ABC 23 WATM TV

10/17/2025

Local veterans in our area were treated to a free breakfast this morning in Cambria County.

The breakfast was hosted by Senator Wayne Langerholc at the Young Peoples Community Center in Ebensburg.

Langerholc said this annual breakfast is an opportunity to give back and show appreciation to the men and women who serve our country.

He said it's important that we always honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

Along with the breakfast, a UPMC van was outside the community center offering free health screenings.

10/17/2025

With Halloween around the corner, Penn Highlands Elk teamed up with PennDOT to host "a mocktail party" for impaired driving awareness.

The hands-on event let visitors use a virtual headset to simulate how dangerous alcohol can be behind the wheel.

Safety press officer Steve Harmic says the goal is to educate people on the risks and promote safe choices.

Hospital officials say it also supports their push for level four trauma center approval.

“We’re just really trying to ask people to be safe, get a designated driver, take an Uber, just make it home safely."

10/16/2025

See 9-1-1 Nashville tonight at 9pm on !

10/16/2025

PSA for Stuckey Subaru:

The public is invited to celebrate the Subaru Loves Pets campaign with an onsite pet meet-and-greet and ice cream social at Stuckey Subaru. Guests can meet shelter cats and dogs available for adoption and enjoy free ice cream for both pets and pet owners (Paulie’s Ice Cream Truck). Volunteers will be accepting monetary donations, food, toys, cleaning supplies, and new or gently used towels and blankets.

10/16/2025

Local Cambria County students took part in an exciting competition today, getting the chance to showcase their skills in Welding. Austin Long has more on this special event.

"We're doing two types of joints. We're doing a T-Joint and a V-Groove. And we're trying to just find out, and a friendly competition who's the best motor in our class."

Students were tasked with welding two different types of joints, with the twist of Corle BuildingSystems being the judges of their work.

This posed as a great opportunity for these students to show their potential future employers what they are capable of, as well as possibly having a career lined up for them right out of high school.

"We're looking for some high quality Welders. It could really help out these students. When they graduate, hopefully come full-worn with us and report our full-time."

This is a widespread effort to try and get some of these future welders a career after high school.

Administrative director john augustine tells us the vocational school for the greater johnstown area has a wide reach with that goal in mind.

"We draw from seven school districts. We draw from Forest Hills, Richland, Windber, Ferndale, and Westmont."

"We bring education to life. Not only do they learn why they're doing something, they learn how. You're seeing a lot of the hows behind me right now."

Brandon Gregovich, one of the participants in the competition, described to us the excitement and nerves performing in front of potential employers had on him.

"It's a little nervous because you always want to perform your best."

10/16/2025

In Blair County, a potential teacher strike is looming.

The Bellwood-Antis Education Association says if the district doesn’t drop its unfair labor practice charge and return to the table by October 30th, members will vote to strike the next day.

But the School District says it has been bargaining in good faith since january, and that the union made major changes to proposals in August prompting the charge.

A hearing is now set for December.

Talks are scheduled to resume tomorrow, and both sides say they hope for progress.

10/16/2025

See another All-New Golden Bachelor tonight at 9pm on !

10/15/2025

A new initiative in Centre County is aiming to increase business at the State College Regional Airport, potentially impacting surrounding communities. The State College Air Service Alliance held its first meeting Tuesday, focusing on attracting new airlines and flights to the area.

Greg Scott from the Centre County Chamber of Business emphasized the importance of reliable air travel, stating, "Reliable connector air travel supports thousands of local jobs and underpins so much of our economy."

The airport is undergoing improvements to attract new carriers. Jason McMurtrie of the Centre County Airport Authority noted, "Right now we're looking at adding jet bridges to the airport. Airlines do look at amenities like that."

The alliance also introduced the Fly State College Fund, aiming to raise $500,000. This incentive fund is designed to market the airport and attract more airline business. Tim Sieber from Volaire Aviation Consulting highlighted the challenge, saying, "The challenge is going to be airlines like to get people into their network in the shortest time possible, burn the least amount of fuel, getting people into the network."

The Air Service Alliance includes the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the Chamber of Business and Industry in Centre County, the Centre County Airport Authority, and Penn State, which owns the airport.

10/15/2025

Mark Hackett, a Centre County inmate already charged with attempting to kill a confidential police informant, is now facing an additional murder charge.

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that Hackett attempted to hire a second hitman in the case.

Hackett was initially jailed last year on drug distribution charges.

Authorities allege he offered to pay a man $10,000 to kill the informant with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

When the plot failed, police say Hackett sought to hire another hitman.

10/14/2025

Couples pay tribute to the people in their lives. See this Dancing with the Stars tonight at 8pm on

Watch Dancing with the Stars streaming on ABC platforms and Disney+

10/14/2025

A Clearfield County Commissioner was previously in favor of contracts with I.C.E. and the geo group to use Moshannon Valley Processing Center as a detention space for I.C.E.

Now that Commissioner is announcing that he no longer wants to see the county do business with I.C.E

Emily Marines has more on why that commissioner no longer wants to sign the contract.

Glass says that he believed at the time of the original contract that the over 300 projected jobs to the county and the tax revenue were enough for him to vote yes.

He says that he now deems I.C.E. behavior across the country unacceptable.

Clearfield County Commissioner David Glass announcing Monday that he no longer wishes to see the county do business with I.C.E.

He says he will be voting no to renew next years contract with GEO Group and I.C.E. to use Moshannon Valley Processing Center as a I.C.E. detention space.

Glass says his decison will stand until major changes are made to I.C.E. tactics and overall strategy.

"But to me, there's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you're trying to be surgical and precise about getting certain people out of the country, all right, I can understand that."

"If they change, if I.C.E. changes their tactics, if they do things that I think are more humane and more in line with what I think is reasonable enforcement policy, then I reserve the right to change my mind and potentially vote
for it."

While Glass argues ice tactics across the country are swaying his decision Commissioners Tim Winters and John Sobel say that their main concern is the detainees housed within the county and they have no concern with their
treatment in the facility.

10/14/2025

Also Today, Penn State Football Interim Head Coach Terry Smith spoke with the media about what’s next for the Nittany Lions.

Tyann Bell has more on how Smith plans to lead the team moving forward

Terry Smith who was coaching the Cornerbacks just a few days ago, is now stepping into the role of Interim Head Coach, guiding Penn State through the rest of the season and the transition ahead.

At Monday's press conference, Smith spoke with passion about what this program means to him and his hopes for the future.

Smith, a Penn State Alum and former football player, said his first priority is keeping the team focused and together.

He also announced that Jordan Lucas, a former Nittany Lion and NFL player, will now coach the Cornerbacks.

Smith said there will not be any other staff changes immediately as he works to get settled into his new role.

But he made one thing clear, his heart and commitment remain in Happy Valley.

“I love Penn State. And all I want to do is help Penn State be successful and win. I'm sitting in this press conference because we didn't win enough. And whatever I can do to help this place win is what I'm willing to do.
I would be remiss to say if the opportunity didn't put itself out there for me to be the head coach permanently, absolutely I would love that opportunity.”

Smith also shared a message to current players and future recruits, reminding them that the values of Penn State Football aren’t changing, even as the program looks towards a new chapter.

He says the expectations remain the same and the program is already preparing for the seasons ahead.

“You know, we're just going to continue to press forward. We're going to continue to recruit. We're going to continue to get in front of these guys. One thing that hasn't changed is Penn State is Penn State. We all know the
expectation of being here. Pat made it clear we're going to be successful. We have always been successful. It is the only way we know. And so we're going to recruit the young men that want to be here. And when we suit up come
2026 with a new roster, they're going to be equipped and ready to go.”