We're in the center of Altoona, Pennsylvania. A couple of sources I've found on-line state that this tower was built in 1915. Here is a link that relates the history of Alto over time. (I'm a real fan of The Trackside Photographer and have a couple articles in there myself.)
This is one of my fav photos i've taken. It just feels eerie and unsettling, it feels like something is off and/or missing. Maybe someone was in the photo before, but they're not there now. Weird vibe ngl..
When I've shown people this image, I get one of two responses: "this image feels comforting" or "this image is unsettling".
I haven’t seen a ton of people talking about ICE in PA, but they are here! Here is some information on what I know. If you have additional information (especially from Philly or Pitt) or if I forgot something important please feel free to add. I did my best to organize stuff, but this got long, sorry.
Detention Centers in PA:
On Feb. 2, ICE purchased a warehouse in Berks County that it plans to use as a detention center. The address is 3501 Mountain Rd, Hamburg, PA 19526. This is ~1hr from Harrisburg, ~1.5hr from Philadelphia and ~4hrs from Pittsburg. (source)
There is already a detention center in Clearfield County (555 GEO Drive, Philipsburg, PA 16866). ACLU Pennsylvania has filed a complaint about unnecessary and cruel immigration detention at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. (source)
ICE in Altoona & Blair County
ICE is in Altoona (source: a friend)
(Aug. 2025) Altoona has retaken control of property used for ICE Armory Operations. These operations were moved to Georgia. (source)
ICE in Harrisburg & Dauphin County:
I have heard that ICE is at the Farm Show Complex. (source: my therapist)
ICE has been reportedly knocking on doors in Harrisburg (Liberty St). Remember you do not have to answer the door without a warrant signed by a judge. (source)
(Sept. 2025) 2 of 3 commissioners (Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick) voted against that would stop county employees from cooperating with ICE. (source)
(Jan. 22) Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter stated that they’re not working with or sharing information with ICE. But he also urged cooperating with ICE to not make matters worse. (source)
(Jan. 22) The some Harrisburg City Council members (Lamont Jones, Ausha Green, Robert Lawson and Jocelyn Rawlsis) stated they were looking to pass legislation to help residents feel protected. (source)
ICE in Philadelphia
(Feb. 2) Philly sherif claims to not be working with ICE, but protesters call for stronger ICE stance (source)
(Jan. 22) Philly leaders have proposed legislation to protect personal data and civil rights, aiming to keep residents safe from ICE. (source)
ICE in Pittsburg
Here are some reports on ICE, immigration and local response in Pittsburg from publicsource.org
“Organizations across the City are ramping up their support for immigrant communities in preparation for the chance that ICE becomes a larger local threat.” (source)
(Jan 9) Pittsburg mayor stated the City will not cooperate with ICE. (source)
ICE in State College & Center County
(Feb. 3) At a council meeting, municipal leaders discussed a resolution calling for reform of federal Homeland Security and ICE policies, stating that ICE has been in State College before. The council decided not to pass the resolution and intend to use it as a blueprint for a stronger response. (source)
Other:
Lancaster, Carlisle, and Reading have passed ordinances to limit officials' collaboration with ICE. (source)
A map of PA Counties & Municipalities with agreements with ICE: https://frontlinedignity.org/287g/
Officials Supporting ICE
John Fetterman (Democrat, US House of Representaives) FUCK THIS GUY!! “I reject the calls to defund or abolish ICE” – John Fetterman (source)
Craig Williams (Republican, PA House of Representatives): “announced legislation to establish a private cause of action against government officials who willfully disregard federal immigration laws, including lawful detainers issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).” (source)
Ryan Warner (Republican, PA House of Representatives): introduce “a bill to end sanctuary cities.” (source)
Lisa Baker (PA Senate): Chair of the Judiciary Committee that is holding up bills that address ICE operations. (source)
People taken by ICE in PA:
(Feb. 2026) Ice detained Jose Flores, an immigrant from Nicaragua living in Oakmont with an active claim for asylum, while he was getting ready to take his eight-year-old daughter to school (source)
(Feb. 2026) ICE agents pull 2 men from their vehicle in Phoenixville, PA (source).
(Jan. 2025) Video of ICE taking workers from a construction site near Pittsburg (source)
(Jan. 2026) Dozens of arrests in Chester County according to Chris Pielli (PA House of Representatives) (source)
(Aug. 2025): 24 people taken in Centre County (during traffic stops on Interstate 99 and Route 220) (source)
(Aug. 2025) 6 people taken into ICE during raids of 2 Mexican restaurants (source)
(Jul. 2025) 14 people taken in West Norriton, PA at a grocery store (source)
(Jul. & Aug. 2025) “ICE arrests in the Pittsburgh region reached a high point in July and August at around 140 each month — more than double the number logged during any month for two years prior.” (source)
(Mar. 2025) 4 refugees deported by ICE (source)
Resources:
Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC): provides free high quality legal services so that vulnerable immigrants and their families have access to justice and a more secure future. Your support makes this work possible.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: supports low-income immigrants of all backgrounds as they build new lives in our community. Through immigration legal services, we work to address their needs, defend their rights, and advocate for their equitable inclusion in American society.
Know Your Rights Resources from ACLU and ACLU-PA
A report from the ACLU on ICE Operations in PA documenting that ICE is primarily targeting Latin American men of color working in low-wage occupations. It also talks about the methods ICE primarily used to abduct people.
A map of PA Counties & Municipalities with agreements with ICE: https://frontlinedignity.org/287g/
Remember you are not alone and ICE is not welcome. FUCK ICE and stay safe.
decided to make flags for the little bee & bird war that's been going on outside my house for like 7 weeks
bug posts on tumblr tend to blow up, i swear if this post gets popular and fanart is made of the factions & stuff 😭. I am not opposed to getting drawn as a skrunkly little war photographer cat though lol.
OBSERVATION NOTES:
context: i live on the left side of a duplex; the right side will be referred to as "DN" (duplex neighbor), the neighbor by the right duplex / my right neighbor will be referred to as "RN", and the left neighbor will be referred to as "LN"
The crows HAVE killed a starling already (i unfortunately watched and heard that happen), and the crows dive bombed a tree causing mourning doves and sparrows to scatter (this was an hour after the previously mentioned starling incident). This happened across the street.
The sparrows sometimes fight the starlings, but not often (probably due to the size difference). Usually in the backyard.
The starlings bully the sparrows at any given moment and seem to avoid the crows. They are seemingly running a food monopoly. Shoutout to the starling that mimics the calls of geese and a red tailed hawk screech.
The robins, ravens, and hawks do not play any visible part in the war rn, probably because they're rare around here.
The sparrows seem to take advantage of the distracted bees and swoop and eat them.
The mourning doves seem to not play any part and are overall peaceful from what i've witnessed, although i've rarely heard distressed calls from them and i assume its the crows doing the attacking.
Eggs have been knocked out of the dove nests between my house and RN's house.
There was a rabbit nest mass casualty event yesterday, had to rescue an injured baby bunny and hand it over to a rehab center.
The carpenter bee colonies are mainly fighting one another
The bumbleebee and leafcutter bee colonies occasionally get dragged into the mess
The mining bees actively engage any carpenter bee and anything that looks like carpenter bee adjacent ON SIGHT (i've watched bumblebees catch strays from the mining bees)
Do not know what part the great black digger wasps (Sphex pensylvanicus) play, i've only seen them today, so either A) there is a colony of them that got disturbed by the mining bees or B) they're here to feed on the wild Bishop's Lace around the area
I noped tf inside when i saw the wasp.
The sweat bees have not seemed to engage in the war, they just come and go
While trying to get my cat in the house today (she was hiding in a bush located in RN's garden space between the duplex and their house), I had to step over a small bush, and i got approached by an angry leafcutter bee. They have approached me numerous times and i have no clue why, involuntary acting as a startled deer usually seems to make them disinterested.
There were three colonies of carpenter bees, but "#2", as i named them, the colony that also nested in our house alongside #1, are seemingly gone. #3 seems to nest in LN's roof.
I presume the leafcutter and bumblebee colonies are allies because i have not observed them fighting each other
