Leanna Wells

Altoona, New York

Reporter at WTAJ-TV (Altoona, PA)

Reporter @WTAJnews | John Jay Graduate🎓| https://t.co/vtDQ7o2Ga1

Articles

Salvation Army feeds homeless in Blair County despite the heat

3 days ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — For much of Central Pennsylvania, the hot temperatures are gone, but the humidity remains for the rest of the week. Despite the heat, volunteers and staff at the Altoona Salvation Army will deliver food on Wednesday night to anyone experiencing homelessness. “Hunger knows no season, right? So no matter what time of year it is, everybody’s going to be hungry.
Local school leaders travel to Harrisburg to advocate for funding

4 days ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Three local school leaders traveled to Harrisburg on Monday to highlight the impact bipartisan education investments have made on their schools. David Burkett, Superintendent of Everett Area School District, Alan Johnson, Interim Superintendent of Northern Cambria School District, and Dr. Brian K. Griffith of Penns Valley Area School District, spoke about what the funding has been able to do for their schools so far.
Two-day business summit empowers and prepares women for the future

4 days ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

CRESSON, Pa. (WTAJ) — Eight young women who are interested in business and learning from local leaders are participating in a two-day summit at Mount Aloysius College. This is the first year for the ‘Women in Business Summit‘ at the college. “We were looking for ways to grow our business program. And I noticed in my classrooms when we have 30 students, maybe only about 5 or 6 are actually women. So that was my first drive. And I’m all about women empowerment, too.
Make-A-Wish Foundation grants 5-year-old's wish to see Curve game

5 days ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Born and raised in Altoona, 5-year-old Isaac Johnson had never been to the People’s Natural Gas Field. On Sunday, he and his family spent the day there for the Curve game. It was a wish he asked for from Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. To make his wish come true, the foundation partnered with Sheetz for the Kidz and planned several surprises for Isaac and his family.
Blair County Police Dept. connects uses social media to connect with community

6 days ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

by: Leanna Wells Posted: Jun 22, 2025 / 10:07 AM EDT Updated: Jun 22, 2025 / 10:43 AM EDT ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Police and fire departments often make posts on social media to inform the community of what’s going on around them. However, one police department in Blair County is using a different approach to not only educate the community but also connect with them.
Volunteers needed to clean up Veterans Memorial Field in Altoona

1 week ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Booker T. Washington Revitalization Corporation is asking for help to clean up parts of the Veterans Memorial Field in Altoona this weekend. The field, located at 2300 Maple Avenue, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the corporation wants to keep it around for another 100 years. “Whenever we started this initiative, we did not realize it was 100 years old. We kind of stumbled into that. So we’re trying to, you know, get the painting done, do new netting.
Memorial Park honoring fallen firefighters almost complete in Johnstown

1 week ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — A memorial park that will honor seven Johnstown firefighters who died in the line of duty is almost finished. The memorial stone and sculpture within Johnstown Firefighters Memorial Park, located at the intersection of Vine and Franklin Streets, has been a project in the making for a little over three years. That’s according to Eric Miller, President of the Firefighters Local 463. “In firefighting, as anyone knows, it’s a very dangerous occupation.
Altoona Fire Dept. provides tips, prepares for severe weather

1 week ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Flood watches and warnings were activated on Tuesday across several counties in Central Pennsylvania. Ahead of the incoming weather, the Altoona Fire Department is providing tips to drivers to stay safe. “When the rain comes down, slow down. Make sure you’re using your headlights while you’re driving. And if your wipers are on, your headlights need to be on. If you come across standing water on a roadway, do not drive through it.
Somerset 9-year-old becomes published author, shares book with classmates

1 week ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

WINDBER, Pa. (WTAJ) — Bennett Kalanish, a third-grader at Windber Elementary School, finished the school year with a big achievement. He published a book. “[It feels] good. Like exciting,” Bennett said. Despite being a little shy, Bennett read his book to all the third-graders in the school. His 38-page book, also available on Amazon, is titled ‘Woolly’s Adventure‘. It’s about a Woolly Mammoth who loves to play in the snow but has to watch his surroundings when a big storm approaches.
NAMI Blair County offers support to fathers during the month of June

1 week ago | wtaj.com | Leanna Wells

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness is providing tips to support them. “Here at NAMI, we try to build awareness, especially around men’s mental health this time of month, because there are about 44.3% of men over the age of 18 who will experience a serious mental illness,” Aimee Burns, Executive Director of NAMI Blair County, said.

Journalists covering the same region

Sydney Roach

Reporter and Host at WPSU-FM (State College, PA)

Sydney Roach primarily covers news in the Central Pennsylvania region, including areas around State College and surrounding counties.

Jay Siegel

Sports Editor at GANT News

Jay Siegel primarily covers news in Western Pennsylvania, United States, including areas around Pittsburgh and surrounding counties.

Jane Lethlean

Freelance Writer at Freeport Journal-Standard

Freelance Writer at Standard Journal

Jane Lethlean primarily covers news in New York City, New York, United States and surrounding areas including parts of Illinois.

Ben Destefan

Editor at Courier Express

Ben Destefan primarily covers news in the Allegheny region of Pennsylvania, United States, including areas around Pittsburgh and surrounding counties.