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Hey Altoona, hope your week’s off to a good start! Sheetz named retailer of the year, Parent University on AI, Galentine’s Bingo with designer purses, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
New executive appointment: Reliance Bank named Jill Ausherman vice president and director of credit in January, succeeding a 40-year banking veteran. Ausherman held a vice president post at Truist in State College — read the full story.
Mobilizing compassion on campus: Altoona’s Joe Bilka leads the fight against student hunger at Penn State Altoona through Ivyside Eats, serving 815 students in the past year and distributing 700 to 1,000 pounds of food — read the full story.
Restaurant-quality on the go: Altoona-born Sheetz was named 2025 Convenience Retailer of the Year, honoring its food-focused model and growth. The family-owned company started here in 1952 and now operates more than 800 stores — see what sets it apart.
Philosopher’s work gains spotlight: Penn State Altoona professor Brian Onishi spoke at the Eastern American Philosophical Association in session on his 2023 monograph. The Journal for the Philosophy of Emotions will publish a discussion — read the full story.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New job openings announced: The City of Altoona is accepting applications for Entry Level Police Officers. Applications are accepted online or at City Hall, 1301 12th Street, Suite 400. Elliott Company has remote Applications Engineer III openings. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is hiring a Manager of Field Data. See how and where to apply.
New grants strengthen access: The state transportation commission approved more than $2.3 million for rail upgrades in Blair County and nearby counties. SEDA-COG received $2.1 million for a bridge bundling plan, and Everett Railroad received $285,599 to rehabilitate a bridge, improving freight reliability and rural connectivity. See which projects got funded.
Cheesy comfort, upgraded: When your week needs edible TLC, The Knickerbocker Tavern serves Truffle Mac & Cheese that nails the gooey-meets-fancy sweet spot and pairs effortlessly with a deep craft beer lineup. Ideal for lingering catch-ups and edible self-care, no special occasion required.
Closet pick-me-up: Humble & Kind Boutique in Altoona blends comfy basics with on-trend finds, plus weekly “What’s New Wednesday” drops to keep outfits fresh. When your wardrobe needs serotonin, skip the big-box blahs for an easy, happy browse.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🤖 Parent University: A TechWise Family Approach to AI @ Arrows Christian Academy | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:30 PM – AI snuck into your kid’s homework, your newsfeed, and your group text, so Arrows is hosting Parent University to make sense of it with a TechWise, Scripture-rooted lens. Hear Michael McGreevy, see a ChatGPT demo, leave with practical tools, plus childcare.
❓ Trivia Night @ Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society | Tuesday (2/3) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats Trivia Night where you can flex decades of random facts, enjoy Taco Tuesday, and call it bonding. Unter Uns keeps it free to play, members and guests welcome, with questions from The Professor, Jim Price, new topics, and prizes for the top three.
❓ Trivia Night @ Buccinese Society | Wednesday (2/4) at 7:00 PM – Finally, a quiz you actually want to take. Head to the Bucce for trivia with ‘The Professor,’ Jim Price. It’s free, non-members welcome, new topics weekly, prizes for the top three, weekly specials, desserts, salads, wings, and a blissfully smoke-free room.
This weekend
📖 Storytime @ Logan Towne Center | Saturday (2/7) – Every Saturday at 11 means Storytime is back in the children’s department. Bring the littles, your patience, and coffee, then let someone else do the voices while you perch on a tiny chair and call it quality family time, with nostalgia and zero screen negotiations.
🏁 RC Dash for Cash 2026 @ Postal Railroad Productions | Saturday (2/7) at 12:00 PM – Remote-control racers rip around the track for cash and bragging rights at RC Dash for Cash 2026. Think tiny pit crews, big egos, and lap times that make your inner kid giddy. Bring a lawn chair, a thermos, and your victory dance.
🧘 Indoor Flow Meet-up @ The Groove Fitness Studio | Sunday (2/8) at 1:30 PM – Beat the winter blahs at The Groove Fitness Studio with an indoor flow meet-up. Try hoops, poi, or whatever prop calls your name, with all-level instructors, shared gear, and zero judgment. Come curious, bring a toy if you have one, and enjoy the vibe.
🎸 2nd Sunday Uke Jam @ ArtsAltoona | Sunday (2/8) at 2:00 PM – Second Sunday strumming that proves you can keep rhythm and sip coffee at once. A confident-beginner-plus uke jam with loaner ukes, The Daily Ukulele books in Yellow, Blue, and Purple, a few to borrow on-site, and copies at Blair County libraries, online, or local shops.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Altoona report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 31°F – Low: 7°F – Precip: 29%
A chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 25°F – Low: 6°F – Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 25. Northwest wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.
This house is wild
This two story in Logan Township layers function and flexibility. Upstairs holds three spacious bedrooms and a full bath, while the main level lines up living and dining rooms and a kitchen with an eat in bar and ample storage. A main level bonus room with an attached full bath can serve as a fourth bedroom.
Practical touches include first floor laundry and a mud room warmed by a wall gas heater. A metal roof boosts durability. Outside, a two car attached garage pairs with an oversized shed and a patio for easy gatherings. The 0.6 acre corner lot adds space for gardens and gear.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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