Toddler killed, 8 injured following weekend house fire in Allegheny County

 Posted on May 14, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  97 words  |  Christie Applegate

Pittsburgh (WPXI) — Officials say a toddler was killed and eight other people were injured after a house fire in Pennsylvania’s Shaler Township Friday night. First responders were called to the home just before 10 p.m. Inside the residence, officials say firefighters found a 2 year-old girl on the first floor. She was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Four other people in the home managed to escape the blaze and were taken to the hospital. [Read More]

'Smart investments:' Governor Shapiro visits Altoona Fire Dept. to discuss budget proposal

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  524 words  |  Brenda Moya

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — When Governor Josh Shapiro made a visit to the Altoona Fire Department on Monday morning, he was greeted by Lucille, the department's Arson Dog. Dogs like Lucille are an expensive luxury to fire departments, who also have to come up with thousands of dollars for everything else they need. "Trucks and critical equipment like helmets, coats, pants, boots, and hoods. All of that has gone up," [Read More]

'The kindness is overwhelming:' Johnstown Family Kitchen serves free Thanksgiving meals

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  296 words  |  Delta Gatti

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — While many of us enjoyed Thanksgiving meals with our families and friends, several people in our community weren't as fortunate. Many local volunteers dedicate their own holiday to make sure others have a great one. Over 100 people gathered at the St. Vincent de Paul Family Kitchen in Johnstown for a warm Thanksgiving meal. Director and Manager Greg Karcher says nobody should have to be hungry on Thanksgiving or spend the holiday alone. [Read More]

Altoona RR museum planning 'birthday party' for iconic K4 steam engine

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  124 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

Blair Co., PA (WJAC) — Two years ago, the staff at the Railroaders Memorial Museum, along with FMW Solutions, began working to bring an iconic steam locomotive, the K4 1361, back to life. The two groups will be hosting a birthday party, called the “Juniata Jewel Jubilee,” on May 6th to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the engine first rolling out of the Pennsylvania railroad’s production shops in Altoona. The museum, and the Horseshoe Curve, will both be open extended hours that day, from 10 a. [Read More]

One woman was hurt, dog rescued from Bedford Co. trailer fire Saturday

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  132 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) - One woman was hurt following a mobile home fire Saturday afternoon. It happened in the 100 block of Four Leaff Road in Cesna at 2:28 p.m. Bedford Fire Department No. 1 Inc. Chief Gary Cooper says firefighters were on scene for approximately an hour-and-a-half putting out the blaze. Firefighters from the Bedford Fire Department No. 1 Inc. had help from three other fire companies. [Read More]

St. Michael Fire Company hosts 33rd annual Forest Hills Labor Day Festival

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  135 words  |  Brenda Moya

To kick off the Labor Day Weekend, St. Michael's Fire Company is having their 33rd annual St. Michael Labor Day festival. With over 126 vendor booths and a wide variety of food, live music and kids’ entertainment, the fire company is providing one of the largest and most involved holiday celebrations. “This fundraiser is our largest fundraiser for the fire department," said Paul Kundrod, Chief of St. Michael Fire Company. " [Read More]

Thanksgiving turkeys strut into White House for presidential pardon on Biden's birthday

 Posted on May 13, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  796 words  |  Delta Gatti

WASHINGTON (AP) — Liberty and Bell can spread their wings without fear. The two Thanksgiving turkeys played their part Monday in an annual holiday tradition at the White House: a president sparing them from becoming someone's dinner. “I hereby pardon Liberty and Bell. Congratulations, birds,” Biden said after one of the National Thanksgiving Turkeys was placed on a table near him. The event, held on the South Lawn this year instead of the smaller Rose Garden, marks the unofficial start of the holiday season in Washington, and Monday was an especially busy opening day. [Read More]

Hundreds of shoppers return to TJ Maxx and other stores for reopening day

 Posted on May 12, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  334 words  |  Brenda Moya

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Calling all Maxxinistas! T.J. Maxx in Richland Township reopened its’ doors Thursday morning. Hundreds of shoppers were anxiously awaiting to return to their favorite stores like Ross and T.J. Maxx. “It kind of gives you that sense of normalcy that you can go out and get out of the house after being stuck there for so long. Deals have been good. The lines haven’t’ been too terribly long. [Read More]

New Sri Lankan restaurant opens in Bedford County

 Posted on May 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  128 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Bedford Co., PA (WJAC) — A unique restaurant is opening in Bedford County. Melanie's Cuisine, a Sri Lankan restaurant, held a ribbon-cutting in downtown Bedford Thursday morning. All of their dishes are made with Sri Lankan spices that the owners grow themselves. The owners say there are many types of restaurants with varying cuisines, and they are just adding something to the growing diversity of the borough. "We all in the restaurant business we are offering our best services to the community and with variety. [Read More]

President Biden openly acknowledges Arkansas granddaughter for the first time

 Posted on May 12, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  255 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday for the first time publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild, a four-year-old girl fathered by his son Hunter with an Arkansas woman, Lunden Roberts, in 2018. “Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are working together to foster a relationship that is in the best interests of their daughter, preserving her privacy as much as possible going forward,” Biden said in a statement. It was his first acknowledgement of the child. [Read More]