radioNovo News for Johnstown: June 24, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 06/24/26          SOMERSET COUNTY EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY FREE LIFE JACKETS LIKELY SAVED SEVEN TEENAGERS FROM DROWNING AT THE QUEMAHONING RESERVOIR ON SATURDAY.          THE TEENS WERE PADDLEBOARDING WHEN HIGH WINDS PUSHED THEM DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE DAM'S SPILLWAY. OFFICIALS SAY THE GROUP SURVIVED BY ABANDONING THEIR BOARDS AND FLOATING IN LIFE VESTS BORROWED FROM A LOCAL NONPROFIT STATION BEFORE FIRST RESPONDERS PULLED THEM TO SAFETY.          A KEY PIECE OF LAND HAS BEEN SECURED TO EXPAND THE SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH NATIONAL MEMORIAL TRAIL IN CAMBRIA COUNTY.          THE TRAIL ALLIANCE HAS ACQUIRED A NEARLY EIGHT-ACRE PARCEL IN PORTAGE TOWNSHIP. THE LAND WILL CONNECT TO THE FIFTEEN-HUNDRED-MILE TRAIL NETWORK LINKING THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, THE PENTAGON, AND THE FLIGHT NINETY-THREE MEMORIAL, OFFERING A SAFER AND MORE SCENIC ROUTE FOR LOCAL CYCLISTS AND WALKERS.