radioNOVO News for Altoona: July 1, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 07/01/26          BLAIR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE APPROVED NEW, THREE-YEAR CONTRACTS FOR TWO GROUPS OF UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES.          THE AGREEMENTS COVER COUNTY PRISON PERSONNEL AS WELL AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS. BOTH CONTRACTS INTRODUCE NEW, STEP-BASED WAGE SCALES RETROACTIVE TO JANUARY FIRST.          COMMISSIONERS STATED THAT THE NEW SALARY AGREEMENTS RUN THROUGH 2028 AND FIT ENTIRELY WITHIN THE COUNTY’S CURRENT BUDGET.          THE SALVATION ARMY IN ALTOONA HAS LAUNCHED BLAIR COUNTY’S FIRST CERTIFIED ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM.          A 12-MEMBER VOLUNTEER CREW IS NOW CERTIFIED IN FIRST AID AND C-P-R FOR PETS.           FIRST RESPONDERS SAY THE TEAM WILL TAKE A HUGE BURDEN OFF EMERGENCY CREWS BY CARING FOR ANIMALS AT DISASTER SCENES, ALLOWING FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS TO FOCUS ON SAVING HUMAN LIVES.