The Point Rocks | radioNOVO News for Altoona: June 23, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 06/23/26          A MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING A HOUSE FIRE EARLY MONDAY MORNING IN WILLIAMSBURG.          THE BLAIR COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS 38-YEAR-OLD TYLER GEARHART. FIREFIGHTERS DISCOVERED HIM IN A 2ND-STORY BEDROOM AFTER RESPONDING TO THE WEST THIRD STREET HOME AROUND 3 AM.          CREWS WERE ON THE SCENE FOR 3 HOURS AND REPORT THE HOME IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH AT LEAST $150,000 IN DAMAGES. WHILE AN INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, FIRE OFFICIALS SUSPECT THE BLAZE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE.          PENNDOT IS ISSUING A STRING OF SAFETY WARNINGS AHEAD OF THE UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE VISITING THE AREA NEXT MONTH.          OFFICIALS ARE URGING MOTORISTS NOT TO PARK ON HIGHWAY SHOULDERS, PACE THE TRAIN, OR RACE TO VIEWING VANTAGE POINTS BETWEEN JULY 8 AND 11.          DRIVERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT UNDER THE NEWLY ENFORCED PAUL MILLER’S LAW, TAKING PHOTOS OR VIDEOS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE CARRIES A $50 FINE. IN ADDITION, FREE SHUTTLE BUSES FROM PEOPLES NATURAL GAS FIELD WILL TRANSPORT VISITORS TO DESIGNATED VIEWING AREAS.