Morning Roundup: SWAT response in Allentown

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 30, 2023:

SWAT response in Allentown

A police SWAT team responded to a home in the 600 block of Eureka Street in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood just before midnight Wednesday.

A police spokeswoman said the response was for a barricaded man in crisis who may have had access to a firearm.

The man surrendered voluntarily and was taken to get help, she said.

Severe weather forecast for Saturday

Gusty winds and storms are in the forecast for Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

A strong low-pressure system is expected to bring gusty winds to the area beginning Saturday morning and subsiding by early Sunday, meteorologist Jenna Lake said.

Wind gusts of 40 mph to 50 mph could be seen in Pittsburgh, she said. A high wind watch has been issued for the Pennsylvania and West Virginia ridges for Saturday, but not for the Pittsburgh metro area.

There is a potential for severe storms to develop Saturday afternoon, Lake said. They could contain damaging wind and the potential for hail.

A High Wind Watch is in effect for Saturday. Winds in excess of 60 mph are possible for the PA and WV Ridges. pic.twitter.com/66gP9ijt7n

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 30, 2023

Drugs, health violations found at 2 bars

Pennsylvania State Police and other authorities said they found drugs, health code violations and a stolen gun during recent compliance checks at bars in Braddock and East Pittsburgh.

In a release sent Wednesday, police said state officers, along with officials the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement and the Allegheny County Health Department, conducted compliance checks March 24 at Club Elegance in Braddock and Hollywood Show Bar in East Pittsburgh.

According to the release, officers at Club Elegance recovered 7.5 ounces of cocaine, a large amount of marijuana and a stolen 9mm Glock 19 handgun. Nine health code violations also were found. An investigation is ongoing.

At Hollywood Show Bar, state police said cocaine, marijuana and unknown prescription pills were found along with six health code violations. Criminal charges for possession of a controlled substance were pending, police said.

Butler County train derailment investigated

About 15 rail cars derailed Wednesday morning in northern Butler County.

The derailment happened around 8 a.m. in the area of Hallston and St. John roads in Brady Township, Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reported.

A spokesperson for Canadian National Railways told WPXI the train was carrying iron ore and that nothing it was carrying is considered to be dangerous.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.