radioNovo News for Johnstown: September 2, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 09/02/26          PROSECUTORS IN JOHNSTOWN ARE MOVING TO DISQUALIFY THE DEFENSE TEAM FOR A 15-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF MURDER. PROSECUTORS ARGUE AN ATTORNEY FOR ANDRE BLACKWELL-SIMMS PREVIOUSLY REPRESENTED A KEY WITNESS IN THE MAY 14TH SHOOTING DEATH OF FREDRICK MYERS, CREATING A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE JUDGE WILL REVIEW THE ARGUMENTS, WHILE BLACKWELL-SIMMS REMAINS JAILED ON HOMICIDE AND FIREARMS CHARGES.          POLICE IN THE WEST HILLS REGION ARE LAUNCHING AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN WARNING PARENTS ABOUT ILLEGAL E-BIKE AND E-SCOOTER USE. OFFICIALS WARN THAT STAND-UP ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ARE ILLEGAL ON PUBLIC ROADS, AND E-BIKE RIDERS MUST BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD. MAILERS WILL BE SENT TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS WESTMONT, SOUTHMONT, AND SURROUNDING TOWNSHIPS BEFORE OFFICERS BEGIN ISSUING CITATIONS TO PARENTS.          JOHNSTOWN IS OFFICIALLY THE FIRST CITY IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA TO EARN A "BEE CITY USA" DESIGNATION. THE INITIATIVE, LED BY LOCAL LEADERSHIP PROJECT MEMBERS, AIMS TO PROTECT POLLINATORS LIKE BEES AND BUTTERFLIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND HABITAT CREATION. CITY OFFICIALS DEDICATED A PLAQUE AT CITY HALL ON MONDAY, COMMITTING TO BUILD OR IMPROVE AT LEAST ONE LOCAL POLLINATOR HABITAT EACH YEAR.