Sophia Regas Sophia Fakles Regas, 89, wife of the late John Fakles and John Regas, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. Mrs. Regas was the owner of the River Road Inn in Avalon for 39 years. She is survived by two daughters, Theodora Fakles and Pandora Bossick and her husband Dennis; her sister-in-law, Shea Banus; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Panagula Danus; and two siblings, Demetrios Danus and Maria Giannakos.

Even as a new fire services contract for Ben Avon Heights was being accepted by Avalon Council Tuesday evening, Ben Avon officials were feeling the loss and the “backdraft” for the role some officials may have played in the decision.

In selecting Avalon to provide fire services after 15 years of contracting with Ben Avon, Heights officials last week stated unequivocally that they were changing not only to save a couple thousand dollars each year, but because of the “negotiating tactics of Ben Avon Council.”

Saturday was all about kids in Avalon, as the Avalon Public Library sponsored its annual “Touch a Truck” event. The afternoon is both entertaining and educational for children, who get up close to a variety of service and emergency vehicles. And for those kids tired of touching a truck, there were games where they could touch a...duck and win a prize.

Avalon Public Library’s “Touch-A-Truck” event will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, noon - 4 p.m. on California Avenue in front of the Avalon borough building.

Touch-A-Truck is a family-friendly event that allows children and guests to see, touch and learn about a variety of vehicles and how they operate and service their community.

The event also will include refreshments, games, bake sale and basket raffle.

Avalon may try a multi-pronged approach to clear borough streets of unregistered vehicles officials say are being parked by the owner of a local automotive repair business.

Asked to look into the problem by council, solicitor Megan Ott said that the borough can use three different laws to clean up the streets.

Eleanor Dvorsky Eleanor H. Herstich Dvorsky, 82, of Ross Township, wife of the late Joseph A. Dvorsky, died Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Mrs. Dvorsky retired as a nurse from Suburban General Hospital where she worked for 20 years. She was a member of St. Gabriel Parish and Risen Lord Church.

In the Avonworth School Board race, voters will need to choose five candidates on each ticket from among those who are cross-filed, not cross-filed and a couple write-in candidates to boot.

The Avalon Apple Blossom Festival will take place on Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., presented by Trinity Lutheran Church and the Borough of Avalon.

A variety of entertainment and festivities -- including a car cruise, huge basket auction, plant sale and live music -- will take place on California Avenue in front of the church and borough hall.

Trinity Lutheran Church and the borough of Avalon are looking for crafters to participate in the 10th annual "Avalon Apple Blossom Festival" on Saturday, May 7.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside in front of the borough hall and the church on California Avenue.

Cost is $10 per space. Individuals and organizations are welcome to participate. Vendors must supply their own tables. Space is limited. For more information call Trinity at (412)761-4010 or Denny at (412) 761-5416.

Avalon Police are continuing to investigate a pursuit Tuesday night that ended when a vehicle crashed into a pole in Ben Avon.

Police say that an officer attempted to pull over a speeding vehicle on Route 65 in Avalon, near the Ben Avon border. The driver refused to stop until his vehicle hit a utility pole a couple blocks later. Police say the driver had a DUI-related suspended license and is suspected of being intoxicated. He refused a blood test after he was taken to the hospital, police say.

Two young men suspected of breaking into vehicles in Avalon and Bellevue were arrested by Avalon Police last week.

Items were reported stolen from three different vehicles in Avalon during the past week.

A purse was reported stolen from a car on Hemlock Street on Dec. 11, and Christmas presents valued at $400 from a vehicle on Chestnut on Dec. 12. Someone also attempted to steal the On-Star unit from that vehicle. Tools valued at $500 were stolen from a vehicle on Fisk Avenue on Dec. 14, after an attempt to steal the car itself was unsuccessful.