In chapter 7, Ponyboy reads a newspaper article entitled, "JUVENILE DELINQUENTS TURN HEROES" and learns several significant pieces of information regarding the events surrounding Bob Sheldon's death. After reading that Cherry Valance and Randy Adderson will testify that Johnny acted in self-defense, Pony learns that Johnny is charged with manslaughter. Pony then discovers that he and Johnny will appear in juvenile court for running away. The article then continues to elaborate on Pony's background and makes a case that the Curtis brothers should not be separated. Ponyboy also mentions that Dally is depicted as a hero and the article doesn't mention his extensive police record. The fact that the authorities are considering placing Pony in a boys' home disturbs him. Later on in the novel, Pony and his brothers appear in court, and the authorities allow them to stay together.

Ponyboy gets information on three issues from the newspaper.  First of all, he learns what really happened up at the church.  Second, he finds out what happened after the fight in which Bob was killed.  And lastly, he discovers that the authorities are considering separating Darry, Soda, and him and putting the younger two in "a boys' home or something".

The article in the paper is entitled, "Juvenile Delinquents Turn Heroes".  It tells how Johnny and Ponyboy "had risked (their) lives saving those little kids, and there was a comment from one of the parents...that (the children) would all have burned to death if it hadn't been for (them)".  The newspaper goes on to tell about the fight that resulted in Ponyboy and Johnny being at the church in the first place.  Cherry Valance had been interviewed, and had said that "Bob had been drunk and that the boys had been looking for a fight when they took her home...(Bob's) buddy Randy Adderson who had helped jump (Ponyboy and Johnny) also said it was (the Socs') fault and that (Ponyboy and Johnny) had only fought back in self-defense".  Nonetheless, Johnny is being charged with manslaughter, and that if he recovers, he and Ponyboy are scheduled to appear at juvenile court, for running away from the scene of the crime.

In a separate column, there is an article about Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy.  That section tells how Darry works two jobs to keep the family together, how Sodapop has quit school so that he can help out too, and that Ponyboy is on the honor roll and is a standout track star at school.  It is this article that makes Ponyboy realize that the family might be broken up (Chapter 7).