Morning Roundup: Sheetz set to replace Rite Aid in Pittsburgh's Banksville neighborhood

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 28:

Sheetz planned in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood

A Sheetz convenience store is slated to replace a closed Rite Aid pharmacy in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood.

Sheetz is in the early stages of planning a new store at Banksville Road and Wenzell Avenue, according to the company’s public affairs manager, Nick Ruffner.

“This would be the first (Sheetz) store within Pittsburgh’s city limits,” Ruffner said in a statement sent to TribLive.

Pittsburgh city council member Theresa Kail-Smith told TribLive news partner WTAE she has been working with the owner of the former Rite Aid property along Banksville Road to help determine a new occupant for the space, and the owner confirmed to her that he has signed paperwork to open a Sheetz there.

A new Aldi grocery store is planned nearby.

Kail-Smith said redevelopment of that area is a positive move while noting that the impact on traffic will be a major consideration.

No time frame has been announced for development of the new Sheetz.

Fire displaces 7 at Monroeville apartment building

Seven residents were displaced when fire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday at a Monroeville apartment building.

Flames were contained to one apartment of the three-story building on Stonecliffe Drive, but at least three apartments had smoke and water damage, according to Kevin Bacco, deputy chief of Monroeville Fire Department Company 4.

No injuries were reported.

The two-alarm response included all five Monroeville fire companies and four neighboring companies, Bacco said, after initial reports that occupants may have been trapped in the building.

When crews arrived, he said, “There was heavy smoke showing in a top-floor apartment.”

Residents on upper stories were able to reach their balconies and were rescued by ladders raised from the ground, he said.

A county fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze, which was under control in about 15 minutes, Bacco said.

The Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents.

Pittsburgh Zoo gains new international affiliation

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has been accepted as a new member of the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums.

“This verifies that the zoo is uniquely positioned to be a world leader in the zoo profession and that we hold ourselves to the highest standards,” Jeremy Goodman, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium president and CEO, said in a release.

With almost 400 members, WAZA provides support for species-conservation management and husbandry of animals in human care. Its members are committed to tackling global issues such as the illegal wildlife trade, coral‑reef restoration, marine litter, sustainable palm oil and climate change.

WAZA CEO Martín Zordan said Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s “innovative master plan and dedication to sustainability strengthen the collective efforts of our network to advance conservation and protect biodiversity.”

In June, the zoo received a $10 million donation that will go toward building a new giraffe barn and beginning design of a new exhibit: Exhibition Indonesia.