Morning Roundup: Burning ban issued in North Franklin; 3 injured in North Versailles crash

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Aug. 12:

Burning ban issued in North Franklin

A temporary ban on burning has been enacted in a Washington County township as dry weather is expected to continue this week.

Trib news partner WTAE reported that North Franklin enacted the prohibition on activities including open pits, trash burning, agricultural burning and fireworks. The Washington Wild Things’ ballpark is located within township limits just south of Washington.

A lack of rain in the township “has created a dangerous hazard to life and property,” according to a statement from Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot obtained by the news outlet. “We need to be safe and cautious at this point.”

It was unclear when the ban might be lifted. Rain is not in the forecast in the Washington area until Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Moon.

Fireworks are planned for Friday after the Wild Things’ home game against the Lake Erie Crushers.

Recent bans on burning in two Westmoreland County communities were lifted Saturday.

3 injured in crash in North Verstailles

WTAE

A crash along Lincoln Highway in North Versailles on Saturday evening involved two motorcycles and a vehicle.

Three people were hurt Saturday night after two motorcycles collided with a vehicle in North Versailles, according to Allegheny County Police.

The collision was reported at 9 p.m. on Route 30. Investigators said the motorcycles hit the vehicle while exiting a business parking lot.

One motorcyclist, a woman, was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The second motorcyclist, a man, was in stable condition, police said. The driver of the vehicle, a man, had minor injuries.

Northern lights, meteor showers in Butler County

The northern lights and Perseid meteor showers were visible simultaneously in Butler County early Monday, reported the National Weather Service in Moon on social media.

Auroras with a purple hue, along with a streaking meteor, were seen in photos shared with the weather service.

The Perseid meteor shower peaked overnight with the best viewing early Monday.

The arouras and Perseids meteor shower were on full display this morning. Occasionally, even at the same time. Check out some photos we got in overnight from Butler, PA.

Credit: @xxkenzii1 pic.twitter.com/Oe0JGiHmtm

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) August 12, 2024

The colorful celestial display of the northern lights was visible in many places earlier this year in Western Pennsylvania.

Disaster loans for ag-related operations in Somerset

Economic injury disaster loans are available to some agricultural-related operations in Somerset County in connection with a drought declaration in Maryland.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering the loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and most private nonprofits to help with economic losses related to the lack of rain starting July 16. Somerset County is included in the declaration, because it is adjacent to a county in Maryland where the drought has caused losses in farmers’ crops.

The dry weather has impacted farms around the region as many worry about a late harvest and how it will affect their profits with summer in its last month.

The loans, up to $2 million, can be used to pay debt, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that have suffered because of the drought.

To find more details or apply, visit sba.gov/disaster, call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications are due March 31.

Wienermobile to make Western Pa. stops

An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit the area at two locations this week.

It will stop by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on Thursday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. After that, it will trek east to the Westmoreland Airshow at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity.

The hot dog-shaped vehicle will be there from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.