Sugar Creek Rest, one of Butler-based Quality Life Service’s nine nursing homes in Western Pennsylvania, recently was accepted to the Eden Alternative’s registry, according to a news release.

The Eden Alternative is an international nonprofit organization that provides a support network for changing culture in care homes.

There are only about 200 Eden homes in the world, and Sugar Creek Rest, which is near Worthington, is the first in Armstrong County. Two of QLS’s other homes, Chicora Medical Center near Chicora and Trinity Living Center in Grove City, previously had been accepted to the registry.

Nuclear assemblies ready for testingCRANBERRY TWP — Westinghouse Electric has completed the two nuclear fuel test assemblies for the Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Columbia, S.C.Final preparations are being done on the two fuel assemblies before hydraulic testing begins, where SMR reactor operation will be simulated. Hydraulic testing of the designs will continue through August.Additionally, Westinghouse submitted its response for funding from the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of the SMR. That funding seeks to promote the development of SMR designs.“Completing the test fuel assemblies is a significant milestone in developing the Westinghouse SMR and moves it closer to being the first SMR to the global market,” said Kate Jackson, Westinghouse chief technology officer and senior vice president.The Westinghouse SMR uses passive safety systems as well as modular construction techniques to achieve the highest level of safety required.

Butler library will get chamber honorThe Butler County Chamber of Commerce will honor the Butler Public Library as the 2013 Community Champion at a luncheon July 17.The ceremony will be at noon at the library.The event is sponsored by NexTier Bank and the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, while the award is sponsored by 4-Most Architects.The library is being honored for its collective organizational achievements.There is no charge for the event, but reservations are required.For reservations, call 724-283-2222.

Pa. reports slots revenue decreasePHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania’s casinos recorded their first decline in gross revenue from slot machines during the fiscal year that just ended, the latest sign the state’s casino business is leveling off after six years of growth.The state’s 11 casinos generated $2.43 billion in gross slots revenue during the fiscal year that came to a close Sunday, down nearly 2 percent from the $2.48 billion generated the year before, according to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board figures released this week. The annual slots decline marked the first such decrease since the state’s first casino opened in November 2006.Before the latest 12-month period, gross slots revenues had increased each year as the state grew into the nation’s second-largest gambling market behind Las Vegas, eclipsing Atlantic City for the No. 2 spot. Gross slots revenues began with $454.6 million in fiscal year 2007, built up to $1.4 billion the following year and then hit $2.48 billion in the 2012 period.