radioNOVO News for Altoona: June 2, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 06/02/26          THE FIRST OF SIX SPECIALLY PAINTED NORFOLK SOUTHERN LOCOMOTIVES ROLLED OUT OF ALTOONA’S JUNIATA LOCOMOTIVE SHOP AND PASSED OVER THE HORSESHOE CURVE YESTERDAY.  LOCOMOTIVE 1776, KNOWN AS “THE BELL,” FEATURES THE LIBERTY BELL AND IS HEADING TO CHICAGO, WHERE IT WILL MEET THE UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY 4014 ON JUNE 3RD AS PART OF THE AMERICA250 CELEBRATION. THE SERIES OF ENGINES WILL SHOWCASE HISTORIC AMERICAN ICONS, INCLUDING THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, THE BALD EAGLE, AND VARIOUS FLAG DESIGNS.           A BLAIR COUNTY PRISON INMATE ALREADY FACING A THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE HAS BEEN HIT WITH ADDITIONAL FELONY COUNTS IN A CONTRABAND INVESTIGATION. 45-YEAR-OLD RICKEY SHARIEF JOYNER IS ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING WITH TWO ALTOONA RESIDENTS TO SMUGGLE DRUGS AND OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS INTO THE PRISON THROUGH MEDICAL TRANSPORT VISITS. CO-DEFENDANTS MANDI LYNN CLAYCOMB AND CHEDELL MAURICE HENDERSON JR. ALSO FACE MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES AND ARE BEING HELD ON BAIL. PRELIMINARY HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10TH.