Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 21:

Duquesne Light delays storm-response meeting

Duquesne Light representatives backed out of a scheduled appearance Wednesday before Allegheny County Council’s storm response committee, drawing the ire of state Rep. Abigail Salisbury.

The utility had a 5 p.m. appointment with the committee, formed after an April storm left about 400,000 people in Western Pennsylvania without power for days or even weeks.

The utility provided notice shortly before 3 p.m. that they would not be attending, Salisburg claims.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Salisbury, a Swissvale Democrat, said she was “deeply disappointed” by the cancellation as the committee works to get input from elected officials, residents and power companies on how to improve storm response.

The meeting was rescheduled to Sept. 17.

Duquesne Light spokeswoman Alyssa Battaglia said the company looks forward to the meeting, but did not provide a reason for canceling. She also noted the utility has been improving estimated time of restoration tools, communication with customers, coordination with local authorities to remove downed trees and transparency about who gets priority when bringing back power.

Allegheny County Councilman DeWitt Walton, who chairs the special committee, said Duquesne Light requested the meeting be delayed until the utility is able to release its own report on the April storms.

“Therefore, I granted that request so that any and all questions from committee members will be answered at the Sept. 17 meeting,” Walton said.

Executives for the utility said at a May hearing in O’Hara there was room for improvement in its storm response. At that same hearing, West Penn Power officials said they planned to adjust their approach to severe weather.

String of sex assaults on North Side may be related, police say

Pittsburgh police say a series of early morning sexual assaults on the North Side may be connected and are urging residents to take precautions while walking there.

A notice from police described the suspect as a “smaller” white man who drives a white pickup truck. It did not include the specific locations or number of incidents.

Police say they are increasing patrols in the affected areas.

Residents are urged to travel in groups, remain alert in public spaces and report suspicious activity by calling 911. Anyone with information regarding these incidents can call Pittsburgh police’s Special Victims Unit at 412-323-7800.

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