PennDOT Enhances 511PA for Penn State Football Travel Planning

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging motorists traveling to Penn State home football games this season to plan their trip using the real-time travel information available online at www.511PA.com/psf.

New in 2019, 511PA includes travel information for every Penn State home football game, beginning with this Saturday’s game against Ball State. Throughout the season, travel information will be available beginning the Thursday before each home game through the Monday after.

“Our goal is to help motorists plan ahead by providing them with as much information as possible,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “By providing this real-time information, motorists can more easily plan the route that works best for them as they travel to this exciting event.”

The Penn State football page, hosted through the department’s 511PA.com traveler information website, is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on the primary travel routes to the event. Travel times and alerts are provided for each parking zone: West Zone (access via Atherton Street to Park Avenue); East Zone (access via U.S. 322/I-99 to Park Avenue); North Zone (access via Fox Hollow Road); and South Zone (access via University Drive and Porter Road from College Avenue/U.S. 26).

Users can see incidents, construction, weather forecasts and alerts, traffic cameras, and traffic speeds on the map. The page also includes the 2021 Beaver Stadium Parking Map.

PennDOT’s Central Region Traffic Management Center is also supporting Penn State Football game days by posting real-time travel information on dynamic message signs and transmitting audio messages on highway advisory radio systems to assist travelers.

For more detailed information on work zones and roadway restrictions motorists may encounter in or around State College, visit the PennDOT District 2 Regional Page.

The public can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles in Pennsylvania by visiting www.511PA.com. The service, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Tech Support Now More Accessible at Tobyhanna Army Depot

The solution to common information technology (IT) solutions is now just a stroll away for employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

The Customer Service Branch (CSB) recently opened its Walk-In IT Service Desk in Building 11. In the new facility, IT technicians will be available to address simple customer issues on the spot, loan IT equipment, and assist users in entering help tickets for situations that require more complex solutions.

Matthew Raup, Chief of the CSB, says the addition of the walk-in area will benefit both the customer and CSB staff.

“The launch of our new walk-in area is a direct response to feedback from our customers. We strive to be more accessible and responsive to their needs as well as good stewards of the resources required to support the depot’s overall mission,” adding that the new walk-in area expands user options for reporting IT issues.

“There are multiple ways for users to reach out to us – allowing each customer to choose the method that is best for them. We encourage our customers to reach out by walking in to our physical location, calling the Service Desk, e-mailing our group mailbox or submitting a Service Ticket themselves using the online ticketing system.”

IT staff are looking forward to the new process, according to Jessica Barto.

“Our team is excited about the new walk-in area and the opportunity to be more available to help our customers with their technology needs.” Barto is an IT specialist in CSB.

The effort is directly aligned with the depot’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028, which has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2028 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years.

The CSB Walk-In Service Desk can be found on the first floor of Building 11. It is open daily from 0700-1630, with the exception of a lunch period from 1200-1230 daily and from 1400-1500 on Wednesdays for the CSB weekly staff meeting. Users should note the location is closed on RDO Fridays. For more information, please call X56677.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.

Southwestern Energy Sponsors Lackawanna College’s School of Petroleum & Natural Gas

Lackawanna College announced Southwestern Energy as the official sponsor of the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas Drilling and Production Lab located in the new Tunkhannock Center as part of an eight-year partnership with the company.

“Southwestern Energy comes to Lackawanna College with a similar goal of building a skilled workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the energy sector,” said Susan Gumble, program director for the College’s School of Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG). “The company’s proven leadership in the industry and commitment to creating a positive impact in the communities they serve makes them an ideal partner.”

As part of the sponsorship, Southwestern Energy will receive naming rights to the drilling and production lab, which will be used for hands-on instruction. Funds from the partnership will be used to support the School of PNG degree and certificate programs.

“Southwestern Energy is proud to partner with Lackawanna College on their move to Tunkhannock which will provide local students with enhanced educational opportunities and the skills necessary for employment in the natural gas industry,” said Mike Narcavage, Southwestern Energy’s Senior Community and Government Affairs Manager. “Our partnership goes back many years, and SWN has benefitted from Lackawanna College’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Program by hiring summer interns as well as graduates of the program to be full-time employees of our production, measurement, and maintenance teams. We look forward to continue building this successful partnership for many years to come.”

Lackawanna College offers associate degree programs in petroleum and natural gas business administration and technology along with certificate programs in natural gas technician and compressor/engine mechanic. For more information on Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas programs, visit Lackawanna.edu.

Johnson College Accepting Students for CNC Machining Training at Don’s Machine Shop

In conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston, Johnson College is now accepting students for its next CNC Machining training in Luzerne County. The course begins Monday, November 1, 2021. During this course, students will train to program and utilize Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. All class and lab work is completed inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston.

The relationship with Don’s Machine Shop truly demonstrates Johnson College’s dedication to making industry our students’ campus. This 510-hour class for beginner-level students includes theory as well as practical learning methods. Students will receive hands-on training on some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the region. This unique training experience will open up new career opportunities right away.

Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinists. CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in various applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, and military-related industries. Per the Bureau of Labor Statics, metal and plastic machine workers, including CNC Machinists, have the opportunity to earn a median annual income of up to $38,270.

Cost for the CNC training class is $7,500 and funding sources may be available for those who qualify. Space is limited. To learn more or to enroll, contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu. 

Since starting over 30 years ago, Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. has become one of the largest machine shops in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Their 77,000 square foot climate-controlled facility contains millions of dollars’ worth of modern equipment that is continually upgraded. Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. employs 30 people and makes machine parts for companies around the globe. Many things have changed over the past three decades, but Don’s Machine Shop’s commitment to providing quality parts and service will never change. For more information, visit http://www.donsmachine.com/. 

Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Snyder Fund supports FSA’s PA 211 Help Line

The Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania (FSA) recently received a $5,000 grant from the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Richard L. Snyder Fund in support of the nonprofit’s Pennsylvania 211 Northeast / Help Line program that provides free information and referrals to emergency health and human services in Pike County.

FSA’s PA 211 NE / Help Line is a free and confidential service that helps people in the communities of Pike County face life’s challenges by connecting them to local resources. The service is available 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, 365 days a year to any resident in Pike County. It saves time and frustration by eliminating the need to navigate a maze of health and human service agencies by organizing all available resources in one localized database.

Contacting 211 connects people to highly trained and experienced caseworkers who can address a diverse set of needs. The database provides information that connects people in need with vital services to address food and housing insecurity, crisis management, emergency shelters, vaccination sites, health clinics, domestic violence, utility and rent assistance, home-delivered meals, mental health, drug and alcohol services, and much more.

“We are thankful to have the Greater Pike Community Foundation and Richard L. Snyder Fund as regional partners in ensuring people have free access around the clock to the information and referral services they need to meet their needs,” said Janyne Gurnari, interim chief executive officer of Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania. “The pandemic and its repercussions have reinforced the value of community foundations and the vital work they do to support and build resilient, family sustaining communities.”

The Greater Pike Community Foundation enables generous people, families, and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term

community philanthropy. The foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region that so many have nurtured and maintained through the years. For more information about establishing a fund, or to discuss how to realize charitable goals, please contact Jenni Hamill, executive director, at jennihamill@greaterpike.org or call her at (570) 832-4686. Additional information about the foundation is available at www.greaterpike.org or on its Facebook page, Facebook.com/GreaterPike.

“The Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania provides a vital service to residents of Pike County through its Pennsylvania 211 Northeast program,” said Hamill. “The board and foundation are proud to be able to support a worthwhile program that has a positive impact in the daily lives of the residents we serve.”

A group of involved and concerned members of the community established FSA in 1895 in order to provide diverse services that empower children, individuals, seniors and families to reach their full potential by building healthier relationships, and ultimately stronger communities. Today, FSA’s 13 programs provide services to residents in 17 counties, including Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Any resident in PA 211 NE’s coverage area can access it by calling 211, texting 211 (898-211, plus a zip code), or by logging on to www.pa211ne.org.

For more information about FSA or to support its programs, please log on to www.fsanepa.org, call, (570) 823-5144, or email, families@fsanepa.org.

Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania received a $5,000 grant from the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Richard L. Snyder Fund in support of the nonprofit’s Pennsylvania 211 Northeast / Help Line program that provides free information and referrals to emergency health and human service needs 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, 365 days a year. PA 211 NE / Help Line is a free service that helps people in Pike County face life’s challenges by connecting them to the local resources they need.

Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Paul Krzywicki, senior grant writer and communications manager, Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Jenni Hamill, executive director, Greater Pike Community Foundation.

Training, Certifications Diversifying Workforce Knowledge at Tobyhanna Army Depot

Internationally-recognized professional certifications are helping Tobyhanna Army Depot employees take their skill sets to the next level.

The depot recently expanded its in-house access to training that prepares employees for the Certified Electronics Technician (CET) professional certification. Managed by the Electronics Technicians Association – International (ETA-I), the various forms of CET are recognized worldwide and validate that an individual has the skills and training to perform electronics work to an industry standard.

There are four stacking certifications under the CET umbrella. The Associate Level certification, CETa, confirms that employees with less than two years professional experience/training in electronics meet ETA-I expectations. CETj builds on the entry-level CETa certification and requires additional hands-on experience as well as training in advanced electronics theories such as photonics, optics and telecommunications. Personnel who desire to further their credentials can then pursue the CETsr certification, which requires more than six years of education/experience, an active CETa certification, and high marks on the Journeyman level examination. The final CET designation is the CETma – noting an individual’s mastery in many different fields of the ever-evolving electronics field.

The decision to pursue CET training for employees was an easy one, according to George Salitsky, the deputy director of the C4ISR directorate.

“Just as our AS 9100/9110 certification puts Tobyhanna on par with the best of private industry, CET credentialed employees give the depot a competitive advantage. Gaining these important certifications shows that Tobyhanna employees are committed to keeping their skills sharp. The certification assures a measurable level of expertise, knowledge and quality against our electronics competitors,” he said.

Personnel from the Employee Development Division (EDD) have hosted four iterations of the “Associate CET Review and Exam Prep Course” for depot electronics personnel. The course reviews CET training materials and provides a refresher on electronics basics. It also covers tactical strategies for taking a professional certification exam. By design, students have the opportunity to take the CET exam immediately after completing the course.

“Taking the test right away ensures the course materials are fresh in a student’s mind,” said James Ashton, an EDD training administrator from the Resource Management Directorate. “We are focused on setting our students up for success.”

Carlos Marques is an electronics mechanic helper in the C4ISR directorate who joined Team Tobyhanna in 2019. He voluntarily pursued the CET certification to expand his skill set.

“I’m competitive by nature, and I knew the CET training would help me with my future career goals.”

On top of his existing electronics knowledge, Marques’ preparation for the exam included the taking the depot CET prep course as well as several months of intense independent study.

“After taking the prep course and the practice exams, I was able to identify the gaps in my knowledge and develop a study plan. The books and digital resources were a huge help. I even used YouTube tutorials to help me master the materials,” adding that he believes the rest of Team Tobyhanna’s electronics personnel are also up to the challenge.

“While the exam was difficult, I believe it can be done by focusing on small portions of material at a time.”

Patrick Connolly, chief of the Command Post Systems Branch, lauded Marques’ accomplishment and noted the importance of industry-standard accreditations such as CET.

“Carlos is an analytical self-starter, and it is no surprise to me that he was able to pass the CET exam. The CET certification helps our workforce expand their knowledge in the vast field of electronics and grow themselves, benefitting both themselves and our mission. Workforce agility is key to ensuring we can support any requirement for the joint warfighter.”

The CET initiative is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028, particularly the Invest in Our People, Shaping the Future and C5ISR Readiness lines of effort.

Depot training personnel are currently piloting an expanded CET preparation course. Employees interested in the CET certification should review Employee Bulletin #33 or contact EDD at X56492.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.