A resident of Tingley Avenue also approached Bellevue Council at its regular meeting on Tuesday, concerned about an area along the street where water is collecting, creating a swampy mess filled with bugs in the summer, and freezing into a dangerous chunk of ice in the winter.

Although residents believe the water problem coincides with gas line work done a couple years ago, borough officials said they need to determine the source of the water before they can come up with a solution.

Once again, the Northgate-Avonworth swim team has compiled the “winningest” record for any sport played by interscholastic athletes of the two schools.

How good is the record? As of last week’s North Catholic meet, both the boys’ and the girls’ teams were undefeated.

Coach Jesse McKelvey could not be happier for her team.

Bellevue vehicle owners are being warned that a rash of thefts from vehicles has occurred recently. Police Chief Matt Senter is warning residents that multiple cars had been entered and items stolen throughout the borough this week. He urged residents to make sure their vehicles were locked and valuables removed. Additionally, he requested that if anyone had seen anything suspicious or had video footage of people looking at vehicles or trying car doors to contact the police department.

A non-forced burglary occurred at a Lincoln Avenue business on Dec. 3.

By JIM RUMBLE

With the first half of the regular season in the books this week, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team remains in a three-way tie atop their section after hosting Freedom on Monday.

The front court duo of Hayden Robinson and Kat Goetz combined for 46 points and 22 rebounds as the Lady ‘Lopes ran past the Bulldogs 68-47.

"We played with a lot of intensity, communicated well on defense and played with a lot of energy," said Avonworth coach Mark D'Alessandris.

Beginning this week, Pennsylvania school students and others will have a new method of alerting officials to possible threats.

During his report to the school board Monday night, assistant superintendent Jeff Hadley said that students were getting training for “Safe 2 Say Something,” a Web site and app where individuals will be able to anonymously report tips about issues of concern including social media posts or talk about threats of school violence or suicide.

Bellevue Council is giving Mayor Emily Marburger and the Friends of Bayne Library tentative approval to hold another Harry Potter festival in town this year, but making it clear that there will be more council oversight this time around.

By PATRICK GANNON

The Avonworth boys’ varsity basketball team got back in the win column last Friday with a 70-47 victory over Keystone Oaks.

The ‘Lopes started off hot, running out to an early 12-0 lead. KO followed with a run of their own, coming within three of the Antelopes, the quarter closing with Avonworth on top by a score of 14-11.

April 2 has been set as the date of the special election in Pennsylvania’s 37th state Senatorial District, which includes all of the Avonworth communities except Ben Avon.

A special election is required because the incumbent senator, Republican Guy Reschenthaler, was elected to the United States Congress in November and resigned his state seat prior to being sworn in as the representative for the 14th Congressional district earlier this month.

By MEL PERKINS

Northgate (0-5, 1-10) entered Tuesday night's game on an eight-game slide, and beating the Knights from Summit Academy (4-1, 5-3) would not be an easy task. The Flames fought hard and managed to put a scare in the Knights in the fourth quarter, but were unable to pull off the upset, losing 50-45.

Reading, writing, arithmetic -- and then on up to Shakespeare, advanced composition and calculus. All lessons taught in schools to prep students for moving on and earning a living. But what about another form of education: the education for life?

The Pennsylvania Football Writers all-state teams were released last week, with two local players being selected in their respective classifications.

Avonworth senior quarterback Derek Johncour was chosen in class 2A after throwing for 2,420 yards and 23 touchdowns in the regular season while leading his team to a WPIAL playoff berth. Derek was coached by his father Duke, who just completed his eighth season as the head coach at Avonworth.

On Dec. 17, an Avalon resident reported to police that someone stole a winning lottery ticket from his vehicle.

On Dec. 18, Andrew Gorsuch, 31, of Avalon, was cited for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

A resident reported the theft of packages from his porch on Dec. 21.

Max Ringer, 50, of Avalon, was arrested for public drunkenness on Dec. 22.

Following a traffic stop on Dec. 23, Britney Gibson, 32, of Avalon and Tawana Hamilton, 40, of McKees Rocks, were arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.