radioNOVO News for Altoona: May 12, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 05/12/26          THE ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED A PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, FEATURING A THREE-PERCENT TAX INCREASE. THE 6 TO 3 VOTE COMES AS THE DISTRICT FACES A PROJECTED 5.8 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, THOUGH BOARD PRESIDENT VAL MIGNOGNA HOPES A BOOST IN STATE FUNDING COULD EVENTUALLY TURN THAT SHORTFALL INTO A SURPLUS. HOMEOWNERS, ON AVERAGE, WILL SEE THEIR TAX BILL RISE BY ABOUT 15 TO 23 DOLLARS IF THE BUDGET IS APPROVED.            THE BOARD WILL TAKE A FINAL VOTE IN JUNE. MEANWHILE, THE DISTRICT IS ALSO MOVING FORWARD WITH A HALF-MILLION DOLLAR BOILER REPLACEMENT AT THE JUNIOR HIGH TO ENSURE RELIABLE HEAT INSIDE THE BUILDING.            IT WAS A "PAWS-ITIVE" DAY IN DUNCANSVILLE AS BLAIR COUNTY OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS FIRST FREE DOG PARK. NAMED "BEAU’S DOG PARK" IN MEMORY OF FOUNDER NICOLE FLANDERS’ LATE PET, THE FACILITY AT MEMORIAL PARK AIMS TO OFFER DOGS A SAFE SPACE TO PLAY WHILE RAISING AWARENESS FOR CANINE KIDNEY DISEASE. THE PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH LOCAL FUNDRAISERS AND AN EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT BY A HOLLIDAYSBURG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT. THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO A GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17, FEATURING A DOG PARADE AND COSTUME CONTEST.