Morning Roundup: Police say convicted felon had drugs, guns during Kittanning traffic stop

Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Thursday, July 10:

Police say convicted felon had drugs, guns during Kittanning traffic stop

A man was arrested after police said they found drugs and guns in his duffel bag during a traffic stop in Kittanning.

According to federal court records unsealed Thursday, Donald Browning was the passenger in a silver Chevrolet Sonic that Pennsylvania State Police pulled over for turning without signaling in Kittanning on June 26.

The state trooper noticed both the unnamed driver and Browning moving as if trying to hide contraband during the traffic stop, officials wrote in a criminal complaint. The driver provided identification, but Browning told the trooper he did not have have identification and they were driving around looking for his new apartment.

Browning told police he was just released from a Florida prison after serving seven and a half years for drug offenses.

A state trooper found $760 on Browning.

The trooper also found a black duffle bag in the trunk. Browning initially told him he had picked up the bag from the side of the road, but it was not hit, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers found three guns — two with “obliterated” serial numbers — as well as suspected methamphetamine, nine plastic bottles with suspected methadone liquid, a metal container with suspected xylazine liquid, 25 round pills, ammunition of various calibers, marijuana and two cellphones, according to the criminal complaint.

Also located in the duffel bag, officials said, was Browning’s wallet, which included his Florida identification card, social security card and Department of Corrections identification.

According to the criminal complaint, Browning told officers, “I own up to owning that bag and the knowledge of stuff in that bag.”

Officials said Browning has previously been convicted of numerous felonies, including in Beaver and Allegheny counties and in Florida.

Fire breaks out in Homewood dwelling

Crews were called to a house fire early Thursday morning in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood.

The blaze was reported a little after 4:30 a.m. at a house near the intersection of Brushton Avenue and Bennett Street, according to TribLive news partner WTAE.

Multiple fire crews were on the scene, WTAE reported.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured, but Allegheny County 911 dispatchers said there had been no medical transports as of just before 5 a.m.

PennDOT announces construction in Westmoreland County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said work will begin Monday on a lengthy project that will cause some closures through next spring.

It’s part of the Interstate 70 Arnold City Interchange work in Rostraver Township that connects Route 3011 — also known as Finley Road or Indian Hill Road — and Daugherty Lane to I-70.

Closures will start about 7 a.m. Monday at the eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Arnold City, the Arnold City on-ramp to eastbound I-70, Finley Road between Ridge Round and the eastbound I-70 interchange and Indian Hill Road Bridge over I-70.

Restrictions are expected to remain through early spring of 2026, PennDOT said in a statement.

The project aims to enhance safety and traffic at the interchange and along the interstate, PennDOT said. The work spans 1.75 miles from the I-70 bridge over the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad to 1.37 miles east of the Arnold City Interchange.

The $89 million investment will widen the median and shoulders. The redesigned interchange will use a diamond configuration with a five-leg roundabout linking the eastbound ramps to Indian Hill Road and Finley Road, PennDOT said.