Local News
64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard fell into a sinkhole while looking for her cat in Unity Township
Emergency crews and state police are conducting a large-scale rescue effort in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, following reports of a woman potentially falling into a 30-foot sinkhole.
The operation is taking place in the vicinity of Marguerite Road, near Monday’s Union Restaurant.
According to Trooper Steve Limani, the search for 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard, who was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday, will persist through the night if necessary.
Pollard had reportedly been searching for her cat, Pepper, when she went missing.
Authorities discovered Pollardโs 5-year-old granddaughter unharmed in a vehicle nearby.
The child is safe, and officials are focusing their efforts on locating Pollard.
Emergency responders, construction crews, and state police are actively collaborating in the rescue mission, which involves specialized equipment and personnel.
Updates on the situation will be provided as additional information becomes available.
The community is urged to avoid the area while the rescue operation is underway.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at UrbanaโChampaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. โ A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coronerโs Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coronerโs Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguezโs death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguezโs death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.