Pennsylvania American Water Announces Water Storage Upgrades Pennsylvania American Water announced its 2022 plans to rehabilitate 14 of its water storage tanks and construct seven new structures. Pennsylvania American Water’s tank rehabilitation program of inspecting, sandblasting, and repainting tanks extends their service lives and helps protect water quality. The total cost of the company’s water storage improvements this year is approximately $16.5 million. “Storage tanks are critical to meeting the supply demands of our customers and providing fire protection for our communities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “Properly and proactively maintaining tanks benefits our customers because of the cost efficiencies we can achieve by rehabilitating rather than replacing them.” This year, the company will rehabilitate and repaint ground storage tanks in the following municipalities: Bradford Township, Clearfield County – 500,000-gallon City of Uniontown, Fayette County – 1.3 million-gallonClarks Green Borough, Lackawanna County – 300,000-gallonCross Creek Township, Washington County – 1 million-gallonEast Buffalo Township, Union County – 1 million-gallonEast Norriton Township, Montgomery County – 2.8 million-gallonLake Heritage, Adams County – 60,000-gallonLower Allen Township, Cumberland County – 3 million-gallonMount Pocono Borough, Monroe County – 108,000-gallon North Sewickley Township, Beaver County – 300,000-gallonSpring Township, Berks County – 250,000-gallonTurbotville Borough, Northumberland County – 298,000-gallonUnion Township, Washington County – 5 million-gallonUnion Township, Washington County – 500,000-gallon To rehabilitate the tanks, crews will strip the original paint and apply a new coating, which serves as a protective barrier that prevents the steel from rusting and impacting water quality. During construction, customers should not experience impacts on their water service. The company also is constructing seven new ground storage tanks in the following municipalities to provide additional water storage capacity, which will help the company continue to deliver reliable water service to meet customer demand and provide fire protection: Luzerne Township, Fayette County – 560,000-gallonWhite Township, Indiana County – 250,000-gallonJackson Township, Luzerne County – 109,000-gallonCoolbaugh Township, Monroe County– 200,000-gallonParkesburg Borough, Chester County – Two 1 million-gallon tanksParkesburg Borough, Chester County – 750,000-gallon
Geisinger Breaks Ground on Next Cancer Center in Dickson City Geisinger broke ground on a state-of-the art cancer center today, expanding services in Lackawanna County. The center will offer more appointments in the community while keeping world-class cancer care closer to home. The need for cancer care continues to grow in Lackawanna County and is expected to increase over the next four years. Currently, one-in-five patients leave the county to receive care. The planned 55,000-square-foot facility will provide a broader spectrum of services while opening up Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton for the hospital to explore more acute care options. “The expansion of cancer care into Lackawanna County allows us to provide more world-class cancer services and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “We have served northeastern Pennsylvania for 40 years, and this investment is further proof that we intend to care for and grow with our communities for many years to come.” When the center opens in late 2023, it will be home to 22 infusion bays, three multidisciplinary spaces and a hematology and oncology clinic with 17 exam rooms. The Dickson City facility will also provide radiation oncology — a first for Geisinger in Lackawanna County — a pharmacy, laboratory services and palliative medicine. It will also be home to a variety of patient amenities including food services and a coffee bar, a specialty boutique and a courtyard with lush gardens and natural views. The new cancer center will complement the care already offered at the recently expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and its capacity for inpatient care. It will give our patients and caregivers the option of staying in the area to receive the level of care found in any major hub city. At the Henry Cancer Center, patients can receive inpatient treatment for complex blood cancers like leukemia and aggressive lymphoma. Together, the centers house a regional cancer program that offers everything a patient needs right in NEPA. “Adding this new facility is another step toward making sure patients never have to leave the region for outstanding care,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “The cancer program at Geisinger features top-tier providers and comprehensive care teams, and allows for leading-edge treatment, advanced technologies and clinical trials.” To learn more about cancer care in Lackawanna County, visit geisinger.org/cancercare.
Grow Your Small Business with a Fall Internship For existing small businesses located in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties: Could hosting an internship this fall propel your business forward? Join The University of Scranton SBDC, Small Business Internship Initiative, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce in one of two, quick 30-minute sessions to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid or virtual!), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this Fall and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. Hear from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce about their Small Business Internship Fund resource, too! 7/13/22; 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. registration link:https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/295697/20/22; 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. registration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29570 How can internships help your business? Watch our videos.
Healthy MOMS Case Manager Presents at U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Conference Marcella Garvin, a case manager of the Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support program (MOMS) at The Wright Center for Community Health, recently made the presentation, “It Takes a Village: Utilizing a Collaborative Approach to Promote Breastfeeding Among Women with Substance Use Disorder,” at the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Conference in June. Garvin’s presentation focused on how the novel program educates mothers in recovery early in their pregnancies about the importance of breastfeeding their newborns. “Breastfeeding is strongly recommended for any new baby. However, women with substance use disorder have lower rates of breastfeeding. When a mother in recovery is utilizing medication as part of their treatment, babies can sometimes experience withdrawal symptoms,” said Garvin. The Healthy MOMS program aims to reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms through intensive case management. Part of the collaborative approach includes providing mothers with education about the importance of breastfeeding early in their pregnancy. “We have seen excellent results, improving our breastfeeding rate nearly 40% from the inception of the program. We have also seen that educating and providing mothers with support early in their pregnancy has resulted in better outcomes for their babies,” said Garvin. Data from the program shows a lower incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in mothers who join the program more than 30 days prior to delivery and lower incidences or severity in mothers who are breastfeeding. NAS is a withdrawal syndrome that can occur in newborns exposed to certain substances, including opioids, during pregnancy. Garvin joined The Wright Center for Community Health as a case manager for the Healthy MOMs Program in 2020. In her role, she works closely with mothers working to overcome substance use disorder through recovery. Launched in 2018, the Healthy MOMS program has 140 mothers active in the program and has had 177 children born into the program, as of June 2022. The program takes a collaborative, holistic approach to treating mothers with substance use disorder. It aims to help pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace a life in recovery. Participants are offered blanket services that include medication-assisted treatment and addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB/GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice and a range of other support. The program promotes the well-being of both mom and newborn, ideally engaging them in wrap-around services until the child turns two years old. The Healthy MOMS program has served mothers as young as 14, but most are in their late 20s and 30s. Named after a program of the same name in Ohio, it was introduced in this region as a pilot program in two counties, with initial grant funding secured by the Lackawanna/ Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Today, it assists women in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The nonprofit Maternal and Family Health Services Inc. and multiple area hospitals are among the many health care, social service and government agencies that power the program’s ongoing success. For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, call 570-955-7821 or visit HealthyMOMS.org.
5k to Honor Fastenal Founder The BK5K Road Race is held to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal and lifelong supporter of youth programs. All proceeds go to various area youth organizations/programs demonstrating financial need. Funding grants will be evaluated for merit and dispersed by the BK5K Youth Fund Award Committee.
PennDOT News PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Juneteenth The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, June 18, through Monday, June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day (Juneteenth). Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas – the furthest point in the south – with news of the end of the Civil War. Slaves were previously unaware they had been freed more than two years earlier when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, or that Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered in Virginia two months earlier. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2022 is available online. 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. Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram. PennDOT Seeks Public Engagement in Transportation Planning Process The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to participate in a comment period between now and June 30 on the draft 2023 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). “We encourage and eagerly anticipate public feedback on our transportation improvement program,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “It is critical to understanding needs and concerns across the commonwealth and helps us shape a vision for Pennsylvania’s transportation future that supports continuing economic growth and opportunity, connectivity, thriving communities, a cleaner environment, and safe travel.” The draft 2023 STIP reflects the first four years of the 12-Year Program (TYP). It lists prioritized projects identified for federal, state, local, and private funding in each federal fiscal year between 2023 and 2027. Federal funding in the draft STIP is based upon expected funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a $3.2 billion increase over previously planned amounts. Included are 23 regional Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), the independent Wayne County TIP, and two statewide-managed programs, the Interstate Management Program and Statewide Initiatives TIPs, all of which were developed collaboratively between PennDOT, its federal partners, and the state’s metropolitan and rural planning organizations The draft 2023 STIP can be viewed on the Talk PA Transportation website. The public can comment by filling out the online comment form at the website or emailing RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov. The public may also call PennDOT and share their comments at 717-783-2262 from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. An infographic was created specifically for the draft 2023 STIP Comment Period and provides an overview of the process. State law requires PennDOT to prepare an update to Pennsylvania’s TYP every two years and submit it for approval to the State Transportation Commission (STC). The draft 2023 STIP will be adopted as part of the 2023 TYP update by the STC during the August 17, 2022, STC business meeting. After the approval of the 2023 TYP, PennDOT submits the draft 2023 STIP to the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and the US Environmental Protection Agency for a 45-day federal review period. Learn more about transportation planning by visiting the Planning page at penndot.pa.gov. PennDOT Invites Public Feedback on Components of Proposed State Plan for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today launched a survey for the public to share feedback on the goals, infrastructure-prioritization, and program-administration components of the Draft Pennsylvania State Plan for access to National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program funds. “PennDOT is committed to making future-focused investments in Pennsylvania to update our highway network to accommodate more electric vehicles and hybrids,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We have received public and stakeholder feedback throughout this process, which is vital to understanding wants and needs as this transformational technology takes hold.” The survey – which also includes an overview of the Federal Highway Administration’s NEVI Formula Program Guidance – is available at penndot.pa.gov/EV, and will close on Thursday, June 30, 2022. The public can also submit feedback by emailing ra-pdevcorridors@pa.gov. The results of this survey will build upon outreach and discussions the department has previously had and continues to have with lawmakers, planning partners, utilities, local government organizations, EV-charging companies and stakeholders with equity, labor, education, and environmental expertise. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in formula funds for EV charging infrastructure over the next five years. The department must outline and submit state EV infrastructure deployment plan to the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) by August 1, 2022. The funding supports the commonwealth goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (list) and Interstate lookalikes. Federal AFC criteria was updated earlier this year to require AFC designated corridors to have charging stations no more than 1 mile from an Interstate exit or highway intersection (previously 5 miles) and no more than 50 miles apart. The department has been reviewing all corridors to align all AFCs with the new criteria. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per the guidance from U.S. DOT, any EV charging infrastructure installed with NEVI formula funds shall be located along a designated AFC and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements. Should PennDOT determine, and U.S. DOT certifies, that the AFCs are fully built out, then Pennsylvania may use funds to build EV charging equipment on any public road or in any publicly accessible location, including but not limited to parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and parks. Additionally, PennDOT – following guidance issued from U.S. DOT – will use its EV Equity Guiding Principles announced this year to help the department evaluate EV proposals in accordance with the federal guidance. The principles aim to increase accessibility to the infrastructure and maximize benefits for all Pennsylvanians and fall into five categories: Make EVs more affordable;Make EV charging more accessible;Invest in fleet electrification;Invest in traditionally underserved, low-income, persons of color and otherwise vulnerable population areas; andIncrease EV awareness, education, and technical capacity. The commonwealth’s previous work and the new funding will support growing EV usage and industry transitions. There are more than 23,000 EVs registered in Pennsylvania, more than double the roughly 9,700 that were registered in March 2019. To enhance traveler information for the growing number of EV drivers, the state’s traveler information system – 511PA – now also includes EV charging station locations as an option on its traffic map. Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the map shows locations across the state by connector type, including CCS, J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla, and NEMA. More information on PennDOT’s Alternative Fuel Corridors can be found on the department’s website.
Cancer Institute Announces New Board Member The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors appointed James Pettinato, RN-HP, MHSA to the Board of Directors. James Pettinato, RN-HP, MHSA, is the Chief Executive Officer at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was previously the Director of Patient Care Services at Wayne Memorial before taking over in January 2022 as the Chief Executive Officer. James has a Master’s in Health Services Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marywood University. He started his career as an EMS captain and from there held positions as Director of Clinical Management, Registered Nurse- Intensive Care Unit, Case Manager- Associate Director of Professional Services/IV Program Manager, Critical Care Nurse Manager, Head Nurse II, and Director of Critical Care for a variety of healthcare organizations. James has experience on the administrative side of health care as well as firsthand experience collaborating with patients as a registered nurse at the bedside.
Johnson College News Johnson College $5 Million Comprehensive Capital Campaign for Campus Enhancements Johnson College publicly launched its new, $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” during a community kickoff event on Wednesday, June 8, where it revealed plans for major campus-wide projects. The “Innovation at Work” campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for growth and success: the construction of a new gateway building, which will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom space; the expansion of Woolworth Hall which houses on-campus lab space for programs including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Electrical Construction Technology; the creation of a Transportation Education Center; and support of the College’s Annual Fund and student scholarships. A crucial catalyst for the “Innovation at Work” campaign is a $1 million contribution from Ideal T. Saldi, a Johnson College alum from the class of 1949, and his wife, Frances Saldi, alongside other funders who have invested in the College. The Saldis’ gift, announced in April before the college community, is the largest gift from a Johnson College alum to date and will have a lasting impact on the school, and its students. To honor this gift, the new, state-of-the-art gateway building will be named Ideal Saldi Hall. “At the heart of this campaign is our students. It is focused on helping them be successful,” President and CEO, Dr. Katie Leonard said. “We strive to carry forward Orlando S. Johnson’s vision of providing a trade school to the region where young men and women can learn useful trades that will enable them to make an honorable living and become contributing members of society.” As the world of technology continues to change rapidly, Johnson College must change with it. The College’s facilities must remain in sync with industry as new technologies, emerging fields of study, and more sophisticated equipment modernize how the world does business. Dave Boniello, president of Simplex Homes, Johnson College Alum from the class of 1984, former Johnson College Chair of the Board of Directors, and chair of the “Innovation at Work” Capital Campaign, announced that during the campaign’s silent phase, the College has already raised 75% of its $5 million-dollar goal thanks to loyal and generous donors from the community. After noting his personal pledge to support the campaign, Boniello asked the Johnson College community to join him in participating in the school’s most comprehensive capital campaign thus far. “If you have an opportunity to support Johnson College and its students, through the “Innovation at Work” campaign, your gift will have a tremendous and lasting impact on our students, employers, and the region. Together, We Work!” said Boniello. For more information about Johnson College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” visit Johnson.edu/innovationatwork. Johnson College Enrolling Students in OBDII Emissions Training Course Johnson College’s Continuing Education department is enrolling students into its next OBDII Emissions Training. The class will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton on Monday, June 27, Tuesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The class fee to be paid to Johnson College is $180, and a study material and testing fee of $39.99 is paid directly to the PA Training Portal. For more details, visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation, call 570-702-8979, or email continuinged@johnson.edu. Johnson College’s Continuing Education Team Enrolling Students in Two Different Welding Classes Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in a Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate MIG Welding starting June 21, 2022, and Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Stick Welding beginning June 30, 2022. Both classes will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton. To learn more or enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. Both classes will teach the basics of the major welding processes and then focus on either Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick). Johnson College Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The cost of the course is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum the cost is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll. Johnson College Receives EITC Contribution in Support of STEM Outreach and Industry Fast Track Programs Recently, Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Pride Mobility in support of the College’s STEM Outreach and Industry Fast Track Programs. Pride Mobility’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers businesses a tax credit for supporting state-approved educational improvement programs. Johnson College is approved to accept EITC contributions in support of its STEM outreach and Industry Fast Track programs. Through its STEM Outreach, Johnson College utilizes its experience in providing industry-focused, hands-on technical education to expand its outreach to elementary, middle, and high school students. The outreach raises awareness of the benefits of STEM education and the possibilities of achieving economic independence through employment in a STEM career field. Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students from participating area school districts an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing college-level courses. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College.
Women’s Resource Center to Host Great Chefs After two very long years, Great Chefs is returning “in person” and will be held on July 20th at Constantino’s Catering in Clarks Summit. This special dessert edition of Great Chefs will be emceed by WNEP-TV 16’s Jackie Lewandowski. Attendees will enjoy a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, raffles, music – and of course – dessert tastings! Funds raised at Great Chefs support the WRC Safe Housing Program. The Program prioritizes emergency housing options for adults and children who are in immediate danger, are in a potentially lethal situation due to intimate partner violence, and/or are homeless due to that violence. Schedule:5:30 pm – Passed Hors D’oeuvres / Raffle Baskets / Music / Cash Bar7:00 pm – Program7:30 pm – Dessert Tastings & Coffee8:00 pm – Basket Winners AnnouncementThank you to our Media Partners: WNEP-TV 16 & Lamar Advertising To get tickets visit https://wrcnepa.org/great-chefs-2022/ or call (570) 346-4460 ext. 143.
