Allegheny Independent Media (@alleghenyindmedia)

Cambria County Commissioners and Democrats Last week I went to two different political events in Cambria County. The first was the biweekly county commissioners meeting on February 26. On Sunday March 1, the Cambria County Democratic Party held their campaign kickoff meeting for the upcoming midterm elections. This post profiles the Cambria County Commissioners and the Cambria Democrats. Cambria Commissioners This was a brief meeting, only 24 minutes. Most items were unanimously approved. The minutes of the meeting can be read here. Items discussed were staffing issues, approving contracts for intellectual disability services, mosquito borne disease control services, and AI software for the public defenders office.

Cambria County Commissioners and Democrats

Last week I went to two different political events in Cambria County. The first was the biweekly county commissioners meeting on February 26. On Sunday March 1, the Cambria County Democratic Party held their campaign kickoff meeting for the upcoming…

05.03.2026 01:21 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Paul Ricci and the Epstein Files The Epstein files are like our generation’s Pentagon Papers. One can go to the Department of Justice’s website to query the files. Donald Trump’s name appears in 1,747 documents in the database. Jon Stewart, in the video above, explained how his name appears in the files. Out of curiosity I entered the name Paul Ricci into the Epstein files database. To my surprise, the name did appear on one document. The document where Paul Ricci appears is a 7-page pdf of an email written by Gregory Brown. He was chairman and CEO of Global Cast Partners LLC.

Paul Ricci and the Epstein Files

The Epstein files are like our generation’s Pentagon Papers. One can go to the Department of Justice’s website to query the files. Donald Trump’s name appears in 1,747 documents in the database. Jon Stewart, in the video above, explained how his name appears in the…

26.02.2026 13:03 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Income Predicts Trump 2024 Vote in PA, Poverty Does Not When posting the previous posts on poverty on the sub-reddit for Pennsylvania I was asked repeatedly how many of the poor counties voted for Trump. This post is an attempt answer their question. I looked at the correlation between median income, poverty rates and Trump's % of the vote for 2024. What I found was that median income predicts Trump's 2024 Pennsylvania vote but poverty is at best a weak predictor.

Income Predicts Trump 2024 Vote in PA, Poverty Does Not

17.02.2026 19:43 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

In 2024, 14 of the 20 Poorest School Districts in PA are in the Alleghenies Map showing all of the school districts in Pennsylvania. Poorer districts are in darker colors. My third post on the new Small Area Income Estimates (SAIPE) focuses on the poorest school districts in Pennsylvania. This is expressed as a percentage of their student bodies who meet the federal definition of poverty. When summarizing the top 20 poorest school districts in PA, 14 of the 20 are in the Alleghenies. The list of the top 20 (out of 500 school districts in PA) is in the table below. Eight of the top 20 (or 40%) offer prekindergarten services.

In 2024, 14 of the 20 Poorest School Districts in PA are in the Alleghenies

15.02.2026 17:34 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Different Poverty Measures for Pennsylvania Last week I posted on the new Small Area Income and Poverty Esimates (SAIPE) for the U.S. and Pennsylvania and for Cambria and Forest Counties. The poverty rates for the U.S., Pennsylvania, and every county in the state are presented in the table at the bottom of the post. Subsequently, this post will look at different poverty measures for Pennsylvania. Median Income The graph above shows the trend in median income for Pennsylvania. A statistical median is the value that appears in the middle when all values rank from highest to lowest.

Different Poverty Measures for Pennsylvania

Last week I posted on the new Small Area Income and Poverty Esimates (SAIPE) for the U.S. and Pennsylvania and for Cambria and Forest Counties. The poverty rates for the U.S., Pennsylvania, and every county in the state are presented in the table at the…

06.02.2026 01:50 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Johnstown, PA Residents Gather at City Hall to Protest ICE Practices and Defend Civil Liberties In the Cold, the Community Spoke: Johnstown Residents Rally Against ICE and Federal Overreach On Friday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m., residents gathered at the corner of Main Street and Market Street in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, despite frigid temperatures, to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) The rally, held directly in front of City Hall, sent a clear and intentional message: the people are paying attention, and they are no longer silent. Speakers used a bullhorn to voice frustration over what many described as violations of free speech, civil liberties, and democratic principles.

Johnstown, PA Residents Gather at City Hall to Protest ICE Practices and Defend Civil Liberties

In the Cold, the Community Spoke: Johnstown Residents Rally Against ICE and Federal Overreach On Friday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m., residents gathered at the corner of Main Street and Market Street in…

03.02.2026 06:25 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Opponents of Homer City power plant and data center air concerns at community gathering At a community meeting Sunday about the natural gas-powered data center project near Homer City, activists and residents expressed concerns ranging from environmental to economic and health impacts. The afternoon event was organized by Concerned Residents of Western PA, a group formed to oppose the planned 4.5-gigawatt power plant and

Opponents of Homer City power plant and data center air concerns at community gathering

02.02.2026 01:30 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

New Poverty Estimates for 2024: Forest County is the Highest in PA After a month delay, the Census bureau came out with new poverty estimates for 2024 for every state, county and school district. The Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates were probably delayed by the government shutdown. They also had to catch up on other economic statistics such as the unemployment rate. The map above shows the categories of poverty for the counties in and around Pennsylvania. We see that, with the exception of Butler County north of Pittsburgh, the counties of the Alleghenies are generally in the higher poverty categories. Forest County (in the Allegheny National Forest) had the highest rate at 22.8% followed by Philadelphia County at 19.7%.

New Poverty Estimates for 2024: Forest County is the Highest in PA

After a month delay, the Census bureau came out with new poverty estimates for 2024 for every state, county and school district. The Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates were probably delayed by the government shutdown. They…

31.01.2026 20:06 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Fracking Meeting on Laurel Ridge This past Tuesday I went to a fracking meeting on Laurel Ridge held by the Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) in Normalville, PA. There was a turnout of more than 20 people. They were discussing a proposed Shannon Compton Well Pad on Laurel Ridge. The meeting is presented in the video below. Below that are the slides from the meeting which can be downloaded. The Shannon Compton Well Pad is located near the Pennsylvania Cross Country Ski Center on Laurel Ridge. Most homes around there rely on well water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

Fracking Meeting on Laurel Ridge

This past Tuesday I went to a fracking meeting on Laurel Ridge held by the Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) in Normalville, PA. There was a turnout of more than 20 people. They were discussing a proposed Shannon Compton Well Pad on Laurel Ridge. The meeting is…

25.01.2026 14:04 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Local Agencies Collaborating with ICE Yesterday I first heard the term 287(g). It is a program where local law enforcement agencies agree to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I was able to download a list of local agencies collaborating with ICE. Fifty-one 287(g) agencies/municipalities are collaborating with ICE. Of these 23 are in the Alleghenies. A list of them is provided below, but first some definitions for types of support. Jail Enforcement Model designed to identify and process removable aliens — with criminal or pending criminal charges — arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.

Local Agencies Collaborating with ICE

Yesterday I first heard the term 287(g). It is a program where local law enforcement agencies agree to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I was able to download a list of local agencies collaborating with ICE. Fifty-one 287(g)…

20.01.2026 15:29 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Natalie Bencivenga on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Closure The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will publish its last edition on May 3, 2026, after serving the city for 240 years. The paper’s closure comes on the heels of a three-year strike. On Saturday morning, Jan. 10, I spoke with independent journalist Natalie Bencivenga, a former reporter for the Post-Gazette. I worked with her at Healthcare for All PA many years ago. On Saturday morning, Jan. 10, I spoke with independent journalist Natalie Bencivenga, a former reporter for the Post-Gazette. I worked with her at Healthcare for All PA many years ago.

Natalie Bencivenga on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Closure

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will publish its last edition on May 3, 2026, after serving the city for 240 years. The paper’s closure comes on the heels of a three-year strike. On Saturday morning, Jan. 10, I spoke with independent…

14.01.2026 13:02 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Anti-Ice Protest in Johnstown Larry Blalock covered an anti-ICE protest in Johnstown Saturday, Jan. 10, in front of State Rep. Jim Rigby’s office on Ferndale Avenue. Nearly 40 demonstrators carried signs in a hastily-scheduled rally to take a strong stand against a murder committed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Renee Nicole Good, 37, of Minneapolis was shot and killed Jan. 7 near her home by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The victim leaves behind a wife and three children. The shooting locale is not far from where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020…

Anti-Ice Protest in Johnstown

Larry Blalock covered an anti-ICE protest in Johnstown Saturday, Jan. 10, in front of State Rep. Jim Rigby’s office on Ferndale Avenue. Nearly 40 demonstrators carried signs in a hastily-scheduled rally to take a strong stand against a murder committed by an…

12.01.2026 03:31 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Venezuela in Turmoil: Trump's Move Sparks Debate at Johnstown Rally - Allegheny Independent Media Maduro, accused of leading a cartel and collaborating with FARC, was flown to New York to face U.S. charges.

alleghenyindependent.media/2026/01/06/t...

06.01.2026 14:40 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Venezuela in Turmoil: Trump’s Move Sparks Debate at Johnstown Rally A rally in Johnstown, PA, on January 3, 2026, turned explosive as protesters voiced concerns over President Donald Trump's handling of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's capture. Protest at Haynes and Bedford Maduro, accused of leading a cartel and collaborating with FARC, was flown to New York to face U.S. charges. While some Venezuelans celebrate, others worry about Trump's intentions, especially given his statement that the U.S. will "run the country" until a transition is arranged. ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ Locally, residents are questioning Trump's priorities. "The capture also tells another story to the people who want help here locally in the USA," said an American attendee, referencing domestic issues.

Venezuela in Turmoil: Trump’s Move Sparks Debate at Johnstown Rally

A rally in Johnstown, PA, on January 3, 2026, turned explosive as protesters voiced concerns over President Donald Trump's handling of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's capture. Protest at Haynes and Bedford Maduro, accused of…

06.01.2026 14:03 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Impact of Property Tax Hikes in Cambria County Much is made of the recent property tax increase that the Cambria County commissioners passed — a 6.75 mill increase. This means that for every $1,000 in property value, the owner must pay an additional $6.75 in property tax. This post will take a look specifically at the impact of property tax hikes for Cambria County. Gerald Zahorchak, former superintendent of the Greater Johnstown School District and former PA Secretary of Education, directed me to the website financial data elements for school districts in Pennsylvania. The following table has variables for the 2025-2026 school year for the 12 school districts in the county.

Impact of Property Tax Hikes in Cambria County

Much is made of the recent property tax increase that the Cambria County commissioners passed — a 6.75 mill increase. This means that for every $1,000 in property value, the owner must pay an additional $6.75 in property tax. This post will take a…

04.01.2026 17:50 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

5.7% of Greater Johnstown Students are Homeless - Allegheny Independent Media For the 2024-2025 school year, 5.7% of Greater Johnstown students are homeless. That is more than 1 out of 20 students.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The #1 most read post of #2025recap.

alleghenyindependent.media/2025/12/10/5...

31.12.2025 23:53 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

No Kings Rally Part 2 - Allegheny Independent Media Yesterdays No Kings Rally Part 2 had an amazing turnout. Between 300 and 500 people turned out to voice their frustration with Trump.

The 2nd most read post of #2025recap
alleghenyindependent.media/2025/10/19/n...

31.12.2025 13:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Reflecting on 2025 for Allegheny Independent Media The end of the year is a time for reflecting on 2025 for Allegheny Independent Media. We have had 68 posts this year on a variety of issues in the Allegheny Mountains. This is in comparison to 50 posts in 2024, a 36% increase. We had 11 posts by Lyrical Capo, 3 posts by Jackie Allison 2 posts by Nancy Coleman, and one by Denise Miller this year. This gives a total of 17 posts by others than yours truly. We had over 15,000 page views from over 9,500 for 1.62 views per visitor.

Reflecting on 2025 for Allegheny Independent Media

The end of the year is a time for reflecting on 2025 for Allegheny Independent Media. We have had 68 posts this year on a variety of issues in the Allegheny Mountains. This is in comparison to 50 posts in 2024, a 36% increase. We had 11 posts by…

31.12.2025 03:04 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Local Pharmacy Desert: Johnstown, PA - A Community in Crisis - Allegheny Independent Media As a follow-up to my post on pharmacy deserts in Pennsylvania, Lyrical Capo has written a post on the local pharmacy desert in Johnstown. “When the pharmacy closes, the community suffers.” Emphaticall...

The 3rd most read post of #2025recap. alleghenyindependent.media/2025/07/27/l...

30.12.2025 23:08 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

No Kings Rally in Johnstown, PA: A Call for Justice and Humanity - Allegheny Independent Media On June 14, the city of Johnstown witnessed a display of resistance as community members gathered for the No Kings rally at Central Park.

The 4th most read post of #2025 alleghenyindependent.media/2025/06/18/n...

30.12.2025 04:43 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Homelessness in the Alleghenies Outside Cambria - Allegheny Independent Media This post will take a look at student homelessness in the Alleghenies outside Cambria County.

The 5th most read post of #2025 alleghenyindependent.media/2025/12/16/h...

29.12.2025 02:45 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Unmet Needs in Pennsylvania - Allegheny Independent Media After looking at the unmet need scores in the Alleghenies, I thought that I should backtrack and look at unmet needs in Pennsylvania.

The 6th most read post of #2025 alleghenyindependent.media/2025/08/15/u...

28.12.2025 08:56 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Health Factors in Pennsylvania and the Alleghenies - Allegheny Independent Media Factor analysis allows us to identify underlying social and health factors in Pennsylvania and in the Alleghenies.

The 7th most read post of #2025 alleghenyindependent.media/2025/08/19/h...

27.12.2025 12:56 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Write-ins and the Johnstown Mayoral Election - Allegheny Independent Media Locally we had a hotly contested race for mayor. This post will look at the influence of write-ins and the Johnstown mayoral election.

The 8th most read post of #2025

alleghenyindependent.media/2025/11/07/t...

26.12.2025 04:34 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Rage Against Unmet Needs - Allegheny Independent Media This post will present high need zip codes in the area to help you to Rage Against Unmet Needs in the Alleghenies.

Our 9th most read post of #2025
alleghenyindependent.media/2025/08/05/r...

25.12.2025 05:46 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Turning Point USA in the Alleghenies - Allegheny Independent Media With the assassination of Charlie Kirk still in the news I will take a look at his organization Turning Point USA in the Alleghenies.

Our 10th most read post of #2025
alleghenyindependent.media/2025/09/28/t...

24.12.2025 14:03 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Jingle This by Jackie Allison The retail company I worked for came up with a ploy to motivate their employees. Instead of a decent raise or vacation pay, the company used slogans. I’m not talking cool words encouraging us to just go out and achieve our best. No, I’m talking slogans that made you retch up breakfast like Jingle This & My Yule ruling? These slogans, many times, came with props, especially the holiday versions. The year of “Jingle Some Bells” we received a pen, a necklace, and a bracelet with bells attached.

Jingle This

by Jackie Allison The retail company I worked for came up with a ploy to motivate their employees. Instead of a decent raise or vacation pay, the company used slogans. I’m not talking cool words encouraging us to just go out and achieve our best. No, I’m talking slogans that made you…

23.12.2025 02:17 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Homelessness in the Alleghenies Outside Cambria The last post on student homelessness in Cambria County School Districts got a huge response. The map above from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania shows that this issue is not just a Cambria phenomenon. This post will take a look at student homelessness in the Alleghenies outside Cambria County. Not all of the school districts in the state could be sampled for the 2024-2025 school year. The top 20 poorest school districts according to the Census Bureau from the year 2023 in Pennsylvania were sampled. The Johnstown and Ferndale school districts were excluded because they are located in Cambria County.

Homelessness in the Alleghenies Outside Cambria

The last post on student homelessness in Cambria County School Districts got a huge response. The map above from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania shows that this issue is not just a Cambria phenomenon. This post will take a look at student…

16.12.2025 19:34 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

5.7% of Greater Johnstown Students are Homeless This holiday season (and every other season) it is important to remember those less fortunate. Accordingly, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania produced the map above. It shows all of the school districts in the state. The districts highlighted in green have rates of student homelessness that are higher than the state rate of 1.89% for the 2023-2024 school year. I spoke with the center and they directed me to the site Future Ready PA. You can look at your school district at their site. Comparatively, I looked at the districts in Cambria County and summarized them in the table below.

5.7% of Greater Johnstown Students are Homeless

This holiday season (and every other season) it is important to remember those less fortunate. Accordingly, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania produced the map above. It shows all of the school districts in the state. The districts highlighted in…

10.12.2025 22:28 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Discussion of a Proposed AI Data Center in Homer City by Paul Ricci Allegheny Independent Media is now affiliated with Nonprofit Partners. It is a subsidiary of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Thru the site you can donate to the website. It is essential to allow us to provide coverage to the critical issues facing the Alleghenies. You may donate to our site here. An artificial intelligence (AI) data center has been proposed for Homer City, PA. I attended a discussion of the proposal Dec. 3 at the First Unitarian UniversalistChurch in Indiana, PA. Jay Walker of the…

A Discussion of a Proposed AI Data Center in Homer City

by Paul Ricci Allegheny Independent Media is now affiliated with Nonprofit Partners. It is a subsidiary of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Thru the site you can donate to the website. It is essential to allow us to provide…

05.12.2025 18:07 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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