Pittsburg, PA
White Oak firefighters battle fires in freezing temperatures
WHITE OAK, P.A. (KDKA) — With the very frigid temperatures we’re experiencing – that can make it difficult for people who do work outside, including firefighters.
Rainbow Volunteer Fire Chief Brandon Schmidt knows just that.
“It’s nothing that we haven’t dealt with before – so the firefighters, they’re kind of used to it by this point,” said Schmidt.
The temps have been way below freezing – and they could touch below zero next week. Precautions are imperative.
“Firefighters can’t do the things that they do without a large support staff,” said Schmidt.
That means help from police and public works – even utilities.
“We always have to watch where the water goes after we spray it on the house or whatever’s on fire,” said Schmidt.
That’s because runoff may freeze over and police may have to block off the roads, or they may need some salt.
“Where issues arise – they’re very quick to respond to help us out to make sure we can do what we need to do as well,” said Schmidt.
As for the firefighters? Damp gear – is not fun.
“Once it gets wet – it’s pretty much game over at that point,” said Schmidt. “Usually the firefighters themselves will just have extra shirts and socks and underwear – different stuff too.”
So many things could happen while fighting fires this time of year. Water from hydrants could freeze up — but Schmidt says it’s all about finding a way to get it done.
“What’s gonna happen – is gonna happen, no matter what, but we need to be able to put the water still on the fires.”
Schmidt said it’s important to practice fire safety all of the time, but especially during this time of the year.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit has started to install its ReadyFare vending machines as the agency prepares to roll out its new fare payment system.
PRT said it’s working to roll out its new ReadyFare system and has started to install the new machine at some of its light-rail stations.
The new machines recently were installed at PRT’s Gateway station in Downtown Pittsburgh.
PRT said that as it prepares to roll out the new system, current ConnectCard holders will receive a card in the mail with instructions on how to request a ReadyFare card.
The new ReadyFare cards will be able to be purchased at the new machines for $1.
PRT said that riders will be able to transfer any balances they have on a ConnectCard to the new ReadyFare cards using an online balance transfer form.
Pittsburg, PA
About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts
Acrisure Stadium is buzzing with excitement ahead of the back-to-back Morgan Wallen concerts. Except it’s not the fans generating all the excitement — it’s about 5 pounds of honeybees.
The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela said it was contacted on Wednesday about a swarm of bees clustered on the stage scaffolding. The apiary put the swarm in a “nuc box” and took them home before moving the bees into full-size equipment.
Owner Al Fine estimates the swarm weighed about 4 to 5 pounds and consisted of 12,000 to 15,000 bees. All said, it took less than two hours to get the job done.
Why do bees swarm?
Swarming is how honeybees propagate, Fine explained. According to Penn State Extension, during swarming, the queen and about half the workers leave their home to establish a new nest. The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home.
Swarms can stick around for several hours or days until they’re ready to move, Penn State Extension says. Meanwhile, the colony left behind is temporarily without a leader until a new queen is established.
With the swarm at Acrisure Stadium removed, Morgan Wallen’s show is ready to go on. The country music megastar will bring his I’m The Problem Tour to Pittsburgh on June 5 and June 6, along with multiple acts like Brooks & Dunn and Ella Langley.
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