Over 2K lives lost as city was turned into 'wasteland'

 Posted on May 17, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  134 words  |  Brenda Moya

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — As we approach its 135th anniversary, we continue to look back on the events leading up to the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889. Lake Conemaugh continued to swell for hours after the rain stopped, due to the runoff from the nearby rivers and mountains. When the massive wall of water and debris reached Johnstown, it killed indiscriminately, claiming the lives of over 2,200 men, women and children and destroying an entire city. [Read More]

Recent court ruling will likely spawn more appeals, delays in Centre County casino dispute

 Posted on May 17, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  250 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — More than six months ago, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave the "green light" for plans to move ahead with a new casino in Centre County. But since then, those plans are still tied in a series of court suits, and it doesn’t appear that there will be a quick resolution to the dispute. The proposed casino, located at the former Macy’s store site in the Nittany Mall, remains mired in a three-ring legal circus. [Read More]

THON dance captains discuss new ways to keep everyone engaged during virtual THON

 Posted on May 17, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  348 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

STATE COLLEGE, Pa (WJAC) — Penn State students are less than 24 hours away from a THON like never before. Dance relations captains with THON say they had to get creative this year to try and keep everyone engaged through their computer screens, but it's a task they are ready to take on. Thousands of students are usually piling into the Bryce Jordan Center this weekend for the largest student run philanthropy in the world. [Read More]

Altoona man found with weapons, explosive materials after shooting

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  435 words  |  Delta Gatti

ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) — Authorities in Blair County say an Altoona man is behind bars after he reportedly shot a woman following a domestic-related argument. According to the affidavit, police were dispatched Monday evening to a residence along Logan Avenue, in Altoona, for reports of a woman with a gunshot wound to her toe. Police say the male on scene, identified as 30-year-old Jordon Havlin, was reportedly "uncooperative" with officers and claimed that the woman had been shot by an unknown male who was " [Read More]

Ex-police officer wanted in 2 killings and kidnapping shoots, kills self

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  547 words  |  Delta Gatti

WEST RICHLAND, Wash. (TND) — State troopers in Oregon said the man suspected of killing his ex-wife, girlfriend and kidnapping his son died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Elias Huizar was the focus of a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Washington and Oregon after an Amber Alert was issued for his 1-year-old son. The suspect is accused of killing his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez and 17-year-old girlfriend, who was the child's mother. [Read More]

Greater Johnstown Elementary School celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday all week long

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  244 words  |  Brenda Moya

JOHNSTOWN - Many schools throughout the Johnstown are celebrating Dr. Seuss’ 109th birthday today. However, Greater Johnstown Elementary School decided to celebrate it throughout the whole week. Quinn Komar, a fourth-grader at the Greater Johnstown Elementary School, and her classmates are celebrating by reading Dr. Seuss’ books and dressing up according to the themes of his stories. “Dr. Seuss is very fun, he likes to rhyme and he's goofy and other authors are not like him,” Quinn says. [Read More]

MLB extends draft league through 2030; State College Spikes 'excited' for future

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  161 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that it is extending the draft league through the year 2030. The league was created in 2021 following the MLB's realignment, which eliminated 40 teams from being minor league affiliates. Locally, the State College Spikes were among those teams that were no longer affiliated with a major league club. “We are excited that the MLB Draft League will continue to offer opportunities for up-and-coming players through 2030,” said Scott Walker, Spikes President & General Manager. [Read More]

Over 100 residents displaced after large fire in Huntingdon

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  233 words  |  Christie Applegate

HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WJAC) — Around 50 fire departments battled a large fire in Huntingdon, which broke out just before midnight. The fire was at the Huntingdon Electric Motor Service and the Blair House, which is an apartment building along Penn Street. Huntingdon Regional Fire Rescue District Chief Tim Furlong said the fire started in the rear of the building and spread to the apartment building next door, displacing residents as a result of both fire damage and water damage. [Read More]

Safety researchers 'ring the bell again' for driving automation regulations

 Posted on May 16, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  580 words  |  Delta Gatti

(TND) — A nonprofit driving safety organization is putting "federal regulators on notice" over a lack of guardrails and data collection for vehicle automation systems. Such systems are available in almost half of new cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Driver-assistance systems combine adaptive cruise control, lane-centering and various other features with the use of cameras, radar or other sensors to “see” the road and other vehicles, according to IIHS. [Read More]

Cresson man accused of inappropriately touching teen at bus stop, police say

 Posted on May 15, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  127 words  |  Delta Gatti

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Authorities in Cambria County say a Cresson man is facing charges, accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl at her bus stop. Police say in March, the victim reported that 62-year-old James Kline had touched her while she was waiting for the school bus. Investigators say the teen stated that Kline would hug her, which she described as "married people hugs." Police say another teen also reportedly witnessed the inappropriate contact and told the victim to report it. [Read More]