Morning Roundup: 8 students, driver injured in Fort Cherry bus crash

Here are the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 23:

8 students, driver injured in Fort Cherry bus crash

Eight students and their bus driver were injured in a crash Thursday afternoon in Washington County.

The students from Fort Cherry Jr./Sr. High School attend the Western Area Career and Technology Center, Fort Cherry School District Superintendent Thomas J. Samosky said in a statement.

District officials said the students and driver were assessed and officials were monitoring their condition.

A school bus in Mount Pleasant Township was carrying high school students when it hit a fence, left a roadway and landed in a ditch @WTAE pic.twitter.com/ErWwnDQTkv

— Yazmin Rodriguez (@yrodriguezwtae) August 22, 2024

“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders who arrived quickly at the scene and provided immediate care and assistance,” Samosky said. “Their professionalism and dedication are truly appreciated by our entire school community.”

The bus was involved in a single-vehicle wreck on Westland Road in Mount Pleasant Township, according to TribLive news partner WTAE.

Two students who were removed from the rear of the bus were flown to Pittsburgh trauma centers, WTAE reported.

PennDOT extends Saw Mill Run closure amid bridge work

PennDOT announced a closure on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood will last longer than expected as crews finish tearing down a problematic bridge over the roadway.

Workers are razing a city-owned bridge near Woodruff Street. The span, built in 1930, is not used as a right-of-way and is being torn down after a judge denied a request to halt its demolition from a nearby business owner who said he used the span.

A 2022 bridge report revealed concerns that pieces of the structure could break loose and fall onto Saw Mill Boulevard below.

Saw Mill Run Boulevard closed between Crane Avenue and Woodruff Street on Aug. 1. The road was initially scheduled to reopen Monday.

PennDOT said they now anticipate it will reopen at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Free soil lead screening available at Carrick Farmers Market

The Allegheny County Conservation District will conduct free soil lead testing next week at the Carrick Farmers Market.

The lead screening will be available at the farmers market from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Next Week @ the CARRICK FARMERS MARKET--SOIL LEAD SCREENING courtesy of @ACCD_PA!

Wednesday, August 28th
3-6 PM

Collect your soil sample—Learn How Here-https://t.co/ODnYz4B7P9
Stop By the Market
Real Time Results & Resources pic.twitter.com/zLhRzmZG3g

— CitiParks: Pittsburgh Parks & Recreation (@CitiParks) August 22, 2024

People who bring soil samples from their yards or gardens will get results and resources at the site.

White Oak animal shelter seeking man who abandoned cats

White Oak Animal Safe Haven is asking for help identifying a man who abandoned cats at the shelter.

The man, whose image was shared on social media, left two cats, plus an another mother cat with four nursing babies.

“Abandonment is illegal, even at a shelter, no matter the intentions,” the shelter wrote on Facebook, adding the shelter was full and did not have room for the felines.