WTAJ -TV 60TH Anniversary - Big Stories
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: March 1, 2013
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - As WTAJ starts to mark its 60'th anniversary, we want to share a look back at some of the big stores that have been featured in our broadcasts. It was sixty years ago today when what is now WTAJ-TV went on the air with its first commercial programming.
Here's a quick look back at some of the big local stories from the past six decades.
Back in 1966, 17 year old Peggy Ann Bradnick was kidnapped by an ex-convict and former mental patient near Shade Gap in Huntington County. Badnick was held captive by William Hollenbaugh who was also known as "Bicycle Pete." She was rescued after a massive manhunt and deadly shoot out that killed her kidnapper and an F.B.I. Agent.
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In January of 1974 a commuter plane crashed while trying to land in Johnstown. Eleven people were killed and six injured when the plane on route from Pittsburgh struck an embankment while trying to land.
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On July 20th 1977 there was massive flooding in the Johnstown area. The death toll was 85 and damage was estimated in excess of $300 million. Hundreds of people were left homeless. A special monument was erected to honor those who died.
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During the 1980's the Penn State football team won two national championships.
In 1982 the Nittney Lions went eleven and one ending the season with a Sugar Bowl Victory. In 1986 the team went undefeated.
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In the 1990's an early morning fire ripped through a large part of the Logan Valley Mall.
Forty two stores were destroyed or extensively damaged in the December 1994 blaze
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On December Tenth, 1998, A huge blast shook Lakemont and surrounding communities.
The source of the explosion was a build-up of natural gas in a closed pizza restaurant on Logan Boulevard.
..............................
On September Eleventh 2001 the attention of the world was focused on this part of the Pennsylvania with the crash of Flight 93 in a Somerset county field near Shanksville.
Forty brave passengers brought the jet down before it could be used to attack Washington D.C.
........................
Less than a year later, Somerset county was again in the national spotlight when nine coal miners were trapped in the under ground Que Creek Coal Mine. After five days of steady drilling, all nine miners were rescued.
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Drawing huge national attention in recent years was the arrest, trial and conviction of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky on child abuse charges. Because that court case lead to the firing of long time Football Coach Joe Paterno and charges against other University officials, the Sandusky case continues to be a major news event.
................................
What is now WTAJ-TV started commercial broadcasting on March First of 1953. That makes this the actual anniversary of operations at the station. But WTAJ-TV will be marking the event with special programing for the rest of this year.
Here's a quick look back at some of the big local stories from the past six decades.
Back in 1966, 17 year old Peggy Ann Bradnick was kidnapped by an ex-convict and former mental patient near Shade Gap in Huntington County. Badnick was held captive by William Hollenbaugh who was also known as "Bicycle Pete." She was rescued after a massive manhunt and deadly shoot out that killed her kidnapper and an F.B.I. Agent.
.......................................
In January of 1974 a commuter plane crashed while trying to land in Johnstown. Eleven people were killed and six injured when the plane on route from Pittsburgh struck an embankment while trying to land.
........................
On July 20th 1977 there was massive flooding in the Johnstown area. The death toll was 85 and damage was estimated in excess of $300 million. Hundreds of people were left homeless. A special monument was erected to honor those who died.
....................
During the 1980's the Penn State football team won two national championships.
In 1982 the Nittney Lions went eleven and one ending the season with a Sugar Bowl Victory. In 1986 the team went undefeated.
............................
In the 1990's an early morning fire ripped through a large part of the Logan Valley Mall.
Forty two stores were destroyed or extensively damaged in the December 1994 blaze
......................
On December Tenth, 1998, A huge blast shook Lakemont and surrounding communities.
The source of the explosion was a build-up of natural gas in a closed pizza restaurant on Logan Boulevard.
..............................
On September Eleventh 2001 the attention of the world was focused on this part of the Pennsylvania with the crash of Flight 93 in a Somerset county field near Shanksville.
Forty brave passengers brought the jet down before it could be used to attack Washington D.C.
........................
Less than a year later, Somerset county was again in the national spotlight when nine coal miners were trapped in the under ground Que Creek Coal Mine. After five days of steady drilling, all nine miners were rescued.
................................
Drawing huge national attention in recent years was the arrest, trial and conviction of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky on child abuse charges. Because that court case lead to the firing of long time Football Coach Joe Paterno and charges against other University officials, the Sandusky case continues to be a major news event.
................................
What is now WTAJ-TV started commercial broadcasting on March First of 1953. That makes this the actual anniversary of operations at the station. But WTAJ-TV will be marking the event with special programing for the rest of this year.
