The Punxsutawney Spirit
With spring around the corner, Trout Unlimited holds fly fishing seminar in DuBois
DUBOIS — Now that ice fishing season has pretty much concluded, anglers are preparing for the opening of trout fishing season. While the big white trucks are out stocking area lakes and streams, there are others who are trying to learn more techniques...
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PAHS DECA group sees big wins at state level
P U N X S U TAW N E Y — Members of Punxsy DECA recently traveled to Hershey to compete at the Pennsylvania DECA State Career Development Conference, joining approximately 3,400 students from across the commonwealth for one of the largest student...
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Two Punxsy Prominence fighters gearing up for Golden Gloves bouts
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Two Punxsy Prominence Boxing Club fighters, Nikolai Neale and Jake Adams, are gearing up for their Golden Gloves fights on Saturday, Feb. 28. Neale said he is excited for his fight, and his plan for victory is “punching, while not...
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PFBC announces trout stocking schedule
PUNXSUTAWNEY — There was a sure sign of spring, as the annual trout stocking operations got underway ahead of Pennsylvania’s spring trout season. According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Opossum Lake in Cumberland County received the...
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Bell Township considers opening roads to ATVs
BELL TWP. — The Bell Township supervisors discussed the possibility of joining other municipalities that have approved allowing ATVs on their roads at this week’s meeting. State Rep. Brian Smith (R-66), was in attendance to answer questions regarding...
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Lady Chucks hold off DCC in second half for 47-40 win and League Championship
ST. MARYS — The Punxsutawney Lady Chucks Varsity Basketball team is continuing the push toward a possibly historic season after they bested the DuBois Central Catholic Lady Cardinals 47-40 to win the first-ever District 9 Central League Large School...
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Jefferson County tourism director gives an update on Groundhog Day
BROOKVILLE — Jefferson County tourism Director Mary Milford gave an update to the commissioners on how the Groundhog Day festivities went. She said the Groundhog Day events went well. She said attendance at Barclay Square on Saturday was a little...
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Jeff Tech students speak to Punxsy school board for Career and Technical Ed Month
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Students at Jeff Tech attended this week’s Punxsutawney school board meeting on Tuesday to show their home district what they’ve been working on as part of Career and Technical Education Month. Students showed off recent projects, went...
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Local TV crews wrap up first Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob
GOBBLER’S KNOB — The cold weather may have stopped some tourists from coming to Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, but some area media reporters who visited Gobbler’s Knob for the first time did not let the extreme cold bother them. Riley Holsinger and...
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New Groundhog Day attractions unveiled in Punxsutawney’s Barclay Square
PUNXSUTAWNEY — You may have noticed a giant top hat located in Barclay Square, which was quite the attraction and photo op over Groundhog Day weekend. Punxsutawney Mayor Bill Clement said that the Punxsy Revitalization Group wanted to dedicate the top...
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Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel looks back on Groundhog Day 2026
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel looked back on the success of Groundhog Day 2026 recently. He said Groundhog Day was a complete success, bringing in approximately 22,000 from all over the state, nation and world. He said they had...
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PAHGS welcomes visitors
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The welcome mat is out throughout the year, but the times surrounding Groundhog Day bring an increased variety of groups in to enjoy the Punxsutawney Area Historial and Genealogical Society’s collections and activities. During...
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Brocious Lumber under new ownership; Martin Brothers take the reins
RINGGOLD — Brocious Lumber in Ringgold has come under new ownership, namely the ownership of longtime employees Joe and Zack “Chunk” Martin. Joe Martin said they both had been with the company for about 11 years. He said they hadn’t been working there...
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IUP, Mountains Health sign formal strategic collaboration
INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Mountains Health, the unified health system that includes Indiana Regional Medical Center, Punxsutawney Area Hospital and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, signed a formal strategic collaboration...
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Phantastic Phil at Marion Center Bank gets a new look
PUNXSUTAWNEY — A new Phantastic Phil was unveiled prior to the Groundhog Day weekend at Marion Center Bank in Punxsutawney. The large fiberglass groundhog already had its home at the bank when they decided to upgrade the popular groundhog. Kelly...
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Six more weeks of winter: Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow on Groundhog Day
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Those seeking relief from the subzero temperatures and heavy snowfall that have typified the last month of winter in Pennsylvania got some bad news from Punxsutawney Phil at the crack of dawn Monday, as the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator...
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Rich Alexander, Marty Armstrong named Punxsutawney’s Man and Woman of the Year
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney 2025 Man and Woman of the Year were announced last night at the annual Groundhog Baunquet held at Punxsutawney Area High School Cafeteria. The 2024 Man of the Year Retired Speaker of the House Sam Smith read the...
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Punxsutawney ready to receive Phil’s Phaithful this weekend
PUNXSUTAWNEY — In case you haven’t been paying attention, Groundhog Day is coming like a freight train and Tom Dunkel, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle president, said he’s excited about this year’s trek to Gobbler’s Knob following last year’s...
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Giant Eagle Pharmacy opens its doors in Punxsy
PUNXSUTAWNEY — When Rite Aid closed in downtown, it seemed like we were doomed to another empty storefront, but then along came a another business that made a commitment to purchase the building. It’s a name that everyone recognizes immediately —...
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Jefferson County holds official kickoff for local America250PA celebration
BROOKVILLE — America250PA kicked off the America250 celebrations in Jefferson County on Tuesday at the county offices in Brookville. America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman opened the ceremony, welcoming the attendees. She said they have...
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Jefferson County said to be second hardest-hit in PA as commissioners review Fern response
BROOKVILLE – Jefferson County 911 Director Chris Clark gave the county commissioners an update on how Winter Storm Fern affected the county over the weekend. He said given the size of the storm, the whole county was heavily impacted with similar...
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Punxsy residents busy digging themselves out after record winter storm
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The huge snowstorm that traveled across the country, including Punxsutawney, canceled classes and closed numerous businesses because the roads are being worked on throughout the day. Charlie Hoeh, Punxsutawney Borough Emergency...
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Rossiter native pens book on battle with alcoholism
Rossiter native Matthew Kitchen has written a book titled “Just for Today,” chronicling his journey recovering from alcoholism. Kitchen is a cybersecurity engineer with 25 years in information technology across multiple agencies in the intelligence...
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Shelves stocked with new Groundhog Day souvenirs
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Groundhog Day comes around once a year, but the business is an everyday thing in the Weather Capital of the World: Punxsutawney. Mary Ann Jacobson, manager of the Punxsutawney Phil’s Official Souvenir Shop at the Punxsutawney Area...
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Groundhog Club hard at work with Feb. 2 just around the corner
YOUNG TWP. — With the trek to Gobbler’s Knob quickly approaching, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle continues to prep for Phil’s big day. Marcy Galando, Groundhog Club executive director, said the club works very hard to put on the show...
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Gobbler’s Knob ready to welcome visitors on Groundhog Day
YOUNG TWP. — The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle has been busy preparing for Phil’s big day. Marcy Galando, Groundhog Club executive director, said that they’ve never had much trouble getting people to The Knob but getting them back down is...
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Steffey’s cuts the ribbon at its new location
CLOE — The ribbon cutting for the new Steffey’s, located in the former Mary’s Place at 17080 Route 36 in Cloe, took place on Tuesday afternoon. Abby Steffey thanked everyone who came out for the ribbon cutting and the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of...
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Punxsy Phil makes pre-Groundhog Day appearance in State College
STATE COLLEGE — State College got an early taste of Groundhog Day this weekend as Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania’s most famous prognosticator, made a special appearance at The Press: Cider & Craft Beverage Taphouse, the new downtown gathering owned by...
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Smicksburg, DuBois families among those receiving Century Farm honors at PA Farm Show
HARRISBURG — Friday, on the seventh day of the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding designated 11 Bicentennial and Centennial farms — honoring seven families whose farms have remained in the same...
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SPLASH announces upcoming fundraisers
PUNXSUTAWNEY — With Groundhog Day approaching, it won’t be long before we can start to look forward to spring and summer. There’s much work to be done at the George C. Brown Community Pool before then. Alex Dobson, Save Punxy’s Local Area Swimming...
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Two crashes reported in half-hour period in Punxsy
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Fire Department was dispatched to two motor vehicle crashes on Monday evening between 5:30 and 6 p.m. The first crash involved four vehicles on West Mahoning Street, all of which were able to be driven from the scene...
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Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding leads tour of 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show exhibits, events
HARRISBURG — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and founding father Benjamin Franklin led a tour of mustsee exhibits, new events, competitions and quality Pennsylvania-produced foods — to be featured during the 2026 PA Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s...
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Punxsy Chamber holds 1st Community Connection meeting
P U N X S U TAW N E Y — The Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce held the first of what it hopes will be quarterly Community Connection meetings at the Punxsutawney Eagles on Thursday, giving residents the opportunity to hear updates on projects and...
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Community gets in a little ice fishing ahead of warm-up
BELL TWP. — The cold weather chases many people indoors during the winter months, but there are some who like it better that way, and they’re known as ice fishers. This past weekend was a dream come true for those who like to head out to Cloe Lake in...
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Music in the Park donates proceeds of Christmas concert to PACC
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Santa paid a late visit to the Punxsutawney Area Community Center on Friday as representatives from Punxsutawney’s Music In The Park committee, in conjunction with TDK Entertainment, presented a check to the executive director. Joe and...
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Chucks Football’s Roken and Thomas named to 4A PFN All-State Team
PUNXSUTAWNEY — This past history-making season for the Punxsutawney Chucks Varsity Football team had many facets to it, and among the were senior Beau Thomas and sophomore Owen Roken being named to the 2025 PFN (PAFootballNews. com) Coaches Select 4A...
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The Punxsutawney Spirit 2025 Year in Review: November and December
Another year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to reflect on the people and events that defined it. Here are the big headlines The Punxsutawney Spirit reported in 2025, as compiled by editor Matthew Triponey. Today, we’ll be looking at what...
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The Punxsutawney Spirit 2025 Year in Review: September and October
Another year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to reflect on the people and events that defined it. Here are the big headlines The Punxsutawney Spirit reported in 2025, as compiled by editor Matthew Triponey. Today, we’ll be looking at what...
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The Punxsutawney Spirit 2025 Year in Review: July and August
Another year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to reflect on the people and events that defined it. Here are the big headlines The Punxsutawney Spirit reported in 2025, as compiled by editor Matthew Triponey. Today, we’ll be looking at what...
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The Punxsutawney Spirit 2025 Year in Review: March and April
Another year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to reflect on the people and events that defined it. Here are the big headlines The Punxsutawney Spirit reported in 2025, as compiled by editor Matthew Triponey. Today, we’ll be looking at what...
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The Punxsutawney Spirit 2025 Year in Review: January & February
Another year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to reflect on the people and events that defined it. Here are the big headlines The Punxsutawney Spirit reported in 2025, as compiled by editor Matthew Triponey. Today, we’ll be looking at what...
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Brookville names winners of Christmas tree contest
Historic Brookville Inc., awarded the prizes for its third annual Christmas Tree Contest on Monday. This year’s theme was “Classic Storybook Christmas.” This year’s winners were: (top photo) first place, Brookville Civic Club with 284 votes for the...
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Newly elected Jefferson County officials, row officers sworn in by Judge John Foradora on Monday
BROOKVILLE — Jefferson County’s newly elected officials and row officers were sworn into office by Judge John Foradora on Monday. Scott North, chairman of the Jefferson County Commission, certified that after tabulating the votes cast in the general...
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Punxsy firefighters inspect new vehicles
PUNXSUTAWNEY — In the past year, the Punxsutawney Fire Department has upgraded numerous trucks replacing an aging fleet. Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company has a new Engine-Rescue, Squad, tanker and ladder truck. Lindsey has a new engine, which is also a...
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Wheelers and Dealers held at BAHS
BROOKVILLE — The Brookville Area Junior and Senior High School Senior Economics students endeavored to hawk their wares at the annual Wheelers and Dealers event on Wednesday. BAHS partners with the Brookville Area Chamber of Commerce for the event....
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Salvation Army seeking donations, volunteers in Red Kettle’s last week
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Salvation Army Punxsutawney Red Kettle campaign is coming into the home stretch with a goal of $30,000, with the drive ending on Christmas Eve. Lt. Lisa Scalzitti, Punxsy commander, said they are $11,336 short of their goal as of...
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Make-A-Wish raises over $90,000
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Light Up A Child’s Life campaign in Punxsutawney last week raised $90,700. “What an incredible and heartfelt week it has been,” Make-AWish regional manager Lacy Bair said. “The Make-A-Wish Light Up a Child’s Life campaign once again...
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IUP Culinary project progress reviewed at meeting
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Progress is moving along with the new Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts facilities that are to be constructed on West Mahoning Street adjacent to the Fairman Centre. Mitch Peffer, IUP director of facilities,...
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Make-A-Wish fundraiser comes to a close
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Light Up A Child’s Life campaign came to a conclusion on Friday at the Make-A-Wish office. Scott Anthony, Punxsy Pizza owner, brought a large check from the money they made this past week. “Our manager, Cheri Yount,...
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Make-A-Wish visits schools as Light Up a Child’s Life prepares for final day today
PUNXSUTAWNEY — It seems it was just the other day that Make-AWish’s Light Up a Child’s Life campaign began, and now it’s set to wrap up this afternoon at its office in Punxsutawney. Lacy Bair, Make-AWish regional manager, said they had a busy day on...
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Day 2 brings Make-A-Wish to Punxsy Pizza
PUNXSUTAWNEY — It was pizza day Tuesday at the Make-AWish Light Up a Child’s Life campaign. Day 2 wrapped up with the community raising just under $10,000, continuing the momentum toward granting life-changing wishes for local children with critical...
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Make-A-Wish nets over $7,000 on first day of Light Up a Child’s Life campaign
PUNXSUTAWNEY — You’ve been waiting for this week since last year, and finally it’s here: The annual Make-A-Wish Light Up a Child’s Life campaign is officially underway. Day one concluded Monday with a total of $7,050, demonstrating once again the...
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Make-A-Wish’s Light up a Child’s Life campaign begins today
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Light Up a Child’s Life campaign returns Dec. 8-12 on WPXZ 104.1 and their Facebook page. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 219 W. Mahoning St., Punxsutawney. Lacy Bair, Make-AWish regional manager, said this year’s weeklong campaign...
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Jeff Tech committee reorganizes ahead of new year
WINSLOW TWP. — The Jeff Tech Joint Operating Committee held their reorganization meeting Thursday. Sam Armagost, committee member, was elected the temporary board chairperson. Current Chairperson Robert Wachob was nominated and was re-elected...
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Local horse-riding instructor holds Christmas Pony Extravaganza
PUNXSUTAWNEY — If you were looking to get your family involved with horse riding lessons and you were wondering if there was someone who offers that type of service in the area, including boarding of horses, Kayla Franks recently hosted the Christmas...
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Commemorative bell installed in Punxsy as part of the America250 celebration
PUNXSUTAWNEY — A commemorative bell was installed at the Punxsutawney Borough Complex on Wednesday as part of Bells Across PA, an initiative by America250PA. The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States semiquincentennial (America250PA) was...
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Brookville teen writes debut fantasy novel, ‘The Legends’
BROOKVILLE — There is a new author in Brookville as 13-year-old Owen Weible, alias Elias Vale, has written his debut novel, “The Legends.” “The Legends” follows main character Jake Caspian as he realizes that the stories of gods and guardians he has...
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Circle of Treets now aglow in Punxsy
The Punxsutawney Rotary Club’s Circle of Trees is now bringing Christmas spirit to Barclay Square, with this year’s collection being unveiled after the Home for the Holidays parade on Saturday. As usual, community organizations for both children and...
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Lawmakers voice support for congressional reviews of Trump's military strikes on boats
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers from both parties said Sunday they support congressional reviews of U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, citing a published report that Defense...
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Jefferson County’s Christmas kickoff begins with Brookville
The good people of Brookville rang in the holiday season on Friday with the Brookville Holiday Association’s Christmas kickoff, culminating in the grand parade, where the jolly old elf himself came to town and opened his Christmas cottage with Mrs....
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Circle of Trees to light up Barclay Square
PUNXSUTAWNEY — A Punxsutawney holiday season tradition that immediately follows the annual Home for the Holidays Parade on Saturday, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Eagles, is the 2025 lighting of the community Christmas Tree and unveiling...
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Punxsy prepping for Home for the Holidays
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The sounds of jingle bells and ho, ho, ho will be filling the air on Saturday as the Christmas and holiday season will be starting with the annual Home for the Holidays Parade and Mistletoe Madness in downtown Punxsutawney. Katie Laska,...
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Annual Punxsy Fire Department boot drive a success
It was a perfect day for the Punxsutawney Fire Department’s annual Boot Drive on Saturday with a lot of pre-Black Friday shopping occurring throughout the Punxsutawney area. (Top left) Tami McFarland, Lindsey Fire Company president, is receiving a...
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Jefferson County Historical Society presents annual awards
BROOKVILLE — The Jefferson County Historical Society held its annual meeting and awards dinner on Oct. 25 at the Heritage House,with board President Larry Anthony as the master of ceremonies. Anthony welcomed all those attending the banquet and...
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Punxsy area honors veterans
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Tuesday, Nov. 11, we recognize Veterans Day by remembering the sacrifices these men and women made on behalf of their country. Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, first marked the oneyear anniversary of the end of World War...
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PASD honors veterans on Friday
PUNXSUTAWNEY— The Punxsutawney Area School District honored veterans on Friday. At Punxsutawney Area High School, senior Elizabeth Vallies welcomed the veterans to the James A. Colonna Performance Center. Vallies said that this year in their music...
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Ramsey is the Steelers’ best cornerback. He might be their best safety at the moment, too.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
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Punxsy’s Alex Shumaker prepares for next musical journey after high school
PUNXSUTAWNEY — In the Neil Young song ‘My My, Hey Hey,’ he sings, “Rock and roll is here to stay,” and later, “Rock and roll can never die,” and in today’s musical world of autotune and more, old souls still find a way to keep rock and roll...
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PAHS students prepare fall play, ‘Alibis’
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Something different is going on this weekend at Punxsutawney Area High School, as the new tradition of having a fall play in the James A. Colonna Performance Center in Punxsutawney continues this week. Ronnie Norton, play director, said...
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Several local offices at stake as voters report to the polls
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Americans reported to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in a variety of state and local elections. Jefferson County residents were able to make their voices heard in several closely watched local races after incumbents vacated...
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Progress continues at Shadow Hotel
PUNXSUTAWNEY — As we head toward a new year — and a new Groundhog Day — numerous people have been wondering when the Shadow Hotel at Pantall Square is going to open for business. The former Pantall Hotel has undergone a complete transformation inside...
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Resident a finalist in Maxim Cover Girl Competition
PUNXSUTAWNEY — A local resident is a Grand Finalist in the Maxim Cover Girl Competition. Kira Haught a smalltown girl and a 2025 graduate of Jeff Tech, has won a huge opportunity after having entered a Maxim Cover Girl Competition where 56,000 women...
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Lady Chucks’ Olivia Toven takes part in PIAA Singles Tennis Tournament
HERSHEY — The Lady Chucks Tennis team’s Olivia Toven took part in the first round of the 2025 PIAA 2A Tennis Singles Tournament on Friday in Hershey after winning the District 9 2A Singles Championship at the end of September. Toven won the District 9...
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