The North Hills DUI Task Force conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Perry Highway in West View from 10 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Checkpoint Strikeforce.

There were 272 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint and 17 drivers were administered field sobriety tests. Of those tested, seven were charged with driving under the influence; one driver violated terms of a junior driver's license and two others were charged for a drug recognition evaluation. Other charges included:

One each for possession of a controlled substance, and for possession of drug paraphernalia; three for underage drinking; two citations were issued for driving under suspension/DUI related; and five citations were issued for vehicle code violations. Three of those stopped were issued warnings for seat belt violations.

Now in its 15th year, the North Hills DUI Task Force had conducted 147 check points and roving patrols. There have been 1,488 individuals tested for DUI, and of those tested, 643 have been charge. The North Hills DUI Task Force comprises officers from the police departments of Etna, Indiana Township, Northern Regional, O'Hara, Ross, Shaler, West Deer and West View.

Create the Good, a program for volunteers through AARP, hopes to make a difference in the community today and tomorrow. That's when the program will accept donated gifts for nursing home patients in the Pittsburgh region at The Shoppes at Northway -- formerly Northway Mall -- 8000 McKnight Road.

The gifts will be distributed during the 2010 holiday season through the Presents for Patients program.

Volunteers are neededto help wrap the items. They'll be at the mall from noon to 4 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow.

"There are lots of ways people can become involved and help others, even if you only can spare five minutes or five hours," said AARP Associate State Director Kelly Altmire. "This is our 9th season collecting and wrapping presents for nursing home residents, and last year we reached over 1,500 people living in those homes."

Visit CreateTheGood.org or call Angela Foreshaw at 215-519-4648 or send e-mail to aforeshaw@aarp.org.

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is looking for nominees for its 2010 Power of Work Awards. Employers who have offered education, training and development activities to enable those with special needs to be employed will be recognized with the Power of Work Awards at a luncheon Nov. 3 in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni William Penn Hotel.

If you know of an employer who has made the effort to hire special needs or other nontraditional employees -- or if you are such an employer yourself -- it's time to accept the thanks of those who benefitted from that effort.

Completed applications must be received before Sept. 24. For information or an application, call Jean Nelson-Sims, Development and Special Events manager for Goodwill at 412-390-2396, or send e-mail to jean.nelsonsims@goodwillswpa.org.

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