News

Celebrated Altoona Symphony director steps down from role

PA News June 2, 2026

From the Altoona Mirror Orchestra Director Nicholas “Nick” Palmer is known for striking a beautiful chord with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, having conducted many musicians for 30 years. While his resume is full of music education and conducting experience, he attributes much of his success to the vibrant arts scene and supportive community in Blair County. However, the South Carolina resident has expressed interest in cutting back on his career and conducting symphonies in his home region instead. And because the symphony will celebrate its 100th season next fall, he said now ...

Geisinger names Pallis chair of Musculoskeletal Institute

Local News June 2, 2026

DANVILLE — Geisinger has appointed Dr. Mark Pallis as chair of its Musculoskeletal Institute, removing the interim designation he has held since July 2025. Pallis joined Geisinger in 2019 and most recently served as interim chair of the institute. “We conducted an extensive national ...

Residents invited to join America250 festivities

Local News June 2, 2026

From staff reports LEWISTOWN — Organizers of the Juniata River Valley’s America250 celebration are encouraging residents and visitors to participate in a series of events and activities planned throughout June as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial observance. Two major community ...

Rowe-led panel studies housing cost, shortages

PA News June 2, 2026

From staff reports HARRISBURG — A series of hearings held by the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee highlighted concerns about housing affordability, workforce housing shortages and barriers to homeownership across the state. The three-part hearing series, chaired by Rep. David H. Rowe, included testimony from builders, developers, municipal officials, housing advocates and real estate professionals who discussed challenges ranging from rising construction costs to regulatory hurdles and limited housing inventory. According to Rowe, witnesses consistently pointed to a ...

In the region

Local News June 2, 2026

Submit memories for ‘I Remember When’ 2026 LEWISTOWN — The Sentinel’s “I Remember When” special edition for 2026 will soon be published. This year, we are highlighting memories of “favorite summer traditions.” Picnics, ballgames, family reunions, vacations with family and friends, fireworks, parties, amusement parks, carnivals, drives in the country, memories of the swimming hole and anything else that sparks a favorite summer memory is what we are accepting. Share your memories (written or photo). If you have a story, memory or photo from days gone by that you would ...

Directors discuss financial projections

Local News June 2, 2026

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors discussed projections for the district’s finances at their Thursday meeting. Treasurer Melinda Kenepp led the discussion and noted that directors requested financial projections to plan ahead. “We do have a projection platform that we use every month. I take the district’s actual financials, I dump them into a platform, and we look at where we think we’re going to wind up for the current year,” Kenepp said. She added that the platform can assess the current year’s finances and project potential finances ...