Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County open cooling centers amid heat wave

Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Tuesday, July 29:

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County open cooling centers

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will operate cooling centers Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures are forecasted to climb above 90 degrees.

Cooling centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at several locations:

• Elizabeth Seton Center at 1900 Pioneer Ave., Brookline
• LifeSpan at 530 Miller Ave., Clairton
• LifeSpan at Olympia Park Shopping Center at 4313 Walnut St., McKeesport
• NAMS at 13th Street, Sharpsburg
• NAMS at Second Avenue, Suite 100-B, Tarentum
• Plum Community Center at 499 Center-New Texas Road, Plum
• Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center at 1555 Broadway Ave., Beechview
• Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Community Center at 3515 McClure Ave., Brighton Heights
• South Side Healthy Active Living Community Center at 12th and Bingham streets, South Side
• Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center at 745 Greenfield Ave., Greenfield
• Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center at 7321 Frankstown Ave., Homewood
• Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center at 720 Sherwood Ave., Sheraden

The National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh branch said much of the region will see a major heat risk Tuesday and Wednesday.

We have another hot and humid day on tap, and a Heat Advisory is in effect across the region. Here is the current NWS Heat Risk levels for the area, along with how the PGH area weather this season and month-to-date compare to the period of record. pic.twitter.com/UMJHD3hxzz

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 29, 2025

Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus in a social media post reminded people not to leave children or pets in cars and urged people to check on relatives or neighbors who may be particularly vulnerable to heat, including seniors and people without air conditioning.

No injuries reported in Beaver County fire

Several people escaped a fire that broke out Tuesday morning in a Midland, Beaver County building.

The blaze was first reported just after 3 a.m. on the 800 block of Midland Avenue, TribLive news partner WTAE reported.

Everyone who was in the building was able to get out, WTAE reported, though it was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt.

1 flown to hospital after Westmoreland County crash

One person was flown to a hospital Monday afternoon following a wreck in Sutersville.

According to TribLive news partner WTAE, the crash occurred near Knox Avenue and 4th Street.

A three-wheeled vehicle appeared to have crashed into the back of a parked car, WTAE reported. One person was taken from the scene in a medical helicopter.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.

Curb extensions being installed in Downtown Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Regional Transit on Monday began installing curb extensions in Downtown Pittsburgh in an effort to improve pedestrian safety.

The transit authority said the bumpouts are designed to allow the bus to stop with the parking lane, dropping off and picking up riders without weaving in and out of traffic. It’s meant to give pedestrians a safer, more visible waiting area and make boarding buses easier, especially for riders using canes, walkers or wheelchairs.

“Modular curb extensions are a smart, flexible investment in safer, more accessible streets,” Pittsburgh Regional Transit Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a statement. “They increase visibility and give riders more space to wait and board, particularly in busy areas where sidewalk space is limited.”

The new platforms will be installed at Forbes Avenue at Grant Street; Wood Street at Sixth Avenue; Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street; and Fort Duquesne Boulevard at Sixth Street.

Crews today began installing the first of five new modular curb extensions in downtown! These new extensions (also called bus bulbs or bumpouts) aim to enhance pedestrian safety, improve accessibility, and support more efficient bus service. Learn more at https://t.co/n1BteH3XP1 pic.twitter.com/ttVTUSEYrm

— Pittsburgh Regional Transit (@PGHtransit) July 28, 2025

Another is temporarily on hold at Wood Street and Forbes Avenue because of an unrelated project at the site.

The platforms are made from recycled materials, like old banners, hoses and cable covers, PRT said. They can potentially be reused.

The project cost about $800,000. Installation is expected to be completed in about three weeks, with crews working weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The transit authority on Sunday opened five new bus stations Downtown. It also recently unveiled dedicated bus lanes through the area.

This comes as the transit authority is bracing for significant rate hikes and service cuts to address a gaping budget deficit.

Water main break closes West Mifflin road

A portion of Homestead-Duquesne Road was closed early Tuesday morning because of a water main break.

The road was closed between Bettis Road and Lower Bull Run Road, West Mifflin #2 Volunteer Co. said in a social media post that showed water flowing on the street.

As of about 2:50 a.m., Pennsylvania American Water had stopped the flow of water, officials said, though it was unclear how long it would take to reopen the flooded road.

According to Pennsylvania American Water, the incident began before midnight. The water company said some customers may experience low or no water pressure.