By JIM RUMBLE

After jumping out to a 12-point lead in the first quarter, the Avonworth boys’ basketball team saw their lead slowly disappear throughout the contest when they hosted Seton LaSalle in section play this past Tuesday.

The Rebels claimed their only lead with :04 left on the clock to defeat the Antelopes 49-47.

In the first quarter Matt Crilley-scored eight of his game-high 24 points, as he was unstoppable down inside the Seton LaSalle defense.

A resident of North Sprague Avenue reported on Jan. 1 that a firearm had been stolen out of a vehicle overnight.

On Jan. 2, a resident of South Jackson Avenue reported a gun had been stolen from the bedroom between Dec. 26 and Dec. 30, and on Jan. 3, Derek Smith Oliver, 21, was charged with theft.

On Jan. 2, a resident of North Bryant Avenue reported multiple items had been stolen from her home during a visit.

On Jan. 4, a resident of Dawson Avenue reported the house had been burglarized on Jan. 2.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (0 – 9, 4 – 13) are still in pursuit of their first section win after losing to the Bishop Canevin Crusaders (8 -1, 12 – 3) Tuesday night, by the score of 77 – 30. The Flames were at home, but the Crusaders entered the game with only one loss in the section, and tied for firstplace with Sewickley Academy.

The Flames have taken on a younger look over the past couple of weeks. Led by two seniors, Ray Man-gone and Stephon Adams, the team is made up mostly of freshman and sophomores and two juniors.

Michael Benjamin Patak Jr. Michael B. Patak, Jr., 80, of Bellevue, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. He was the son of the late Michael B. Sr. and Emma (Morgan) Patak; husband of the late Dolores (McCartney) Patak; beloved father of Michael B. Patak III of Bellevue, Patrick J. Patak of Emsworth and Timothy S. (Denise Aubrecht) Patak of Bellevue; loving grandfather of Alicia M. (Patrick Garrison) Patak, Johnathan M. (Corinna) Patak and Sabrina M. Patak; loving great-grandfather of Logan Garrison.

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth boys' basketball team saw their seven game win streak come to a halt when they traveled to North Catholic this past Tuesday.

On the line was sole possession atop Section 2 (3A) for both teams, but the Trojans managed to outscore the Antelopes in each quarter on their way to a 48-26 victory.

Matt Crilley led the ‘Lopes offense with nine points.

Avonworth hosted Brentwood in section play and defeated the Cougars last Friday 60-45.

Employees of Avalon's street department now have a contract that will provide them with both retroactive and future pay increases.

The borough council voted at its regular meeting Tuesday to approve the agreement, which covers the years 2015-18. Officials said that the union representing the workers earlier agreed to a salary for 2015, so the new contract provides for a 3 percent annual increase retroactive to 2016.

By NANCY WHYTE-

Sister Linda Yankoski of Holy Family Institute asked Emworth Council at its Jan. 11 meeting to consider contributing approximately $1,500 toward costs incurred by Holy Family Institute in the process of obtaining a four-way traffic light stop for pedestrians, at the intersection of Allegheny Avenue and Ohio River Boulevard.

Borough residents, Yankoski suggested, had requested and would benefit from the halt to all traffic as they crossed the busy highway. As such, she said, perhaps the borough could assist with the cost.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (0-6, 4-10) were still looking for their first section win last Friday night when they took on the Lancers from Neshannock (3-3, 8-4). The Flames’ offensive struggles continued as they fell to the Lancers 72 – 46.

Following what Northgate-Avonworth swim team coach Jessie McKelvey describes as being a new section “adjustment period,” before becoming more focused and unified, she is quick to tell anyone that this year’s team is doing well.

How well? Very well. Undefeated, record-breaking well!

“We always have exciting swims each meet for all kinds of reasons. I think the most notable this year is Karen Siddoway clenching all of the girls’ individual records. All the girls’ relays are now broken, so the girls’ side of the board has been cleared and all the holders are current swimmers.”

By NANCY WHYTE

Residents of Emsworth Borough continue to be inconvenienced by street damage and road closures due to broken West View Water Authority water lines.

The latest situation occurred on Dec. 22 on Pennsylvania Avenue, the upper part of which remains closed to vehicle traffic.

Members of council debated whether a quick emergency fix should be made on Pennsylvania Avenue in order to open the road, or a more-complete repair, including replacement of the water line, should be made that would greatly diminish the likelihood of future breaks.

This past Monday, faculty members, administrators, and students at Avonworth High School had to work through one of the toughest lessons they ever would teach or learn: how to make sense of the sudden loss of a beloved friend and member of the community.

By the time the school day had started, all knew the tragic details that claimed the life of sophomore Hannah Milbert who, despite valiant efforts to rescue her, became the victim of a fast-moving fire that two days earlier had raged through her family home on Wible Lane in Ohio Township.