radioNOVO News for Altoona: May 14, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 05/14/26          PENN STATE ALTOONA’S RAIL TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING PROGRAM RECEIVED A MAJOR BOOST WEDNESDAY WITH THE DONATION OF A 200-THOUSAND-DOLLAR TRACK MAINTENANCE MACHINE.          PLASSER AMERICAN HANDED OVER THE "TAMPER" MACHINE DURING A CEREMONY AT THE RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM. THE EQUIPMENT, USED TO LEVEL AND STABILIZE TRACKS, WILL PROVIDE HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN THE ONLY BACHELOR'S PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION.          CHANCELLOR RON DARBEAU SAYS THE GIFT IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM THE INDUSTRY THAT WILL CHANGE THE PROGRAM’S TRAJECTORY FOREVER.          ON A 6 TO 3 VOTE, THE HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED A TENTATIVE BUDGET WEDNESDAY WITH NO TAX INCREASE, DESPITE A PROJECTED 4.3-MILLION-DOLLAR SHORTFALL.  MEANWHILE, THE CLAYSBURG-KIMMEL SCHOOL BOARD VOTED 7-2 TO RAISE TAXES TO THE STATE-MANDATED LIMIT. THAT FIVE-PERCENT INCREASE AIMS TO HELP OFFSET A 1.4-MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT.          BOTH DISTRICTS WILL LIKELY USE RESERVE FUNDS TO BALANCE THEIR FINAL BOOKS.