Briefs for news
Schools dismiss early for flooding
WAYNESBURG – Central Greene School District sent students home at noon Monday because of concerns about rising water in the southern part of the county.
Interim Superintendent Helen McCracken said community members reported high water, especially near the Brave area Monday morning.
The decision was made to get children home before roads and bridges became impassable. McCracken said that in the past after heavy rain, creeks and streams continued to rise, causing issues later in the day.
Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, said there were no reports of flooding in Greene County as of Monday morning, but the weather service did receive some reports of high water in the area. The county missed the heaviest of the overnight rainfall, he said.
Greene County Emergency Management Director Greg Leathers said they did not have any reports of flooding in the county Monday morning.
Cardboard baler catches fire
A cardboard baler caught fire Monday afternoon inside a North Strabane Township plant, sending smoke through the building and forcing the evacuation of about 100 employees.
Firefighters from North Strabane, Peters Township and Canonsburg were called just after 1 p.m. to HBC on Meadowlands Boulevard.
The fire was almost out when firefighters arrived, but smoke spread through the 300,000-square-foot building, said Rich Yosi, assistant North Strabane fire chief.
“It took some time to clear the smoke from the building,” Yosi said.
Mock emergency drill to be held
Waynesburg University will hold will hold a mock emergency training exercise from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Stewart Science Hall in conjunction with local law enforcement and the university’s Department of Public Safety.
Emergency response vehicles will be parked outside the building. In addition to a police presence, the training exercise will include simulated sounds.
The academic training exercise is designed primarily for nursing students and will be used as an experimental learning opportunity.
Solomon holding campaign event
Dr. Bob Solomon, a Democratic candidate for the 18th District congressional seat, will hold a campaign kickoff reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Union Grill, 13 ½ E. Wheeling St., Washington. Solomon will discuss his positions on the issues and converse with voters and supporters. To RSVP for the free event or for more information, contact the campaign at solomon4pa18@gmail.com.