Why is Ponyboy famous now?

In chapter 5 of The Outsiders, Ponyboy and Johnny are hiding in the church when Dally comes to check on them. After telling the boys that they look pale and thin, Dally informs Ponyboy that he has a letter from Soda. Although Dally tells Soda that he doesn't know where Johnny and Ponyboy are hiding, Soda doesn't believe him. In the letter, Soda explains that Darry is worried about him, and that he wishes they would turn themselves in.
At the end of the letter, Soda says, "You sure are famous," explaining that Ponyboy and Johnny are mentioned in a paragraph in the newspaper. They are in the newspaper as a result of Johnny killing the Soc while trying to defend Ponyboy. Ponyboy, however, doesn't seem too impressed with his celebrity status. After reading the letter a few times, Ponyboy seems more concerned with his brother's spelling errors in the letter.