Morning Roundup: Fire shuts down bridge on South Side

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 23, 2023:

Fire shuts down bridge on South Side

Part of P.J. McArdle Roadway on the South Side of Pittsburgh is closed after a fire under the span overnight, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI.

The station is reporting that the viaduct, which connects the South Side to the Liberty Bridge, had also been previously damaged in 2017 by fire from a homeless encampment.

There is no word on when it will reopen.

Pedestrian injured in Downtown Pittsburgh

A pedestrian was injured early Thursday morning in an incident at Sixth Avenue and Grant Street in Downtown Pittsburgh.

According to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI, the incident occurred around 7 a.m.

The injured person was transported to a local hospital with injuries of unknown severity, according to 911 dispatchers.

Rivers Casino terminates 3 after fight in dining room

Three Rivers Casino employees have been terminated after a fight Saturday in a dining room at the North Shore venue, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

In a report, police said Alfonso Pittrell, 57, Daniel Jones, 43, and Mackenzie Davenport, 22, were reportedly involved in a physical altercation in the casino’s Team Dining Room. Pittrell threw a punch at Jones, and Davenport swung a lunch tray at Pittrell, according to the report.

All three were escorted from the property by casino security and cited for harassment and disorderly conduct through Pittsburgh Municipal Courts.

Gov. Shapiro to open Darlington office to handle derailment issues

Starting today, Pennsylvania residents in Beaver and Lawrence counties will be able to meet with representatives from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office to discuss their concerns about the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Shapiro announced Monday that staff from the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) will be onsite at the Darlington Township Building, 3590 Darlington Road in Darlington every Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. to meet with residents.

Starting this Thursday, March 23, staff from these three agencies will be available in-person in Darlington Township every Thursday from 12:00 - 5:00 PM to meet with residents.

Darlington Township Building
3590 Darlington Rd.
Darlington, PA 16115

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) March 20, 2023

Additional staff will be available via video conferencing, and state agencies are working with township staff to ensure they can help residents access state resources related to the derailment, according to a statement from Shapiro’s office.

Staff from state agencies and from Beaver County also plan to hold open house events from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays to offer one-on-one discussion and provide resources and information.