radioNovo News for Johnstown: July 14, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 07/14/26          STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A 36-YEAR-OLD INMATE AT SCI LAUREL HIGHLANDS. AUTHORITIES SAY 36-YEAR OLD JOSEPH WARREN WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN HIS CELL THIS PAST SATURDAY.  AFTER LIFESAVING MEASURES WERE PERFORMED BY PRISON STAFF, HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER EMS ARRIVED.  WARREN WAS SERVING A SENTENCE OF UP TO 12 AND A HALF YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTIONS. THE SOMERSET COUNTY CORONER WILL DETERMINE HIS CAUSE OF DEATH.          A SNAKE HUNTER WAS AIRLIFTED TO CONEMAUGH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER IN JOHNSTOWN SATURDAY......... AFTER BEING BITTEN BY A VENOMOUS TIMBER RATTLESNAKE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA HAS A SIX WEEK SNAKE HUNTING PERIOD EACH SUMMER.           AUTHORITIES SAY THE ADULT MAN WAS HUNTING NEAR HIGH POINT ROAD IN UPPER TURKEYFOOT TOWNSHIP WHEN THE TIMBER RATTLER BIT HIM ON AN EXTREMITY.  DESPITE BEING IN A REMOTE AREA, THE HUNTER MANAGED TO REACH A NEARBY ROADWAY TO MEET EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDERS.