Boback’s Bill for Veterans Programs Approved by Committee Legislation that would create an instant Pennsylvania lottery ticket to fund veterans programs, sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), today was unanimously approved by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which she chairs. House Bill 1691 would help to fund an elderly veteran’s day care program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in addition to the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports other veterans’ programs and benefits. The committee also unanimously approved Boback’s legislation (House Bill 1972) that would establish the day care program. “We are looking for any way possible to fund programs that assist our veterans and creating a new instant lottery ticket appears to be a workable option. A similar ticket exists in Texas, which has contributed $177 million to veterans’ programs in that state since 2009, including more than $23 million last year,” said Boback. “The community-based program supported by ticket revenue would be a great help to families by providing a place where older veterans can go to receive quality day care services.” Other bills unanimously approved during the committee meeting include: House Bill 2086, sponsored by Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin/Schuylkill), which would provide for the authority of Pennsylvania National Guard members to operate vehicles owned or leased by the Commonwealth in response to an emergency.House Bill 2097, sponsored by Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Union), which would modify the staffing requirements for basic life support ambulances from the current three to two certified personnel.House Bill 2346, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence), which would modernize the statute governing the state Armory Board.House Bill 2361, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), which would establish June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Day” in Pennsylvania.House Bill 2412, sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), which would allow the Pennsylvania National Guard to provide functional support for cybersecurity needs across the Commonwealth. The bills will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Wright Center’s North Pocono Practice Hosts Open House An open house program and ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono Practice on Sunday, April 24 from noon-2 p.m. will introduce regional residents to the family medicine services available at the new community health center in Covington Township. The North Pocono Practice, 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, in the North Pocono 502 Professional Plaza, officially opens its doors to patients in Moscow Borough, Elmhurst, Jefferson, Roaring Brook, Thornhurst, Spring Brook, Clifton, Covington and Madison townships, and nearby communities on Monday, April 25. It will be open four days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will provide health care services to children and adults of all ages, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Services include sick visits for the entire family, routine examinations and screenings, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and the treatment of any illnesses or injuries that do not require a trip to the emergency room. The North Pocono Practice is the ninth community health center in The Wright Center for Community Health’s network that serves Northeast Pennsylvania. Together, they provide a safety net of comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved populations in rural and urban areas. Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for the sliding-fee discount program that allows The Wright Center to reduce fees for eligible patients depending on household size and family income. During the open house program, representatives from the region will join The Wright Center’s executive leadership team in the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome the primary health care practice to the community. The Wright Center for Community Health’s Driving Better Health mobile medical unit will offer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters during the open house program. In addition, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will distribute free masks, at-home COVID-19 test kits and care bags. Children can also address their creative side by participating in arts and crafts activities with Allison LaRussa, director of health humanities at The Wright Center. WKRZ-FM 98.5 will provide music and offer special giveaways, while tours of the primary care practice will be available to guests. The Wright Center for Community Health’s community practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties provide comprehensive health care services to more than 47,000 patients annually in Northeast Pennsylvania. To make an appointment at the North Pocono Practice, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org
Munley Law’s Caroline Munley Now a Certified Specialist Caroline Munley Munley Law is pleased to announce that Caroline Munley was certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Caroline had successfully completed the 2022 certification process by submitting a variety of documents showing that at least 50 percent of her legal practice is in the specialty field of workers’ compensation, that she has practiced in the field for more than five years, and that she actively participates in Mandatory Continuing Legal Education in workers’ compensation law and related fields. Caroline also passed the certification examination that focuses on workers’ compensation law and rules, and leading case law. In 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Law Section as the first bar association entity in Pennsylvania tocertify lawyers in the area of workers’ compensation law. Today, more than 200 lawyers earned certification and remain certified. As managing partner of Munley Law, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident,commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims. She has been named to the lists of Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in PA, Best Lawyers in America, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates. She was recently named as one of the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers Association.
Treasurer Garrity Urges Pennsylvanians to Search for Unclaimed Property With the Easter bunny’s annual visit just around the corner, Treasurer Stacy Garrity today urged Pennsylvanians to grab their baskets and hunt for some of the more than $4 billion worth of unclaimed property being safeguarded by Treasury. She also noted that more than $10 million is owed to Pennsylvanians with the words Easter, bunny, rabbit, egg, chick, chocolate, hop, candy or basket in their name or business name. “Searching for unclaimed property is like the ultimate Easter egg hunt,” Garrity said. “It is so simple to search for money that’s owed to you, a loved one, or a friend. With about one in ten Pennsylvanians owed unclaimed property, chances are pretty good that you’ll find something — and whether it’s a little extra cash or a long-lost family heirloom, we want to get it back to you.” The state’s unclaimed property law requires assets to be turned over to Treasury after certain periods of time. Unclaimed property can include things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, insurance policies, tangible property like the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, and more. Tangible items are auctioned by Treasury after about three years of storage in the vault to make room for incoming property. Auction proceeds are kept in perpetuity for a rightful owner to claim in the future. Military decorations and memorabilia are never auctioned, and Treasury works diligently to find veterans and their families to reunite these priceless symbols of service. The average unclaimed property claim is worth about $1,500. Last year, Treasury returned more than $135 million of unclaimed property to Pennsylvanians. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database to see if you have property waiting to be claimed at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
Misericordia University Alumni Association to Honor Monsignor Bendik Monsignor John “Jack” J. Bendik The Misericordia University Alumni Association will present the Honorary Alumni Award to Monsignor John “Jack” J. Bendik, during the spring Commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2022. Monsignor Bendik has been a member of the university’s Board of Trustees since 1994. The Honorary Alumni Award is awarded periodically to recognize individuals who are not alumni of the university and “have made significant contributions to Misericordia’s welfare, reputation, and prestige, and/or have shown lifelong devotion and demonstrated loyalty” to the university. Monsignor Bendik’s selfless devotion is woven into the fabric of the university. According to Alumni Board President, Adam Grzech, “Monsignor’s commitment to our mission and service as a member of the Board of Trustees is immeasurable. Misericordia is a better place because of Monsignor, and we are honored to call him an Honorary Alumni of Misericordia University.” Ordained into the priesthood in June 1967 at the Church of Nativity in Scranton, Monsignor Bendik was first assigned to St. Matthew’s Church in East Stroudsburg, where he also ministered to the students at East Stroudsburg University. He served there for 14 years before being named chaplain of Misericordia University until 1986. His other pastoral assignments included the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Clarks Summit, Church of St. Benedict in Newton Twp., and Church of St. Mary of Czestochowa in Scranton. He served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston, for more than two decades prior to his retirement in 2017. Monsignor Bendik is currently the administrator pro tem of Saint Andre Bessette Parish in Wilkes-Barre. The University’s 96th annual spring undergraduate commencement ceremonies will begin on Friday, May 13 with a baccalaureate liturgy followed by a reception and awards ceremony. The graduate student commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the undergraduate commencement at 2:00 p.m. Both events will be held in the Anderson Sports and Health Center and are open to the public. Masks may be required by attendees and participants of the event; please check the Misericordia University website, https://www.misericordia.edu/commencement
PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Winter Services The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey. “Winter operations are among our core services and our team takes pride in their mission,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Through this survey, the public can help us measure expectations and identify education opportunities.” The survey is available through April 29 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous. The 17-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services. Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions, and other services. At any time, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 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. As construction season begins, information on projects occurring or being bid this year is viewable at www.projects.PennDOT.gov. Subscribe to travel alerts in a specific area on the Regional Offices page or subscribe to statewide PennDOT news.
The University of Scranton to Host Concert Continuing its commitment to presenting world class musical talent, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will spotlight the work of guest composer/conductor Javier Nero at its 39th annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, April 30. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. At the concert, The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir will premiere two brand-new commissioned works by Nero written specifically for the University’s student ensembles, entitled The Return (for concert band) and One Day (for six part choir), according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. An internationally award-winning jazz trombonist, composer, arranger and educator, Nero recently won the position of lead trombone in the prestigious U. S. Army Blues, the big band jazz element of The U. S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. His compositions have been described by Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch as “modern, sophisticated yet accessible, pleasing the player and listener alike.” In addition to his career with the Army Blues, Nero also performs in the D.C. and N.Y.C. areas with two of his ensembles, the Javier Nero Septet and the Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra. With the Septet, he released his first album, “Freedom” and his big band album will be released later this year. He has also been a member of the award-winning Haitian band Klass, which has toured the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South America and France. Nero’s compositions and arrangements have earned him awards from Downbeat magazine, as well as participation in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program and the Banff Centre’s international workshop in jazz and creative music, and his works have been performed by the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Frost Symphony Orchestra, Studio Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Vocal 1, Extensions, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. As a trombonist, Nero has won first place in four international jazz solo competitions, including the 2011 International Trombone Association’s Carl Fontana Competition, the ITA’s 2013 JJ Johnson Competition, the 2014 American Trombone Workshop National Jazz Solo Competition and the 2015 Texas State Trombone Symposium Jazz Trombone Competition. He was also a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival’s Curtis Fuller National Solo Competition, and he recently won and placed as finalist for two consecutive years in the Ithaca College Jazz Composer Contest. Nero received his Bachelor of Music from the Juilliard School, a Master of Music in studio/jazz writing from the University of Miami, and a Doctor of Musical Arts with a minor in classical trombone performance from Miami’s Frost School of Music. All audience members are required to wear a higher-grade mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or double masking) at all times. Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for the most current information on additional required audience COVID-19 mitigation measures (e.g., masking, vaccination, distancing, etc.). For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Nero, visit www.javiernero.com.
Save the Date for the Comm Classic Golf Tournament We hope that you will join us for a great day of golf with a challenging course, delicious food, games, prizes, and fellowship. The proceeds of this tournament benefit The Waverly Community House, which offers a broad array of year-round recreational, cultural and educational opportunities that benefit so many individuals and families in our region. If you have any questions regarding the tournament or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kathy Wright, Programs and Events Coordinator at kathy@waverlycomm.org or 570-586-8191.
Broadway in Scranton Presents CATS the Musical To help their fellow feline-loving friends at GPAS navigate “kitten season” and the numerous litters of kittens arriving at the shelter, Broadway in Scranton will offer a $5 TICKET DISCOUNT* for the April 22 and 24 performances of CATS to anyone who purchases tickets in person at the Scranton Cultural Center Box Office AND donates a kitten product for GPAS when they purchase their tickets! Ideal donation items include cat food, litter, and nail clippers. (Please do not bring any large items to the box office.) A full list of donation items can be found on GPAS’s Chewy or Amazon wish lists. If you have already purchased tickets and still want to donate, you may place your item in the donation bins at the theater.
