radioNOVO News for Altoona: July 24, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 07/24/26          BLAIR COUNTY HAS FINALIZED A CONTRACT WITH LAWRENCE COUNTY TO HOUSE JUVENILE INMATES AT A COST OF $500 PER DAY. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THE DEAL SECURES BACKUP SPACE FOR JUVENILES WHEN LOCAL FACILITIES REACH CAPACITY. BLAIR COUNTY HAS RELIED ON OUTSIDE DETENTION CENTERS SINCE CLOSING ITS ALTOONA FACILITY IN 2006.          MEANTIME, THE SEARCH IS ON FOR A NEW ARCHITECTURAL / ENGINEERING FIRM TO DESIGN A NEW COUNTY PRISON.  COMMISSIONERS HAVE CANCELED THE CONTRACT WITH GFT, CITING IIRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES, EVEN THOUGH THE PROJECT REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY.          PENN CAMBRIA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS RAISED OVER $1 MILLION IN PLEDGED DONATIONS TO UPGRADE PANTHER STADIUM. THE INITIATIVE TOOK A MAJOR STEP FORWARD THIS WEEK AFTER A LOCAL CONTRACTOR DONATED AND INSTALLED A BRAND-NEW $200,000 L-E-D LIGHTING SYSTEM. OFFICIALS HOPE THE CAMPAIGN WILL FUND ARTIFICIAL TURF AND TRACK IMPROVEMENTS, ALLOWING THE DISTRICT TO HOST P-I-A-A PLAYOFF GAMES AND TRACK MEETS.