RNN JOHNSTOWN 05/01/26



          TWO MEN ARE BEHIND THE CAMBRIA COUNTY PRISON BARS TODAY, FOLLOWING A HIGH-SPEED CHASE THROUGH JOHNSTOWN’S MOXHAM NEIGHBORHOOD ON WEDNESDAY. 
          KASIR AND EMANUEL PATTERSON WERE ARRESTED AFTER A BRIEF FOOT PURSUIT, SEIZING OVER 200 GRAMS OF CRACK COCAINE WITH A STREET VALUE OF 21-THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE BUST WAS PART OF A MAJOR MULTI-AGENCY OPERATION THAT INCLUDED 25 TRAFFIC STOPS AND THE SEIZURE OF CASH AND MARIJUANA. 


          ON TUESDAY, JOHNSTOWN POLICE ARRESTED TWO MEN ALLEGEDLY DEALING DRUBS AT THE LUXOR GARDENS APARTMENT COMPLEX.  29-YEAR OLD ABDULLAH BATTLE AND 24-YEAR OLD DASHAWN MCKOY WERE REPORTEDLY FOUND WITH A .45 CALIBER HANDGUN WITH A MISSING SERIAL NUMBER AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND PACKAGING EQUIPMENT IN THEIR APARTMENT.  THEY ARE ALSO BEING HELD AT THE CAMBRIA COUNTY PRISON, AWAITING FURTHER COURT PROCESSING. 


          CONVICTED WIFE-MURDERER BRIAN GILES WAS BACK IN CAMBRIA COUNTY COURT THURSDAY FOR A PRE-TRIAL HEARING IN HIS SECOND HOMICIDE CASE. CONVICTED LAST JUNE FOR KILLING HIS WIFE, GILES IS NOW CHARGED WITH KILLING OF HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND, JILLY TODARO.  GILES ALSO ASKED FOR A TRANSFER TO A STATE PRISON, CLAIMING HE'S BEING MISTREATED AT THE CAMBRIA COUNTY PRISON.  PROSECUTORS HAVE UNTIL MAY 14TH TO SUBMIT EVIDENCE.  GILES NEXT COURT DATE IS JUNE 9TH.  

RNN FRANKFORT 05/01/26

          THE F-B-I IS INVESTIGATING THE LONDON POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER AN OFFICER ALLEGEDLY SLAPPED A MENTALLY ILL MAN ALREADY IN HANDCUFFS. THE LAUREL COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTED THE INCIDENT FOLLOWING THE APRIL 22ND ARREST OF 20-YEAR-OLD CODY GRIMSHAW. ALL CHARGES AGAINST GRIMSHAW HAVE BEEN DROPPED, BUT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE "DISTURBED" BY REPORTS OF OFFICERS BRUTALIZING A VULNERABLE ADULT. THIS IS THE SECOND FEDERAL USE-OF-FORCE INQUIRY INVOLVING THE DEPARTMENT IN TWO YEARS.

          A FAYETTE COUNTY PARENT IS LAUNCHING A PETITION TO SAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S SUSTAINABILITY TEAM FOLLOWING MASS LAYOFFS IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE. WHILE OFFICIALS ARE CUTTING STAFF TO FIX LONG-TERM BUDGET ERRORS, PARENTS SAY LOSING THE TEAM IGNORES 24 MILLION DOLLARS IN PAST UTILITY SAVINGS. FORMER STAFF ESTIMATE UP TO 100 POSITIONS WERE CUT TUESDAY AS THE DISTRICT SEEKS A SHORT-TERM LOAN TO STAY AFLOAT.

          HUNTING AND FISHING ENTHUSIASTS CAN BID ON UNIQUE GEAR THIS MONDAY AS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HOSTS A SURPLUS AND CONFISCATED ITEMS AUCTION. THE EVENT KICKS OFF AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE FRANKFORT HEADQUARTERS, FEATURING EVERYTHING FROM OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT TO SEIZED HUNTING TOOLS. UNDER STATE LAW, ONLY KENTUCKY RESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BID ON CONFISCATED PROPERTY, AND SOME ITEMS MAY REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK. THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE AT 1 SPORTSMAN LANE.

RNN ALTOONA 05/01/26

          HISTORY WILL SOON RING OUT ACROSS HOLLIDAYSBURG AS THE BLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE CLOCK TOWER BELL PREPARES TO CHIME FOR THE NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. THANKS TO OVER 60-THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED BY THE FORT FETTER AMERICAN LEGION, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE OFFICIALLY CONTRACTED ELDERHORST BELLS TO BEGIN RESTORATION. 
          THE INITIAL 12-THOUSAND-DOLLAR PHASE WILL INSTALL A NEW STRIKER IN TIME FOR THE JULY 4TH CELEBRATION. LEGION COMMANDER SAM DUNKLE SAYS THE ONGOING PROJECT WILL EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE CLOCK’S WOODEN HANDS AND ILLUMINATE THE TOWER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

          BLAIR COUNTY D.A. PETE WEEKS TOOK THE STAND WEDNESDAY DURING THE FINAL APPEALS HEARING FOR JOHN P. STIVER.......... WHO'S SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR A 2018 MURDER. STIVER CLAIMS HIS ORIGINAL ATTORNEY FAILED TO SHOW JURORS A VIDEO THAT SUPPORTS HIS SELF-DEFENSE ARGUMENT IN THE SHOOTING OF 58-YEAR-OLD DAVID HOOVER. WEEKS TESTIFIED THAT WHILE THE VIDEO’S AUDIO CAPTURES A BAT STRIKING A CAR AND A SUBSEQUENT GUNSHOT, THE FOOTAGE ITSELF DOES NOT SHOW THE KILLING. JUDGE TIMOTHY SULLIVAN HAS ORDERED TRANSCRIPTS OF THE HEARINGS, WITH A FINAL RULING ON STIVER’S PETITION FOR A NEW TRIAL EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR.

RNN STROUDSBURG 05/01/26

          WHAT STARTED AS A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON SMITH ROAD IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP IS NOW BEING CLASSIFIED A MURDER-SUICIDE.  RESPONDING STATE POLICE TROOPERS COULD NOT REACH ANYONE INSIDE THE HOME. AFTER OBTAINING A SEARCH WARRANT, INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED A MAN AND WOMAN DECEASED. AUTHORITIES SAY THE MALE SUSPECT SHOT THE FEMALE VICTIM BEFORE TURNING THE GUN ON HIMSELF. NAMES OF THE DECEASED HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
          
          A MONROE COUNTY JUDGE HAS MOVED A HIGH-PROFILE HOMICIDE CASE TOWARD TRIAL FOLLOWING A PACKED PRELIMINARY HEARING ON WEDNESDAY. 43-YEAR-OLD JACOB NAUMAN IS ACCUSED OF STRANGLING HIS GIRLFRIEND, BRITTANY BURGIN IN DECEMBER 2023 AND ATTEMPTING TO STAGE THE SCENE AS A SUICIDE. 
          WHILE A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TESTIFIED THAT BURGIN'S INJURIES WERE CONSISTENT WITH STRANGULATION, NAUMAN’S DEFENSE ATTORNEY ARGUED THE DEATH WAS A TRAGIC SUICIDE FUELED BY INTOXICATION AND DEPRESSION. THE JUDGE DROPPED A CHARGE OF EVIDENCE TAMPERING, BUT NAUMAN STILL FACES COUNTS OF HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND STRANGULATION AS THE CASE HEADS TO A JURY.

RNN LEWISTOWN 05/01/26

          A MOUNT UNION WOMAN FACES MULTIPLE FELONY DRUG COUNTS FOLLOWING A YEAR-LONG UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION IN HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 23-YEAR-OLD JACIE IMLER WAS ARRESTED AFTER AN INFORMANT ALLEGEDLY PURCHASED METHAMPHETAMINE FROM HER ON TWO OCCASIONS LAST YEAR.  IMLER ALLEGEDLY HID THE DRUGS IN SNACK WRAPPERS AND CANDY BAGS. 
          POLICE SAY THEY VERIFIED THE SALES THROUGH SNAPCHAT MESSAGES AND SURVIELLANCE AT MEETING SPOTS IN MILL CREEK AND SNYDERS RUN. IMLER IS CURRENTLY FREE ON 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS UNSECURED BAIL.  A PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SET FOR MAY 13TH.

          MIFFLIN COUNTY RAIL FANS ARE GEARING UP FOR A HISTORIC SIGHT AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST OPERATING STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ROLLS INTO LEWISTOWN THIS SUMMER. UNION PACIFIC’S "BIG BOY" NUMBER 40-14 IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT LEWISTOWN STATION AT 12:45 P.M. ON JULY 8, DURING ITS JOURNEY FROM ENOLA TO ALTOONA. MEASURING 133 FEET LONG AND WEIGHING OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS, THE MASSIVE ENGINE IS TOURING THE EAST COAST FOR THE AMERICA-250 CELEBRATIONS.

         PALMYRA BOROUGH COUNCIL HAS A NEW MEMBER FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF VICE PRESIDENT SHEILA SNYDER. 
          DURING THEIR MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT RESIDENT KAREN NYE TO FILL THE VACANCY.  SHE IS A LOCAL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WITH A BACKGROUND IN ADMINISTRATION.
          WHILE BEING QUESTIONED FOR THE POST, NYE STRESSED HER COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT, COUNCIL ELECTED MARCUS RIDDELL AS THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT IN A SPLIT 4-TO-3 VOTE, WHILE COUNCILWOMAN NANCY FLEEGLE WAS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE BOROUGH ON THE WESTERN LEBANON COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE COMMISSION.

THE WELCOME MAT IS OUT FOR A NEW POLICE OFFICER IN THE WESTERN LEBANON COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.  
          TUESDAY, OFFICER JOSPEH WALSH WAS SWORN IN BY MAGESTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE DAVE WARNER, JR.  
          OFFICER WALSH WILL NOW BE PART OF THE POLICE FORCE PATROLLING PALMYRA BOROUGH, ANNVILLE TOWNSHIP, AND INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR AT BOTH THE ANNVILLE-CLEONA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE PALMYRA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT.  WELCOME OFFICER WALSH!  

           OFFICIALS IN ONE LEBANON COUNTY MUNICIPALITY ARE CONSIDERING HOW TO SPEED UP EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES. 
          RADIO NOVO'S TORY GATES REPORTS, FROM OUR HARRISBURG STUDIO:
____________________________
A SPECIAL SESSION THIS WEEK IN BETHEL TOWNSHIP LOOKED INTO WHY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION,
FIRST RESPONDERS MAY BE GEOGRAPHICALLY CLOSE, BUT AN AGENCY FURTHER AWAY IS THE ONE THAT
SHOWS UP. AGENCIES NOTED THAT THEY WOULD RESPOND TO A CALL, BUT THEN BE CANCELLED, WHEN
ANOTHER SERVICE THAT WAS FURTHER AWAY WAS DISPATCHED. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE HELD. I’M TG, RADIONOVO NEWS.

Good morning,

A DuBois man is facing serious charges following a domestic dispute. Police say 35-year-old Garrett Jeann Hallowell is charged with strangulation, simple assault, and harassment after an incident on April 29th. Hallowell was taken into custody without incident, and a preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.

In Jefferson County, a Punxsutawney man is also facing charges after an alleged apartment break-in. Police say 62-year-old Martin Scott White is accused of entering a residence without permission, claiming he was there for animal control. He now faces multiple charges, including criminal trespass and loitering. Bail was set at 20-thousand dollars, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 7th.

And a reminder for political groups in the area—Jefferson County election officials say any political action committees must be properly registered before collecting or spending money. The primary election is set for May 19th, and officials say poll workers are still needed.

More News on our radioNOVO App, Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News — a service of Seven Mountains Media.

Good morning,

A tractor-trailer rollover caused major disruptions on U.S. 50 in Parkersburg. Officials say the crash happened Thursday morning near the six-mile marker, spilling non-hazardous materials and forcing a temporary closure of the roadway. The driver was not injured, and no other injuries were reported. Investigators say speed and a shift in the trailer’s load may have contributed.

In local politics, three candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for West Virginia House District 14. Jim Marion, Crystal Butcher, and Jonathan White are running to represent parts of Wood and Wirt counties. The race heads to voters in the upcoming primary.

And in Wood County, a long-awaited sewer extension project is moving forward. Commissioners have approved a construction bid to expand service to residents along Hill Avenue just outside Parkersburg. The project is expected to begin within weeks and take several months to complete.

More News on our radioNOVO App,
Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News — a service of Seven Mountains Media.

Good morning,

A third suspect in a major kidnapping and murder case in the Southern Tier has now been sentenced. Authorities say Jonathan Glennon will serve 25 years to life in prison for his role in the 2023 abduction and death of Ithaca resident Thomas Rath. Investigators say Rath was taken from an encampment and later found buried in Tioga County. More than a dozen people were charged in connection to the case.

In Binghamton, five teens are now accused in a brutal assault on a homeless man. Police say the 45-year-old victim was beaten and left unconscious on a city sidewalk earlier this week. He remains hospitalized in critical condition. Four of the juveniles are facing attempted murder charges.

And in Tioga County, state police say a missing man has been found dead. Forty-seven-year-old Lance Bogart was discovered in a creek near his home following a multi-agency search. Authorities say there is no indication of criminal activity, and the investigation is ongoing.

More News on our radioNOVO App,
Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News — a service of Seven Mountains Media.

Good morning,

A New York State trooper will not face charges following a fatal shooting in Chemung County. Investigators say the trooper shot an 18-year-old man last September after responding to a domestic incident where the suspect was threatening his mother with scissors. Officials say the use of deadly force was justified, and body camera footage has been released.

A missing Tioga County man has been found dead near his home. State police say 47-year-old Lance Bogart was reported missing earlier this week and was discovered in a creek near his residence. Authorities say there is no indication of criminal activity, and the investigation remains ongoing.

And Chemung County Habitat for Humanity is hosting an affordable housing forum next month. The event will connect residents with local resources, housing agencies, and lenders, and is scheduled for May 20th in Elmira Heights. The forum is free and open to the public.

More News on our radioNOVO App, Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News — a service of Seven Mountains Media.