Eureka building evacuated

From the Post-Gazette: A woman is facing several charges after Pitt police believe she released bear spray — a type of pepper spray — inside Pitt’s Eureka Building in Oakland on May 20, which led to an evacuation and sickened several employees.

According to a criminal complaint, minutes after Mary Sieger left the building, which houses the Offices of Facilities Management, people in the office began coughing and experiencing watery eyes and difficulty breathing. Six people were treated by EMS at the scene.

Siegert, 28, is charged with causing or risking a catastrophe, simple assault and other offenses. Two 8-ounce cans of Grizzly Tough Bear Spray Counter Spray, according to police. One spent can was hidden in a ripped seam of her jacket, while the other was still in its original packaging in her backpack, according to the complaint.

Siegert is not affiliated with the university, spokesman Joe Miksch said.

Panther Hollow phone fixed

From WPXI: An emergency phone in the Panther Hollow parking lot is working again after concerns were raised. A neighbor, who said the phone had been broken for months, contacted Channel 11 News, which then contacted Pitt.

Pitt officials sent Channel 11 a statement: "Safety is a top priority at the University of Pittsburgh. Parts needed to repair the phone have been ordered and are expected to arrive and be installed soon. Community members needing police assistance are urged to call 9-1-1 or directly dial the University of Pittsburgh police at 412-624-2121. Those with pitt.edu email addresses can also download the RAVE Guardian App, which allows mobile users to directly contact the Pitt police well as notify friends and family of their location in real time."