Morning Roundup: Fire destroys former alpaca farm in West Deer

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Nov. 29:

Fire destroys former alpaca farm in West Deer

A former alpaca farm in West Deer was destroyed in a fire Tuesday night.

West Deer fire Chief Anthony Creaturo told TribLive news partner WTAE that the homeowner was starting a fire in the fireplace and called 911 when it got out of control.

He said the homeowner was able to escape the house uninjured, he said. The house collapsed in on itself and is a total loss, Creaturo told WTAE.

TOTAL LOSS | The owner of this West Deer home was attempting to start a fire in the fireplace when it got out of control, per the West Deer Fire Chief. 1 firefighter had minor injury.
Video: Adam Rejniak, owner's nephew.
Rejniak says site is a former alpaca farm. More on @WTAE. pic.twitter.com/3Tk7FJvLSx

— Tori Yorgey WTAE (@toriyorgeytv) November 29, 2023

One firefighter was evaluated on scene for a medical issue.

The two-alarm fire started in the 1100 block of Logan Road.

Police locate missing woman last seen in Bloomfield

Pittsburgh police on Wednesday said they have located a woman who had been missing after being last seen in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood.

Officials had been searching for Natalia Duarte, 34, who was last seen around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

No further information on her discovery was provided by the police.

2 more local Rite Aid locations set to close

Rite Aid is looking to close more local locations.

The pharmacy chain last month filed for for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close 150 stores throughout the country, including nine in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Rite Aid sites at 623 Smithfield St. in Downtown Pittsburgh and 4934 Second Ave. in Hazelwood were the latest local stores set to close, TribLive news partner WTAE reported.

Other local stores that have closed or will be shuttered include:

• Stevenson Boulevard in New Kensington
• Brighton Avenue in Rochester
• Library Road in Bethel Park
• University Boulevard in Moon Township
• Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh
• Keeport Drive in Baldwin
• Route 30 in Hempfield
• William Penn Highway in Murrysville
• Wilmington Road in New Castle

The Philadelphia-based company operates 433 stores in Pennsylvania.

Greensburg Salem district investigating elementary school incident

The Greensburg Salem School District is investigating an unspecified incident that occurred last month in one of its elementary school classrooms.

Trib Live obtained a copy of a letter Superintendent Ken Bissell issued Tuesday to parents indicating the district’s administration was notified of an incident — which was immediately reported through ChildLine — on Oct. 27.

Bissell said all adults involved in the investigation were removed from the classroom and are not working with children.

The district’s administration has been in contact with the Greensburg Police Department, the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, who are investigating.

Bissell said parents or guardians of any child in the classroom have been informed of the investigation.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Police warn about scams during holiday season

The Baldwin Borough Police Department is warning residents to be aware of scams around the holiday season.

Scammers can target people of all ages, police said, by pretending to be charities, family members or government officials.

“We’d like to remind everyone to stay cautious and don’t share personal info or buy gift cards for unknown callers,” Baldwin police wrote on social media. “If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and report it to your local police department.”

FDA recalls peaches, plums, nectarines amid listeria concerns

The Food and Drug Authority issued a recall on peaches, plums and nectarines sold from May 1, 2022, through Nov. 15, 2022, and from May 1, 2023, through Nov. 15, 2023.

The recalled fruit was sold in retail stores nationwide in bags or individually, according to the FDA.

The recall includes peaches, plums and nectarines sold in HMC Farms-branded bags and peaches and nectarines in Signature Farms-branded bags.

The recalled fruits were sold at Publix, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Albsertsons, Aldi and Sprouts Farmers Market, according to the FDA.

Because of listeria concerns, the FDA urged people not to eat, sell or serve the recalled fruit because of listeria concerns.

State Police find stolen vehicle, suspect not yet arrested

Pennsylvania State Police said they have located a stolen vehicle that was involved in a crash Monday.

Troopers had been looking for a white 2015 Buick Verano that was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Jefferson Township. Police said the vehicle was located Tuesday in Butler City.

The man police say they suspect of stealing the vehicle was not found with the car and has not yet been arrested, according to state police.

They are looking for Donovan Michael Philpot, who they describe as a 6-foot-tall Black man. He was last seen wearing a Jamaican flag zip-up hoodie, and police said they believe he no longer has facial hair.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call Pennsylvania State Police Butler at 724-284-8100.

The stolen vehicle was located in Butler City earlier today. Philpot was not with the vehicle and is not in police custody at this time. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call PSP Butler. 724-284-8100 https://t.co/J4MUdHIz5o pic.twitter.com/WZcWYltDPd

— Trooper Cazy (@PSPTroopDPIO) November 28, 2023