Butler Memorial Hospital and its nurses union, have reached a tentative contract settlement.

The agreement will be voted on by union membership on Monday, according to a hospital news release.

Details of the contract are being withheld pending ratification of the proposed contract.

FRANKLIN TWP — The 19th annual Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. April 18 at the Atrium on Route 422.The luncheon, which includes a mini-business expo, giveaways and door prizes, features the presentation of the 2013 Employee of the Year for Butler County, an award sponsored by Butler Health System.Nomination forms are available at www.butlercountychamber.com.The cost to attend the event is $25 per person. Tables of eight or 10 may be reserved.People interested in the event may call the Butler County Chamber of Commerce at 724-283-2222 or send an e-mail to Jennifer@ButlerCountyChamber.com.

Pennsylvania American Water recently donated $1,000 to the Butler Fire Department.The donation is part of the company's Firefighting Support Grant Program.Since launching the program in 2009, Pennsylvania American Water has contributed about $180,000 to more than 200 fire departments across the state to buy equipment and gear.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in February as exports climbed close to an all-time high and the volume of imported crude oil fell to the lowest level in 17 years.The gap between exports and imports shrank to $43 billion in February, down 3.4 percent from January's revised $44.5 billion, the Commerce Department said Friday. It was the smallest trade imbalance since December when the gap had declined to $38.1 billion, the lowest point in nearly three years.

NEW YORK — KFC is stripping out the bones to make it easier for people to eat its chicken.The fast-food chain is introducing deep-fried boneless chicken pieces on April 14 as an alternative to its traditional breast, thigh and drumstick pieces.The new offering reflects the growing popularity of nuggets and strips that are easier to eat on the go, as well as Americans' seemingly endless desire for more convenient foods.