Community Corner
🌱 Altoona fires city worker after racist Mansion Park comment
Spotted on the Altoona calendar: Altoona Curve vs. Erie Seawolves
Hi Altoona! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Altoona fires city worker after racist Mansion Park comment
- What's really happening inside Altoona's struggling Logan Valley Mall?
- How Altoona families can keep Dolly Parton's literacy legacy alive
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 81 and low of 60 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 79, low: 57.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Altoona City Employee Fired For Racist Comment (lightnercommunications.com) — Altoona city officials have fired code officer Scott Campanaro after he posted a racist Facebook comment suggesting Black people should be barred from Mansion Park. The city says a previously planned City Hall-wide training will now place greater emphasis on addressing racism and appropriate conduct by employees. 
2. Logan Valley Mall tenants, officials voice frustration with conditions as owner defends upkeep (wtaj.com) — Logan Valley Mall tenants and Altoona-area officials say worsening maintenance problems, outages, and unpaid service bills are hurting businesses and driving away shoppers, while the out-of-state owner insists the property is being properly maintained. Local leaders are pressing for state intervention and hoping a new developer can eventually revitalize the once-bustling Blair County retail hub.
3. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library carries on legacy in Altoona (wtaj.com) — Families in Altoona can continue enrolling children under five in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which the Altoona Area School District launched in 2024 to boost early literacy. Local donations have surged since Parton's passing, helping mail free monthly books to kids in the 16601, 16602 and 16603 ZIP codes and strengthening family connections around reading.
4. Altoona Parking Authority updates lighting, security cameras in SP+ Parking Garage (altoonamirror.com) — Downtown Altoona's SP+ Parking Garage on 11th Avenue now has about 100 new LED light panels and 18 security cameras, aiming to make parking feel safer and more welcoming. Local business owners and commuters say the brighter, constantly lit garage is changing their habits, reassuring early-morning and late-night parkers and even attracting out-of-town visitors to leave cars in Altoona.
5. Altoona VA medical center partners to repair 'The Wall That Heals' (wtaj.com) — A long-standing veterans memorial at Altoona's James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center is being restored through a new partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. More than $20,000 has been raised toward a $250,000 goal to repair and maintain The Wall That Heals, with officials aiming to finish the work and rename it the Veteran Wall That Heals by year's end.
📸 Around Altoona
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Altoona
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Altoona Curve vs. Erie Seawolves →
Peoples Natural Gas Field, 1000 Park Ave, Altoona
6:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Day 3A - First Day for Kindergarten Group 2
Juniata El Sch Altoona, PA 16601 - First Day Kindergarten Group 2
Penn-Lincoln El Sch Altoona, PA 16602 - Kindergarten Soft Start
Juniata Gap El Sch Altoona, PA 16601 - Day 4A - First Day for All Kindergarten
Juniata El Sch Altoona, PA 16601 - JH Boys Soccer @ Dubois (HS Turf)
Altoona Area Jr HS Altoona, PA 16602
4:00 pm - JH Girls Soccer @ Dubois (HS Turf)
Altoona Area Jr HS Altoona, PA 16602
5:00 pm - JH Girls Volleyball vs BG
Altoona Area Jr HS Altoona, PA 16602
4:00 pm
Friday August 28
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
📣 Altoona Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Inaugural Gala — Camp Victory →
Camp Victory, 58 Camp Victory Rd, Millville
5:00 pm - Day 3A - First Day for Kindergarten Group 2
Juniata El Sch Altoona, PA 16601 - First Day Kindergarten Group 2
Penn-Lincoln El Sch Altoona, PA 16602 - Kindergarten Soft Start
Juniata Gap El Sch Altoona, PA 16601
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Does anyone work on cars that their sun roof is leaking.
Someone said it needs the tube from the sunroof down probably needs cleaned (Nextdoor Eldorado)
- BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 2 in Altoona. Apply here.
- Chuck E. Cheese posted a job opening for Game Room Attendant – Cast Member 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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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