A laptop computer was reported stolen in the burglary of an Ohio River Boulevard residence on April 20.

Police made an arrest after being dispatched to the Church of the Epiphany on California Avenue on April 24 for a reported burglary in progress. Officers found Michael Wanner, address not given, hiding behind some bushes with a hammer, and a copper downspout hanging off the building. Wanner was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Allegheny County’s hazardous materials team responded along with local firefighters and police last week when about 700 gallons of crude oil leaked onto Courtney Mill Road in Ben Avon Heights.

Police say the spill was the result of a former Shannopin Country Club employee dismantling one of the old oil tanks that are located on the club’s property. According to police, the ex-employee acted with the club’s permission and intended to scrap the metal he recovered.

By JIM RUMBLE

For the fourth consecutive year, the Avonworth Antelopes football team is headed to the WPIAL quarterfinals. The ‘Lopes defeated California at home last Friday, 28-16.

Led by Ricky Lawniczak's three rushing touchdowns, the Antelopes broke open a close game in the second half and took advantage of a couple of Trojan turnovers that were converted for scores. They will now meet Rochester at Ambridge High School tonight at 7:30 p.m.

"I'm happy we're moving on," said head coach Duke Johncour after the game.

When Avonworth High School staged its mock crash in the parking lot behind the school as a pre-prom reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving, lots of students played out scripts that dramatized some rather grim scenes, from the badly injured to the bloody fatalities.

Two seniors, though, played their roles without scripts, because in reality, they knew exactly what they had to do.

Two Avalon police officers were injured in a drug bust on Jan. 28 that ended with them in the hospital, along with the suspect they arrested.

Officers Walt Johnson and Sean Kirley, along with Chief Tom Kokoski, attempted to arrest Raymond Carter, 25, of Grant Avenue, Bellevue, after observing him in what was believed to be a drug transaction in the California Avenue business district.

A handful of unhappy Ben Avon residents brought their concerns to Tuesday's borough council meeting, and were happy just a few minutes later when they learned the problem had already been resolved.

Shane Scigliano of Ridge Avenue told council about smoke that had been pouring up Ridge Avenue last week from the Paff Construction building on Brighton Road.

"We woke up coughing up black stuff -- we thought our house was on fire," he said.

It could have been much worse, but the combination of an effective emergency response plan and what can only be called acts of God prevented an environmental nightmare when a tanker truck carrying a toxic chemical overturned on Union Avenue Wednesday afternoon.

The tanker was traveling down Union Avenue toward the North Boroughs about 3 p.m. when the driver attempted to turn onto the I-279 southbound on-ramp. Officials believe several tires hit a rut beside the ramp, the driver overcompensated, and the tanker flipped.

Following a traffic accident on Camp Horne Road, Kilbuck Township, Janice Tucker, 55, of Bridgeville, was arrested for driving under the influence on June 20.

On June 19, Stephen Michalski Jr., 25, of Pittsburgh, was charged with driving under the influence on Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township.

At a traffic stop on Route 65 in Kilbuck Township on June 24, Lena Johnston, 32, of Aliquippa, was charged with driving under the influence. A passenger in Johnston's car, Anthony Vestazian, 30, of Aliquippa, was arrested for possession of suspected cocaine.

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.

Editor:

It rained the past few days. Yesterday evening I sat in my wicker rocker on the front porch, watching the rain fall, enjoying the fresh-washed air.

The sun’s back out today. I find myself wondering now if my neighbors will be burning again tonight. Will I be forced to close all my windows and stay in the house again? Will I close everything up in time to avoid a headache, sore throat and plugged-up ears?

Two North Side residents were charged by Avalon Police during separate incidents on Feb. 5.

Paul Heimberger, 20, was cited for underage drinking after police report finding him staggering near California and South Home avenues.

Sherry Pogany, 25, was charged with simple assault after a domestic incident at a Center Avenue home.

Police responded to several minor traffic accidents on Feb. 5, including a four-vehicle crash on Norwood Avenue in which drivers lost control of their cars on the icy street. No one was injured.