The Mt. Lebanon Area DUI Task Force stopped 24 drivers while conducting a stationary sobriety checkpoint overnight Saturday on Library Road.

Officers arrested eight people for driving under the influence and charged two people with underage drinking. Traffic citations were issued to 14 people.

The force includes officers from Baldwin Township, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Green Tree, Heidelberg, Mt. Lebanon, Scott and South Fayette. The cooperative effort is part of PennDOT's Team DUI, The Regional Western Alliance DUI Task Force and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Checkpoint StrikeForce, which conducts sobriety checkpoints across a six-state region.

Keystone Oaks Marching Band is hosting "Salute!" a high school and university band festival at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 in Dormont Memorial Stadium.

Seven high school and two university marching bands will "Salute!" a wide variety of music, from pop to classical, in various performance styles. Marching high school bands performing in the festival include: Bishop Canevin, Chartiers Houston, Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Pleasant, North Hills, Thomas Jefferson and host Keystone Oaks.

Tickets are $6 in advance for adults, $7 night of the show; $5 for students and senior citizens in advance, $6 at the gate. Tickets are available from any Keystone Oaks Band member or by calling 412-561-6882.

Calling it a "haunted forest," William Wells, of Lindsay Road, last week inquired about the more than 90 partially cut-down trees at Scott Park. Located primarily in the picnic groves, the trees are each about 4 feet tall but are not particularly wide.

"Most of them have been dead or lying there for years. It looks like a graveyard for trees," Mr. Wells said.

Besides being unsightly, the trees are a hazard to people using the park, he said.

Manager Denise Fitzgerald and Director of Public Services Randy Lubin were quick to respond that plans are in the works for the trees' removal.

Ms. Fitzgerald said the removal work had been discussed as a fall project for public works employees.

n The Friends of the Scott Township Public Library will sponsor a used book sale from noon to 8 p.m. today, tomorrow and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Community Room at Scott Park.

The Pregnancy Resource Center of the South Hills and three of its volunteers were among 56 pregnancy organizations and 150 pregnancy center volunteers that received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards on Sept. 19.

Volunteers honored were: Dottie Barrett, of Lawrence, Washington County; Kathy Krchmar, of Whitehall; and Marlene Nowicki, of Brentwood.

The ceremony was hosted by Admiral Joxel Garcia, assistant secretary for health, and the White House USA Freedom Corps.

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is given to Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

The South Hills center offers free services to people facing unplanned pregnancies and related issues.

Citing a busy schedule at work, Bethel Park's Susan Gout has stepped down as president but will remain on the school board.

Her resignation was accepted at the monthly meeting last Thursday. Donna Cook, the former vice president, was elected to replace Mrs. Gout as president, with Dick Rose assuming the job of vice president.

• Youth advocate Javier Sanchez will present a program titled "Who C.A.R.E.S." for parents and the community at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Independence Middle School auditorium.

Mr. Sanchez's program is funny, interactive and incorporates his love for hip-hop, providing guidelines for families to help children make wise choices in life.

The presentation is part of Red Ribbon Week activities planned for the high school and middle school by PRIDE of Bethel Park, www.prideofbp.org.

The school board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. tonight to choose a construction manager for the high school renovation project. The two finalists for the job are URS, an international firm, and P.J. Dick, a local firm.

A review by the International Baccalaureate Organization last spring recommended the creation of an all-IB program at Streams, one of three elementary schools in the district.

According to district estimation, the IB program involves up to 70 percent of the school's enrollment.

Director of elementary education Judith Bulazo said at a recent school board meeting that there is possibility Streams might someday follow the organization's recommendation.

The issue is scheduled for further discussion later this month.