WUHU 107 | radioNOVO News for Altoona: May 6, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 05/06/26          INMATE NUMBERS AT THE BLAIR COUNTY PRISON HAVE HIT A ONE-YEAR LOW, DROPPING TO 308 AS OF LAST WEEK. OFFICIALS ATTRIBUTE THE DECLINE TO MORE INMATES BEING RELEASED THAN ADMITTED, ALONGSIDE THE TRANSFER OF NINETEEN INDIVIDUALS TO THE CENTRE COUNTY PRISON TO EASE OVERCROWDING.           WHILE THE POPULATION IS DOWN FROM LAST YEAR’S PEAK OF FOUR HUNDRED, THE PRISON BOARD IS STILL WORKING TO FINALIZE A CONTRACT FOR MORE ANKLE MONITORING BRACELETS TO SAFELY RELEASE ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE INMATES. THEY'RE ALSO STILL DEBATING HOW MUCH AUTHORITY THEY SHOULD HAVE OVER FUTURE INMATE TRANSFERS.          TYRONE AREA HOMEOWNERS FACE A 4.9-PERCENT TAX HIKE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, AS THE DISTRICT WORKS TO CLOSE A 1.2-MILLION DOLLAR STRUCTURAL DEFICIT. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR FAITH SWANSON  TOLD THE BOARD TUESDAY THAT RAISING TAXES TO THE ACT 1 INDEX RATE WILL PRODUCE 491-THOUSAND IN NEW REVENUE.  THE REMAINING 740-THOUSAND DOLLAR DEFICIT WILL COME FROM THE DISTRICT'S FUND BALANCE.            TEN RETIRED NURSES WERE CELEBRATED MONDAY AFTERNOON DURING A SPECIAL RECOGNITION CEREMONY AT GARVEY MANOR. THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA NURSES HONOR GUARD PRESENTED FLOWERS TO THE RETIREES, HONORING THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY.  THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET BEFORE A FINAL VOTE IS REQUIRED IN JUNE.