The Shaler Police Department was among 22 departments statewide to receive a Platinum Award from the Automobile Association of America, according to officials at AAA East Central.

The Platinum awards were given to leaders for their safety efforts and enforcement activities. State police Troop B, headquartered in Butler, also was named. The departments were among hundreds nationwide that participated in the Community Traffic Safety Program and among 82 regional entrants recognized by AAA.

Hampton received a gold award, the second highest recognition. A Silver Award was given to McCandless, and Avalon received a Bronze Award.

To be eligible for the annual awards, a community must conduct traffic safety promotions and educate the public on safety topics.

The Rotary Club of Butler was host to the 50th anniversary celebration of the annual Rotary Pancake Festival to benefit Lifesteps on Election Day, Nov. 3. The club served 1,375 guests and netted more than $10,000 to benefit the Lifesteps Family Caring Fund.

Each year on Election Day the Rotary Club of Butler hosts the all-day festival, assisted by Lifesteps' volunteers, who serve orange juice and coffee, and keep tables clean and ready for the next wave of pancake fans.

The day also included arts and crafts projects, face-painting, giveaways and a live appearance by the Old Country Buffet Bee.

Lifesteps, a local nonprofit agency, offers family-focused services in a caring, nurturing environment to Western Pennsylvania communities.

St. Mary of the Assumption Parish will end a yearlong celebration of its 175th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Bishop David Zubik at 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

Invitations have been sent to clergy who previously served at the parish to return for the celebration.

After Mass, a reception will be held in Marian Hall for parishioners to meet Bishop Zubik and other guests. Memorabilia about the parish will be on display, as will previously ordered booklets detailing the history of the church.

Throughout the year, the church has hosted activities that emphasized the history and development of the parish.

Millvale Library will host a community meeting at 7 this evening at the site of the children's library, 416 Lincoln Ave., on the second floor. Topics to be discussed include schematic designs of the future library, board and bylaw organization, transitional and building discussion for volunteers and materials, and a business plan.

Wexford Volunteer Fire Co. has received a $407,000-a-year funding commitment from Pine.

The supervisors voted unanimously Monday to allocate $187,000 for the fire company's operational expenses and up to $220,000 for capital expenses annually, starting in 2010.

The fire company has provided service to the township since 1921.

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