radioNOVO News for Altoona: July 15, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 07/15/26          SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH MINOR INJURIES FOLLOWING A FIVE-VEHICLE CRASH ON DUNNING HIGHWAY IN EAST FREEDOM MONDAY. OFFICERS REPORT THREE OF THE VEHICLES WERE TOTALED IN THE COLLISION, AND THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.           A BLOWN TRANSFORMER HAS FORCED TEN LOGAN VALLEY MALL STORES TO CLOSE FOR NEARLY THREE WEEKS, CAUSING AN ESTIMATED HALF-MILLION DOLLARS IN LOSSES. IMPACTED BUSINESSES REPORT DEVASTATING SETBACKS, INCLUDING A SPECIALTY PET STORE THAT LOST OVER 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FISH.           UTILITY PROVIDER PENELEC CONFIRMED THE ISSUE IS NOT ON THEIR END, BUT IS INSTEAD CAUSED BY THE FAULTY, MALL-OWNED TRANSFORMER. FIRST ENERGY SAYS THEY ARE COORDINATING WITH MALL MANAGEMENT TO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE.            THE MALL'S OWNER IS SHIPPING A REPLACEMENT TRANSFORMER, BUT HAS NOT PROVIDED A TIMELINE FOR POWER RESTORATION.