The Butler Transit Authority on June 30 finished out its 2011-2012 year with a 12 percent increase in overall ridership from 2010-2011, servicing just under 250,000 passenger trips between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012.

BC3 student ridership increased by 52.2 percent, ridership of children up to 6 years increased by 34.6 percent and ridership among cash-paying customers increased by 20.7 percent.

The greatest decline in ridership was among students ages 13 to 17.

SAXONBURG — The borough and three townships will hold a household electronic waste collection from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20 at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company grounds on Horne Avenue.Residents of the borough as well as Clinton, Jefferson and Penn townships can check with the following municipal web sites for more information: saxonburgpa.com, myclintontownship.net, jeffersonbutler.com and penntownship.org.Evolution E-Cycling of Pittsburgh is collecting the electronics at no charge to the residents or municipalities.

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will fund a new loan program for full-time students training in energy, advanced materials, manufacturing, agriculture and food production fields.Called the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program, it will distribute $5 million from PHEAA's business earnings to students whose courses are not eligible for state grants.Courses of study must be between 10 weeks and two years long. A list of eligible programs and participation requirements can be found at PHEAA.org/PA-TIP.