radioNOVO News for Altoona: May 13, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 05/13/26          DESIGN PLANS FOR A NEW 450 BED BLAIR COUNTY PRISON HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN APPROVED. THE 150-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT FACILITY IS SLATED FOR A SITE IN DUNCANSVILLE, FEATURING DEDICATED HOUSING FOR JUVENILES AND EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL AREAS. BOARD MEMBERS SAY THEY MANAGED TO SLASH 50-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE INITIAL PROJECT ESTIMATE BY REMOVING A PROPOSED COURT BUILDING. WHILE THE PROJECT IS STILL CONTINGENT ON A FINAL LAND PURCHASE, AN 83-ACRE SITE OFF DUNNINGS HIGHWAY IN BLAIR TOWNSHIP, BEHIND THE FORMER INLOW’S DRIVE-IN IS BEING EYED UP BY THE COUNTY.  OFFICIALS HOPE TO BREAK GROUND EARLY NEXT YEAR ON THE MODERN REPLACEMENT FOR THE COUNTY'S 1860'S-ERA JAIL.           THE TYRONE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS APPROVED A PROPOSED 2026-27 BUDGET WITH A 4.9 PERCENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.          MILLAGE RATES WILL VARY ACROSS THE DISTRICT’S THREE COUNTIES: IN BLAIR COUNTY, THE RATE RISES FROM 8.18 TO 8.27 MILLS; IN CENTRE COUNTY, FROM 31.16 TO 31.83 MILLS; AND IN HUNTINGDON COUNTY, FROM 54.39 TO 62.15 MILLS.          DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY THE INCREASE HELPS ADDRESS A BUDGET DEFICIT OF ABOUT 740-THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE FINAL BUDGET VOTE IS SET FOR JUNE 9TH.