ELLWOOD CITY — The Columbus Day holiday and more negotiations are all that's keeping teachers in one school district from going on strike.

The 130 teachers in the Ellwood City Education Association say they'll strike if a new contract isn't struck.

The last contract expired June 30.

The school board and the teachers' union have both expressed optimism that they'll work out a deal but, so far, it hasn't happened.

The district has never had a labor-related school cancellation.

Although teachers picketed over a contract dispute more than 30 years ago, no classes were canceled. Teachers threatened to strike in 2006, too, but it was averted by a last-minute deal.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto says the city will investigate a police officer's slam takedown of a Chicago Cubs fan who was kicked out of last week's National League Wildcard playoff game.A video that has surfaced on YouTube.com and the website Sportsmockery.com shows a fan identified only as Dmitri and an unknown Pittsburgh officer grabbing him from behind and slamming him to the ground. Police say the man was being ejected from the game and resisted the officer's attempts to escort him from PNC Park.Elizabeth Pittinger, who directs the city's Citizen Police Review Board, says it appears the officer “escalated” the situation “like a rocket.”But police union president Howard McQuillan says the officer acted appropriately because the man refused to follow instructions.The fan was handcuffed, but was not criminally charged.

WILLIAMSPORT — Folks in Williamsport take seriously the town's history as the birthplace of Little League baseball and home to its World Series.And they're also taking seriously recent vandalism of the city's bronze “Based Loaded” monument that commemorates Little League's history.Williamsport police say someone broke off a bat from one of the bronze player statues, which will cost about $4,000 to repair. The monument's insured and will be fixed.Resident Aaron Holder say the theft is embarrassing and says, “How are we going to make the city look good if we tear it up?”