NexTier Insurance Services on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Armstrong Insurance Associates in Kittanning, which is retroactively effective to Dec. 31.

Alan Bowser and John Armitage, former owners of the Kittanning agency, will work with NexTier as independent agents.

NexTier Insurance Services, a subsidiary of NexTier Inc., is a full-service agency that provides insurance products and services to individuals and businesses throughout Western Pennsylvania.

“Armstrong Insurance Associates has been a part of the Kittanning community for over 30 years, and we are pleased that Alan and John will continue working with us. The combination of their history and our breadth of services will benefit customers,” Rick Putnam, president of NexTier Insurance, said in a news release.

NexTier Inc. has assets of $500 million and serves the Western Pennsylvania region with corporate offices in Butler and Wexford. NexTier Inc. includes NexTier Bank, NexTier Insurance Services and NexTier Wealth Management. NexTier Bank has 15 community offices throughout northern Allegheny, Butler and Armstrong counties.

PARKER — Central Electric Cooperative says it is undertaking a major improvement project of reconstructing the major tie line connecting Fredricksburg and Cowansville substations in Armstrong County.This 7.8 mile project is under way with additional line clearing slated to begin Monday. CEC's contractor, Hazlett Tree Service, will do the line clearing.CEC members and others with electric utility rights-of-way may be contacted by Hazlett representatives or CEC employees.CEC and line maintenance crews may have personnel and equipment on members' and others' properties at times. All Hazlett representatives and CEC employees carry company-issued identification.CEC does not anticipate any service interruptions during this project.

CRANBERRY TWP — The township staff has been honored by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors for its communication efforts to keep its residents informed.Brenda Wilt, spokesman for association, said Cranberry received first place in Social Media for its Facebook page, Twitter feeds, and YouTube channel in its annual Township Citizen Communication Contest. This is the second year in a row the township was honored for its efforts.It also received second place in the newsletters category for townships with populations more than 10,000, and third place in the websites category.