radioNOVO News for Lewistown: July 17, 2026

RNN LEWISTOWN 07/17/26          THE AIR QUALITY ALERT IN PENNSYLVANIA IS BEING RAISED TO A CODE PURPLE, DUE TO THE WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM CANADA.                     THE STATE D-E-P SAYS THE SMOKE IS NOW CONCENTRATED NEAR THE SURFACE, WHICH COULD CREATE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL CONDITIONS FOR EVERYONE.  CODE PURPLE IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST LEVEL ON THE EPA'S AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR ALERTS.            ALL RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID LONG OR INTENSE ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS, AND THOSE IN THE SENSITIVE GROUPS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES........... SHOULD STAY INDOORS TODAY.            IF YOU MUST GO OUTSIDE, PHYSICIANS ARE RECOMMENDING WEARING AN N95 MASK.  RELIEF IS EXPECTED SATURDAY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES IN.          THE LEWISTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MIFFLIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER TORQUATO ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO LET LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDLE CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES.......... FOLLOWING A VIRAL CONFRONTATION VIDEO. OFFICIALS SAY PRIVATE VIGILANTE OPERATIONS OFTEN FAIL TO MEET STRICT LEGAL STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR AN ARREST.          THE ISSUE CAME TO LIGHT FOLLOWING A TIK TOK VIDEO SHOWING A LEWISTOWN POLICE OFFICER FIST-BUMPING AN ALLEGED PREDATOR..... AND LETTING HIM WALK OFF WITHOUT TALKING TO HIM ABOUT HIS ALLEGED INTERACTIONS WITH A MINOR.            THE LPD SAYS AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED INTO THE RESPONDING OFFICER'S ACTIONS.