radioNovo News for Johnstown: August 7, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 08/07/26          A 15-YEAR-OLD CHARGED AS AN ADULT IN A FATAL MAY SHOOTING IN JOHNSTOWN ENTERED A NOT-GUILTY PLEA THURSDAY IN CAMBRIA COUNTY COURT. ANDRE BLACKWELL-SIMMS FACES HOMICIDE AND FIREARMS CHARGES FOR THE DEATH OF 38-YEAR-OLD FREDRICK MYERS. WHILE BLACKWELL-SIMMS ENTERED HIS PLEA, PROSECUTORS ARE CURRENTLY CHALLENGING HIS CHOICE OF DEFENSE COUNSEL OVER A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.  HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS AUGUST 19TH.          AMTRAK'S OUTGOING PRESIDENT, ROGER HARRIS HAS CONFIRMED THAT A SECOND DAILY AMTRAK PENNSYLVANIAN TRAIN RUNNING THROUGH JOHNSTOWN IS ON TRACK TO BEGIN SERVICE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, OPTIMISM FOR THE PLAN IS SOMEWHAT GUARDED, SINCE THE END OF 2026 HAS BEEN CITED FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS NOW.......... AND THE OVERALL PROJECT ITSELF HAS BEEN KICKED AROUND FOR OVER A DECADE.            SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING STATE SENATE MAJORITY WHIP WAYNE LANGERHOLC, EXPECT THE ADDED SERVICE BETWEEN PITTSBURGH AND NEW YORK CITY TO SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST AREA RIDERSHIP AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY.