Week in Review, July 3-9: Fireworks

Pyrotechnics filled the sky July 4, and with dry grasses covering the hills, jittery residents reported every crackle, fearful that illegal fireworks could ignite grassfires and structures.

At the beginning of the week, spread through a rental car lot, damaging 45 vehicles, although the cause of the blaze is still underinvestigation.

We got on parades, baseball, celebrations, fireworks, music, and even a free tow for those who might get a little too patriotic during the day; to watch the skies light up on both sides of the Peninsula.

We reported on the South San Francisco Fire Department's , which got underway testing the agility and strength of cadets under intense pressure. Trainees extinguished flaming structures, rappelled down multi-storied buildings and crossed zip lines.

We also took note of a in South San Francisco that boasts slick batting cages, pro-style pitching machines and private lessons.

We reported on Pacific Gas & Electric Company's for a new gas pipeline that would replace the South San Francisco segment of line 132, whose rupture led to the San Bruno explosion.

We were there when the kicked off their 2011 season, the first being offered by the Parks and Recreation Department

And we saw as the 2010 World Series Champs sponsored South San Francisco Little Leaguers.

South performed in the Independence Day Parade in the nation’s capitol; we enjoyed it on video.

On Thursday, the district attorney's office announced that a of attempted murder in connection with a machete attack on a friend who did not invite him to a June 26 barbecue.

The school district recently signed a contract with a new schools chief; Friday we saw a throughout the county.

A man accused of punching, robbing and threatening four youths as they left the South San Francisco Boys and Girls Club June will face in the attack.

recorded several calls about illegal fireworks in addition to other incidents.