Frank Cloud

Grove City — Frank Cloud of Butler, Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV’s director of special education, was presented with the 13th annual Leadership Award during the unit board meeting Feb. 22.

This award honors an individual who promotes the role and vision of a regional service agency. He has worked there for more than the 35 years. He became director of special education in 2007.

In that position, Cloud is responsible for nearly 400 staff members who serve more than 1,900 children.

Cloud and his wife, Peg, have three grown daughters, Jennifer Wheeler, Patti Stewart, and Amy Cloud, and two grandchildren.

Inspection crews to check electric polesPARKER — Contracted inspection crews for Central Electric Cooperative this month will be inspecting poles on circuits originating from Clearfield substation in Butler County.Osmose Utilities Services, will begin work March 19, said Chris Panian, utility spokesman.Inspections typically include a visual inspection, sounding of the pole with a hammer and excavation around the base of the pole. All Osmose representatives and cooperative employees carry company-issued identification.For questions about the project, which will take several months, is asked to contact Matt Alderson, cooperative’s manager of operations and safety, at 800-521-0570, Ext. 2206.

Gift shop in mall to close this monthCENTER TWP — Truly Yours, a gift shop in the Clearview Mall, is closing March 31 after 30 years.Owner Kelly Ganter said fewer sales and reduced mall traffic made her difficult decision to close unavoidable.“We have had a wonderful 30 years, and it was with much regret that I had to make this decision.”Truly Yours opened in 1981.

Retail sales rise in Feb.LOS ANGELES — Shoppers hit the malls in February with their wallets open and handed retailers a robust start to the spring season amid another sign of a recovering economy.Major chain stores posted a healthy 4.7 percent sales increase compared with the same month a year earlier, beating analysts’ expectations of a 3.4 percent rise, according to Thomson Reuters.