PennDOT Updates to Identification Products and Real ID Deadline

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds Pennsylvania residents that, as part of ongoing security enhancements, PennDOT is updating the design and enhancing the security features of its driver license and identification card products and urges residents who are renewing their products to decide if they will need a REAL ID before the federal enforcement deadline of May 3, 2023.

“PennDOT remains vigilant in taking proactive measures to mitigate fraud, such as identity theft, by updating our security features regularly,” PennDOT Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers said.

PennDOT began piloting the new products at the Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola on September 12, 2022. Since then, another 15 locations have started issuing the new products. All driver licenses and photo centers statewide will transition to the new products by mid-November 2022. The new products will be phased in during renewal cycles and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period.

The cards look different and have additional enhanced security features that improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting. Both standard and REAL ID compliant products will use the new design and security features.

“All of these measures are important enhancements to fight against fraudulent driver license or identification cards being produced or used. Fraudulently obtaining and using a counterfeit product can have an adverse impact on highway safety and national security, so the need to deter and detect fraud is of paramount importance,” PennDOT’s Risk Management Director Brent Lawson said. “These new security features make it more difficult to produce a fraudulent product.” 

Additionally, beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. To date, PennDOT has issued approximately 1.8 million REAL ID products.

“We encourage our customers who want a REAL ID to get one as soon as possible,” PennDOT REAL ID Director Sarah Baker said. “Making the conscious decision about your REAL ID needs now will help ensure you are well prepared prior to the May 3, 2023 federal enforcement deadline.”

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to use the upcoming months to gather the needed documents now to ensure they leave plenty of time to get their REAL ID before the federal enforcement date, especially if their driver license or ID card is up for renewal. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs

Join Neighborworks at the West Scranton Fall Festival

This year, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is excited to present the West Scranton Fall Festival in collaboration with the City of Scranton! This two-part event is FREE to the public and will be held on Saturday, October 22!

The first part of the festival will be at Clover Field (400 W Locust St, Scranton) from noon to 3pm. There will be food, bounce houses, children’s activities, and entertainment! The second part will be at Allen Park (corner of North Main Avenue and Price Street) from 6-9pm. There will be live music, smores, hot chocolate, and more!

El Buen Amigo and Paradise Soul Food & Sweets are among the food vendors that will be at Clover Field. Grupo Zona and Jack Bordo & Jim Cullen, joined by Sharon Ambrozia, will be playing music at Allen Park. More details to come.

Lackawanna College Police Academy Scranton Class Graduates

Their hard work, dedication and commitment paid off.

“We are proud to have trained generations of law enforcement since the inception of our program,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “Our graduates get their training at Lackawanna College, find jobs in their hometowns or stay regionally and are well prepared to serve their local communities. These fine men and women are an example of how Lackawanna College is continuing its tradition of preparing quality graduates for careers in law enforcement.”

Twenty-seven cadets recently graduated as part of Lackawanna College’s Police Academy Scranton Class 257, becoming the newest members of law enforcement.

All graduates have either obtained or have been offered full-time employment.

“Lackawanna College’s Police Academy helps fill the need for quality municipal law enforcement officers in our area,” said Kevin Mahoney, Director of Academy Operations. “There is currently a shortage of police officers not only statewide but nationwide. Lackawanna College’s Police Academy is known for its rigorous training program and those who graduate are among the finest in law enforcement.”

To be eligible to join the Academy, cadets must undergo an interview with Academy staff, a psychological test, a pre-entrance physical test and other testing requirements. Once accepted, cadets then begin their classroom training.

“We have nearly 1,000 hours of training that includes academic training, physical training, firearms training and scenario training. It takes a special individual to complete this course,” Mahoney told the graduates and their families at the graduation ceremony in Scranton. “We have such a unique and diverse cadre of instructors. We have active and retired law enforcement from federal, state, county and local agencies. They all bring a level of expertise and experience that really makes our program second to none.”

Mahoney thanked the family and friends of the cadets for their support as their loved ones went through the program.

Dominick DeNaples, former member of the Lackawanna College Board of Trustees, performed the cadet inspection at graduation. During his post inspection address, he told the cadets they are an elite group of men and women who will now be role models.

“Class, the certification you get today does not come alone,” DeNaples said. “It takes a certain additional responsibility on your part. All of the sudden you are going to be somewhat of a role model. You’re going to be looked up to by your friends, your neighbors, your family and more importantly the youth and the children you come in contact with.”

Besides DeNaples, other dignitaries participated in the ceremony. They included Deacon Donald Crane, deputy chief, Wilkes-Barre Police Department 9retiured), who performed the invocation; Lt. Seth Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop M, Bethlehem, IACP Trooper of the Year 2017; and Dick McLane, who played the bagpipes.

Class 257 also selected Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Branden T. Sisca as their Fallen Officer Tribute. A drunk driver struck and killed Sisca and Trooper Martin Mack at 1 a.m. on March 21, 2022 on southbound Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

Sisca had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 13 months and was assigned to Troop K. He is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Brynn Tyler Sisca.

The following are the graduates of Class of 257:

  • Celia Bond, Lords Valley
  • Shawna Bower, Edwardsville
  • James Brown, Moosic
  • Matthew Brunetti, Clarks Summit
  • Benjamin Busko, Selinsgrove
  • James Coslett, Kingston
  • Robert Farris, E. Stroudsburg
  • Preston Gehring, Schuylkill Haven
  • Patrick Gill, Bloomsburg
  • Matthew Grippo, Scranton
  • Isaiah Guerrero, Riverton, NJ
  • Peter Gutowski, Jr., Roaring Brook Twp.
  • Jakob Kerby, Pottsville
  • Benjamin Kreuzer, Mountain Top
  • Kade McNally, Easton
  • David Nicholetta, East Stroudsburg
  • Brian David Nolan II, Archbald
  • Scott Roper, Mountain Top
  • Justin Royce, Moosic
  • Stacie Sala, Pen Argyl
  • Morgan Schaszberger, Monroe Twp
  • Lucas Schultz, Clarks Summit
  • Jared Simon, Nicholson
  • Christopher Taylor, Waymart
  • Mia Vieira, Scranton
  • Jacob Williams, Exeter
  • Brandon Winn, Duryea

Marywood University to Honor Alumni Award Winners

Marywood University will welcome alumni back to campus, along with families of current students, during its combined celebration of Alumni & Family Weekend, set for Friday, September 30, through Sunday, October 2, on the university’s campus. To see a full listing of the weekend’s events and to register for any events, visit: marywood.edu/alumni/events/alumni-family-weekend

Alumni Award winners will be honored at a dinner on Friday, September 30, at 6 p.m., in the Latour Room at Nazareth Student Center. Reservations are required to attend, and the cost is $40 per person. This year’s honorees include:

  • Sister Mary Persico IHM ’69, Ed.D., who is receiving the 2022 Sister M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood.
  • The Honorable Anne Healey ’72, who is receiving the 2022 Golden Marywoodian Award.
  • Dr. Joseph Trunzo ’93, who is receiving the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.
  • Dr. Amy Freeman ’98, MSW ’07, MBA ’22, who is receiving the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.
  • Dr. Matthew Nice, MS ’15, who is receiving the 2022 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award.
  • Kristinia Beckage Luke ’11, who is receiving the 2022 Alumni Community Achievement Award.
  • Lia Richards-Palmiter, Ph.D. ’09, who is receiving the 2022 Faculty and Staff Alumni Impact Award.

Outreach To Hold Annual Mighty Oak Awards

Outreach – Center for Community Resources will host its annual Mighty Oak Awards honoring pillars in our community for their leadership and contributions on September 29, 2022 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic.

The 2022 Mighty Oak honorees include:

Daniel Santaniello, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank. Dan has dedicated his life not only to his profession but also to his community’s civic engagement through supporting philanthropic organizations throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Linda Ciampi, former Executive Director of Outreach, spent six of her over 25-year career forwarding the mission of Outreach through her commitment to overseeing operations and providing leadership that ensured excellence in providing evidence-based programming to families, adults, and children in northeastern Pennsylvania.

A new award, the Beth Beh Community Spirit Award, will be presented this year to The Lackawanna County Penn State Master Gardeners. The award is to recognize their service in beautifying the grounds of Outreach and partnering with local organizations to provide instruction on gardening while improving neighborhoods throughout Lackawanna County.

NET Credit Union Celebrates New Taylor Branch

NET Credit Union held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Taylor, PA location on Monday, September 19th. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the branch’s new location, the former Via Appia Catering Building, 900 S. Main Street, Taylor, PA 18517. This building will open as NET Credit Union’s third branch in 2023.

Having been located in Scranton and Olyphant for so many years, NET Credit Union is excited to join another community in Lackawanna County. Opening this new branch will not only welcome new members, but it will also be conveniently located for a large number of our current membership. NET would like to thank our volunteers and employees for their sustained hard work as we continue to grow. NET would also like to thank our members for their continued support as we continue to grow and develop in order to serve them better.

NET Credit Union is excited about this new chapter and is eager to meet all of our neighbors in Taylor, PA. Further details on the official opening date will be announced. Follow NET Credit Union on all social media platforms for updates.

Second Row Pictured L to R: Mike Burke, NET Supervisory Committee Volunteer; Bob Durkin, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President; Janelle Kaczmarek, CFO of NET; Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO of NET; Chuck McKeel, Taylor Borough Councilman

Front Row Pictured L to R: Don Bailey, NET Board Chairman; Karen Clifford, NET Board of Director; Mayor Loni Kavulich Loiselle, Mayor of Taylor Borough; Rich Surridge, NET Board Treasurer; Dick Nezlo, Taylor Borough Councilman; Paul Franceschelli, NET Board of Director; Lori Doherty, NET Board of Director