., walks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Pittsburgh offensive lineman Jimmy Morrissey (67) snaps the ball to quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) Kozub Ciesielka
Ed Hofer shovels snow from the sidewalk of his Fifth Avenue home in Patton on Wednesday afternoon. The region was blanketed by snowfall from the seasonâs first major snowstorm. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
First responders and city officials appeared to have been well-prepared for winter storm Gail, and they advised residents to help each other clear snow for emergency access, be mindful of plow routes and use space heaters with caution.