Mayor's Newsletter - December 2025

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence during holidays like Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

• Statistics: Drunk driving caused over 13,000 deaths in 2024. Last year, more than one in eight drivers admitted to driving when they thought they were close to or over the legal limit.
• Other Causes: Impairment is not limited to alcohol; it also includes prescription/over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs (including opioids and marijuana), fatigue, and stress.
• Safety Tips: Residents are urged to plan ahead by designating an unimpaired driver, using public transportation/taxis/ride-shares, or hosts providing non-alcoholic beverages and overnight lodging.

2025 Holiday Events

Lakemont Park and The Altoona Curve have partnered to host the 2025 Holiday Lights On The Lake.

• Dates & Hours: Open now through January 4, 2026. Daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
• Details: Features nearly 200 light displays. Visitors can book in advance at www. lakemontparkfun. com/hlol.
• Walking Tour: A one-mile guided stroll is available for $10 per person (includes hot cocoa). Tours run on seven Saturdays starting at 4:00 PM. Reserve at https://lakemontparkfun. com/hlol/.

Spirit of Christmas Parade:

• Date: Saturday, December 6th.
• Time: Begins at 1:00 PM in downtown Altoona.
• Activities: Broadcast by Seven Mountains Media, followed by a "Party in the Plaza" at Heritage Plaza featuring tree lighting, a petting zoo, food, photos with Santa, and fireworks.

Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K & 2 Mile Walk:

• Host: Blair Emergency Services Chaplain Platoon (BESCP).
• Date: December 6th.
• Time: Begins at 9:00 AM at Heritage Plaza.
• Registration: Available online or on event day at runsignup. com/Race/PA/Altoona/UglyChristmasSweaterFunRun5K.

Baker Mansion Victorian Christmas Tours:

• Dates: November 21st through December 21st, 2025.
• Schedule: Fridays through Sundays, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Info: Visit info@blairhistory. org or their Facebook page for more details.

2026 Sister City Group Visit

Altoona will host a delegation from its Sister City, St. Polten, Austria, in March 2026 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the partnership.

• Participants: 25 students and several delegates.
• Goal: To provide experiences similar to those of a single student visitor in October, fostering friendships and cultural exchange.
• Donations: The Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation (CPCF) is accepting donations to cover airport and bus transportation and lodging. Donations can be made online at https://centralpagives. org/give-now (specifying "Sister City") or by check.

Sister City Student Visit Recap

The newsletter highlights the recent visit of Pirmin Rauscher, an 18-year-old student from St. Polten, Austria, who visited from October 18th through November 2nd.

• Background: Pirmin won a competition in St. Polten to be the exchange student.
• Activities: He attended Altoona Area High School (AAHS), gave presentations, played volleyball and soccer, and participated in Senior Night. He also visited local landmarks including the Baker Mansion, Mishler Theatre, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, SAMA, Horseshoe Curve, and Railroaders Memorial Museum.
• Trips: He spent a day in State College at Penn State Altoona, visited Harrisburg with Mayor Pacifico (meeting Rep. Schmitt and Sen. Ward), and saw Chocolate World in Hershey.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks were extended to the Mitchell Family, Mayor Pacifico, the Sister City committee, and local businesses for their support.

U. S. News & World Report Recognition

Altoona, PA has received significant national recognition from U. S. News and World Report.

• Best Places to Retire: Altoana ranked #8 out of 250 cities across the United States. Rankings were based on healthcare, taxes, job market, affordability, and quality of life.
• Best Cities to Live in PA: Altoona placed #2 in Pennsylvania, behind only Pittsburgh.
• Key Factors: The rankings considered cost of living, home ownership/rental prices, median household income, commute time, and age of population.
• Demographics: The median age in Altoona is 39 years. Notably, 58% of residents are single people, compared to the national average of 46%.
• Economic Context: While median household income is lower than the national average, housing costs and commute times are also lower, offering better value. Despite a 2025 tax increase, Altoona's rates remain below average for similar-sized PA cities.