The Butler Family YMCA on North Washington Street has received the highest award for quality of care in its Child Care Program.

The YMCAhas been given a STARFour designation by Keystone STARS, a state voluntary program for improving the quality of child care.

Through Keystone STARS, a child care provider works to increase its standard of care above the state's minimum health and safety licensing regulations. Research shows that quality child care increases a child's learning skills and school readiness level, a Keystone news release states.

A STAR Four is the highest designation.

BUTLER TWP — The Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pennsylvania has announced the honorary and co-chairwomen for its Legacy for Life capital campaign.Margaret Irvine Weir, president of NexTier Bank, based in Evans City, is serving as honorary chairwoman for the $2 million campaign for the construction of an inpatient hospice facility.Cathy Glasgow, president of Butler County Ford in Butler, and Janice Phillips Larrick, a former nurse and lifelong community volunteer, will be co-chairwomen of the campaign.The hospice facility will be staffed 24 hours by staff and nurses, with 12 suites initially, hopefully expanding to 24 suites later. Groundbreaking is expected this spring.

PITTSBURGH — The state Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities is hosting a free workshop on Thursday called, "Doing Business with the Commonwealth."Topics will include state contracting, state purchases of goods and services and state programs to help minority-owned businesses to grow.The workshop will be at the Riverside Center for innovation, 700 River Ave., Suite 234, Pittsburgh.For information or to register for the event, call 412-442-5872, or elbowers@state.pa.us.

<B>Steve Swogger</B> has opened an Allstate Insurance office at 251 Grove City Road, Suite 3, Slippery Rock.——<B>James F. Steighner</B> of East Butler, a retired deputy director of Internal Review for the U.S. Navy, has been named Cambridge Who's Who Professional of the Year for 2008 in Financial Services.bottom lineThe board of directors of <B>S&T Bancorp</B> has declared a 31 cents per share cash dividend payable April 24 to shareholders of record on March 31.Submit business Information to news@butlereagle.com or by mail to Butler Eagle, P.O. Box 271, Butler, PA 16003.