Wink 106 | radioNOVO News for Altoona: April 22, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 04/22/26          PENNDOT IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A NEARLY $900,000 PLAN TO REHABILITATE FOUR BRIDGES ACROSS BLAIR COUNTY STARTING NEXT SPRING. THE PROJECTS INCLUDE TWO SPANS IN ALTOONA, AND ONE EACH IN SINKING VALLEY AND GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP. CIVIL ENGINEER ED GROVE SAYS CONTRACTORS WILL INSTALL NEW COMPOSITE CONCRETE DECKS TO IMPROVE STABILITY. EACH BRIDGE PROJECT WILL TAKE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS TO COMPLETE.  TRAVELERS SHOULD PREPARE FOR DETOURS, AND PENNDOT IS CURRENTLY COORDINATING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MINIMIZE BUS DISRUPTIONS BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.          A KITCHEN FIRE ON PARKWAY DRIVE IN BELLWOOD HAS CAUSED 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE AND SENT ONE RESIDENT TO THE HOSPITAL. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE BROKE OUT TUESDAY AFTERNOON WHILE THE OWNERS WERE AWAY. ONE PERSON WAS TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION AFTER RE-ENTERING THE HOME TO RESCUE SEVERAL PETS. A STATE POLICE FIRE MARSHAL IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, THOUGH THE FIRE IS NOT CONSIDERED SUSPICIOUS.          LOCAL BOY SCOUTS GATHERED AT THE BLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE TUESDAY TO HONOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. AS PART OF THE "FLAGS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH" TOUR, THE GROUP RAISED FLAGS THAT HAVE ALREADY FLOWN IN 38 OTHER PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES. THE RELAY CELEBRATION BEGAN IN PHILADELPHIA IN FEBRUARY AND IS SCHEDULED TO CONCLUDE IN PITTSBURGH ON FLAG DAY, JUNE 14TH.