Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, July 14:
Air quality alert issued for Western Pa.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued an ozone air quality alert for Tuesday.
The code orange alert, which signifies air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, includes Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Fayette, Washington, Beaver and Butler counties.
Sunny skies, light winds and high temperatures in the 90s contributed to the alert, Allegheny County officials said in a news release.
Sensitive groups more likely to experience health effects during the alert include older adults, children, teenagers, people who are active outdoors and people with lung diseases, like asthma.
Officials encouraged sensitive groups to keep outdoor activities short and less intense, take frequent breaks and watch for symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath. The general public also should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, officials said.
Pittsburgh opens cooling centers amid heat wave
Pittsburgh is opening cooling centers Tuesday through Thursday as temperatures are expected to climb beyond 90 degrees.
Cooling centers will offer air-conditioned places for residents to cool off between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. and are located at:
- Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center on Broadway Avenue
- Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center on Greenfield Avenue
- Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center on Frankstown Road
- Mt. Washington Healthy Active Living Community Center on Virginia Avenue
- Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community Center on Sherwood Avenue
- South Side Healthy Active Living Community Center at the intersection of 12th & Bingham Streets
City officials urged people to take precautions during the heat wave, which can particularly impact older adults, young kids and people with underlying health conditions.
Allegheny County also has activated a Code Red heat advisory Tuesday through Thursday.
1 injured in Hampton crash
One person was transported to the hospital Tuesday morning following a crash in Hampton, an Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said.
The wreck happened at the intersection of Hampton Place Drive and West Hardies Road.
First responders were called to the site around 6:48 a.m., according to a 911 dispatcher.
Additional details were not immediately available.
Pittsburgh creeps onto top 10 list for bed bugs
Pest control company Orkin ranked Pittsburgh within the top 10 cities with the highest rates of bed bug infestations.
Pittsburgh came in ninth this year, three spots higher in the rankings than last year.
Chicago maintained its spot at the top of the list.
Orkin in a news release said bed bugs can be found anywhere, but densely populated cities and areas with high turnover — like hotels or dorms — can increase opportunities for the bugs to spread.
Other cities high on the list include Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Springfield, Washington, D.C., Columbus and Grand Rapids.
Travelers should inspect hotels and short-term rentals and check their belongings before unpacking after a trip to reduce the risks of bringing the pests home, Orkin entomologist and National Technical Director Shannon Sked said in a news release.
“Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be difficult to control once introduced into a home or hotel room, and they are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices and personal belongings,” Sked said.