radioNOVO News for Altoona: July 31, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 07/31/26          A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS VACATED THE DEATH SENTENCE OF FORMER ALTOONA RESIDENT ANDRE STATON FOR THE 2004 MURDER OF HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, BEVERLY YOHN. UNDER A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT, THE 63-YEAR-OLD WILL NOW SERVE LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. PROSECUTORS AGREED TO DROP THE DEATH PENALTY AFTER EXAMS DETERMINED STATON LACKS MENTAL COMPETENCY UNDER FEDERAL STANDARDS.          A BLAIR COUNTY JUDGE HAS DISMISSED SEVERAL PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS FILED BY AN ALTOONA MAN FACING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR A 2023 MURDER. PRESIDENT JUDGE WADE KAGARISE RULED THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AGAINST 54-YEAR-OLD RAYMOND OECHSLE JR. IN THE FATAL STABBING OF CHRISTOPHER HELSEL. THE BLAIR COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO SEEK CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, CITING TORTURE AND FELONY OFFENSE AGGRAVATORS IN THE CASE.          THE HUNTINGDON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL UNVEILED A NEW LOGO AND VISUAL REBRAND THURSDAY INSIDE ITS RENOVATED FORMER CHURCH BUILDING. THE NEW DESIGN—CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JUNIATA COLLEGE STUDENTS—DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE'S STAINED GLASS WINDOWS.