Two dead in suburban shootout east of Pittsburgh
AP—Police say two men have been killed in a shootout in Penn Hills, but it’s unclear whether that is related to recent violence in eastern Pittsburgh neighborhoods near the suburb.
Allegheny County police have yet to identify the men who were shot about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. The driver of a sport-utility vehicle was found dead in the vehicle, while another man found wounded just outside of it died a short time later at a Pittsburgh hospital.
Police found at least eight shells ejected from semiautomatic weapons at the scene.
Pittsburgh police stepped up patrols in the city’s East End neighborhoods, where two 17-year-olds were fatally shot after they allegedly tried to rob an armed man inside a vehicle early Monday.
East Hills boy charged with arson
Police in Pittsburgh have charged an East Hills, 10-year-old boy with arson for allegedly setting eight small fires in and around his home.
Police arrested the boy after they say he and a younger sister set five fires over the weekend and three more on Monday.
Detective Michael Burns says the children admitted setting the fires. Even though they were quickly put out, Burns says the fires endangered not only the family home, but also adjoining houses.
City firefighters had to be called out to deal with five of the blazes.
The boy is charged with arson, criminal mischief and risking a catastrophe. He is not being publicly identified because of his age.
Burns says the boy’s 9-year-old sister was not charged because state law prohibits charging children younger than 10.
Supplies needed
More than 4,000 local underprivileged children in the Western Pennsylvania region will receive new backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year through Citizens Bank’s partnership with the Homeless Children’s Education Fund and Renda Broadcasting’s WJAS Radio, called the “Gear for Grades” Initiative.
“Many of us are fortunate enough to remember the excitement that came with going back to school—the chance to buy new school clothes, supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes,” Ralph Papa, chairman of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, said in a press release. “Unfortunately, thousands of local children don’t have this experience because for them, school supplies are a luxury. Citizens Bank hopes to make going back to school a little more exciting for western Pennsylvania school children by giving them the gear they need to succeed this year.”
From now through Aug. 6, local Citizens Bank branches in the area will be collecting new pencils, folders, notebooks, glue and more. The collected donations will be loaded on a bus Aug. 16 and distributed to homeless shelters and social service agencies in the area.
Foreclosure assistance
A local nonprofit organization is now offering assistance to Pittsburgh residents in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure due to late or unpaid mortgages.
NeighborWorks of Western Pennsylvania, an organization that promotes homeownership and stable communities through financial empowerment, will now provide free and confidential assistance to homeowners through counseling.
Certified counselors will work one-on-one with clients in a confidential and compassionate environment. Services are available at their Fifth Avenue location or five other satellite locations. For more information on program or to schedule an appointment, call 412-281-9773.
Blood pressure patch
AP—Generic drug maker Mylan Inc. said Monday that regulators approved its generic version of Catapres-TTS high blood pressure patches.
Mylan said its patches are available for immediate shipment.
The patch delivers a drug called clonidine through the skin. The brand name version of the drug is made by German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim. Mylan said U.S. sales of clonidine patches totaled $313 million in the 12 months ended March 31. Par Pharmaceutical Cos. began selling a generic version last year.
In afternoon trading, Mylan shares rose 50 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $18.20.
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