radioNOVO News for Altoona: June 3, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 06/03/26          AN ALTOONA WOMAN IS FACING ARSON CHARGES AFTER POLICE SAY SHE SET FIRE TO HER ROOMMATE’S BEDROOM DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. 25-YEAR-OLD SOPHIA GORDON IS ACCUSED OF IGNITING A MATTRESS INSIDE A HOME ON NORTH 12TH AVENUE ON MAY 29. THE VICTIM AND A WITNESS WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD. POLICE SAY THE INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST HOURS AFTER THE VICTIM OBTAINED A PROTECTION-FROM-ABUSE ORDER AGAINST GORDON.           MEANTIME, GORDON REMAINS IN THE BLAIR COUNTY PRISON ON 150-THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.          THE ALLEGED LEADER OF AN ALTOONA DRUG TRAFFICKING RING HAS AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH A 2022 OVERDOSE DEATH. 45-YEAR-OLD RICKEY SHAREIF JOYNER WILL PLEAD GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND MULTIPLE DRUG-RELATED CHARGES UNDER A DEAL CALLING FOR 14 TO 30 YEARS IN STATE PRISON. PROSECUTORS SAY THE CASE STEMMED FROM THE FENTANYL AND COCAINE OVERDOSE DEATH OF 26-YEAR-OLD MARLANA KOEHLE. SENTENCING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 14TH..          A HOLLIDAYSBURG WATCHDOG GROUP'S LONG-RUNNING LEGAL CHALLENGE OVER CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS TIED TO FUNDING FOR THE PHOENIX VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS COME TO AN END. THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT HAS DECLINED TO HEAR AN APPEAL FROM HOLLIDAYSBURG COMMUNITY WATCHDOG, WHICH CLAIMED A BOROUGH COMMITTEE VIOLATED THE SUNSHINE ACT.