Morning Roundup: Woman scammed out of $54,000; police arrest man they say was involved in hit-and-run

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Nov. 30:

Lawrence County woman scammed out of $54,000

A Lawrence County woman lost $54,206 to a scammer pretending to be with Publishers Clearing House.

According to TribLive news partner WTAE, the scammer told the woman she had won $3 million, but had to send money to cover taxes associated with her winnings. She sent cash in the mail several times.

A bank teller ultimately helped the victim realize she was being tricked, the victim told WTAE. The victim did not want to be identified.

Pennsylvania State Police said this is a common case of fraud.

“They’re very charismatic on the phone,” Trooper Bertha Cazy told WTAE. “You’re not going to feel like you’re being scammed.”

Publishers Clearing House on its website said it does not make outgoing calls to solicit sweepstakes entries, and its winners are notified by mail or in person.

“Anything that asks you to send gift cards, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, anything like that is a red flag,” Cazy said. “So do your own research before you send money out.”

AR-15 magazine round bag found at high school prompts lockdown

A high school teacher found an AR-15 magazine round bag on her classroom floor Wednesday, California Area School District officials said in a letter to district families.

There was no magazine, ammunition or gun, officials said.

Additional California Borough Police were called, and the high school went into lockdown, district officials said. Administrators checked all of the lockers, but found no other evidence.

There will be an increased police presence “as a matter of caution,” district officials said, and high schoolers will have their bags checked.

Police arrest man they say was involved in hit-and-run with stolen vehicle

Pennsylvania State Police said a man they believe stole a vehicle and used it in a hit-and-run was taken into custody in Butler City.

According to state police, Donovan Michael Philpot is accused of stealing a white 2015 Buick Verano, which was then used in a hit-and-run crash in Jefferson Township. Police located the vehicle in Butler City before locating Philpot.

Gas pump, vehicle damaged after shots fired

No victims were found injured after shots were fired in Pittsburgh’s Homewood West neighborhood Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh police.

Zone 5 officers responded to two ShotSpotter alerts around 3:05 p.m. Wednesday at 6715 Frankstown Avenue. ShotSpotter reported nine rounds fire at the site, police said.

Police did not find any victims on the scene, but did locate multiple shell casings.

Witnesses described two men, possibly juveniles, who were shooting at each other before they fled the area on foot, police said.

A gas pump and at least one vehicle were damaged by bullets, officials said.

The Mobile Crime Unit processed evidence and the Violent Crime Unit is investigating.

Firefighters called to Rostraver house 2 days in a row

Firefighters were called to the same home in Rostraver Township Wednesday night and Thursday morning after a fire rekindled.

The fire chief told TribLive news partner WTAE firefighters were initially called to the house, located on the 500 block of Webster Hollow Road, for smoke coming from a wood-burning stove. The doused the fire, but it rekindled around 1:45 a.m., he said.

Officials suspect that there was so much heat that the fire rekindled even though it had been soaked in water, WTAE reported.

No injuries were reported.

The fire chief told WTAE a couple had recently purchased the home. While they were renovating it, the wood-burning stove was their only source of heat.

Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance celebrating tree planting

The Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance — a coalition of more than 20 nonprofits and government agencies in Allegheny County committed to bolstering the tree canopy — on Thursday is celebrating a community tree planting at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport.

The event will celebrate the $9 million grant investment in Western Pennsylvania’s urban forests by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance members were collectively awarded $8 million to support community-level planning and workforce development to plant and maintain trees along streets, in parks and public spaces and on residential and institutional property. The city of Pittsburgh received an additional $1 million to support an initiative to plant trees in vacant lots and mitigate urban heat impacts in underserved neighborhoods.

“This investment will help the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance plant more trees and create more greenspaces that keep the region cooler, the air cleaner and the public healthier while providing agricultural workers with training and employment opportunities to boost the economy,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said in a statement.

“Planting a tree is a simple act with a big impact,” Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Trees are a solution to many of our environmental issues, including heat and stormwater from heavy rains, helping our communities address challenges and making them better places to live and work.”

Garbage truck involved in crash in Bethel Park

A garbage truck and a car were involved in a crash in Bethel Park Thursday morning.

The crash happened around 4 a.m. on Baptist Road near the South Park Shops, TribLive news partner WTAE reported.

No one was injured, and additional details about what may have caused the crash were not immediately available.