The Butler County Symphony is looking for nominees for its second annual Symphony Honorees awards.

Those interested in nominating a group or individual who were involved in ensembles past or present can send them to the symphony's office with a brief summary. The deadline to submit a nominee is Aug. 30.

Honorees for this year's award will be announced later, and they will be recognized at a reception in October at the Butler County Club. The names of the award winners will be added to the display on South Main Street in Butler.

SUMMIT TWP — The American Red Cross has a critical blood shortage and is asking eligible donors to donate during an upcoming local blood drive.“As summer winds down, the American Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to help overcome an ongoing emergency blood shortage,” said Regina Boothe Bratton, external communications manager for the Red Cross.St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St. in Butler, will host a blood drive from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.The Red Cross plans to give anyone who donates blood a $5 gift card. The gift card will be available to all who donate through Aug. 29, whether at the upcoming drive in Butler County or a different drive.Appointments are available through the Blood Donor App (at 3cu.be/blood), by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania was selected as one of the “Top Colleges in America 2019” by Forbes.Ranked 647 of 650 schools on the list, IUP is one of 40 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania selected for the ranking.Forbes editors released the list along with some explanation of their criteria, which included academics, student experience, career success and debt.“Appearing here at all is an indication that a school meets a high standard,” the editors said.Last year, IUP enrolled 11,325 students. The university offers more than 140 undergraduate majors and more than 60 graduate programs, including 14 doctoral programs.

The Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band will host its annual pie festival from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at Art Bernardi Stadium on the secondary campus on Fairground Hill Road.Included in the $5 admission is a slice of pie, ice cream and a drink.The marching band will perform the pre-game and halftime shows they have been working on all summer.The new band uniforms will be debuted at the festival, and the football and cheerleading squads will be introduced.The pie festival serves as a major fundraiser for the marching band, so the community is encouraged to attend.