Lackawanna College Police Academy Cadets Graduate The Lackawanna College Police Academy graduated the part-time Class 258 of Scranton and full-time Class 259 of Hazleton during the ceremony. The graduating classes includes 36 total cadets, who will begin their careers in law enforcement. Director of Police Academy Operations Kevin Mahoney welcomed those attending and presented certifications to the cadets during the ceremony. This graduation comes after Governor Shapiro’s visit to the Lackawanna College Police Academy in March to discuss a police recruitment proposal via a $2,500 tax credit yearly for the next three years.
Lackawanna College CNR Certificate Program Now Accepting Applications The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) is accepting applications for their Conservation and Natural Resource (CNR) certificate program. The program is set to begin August 28, 2023, and ends December 15, 2023. During this 16-week accelerated program, students will complete five undergraduate-level field biology courses at the LCEEC located on 211-acres of diverse habitat in Covington Township, Pa. The curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of our natural environment. The program includes instruction in environmental interpretation, wildlife management, freshwater ecosystems, dendrology and ornithology. Students will also experience both classroom and hands-on field training throughout the program. The CNR certificate is appropriate for anyone seeking a career as a park ranger or in a related field. Students may also take individual courses. Courses are transferable into two or four-year degree programs. Upon graduation, students will receive a CNR certificate and transcripts of their undergraduate coursework. Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2023 semester and financial aid is available. The CNR program is also approved for WIOA funding for displaced workers or individuals with high financial need. Please call PA Career Link for Lackawanna County to verify WIOA funding eligibility. For more information about the program, please visit lackawanna.edu or contact Sharon Yanik-Craig.
Winners Announced in Electric City Flower Show Congratulations to Noteology, the Scranton Tomorrow Downtown Business Class winner in the Electric City Flower Show! As part of the Scranton City Pride First Friday Celebration last week, members of the community voted online for their favorite floral displays. By popular vote, Noteology’s creative container display at 537 Wyoming Avenue won! Scranton Tomorrow officials presented owners Danielle Fleming and Mark Bonfiglio, and the Noteology team, with a trophy in celebration of their achievement.
Pauly Friedman Art Gallery Connects Communities in New Exhibition The Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University hopes to awaken the inner railfan in everyone with “The Ties That Bind: Railroading in NEPA.” This art exhibition, held in partnership with the Back Mountain Railroad Club, will focus on the historical significance of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which stretched from Buffalo, New York, to New York City, New York, during its run from 1846 to 1976. This exhibit features train-themed photography and artwork by regional artists, including Bloomsburg-based artist Oren B. Helbok. A model train layout of Dallas Borough and surrounding areas of the Back Mountain will be displayed from the late 1930s through the late 1940s. Also displayed are artifacts from Wilkes Barre’s historical trolley that used the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Other artists include Sue Hand, Bob McCormick, Dan Troy, and Eric Williams. The Gallery will host MU’s Ticket To Ride Board Game Night on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Board Game Night is co-sponsored by Chick-fil-A Express at Misericordia University, operated by Metz Culinary Management. This event will feature different versions of the beloved classic train-building board game, “Ticket to Ride.” Beginners welcome. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Preregister as a single player or a table of 4 players on the gallery website. Beginning and experienced photographers are invited to spend an afternoon with Oren Helbok, the Chasing the Train Cellphone Workshop on Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oren will share the stories of how he captures the trains in his photography while participants hone their own composition and timing skills with our in-gallery model railroad. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Preregistration is required, but space is limited. The public is invited to meet Oren and other artists at a free reception on Thursday, July 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The University Welcome will be given by Joe Curran, Ph.D., professor and chair of Religious Studies; director of the Medical and Health Humanities program; Associate Director, Honors Program, and Train Enthusiast. Dean Mastrangelo will perform live piano music. Gallery Summer Hours are Wednesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Other times and free Director-led tours are available by appointment. The gallery is closed during university closings and holidays. Admission is always free to all. Please call or check the gallery website, www.misericordia.edu/art, to confirm your visit. For a free tour, private appointment, or more information, please contact the Gallery director Lalaine Little, Ph.D., at (570) 674-8420 or email llittle@misericordia.edu.
PennDOT Engineering District 4 Traffic Bulletin The PennDOT Engineering District 4 Traffic Bulletin advertises current and upcoming travel restrictions scheduled on state-owned highways in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. The Traffic Bulletin is updated in real-time during normal business hours. Please note: The schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. The Traffic Bulletin link will be emailed on Fridays each week but can be viewed at your convenience any time of the day. To view the current Traffic Bulletin, go to the PennDOT Engineering District 4 website homepage, click on Traffic Bulletin, or click here: Traffic Bulletin (pa.gov). Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, 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. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D4Results. Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the Department on Facebook and Instagram.
United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA to Host Pickleball Fundraiser United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UCP of NEPA) will host “Summit Slam Pickleball Tournament for UCP of NEPA” from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Center, 105 Edella Rd., Clarks Summit. The event is a non-sanctioned, round-robin tournament of men’s, women’s, and mixed teams. Teams will enjoy playing on eight newly-surfaced, indoor Nova® hard pickleball courts and will have access to modern clubhouse facilities. All players will receive an official tournament shirt, player gift bag, bottled water, and a free drink coupon for a beverage from the exclusive event drink menu at the “Clink & Dink Tournament Eve Happy Hour.” The “Clink & Dink Tournament Eve Happy Hour” will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub, 1392 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. This event will include pickle-themed drink specials, food, raffles, and more. Prior to the event, any guest who makes a $10 donation via UCP of NEPA’s website, www.ucpnepa.org, will receive a free drink coupon for an item from the exclusive event drink menu. There also will be a basket and gift card raffle of prizes from restaurants, businesses, and more located throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Chances may be purchased at either event or online at www.ucpnepa.org. For more information, please contact Mrs. Jackie Galvin, M.S., director of communications and development, at j.galvin@ucpnepa.org or 570-347-3357, ext. 33. To register to play or to provide a sponsorship or donation, visit www.ucpnepa.org. All event proceeds will be used to fund programs to help children with special needs to develop their skills and abilities through UCP of NEPA’s children’s service center, Clarks Summit.
ChamberChoice Business Insurance Program Declares Dividend Chambers of Commerce Service Corporation (CCSC) is pleased to announce that Penn National Insurance has declared a 3% dividend for the ChamberChoice Business Insurance program. Members, who placed their insurance coverage with Penn National Insurance during the 2021/2022 program year and remained active chamber members and policyholders through the end of the program year, will receive a dividend check during the month of June. This year’s dividend totaled over $640 thousand. Over the past 11 years, Penn National Insurance has returned an average of 6% in dividends each year, and an aggregate total of $12.9 million to the business community. The ChamberChoice Business Insurance program is just one of many benefits that CCSC offers its member Chambers. The partnership between Penn National Insurance and CCSC was designed to provide a value-added membership benefit that would help Chambers attract and retain members. An important aspect of this group insurance program is preventing loss and controlling claims costs. Because dividends are based on the group’s collective loss experience, a business that may have had a significant loss may still be eligible to receive a dividend. The program is sold exclusively through local, independent agents who can offer chamber members a variety of coverages and pricing on property and casualty insurance, including businessowners, commercial auto, property, general liability, inland marine and workers’ compensation. Dividends are paid on all of these coverages. In addition, through safety consulting, Penn National Insurance and local independent insurance agencies encourage member businesses to develop safety practices to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries.
The Chamber Announces Newly Elected Board Officers Attorney Musheno Takes New Leadership Role at The Chamber as Board Chair The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces newly elected officers to its board. Board Chair: Jerome (Jerry) Musheno, Esq., R.Ph.; Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect: Marianne Gilmartin, Esq., Stevens & Lee; Immediate Past Chair: Deborah Kolsovsky, PNC Bank; Vice-Chairs: Ryan Flynn, Audacy; Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, Marywood University; and Dr. Marwan Wafa, Penn State Scranton; Secretary, Tim Kelly, Esq., Needle Law; and Treasurer, Kathy Pearage, Tri-Star Academy Jerry Musheno, Esq., R.Ph. Bob Durkin Dr. Marwan Wafa Marianne Gilmartin, Esq. Ryan Flynn Tim Kelly, Esq. Deborah Kolsovsky Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D Kathy Pearage About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.
COLTS to Increase Involvement with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises COLTS has set goals to enhance and increase involvement with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises up to 1.2% for the fiscal years of 2024 to 2026. With upcoming projects and continued improvement of operation, COLTS will need to purchase various materials and products including, but not limited to, maintenance equipment, rolling stock, and IT equipment. In order to achieve their goals, COLTS is seeking for businesses who meet DBE criteria set by the Department of Transportation. While you may not have the official DBE certification, COLTS can assist in providing the information about qualifications and offer direction in attaining this accreditation. COLTS formally invites you to join them next month for a Zoom Meeting to introduce their team and further discuss the initiative of achieving DBE goals. If interested, please contact kmcandrew@coltsbus.com or 570-346-2061 ext. 1233.
UWLC to Host Agency Training Day The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is going to hold an “Agency Training Day” on July 19th, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Jewish Community Center, on Jefferson Ave, Scranton. This will serve as an opportunity for currently funded, as well as new organizations, to come together to learn about the funding process, what is expected of them, and what is changing within this process for the 2024-2025 funding cycle. Every organization that is planning to apply for United Way funding is encouraged to attend this Training Day. Please RSVP to William Craven, wcraven@uwlc.net, by June 30th. For further comment, call Will Craven, Manager, Community Impact Funds (570) 343-1267 x226.
