Metered parking in Butler will be free until after Christmas.

Mayor Tom Donaldson announced at city council's meeting Thursday night that motorists may park for free at any metered street parking space through Dec. 26.

Jim Chiprean, chairman of the city parking authority, told the city that the same offer is extended to all metered spaces in parking lots and garages.

The two-hour parking limit on Main Street will remain.

Smoke, odor force evacuation in ZelieZELIENOPLE — The F.B. Leopold Co. on South Division Street was evacuated Thursday afternoon after smoke and an odor were detected.Chief Rob Reeb of the Zelienople Volunteer Fire Department said his crew isolated the problem to a malfunctioning furnace after responding to the 4:42 p.m. 911 call.Reeb said there were no flames.

No tax increase for Middlesex TownshipMIDDLESEX TWP — Township taxpayers here will not see a millage increase in 2015.The township supervisors Wednesday night approved next year's township budget for $2.2 million.The property millage will remain at 12 mills for the 10th year in a row. A miss is equal to $1 for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.Interim township manager Gerald Patterson said a significant expenditure will be $823,000 for public works. Of that amount, $390,000 has been earmarked for road repairs.

Legislator accepting program applicationsState Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st., is accepting applications from students interested in the State Military College Legislative Appointment Initiative Program.Each state legislator may award one appointment annually to Valley Forge Military College.Located in Delaware County, the college offers freshman and sophomore undergraduate coursework in preparation for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.To be eligible for the program, applicants must be state residents and have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and a combined math and verbal SAT score of at least 1000, or an ACT score of 20. A recipient of an appointment through the program is eligible for a financial award of up to $17,500 per year.Feb. 15 is the deadline to apply for fall 2015 enrollment.For information or to request an application, contact Hutchinson's office at 814-677-6345.Notices can submitted to the Butler Eagle and should include the name and phone number of the person providing the information and be sent to: P.O. Box 271, Butler, PA 16003, or news@butlereagle.com.