radioNOVO News for Altoona: April 17, 2026

 BLAIR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY'RE PLAYING THE WAITING GAME BEFORE CLOSING ON LAND FOR A NEW COUNTY PRISON. THE BOARD IS EYEING 83 ACRES OF WOODLAND OUTSIDE DUNCANSVILLE, BUT CHAIRMAN COMMISSIONER DAVE KESSLING SAYS THEY WON’T FINALIZE THE 585-THOUSAND-DOLLAR PURCHASE UNTIL ENVIRONMENTAL AND WETLAND REPORTS ARE COMPLETE. THE PROPOSED FACILITY WOULD REPLACE THE AGING, OVERCROWDED MULBERRY STREET JAIL.           WHILE A PREVIOUS STUDY ESTIMATED A NEW JAIL COULD COST IN EXCESS OF 100-MILLION, A FINAL PRICE TAG REMAINS UNCLEAR UNTIL A SITE IS OFFICIALLY SECURED.          A DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR A SUSPECTED ALTOONA DRUG RING LEADER IS ASKING A JUDGE TO DISMISS A THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE. RICKEY JOYNER IS ACCUSED IN THE 2022 OVERDOSE DEATH OF MARLANA KOEHLE. HIS LAWYER ARGUES PROSECUTORS HAVEN'T PROVEN JOYNER ACTED WITH "MALICE," A KEY REQUIREMENT FOR MURDER.           WHILE JOYNER ALLEGEDLY SUPPLIED THE PILLS THAT KILLED KOEHLE, THE DEFENSE CLAIMS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE HE KNEW THEY WERE LACED WITH FENTANYL. DRUG-TRAFFICKING TRIALS FOR JOYNER ARE SET TO BEGIN IN JUNE.