A number of car parts were reported stolen in two separate incidents at an Ohio River Boulevard business. Vehicle transmissions and batteries were reported stolen from Economy Transmission on May 3, and on May 4 two engines were reported stolen from the business’s property.

A burglary was reported at a North Balph Avenue residence on April 26.

A Grant Avenue resident reported May 3 that property had been stolen from a storage shed in the yard.

Items were reported stolen from a vehicle on North Sprague Avenue on April 26.

Emsworth's sewage and sewer surcharge fees will be changing with the next billing cycle after the borough council approved an ordinance amending its fee schedule during the Wednesday meeting of Emsworth Council.

Borough property owners currently pay a flat fee of $50 per quarter, which covers sewage service through ALCOSAN, and a borough surcharge to help pay for mandated sewer-related repairs.

The new fee structure could save some people money, while increasing the cost to those who use a lot of water.

Even as two new fitness programs are set to be launched in Northgate schools, administrators fear that the nationwide effort to promote healthy lifestyles among children could take the form of unfunded educational mandates that will tax local staff and funding resources.

Musical theater will continue in the Northgate School District for at least one more year.

Parents, staff and school board members spoke at the Monday board committee of the whole meeting in support of continuing arts programs that had been proposed for cuts in an effort to reduce spending and future budget deficits.

Musical director Karen Klicker said that the district would fund the high school musical for the coming year while everyone explored what board president Susan Nolan called "creative funding ideas."

Ohio Township Police are investigating the theft of a purse at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Ohio Township. The theft was reported May 6.

A resident of Brighton Road in Ben Avon reported May 6 that a vehicle window had been broken.

Gregory Riggs, 45, of Emsworth, was charged with harassment following a domestic incident at his residence on May 6.

Paul Tamosauskas, 55, of Ben Avon, was charged with driving under the influence following a traffic accident on Ohio River Boulevard in Emsworth on May 10.

Bellevue Council may choose not to make any changes to its transient vendor ordinance, which means vendors at some events could be paying a fee this year.

Some vendors objected to paying a $50 fee to sell items at Bellevue events, but tax-paying business owners also objected to the vendors getting a "free ride."

Council member David Gillingham Jr. said at the council work session on Tuesday that he had researched what other municipalities charge transient vendors. The fees elsewhere are much higher than Bellevue's $50 per event charge, he said.

Avalon Police Officer Tom Kokoski has been hired as the borough's new police chief.

A search for a replacement for current Chief Robert Howie -- who will retire later this month after a dozen years in the position -- took months and involved a great deal of debate and conversation, according to council safety committee chairman Patrick Narcisi.

"It was a very difficult decision," Narcisi said at a special council meeting held Tuesday to hire a new chief.

The Avonworth School Board is expected to vote Monday on whether to eliminate wrestling from the district’s cooperative sports agreement with Northgate, as recommended by the Avonworth board’s athletic committee.

The committee has proposed eliminating not only wrestling, but the ninth grade boys’ basketball program as well.

By JIM RUMBLE

Still in search of their first win of the season, the last team the Northgate baseball team wanted to see was section leader South Fayette when the two teams met this past Tuesday.

The Lions, who were coming in undefeated at 10-0 in section play and the top dog in AA, limited the Flames to two hits on their way to a 12-0 victory.

South Fayette scored two runs in the first and two in the third off starting pitcher Justin Mayhugh to lead early, 4-0.

Editor:

I was very disappointed in the recent decision by the Avonworth School Board's Athletic Committee to cut wrestling from the co-op sports agreement. After attending the meeting, I left with the feeling that little is known about this wonderful character-building sport!

Much of the information being provided to board members appears to be incorrect. The cost for the 2009-2010 season was significant;y less than budgeted -- $15,000 ($7,500/school) -- due to fewer coaches. When participation is low, the need for multiple coaches should be considered, as well as volunteer coaches.

Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents were called to Ohio Township Wednesday afternoon when police discovered what appeared to be a hand grenade in the console of a car stopped in connection with a possible attempted burglary in Franklin Park.

By JIM RUMBLE

Not even the excitement of playing at PNC Park could evoke a win for the Avonworth baseball team when they met Our Lady Of Sacred Heart last Friday.

The Antelopes, who jumped out to an early lead, surrendered six runs in the fourth inning on their way to a 7-3 loss.

Starting pitcher Tom Turnbull seemed to have things under control, keeping OLSH off the scoreboard for the first three innings.