CRANBERRY TWP —Howard Hanna in Cranberry Township will conduct a “Give Blood and Give Back” blood drive at 20930 Route 19 on Friday.

The drive will run from 1 to 6 p.m., and those interested in donating must schedule appointments online through blood services provider Vitalant.

“It is basically in conjunction with trying to raise money and blood for the (UPMC) Children's Hospital Free Care Fund,” manager Rita Sumney said. “For every registered donor, we get $15 donated to the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.”

The drive is the first hosted by the Howard Hanna location in Cranberry.

“I went to (a blood drive,) where Vitalant was, at our corporate office,” Sumney said. “I said, OK, we're in the north, so why not try and do this in the north?”

The drive comes at a time when blood services providers are calling for donations and facing a historic shortage.

Those who have trouble scheduling online can call Vitalant at 412-209-7000.

Butler Catholic students return to class Jan. 18

Butler Catholic School students will return to school Jan. 18.

Time away from class was limited because the school's students already were scheduled off for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday coming on Monday. A science fair scheduled for next week at Butler Catholic will become a virtual event, with videos released on Facebook on Jan. 21.