radioNOVO News for Altoona: May 1, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 05/01/26          HISTORY WILL SOON RING OUT ACROSS HOLLIDAYSBURG AS THE BLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE CLOCK TOWER BELL PREPARES TO CHIME FOR THE NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. THANKS TO OVER 60-THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED BY THE FORT FETTER AMERICAN LEGION, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE OFFICIALLY CONTRACTED ELDERHORST BELLS TO BEGIN RESTORATION.           THE INITIAL 12-THOUSAND-DOLLAR PHASE WILL INSTALL A NEW STRIKER IN TIME FOR THE JULY 4TH CELEBRATION. LEGION COMMANDER SAM DUNKLE SAYS THE ONGOING PROJECT WILL EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE CLOCK’S WOODEN HANDS AND ILLUMINATE THE TOWER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.          BLAIR COUNTY D.A. PETE WEEKS TOOK THE STAND WEDNESDAY DURING THE FINAL APPEALS HEARING FOR JOHN P. STIVER.......... WHO'S SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR A 2018 MURDER. STIVER CLAIMS HIS ORIGINAL ATTORNEY FAILED TO SHOW JURORS A VIDEO THAT SUPPORTS HIS SELF-DEFENSE ARGUMENT IN THE SHOOTING OF 58-YEAR-OLD DAVID HOOVER. WEEKS TESTIFIED THAT WHILE THE VIDEO’S AUDIO CAPTURES A BAT STRIKING A CAR AND A SUBSEQUENT GUNSHOT, THE FOOTAGE ITSELF DOES NOT SHOW THE KILLING. JUDGE TIMOTHY SULLIVAN HAS ORDERED TRANSCRIPTS OF THE HEARINGS, WITH A FINAL RULING ON STIVER’S PETITION FOR A NEW TRIAL EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR.