Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 18:
Oakland bar raided
Liquor control agents seized hundreds of gallons of alcohol Tuesday morning from the Panther Pit, an Oakland sports bar that has kept authorities busy in its short time open.
The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, in conjunction with city and county agencies, seized nearly 350 gallons of liquor and 80 gallons of beer, state police said in a release. Law enforcement conducted two similar raids last year, and around 20 underage drinking citations have been issued at this location.
Police said community members and nearby universities have voiced safety concerns since the Panther Pit opened in 2022. The bar appears closed for now, TribLive news partner WTAE reported, and it’s unclear if and when it might reopen.
Drugs, cash recovered after trespassing attempt in Squirrel Hill
A man’s failed attempt to break into a childcare center caught the attention of a caller in Squirrel Hill on Friday, leading Pittsburgh police to a stash of guns, drugs and cash in a nearby apartment.
Police said they were called for a man, later identified as Travis Hickly, 34, trying to enter the locked building.
While officers were en route, the caller told dispatch the man walked across an alleyway and into an apartment building, according to a public safety release.
Officers arrived at a second-floor apartment and were allowed in, police said, where they noticed illicit items in plain view. They later applied for a search warrant and seized nine firearms, ammunition, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, packaging materials, suspected fentanyl and more than $2,200 in cash, the release continues.
Hickly was arrested on several outstanding warrants and faces multiple felony firearms and narcotics-related charges as well as attempted trespassing and providing false identification to law enforcement.
He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where he awaits preliminary arraignment.
A warrant also has been issued for his roommate, Michael Olds, 24, for firearms and other charges.
Police said there is no evidence of any threat made to the childcare center, and Hickly’s attempted trespassing is considered an isolated incident.
Hook Fish and Chicken location shut down
Hook, Fish and Chicken in North Versailles has been ordered to close by the Allegheny County Health Department after inspectors discovered four high-risk violations and a host of minor issues.
According to their report, inspectors found meat sitting at room temperature or close to it in prep tables, a lack of hot water and poor hygiene by at least one employee. Hazardous tilapia, raw chicken, cod and more were thrown away during the walkthrough.
Five of six refrigerators were non-functional, as was the walk-in cooler.
The store on Loews Drive also was cited for a clogged drain, weak pest management and other bits of disrepair for a total of 15 violations.
Management could not immediately be reached for comment.
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering the Freeport Area and Kiski Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on Penn Hills municipal affairs. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.com.