Photo gallery for Sun. 3-18-18

2018-03-17 01:00:00

Ryan Stauffer, park naturalist, drills a hole for a tap in a maple tree at Succop Nature Park in Penn Township. Rising sap, longer days and returning birds are all signs of approaching spring.Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

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Mars’ Robby Carmody drives to the basket. Mars beat Highlands 60-51 in a PIAA Class 5-A quarterfinal playoff game at Gateway High School on Friday, March 16, 2018.dave prelosky/butler eagle

Mars’ Andrew Recchia takes aim at the basket. Mars beat Highlands 60-51 in a PIAA Class 5-A quarterfinal playoff game at Gateway High School on Friday, March 16, 2018.dave prelosky/butler eagle

Mars Robby Carmody drives to the rim. Mars beat Highlands 60-51 in a PIAA Class 5-A quarterfinal playoff game at Gateway High School on Friday, March 16, 2018.dave prelosky/butler eagle

Mars head coach Rob Carmody walks down the bench as time runs out. Mars beat Highlands 60-51 in a PIAA Class 5-A quarterfinal playoff game at Gateway High School on Friday, March 16, 2018.dave prelosky/butler eagle

One vehicle sustained heavy damage in a two-car accident Friday, March 16, 2018, on Route 68 in Jackson Township. No injuries were reported.J.W. Johnson Jr./Butler Eagle

John Turner Jr., served three tours in Iraq. Turner, a Butler native and 2001 Knoch High School graduate, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at UPMC Mercy Hospital of cardiac arrest. He was 35.submitted photo

John Turner Jr. served three tours in Iraq in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal program. Turner, a Butler native and 2001 Knoch High School graduate, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at UPMC Mercy Hospital of cardiac arrest. He was 35.submitted photo

Dennis Baglier, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Butler, recently presented a Rotary donation to the Butler Senior High School JROTC Tornado Battalion in honor of Sam Zurzolo. The funds will help the battalion complete next year’s activities. From left are Zurzolo, Jennifer Baum, Caravel Losch, Dylan Schaffner, Baglier, Carter McKissick and Marcus Pittman.Submitted photo

Once the hole is made and the tap installed, park naturalist Ryan Stauffer attaches a bucket and a cover to collect the maple sap at Succop Nature Park that will be boiled to make maple syrup.Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Ryan Stauffer, park naturalist, affixes a metal tap to a hole he drilled in a maple tree in Succop Nature Park. Stauffer said the tree will heal itself by the time the next maple tapping season rolls around.Justin Guido/Butler Eagle