Noteology ‘Peace for Ukraine’ Candle Noteology stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian civilians and refugees and pray for peace during this turbulent time. To show our support, we developed our ‘Peace for Ukraine’ Sunflower candle and will be donating $8 per candle to the International Rescue Committee, an organization providing life saving support to people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and has become a global symbol of solidarity for Ukraine. Our sunflower candle is filled with love and peace, with notes of sunflowers in bloom, lemon peel, lemon verbena, and a touch of honey.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Scranton Cultural Center Way The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is once again the place to celebrate this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade! The Center’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party will begin at 11:00 AM on March 12 and will continue until 4:00 PM. Admission is free and live entertainment will be provided by Kilrush. In addition, several parade performers will continue their acts at the SCC for all party-goers to enjoy, from bagpipers to step dancers and more! Admission is FREE to the public as the Scranton Cultural Center’s gift to the community. A cash bar and light fare will be available for purchase. Please note that the Scranton Cultural Center requires masks for all patrons unless actively eating or drinking. Full venue policies can be found at SCCMT.org/covid. The 2022 St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party is sponsored by The Society of Irish Women, the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center and LT Verrastro.
Electric City Axe Throwing Now Open Thursdays As of March 10th, Electric City Axe Throwing will be open every Thursday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. To get things started, they are offering 50% axe throwing on March 10th to all students.
Highland Associates Paul Duffy Passes Architect Registration Examinations Highland Associates is pleased to announce that our employee, Paul Duffy, successfully passed his Architect Registration Examinations and is now a licensed Registered Architect. A graduate of Marywood University’s School of Architecture, Paul earned a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 2015. Since joining Highland Associates in 2016, Paul has been actively engaged in the data center, corporate and retail market sectors, serving as an integral part of the design team. To become licensed, one must receive a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), gain experience under a practicing architect with 3,740 total hours across six categories and pass six sections of exams. About Highland Associates: Celebrating our 34th year in business, Highland Associates is a multi-disciplined firm specializing in Architecture, Engineering and Interior Design with offices located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, New York, New York and Miami, Florida. Highland Associates offers a comprehensive list of services to satisfy the most difficult projects. Each day, our 150+ design professionals and support staff work as a team to analyze client needs and create practical solutions to meet the functional, aesthetic and financial objective of any project. Concept-driven and problem solving, Highland Associates is an award-winning design firm, guided by a design process and team approach.
Elan Gardens Receives $3,000 from Scranton Area Community Foundation for PPE Bobbie O’Donnell is pictured above at Nay Aug Park, receiving a check for $3,000 from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. In photo (left to right:) Jerome Musheno, R.Ph, Esq., Board Memer, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors; David Price, Secretary, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors; Kenneth Okrepkie, Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors; Laura Ducceschi, President/CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation The Scranton Area Community Foundation has awarded $3000 to Elan Gardens, a non-profit senior living organization located in Clarks Summit. The 2021 Critical Needs Emergency Grant funds were used to purchase the necessary personal protective equipment for staff to combat COVID-19. The mission of Elan Gardens is to offer a supportive residential environment dedicated to maintaining each individual’s strengths, abilities, and autonomy while providing the resources to further enhance the quality of their lives. The well-being of residents is a top priority. Staff has worked tirelessly to protect residents from the virus, which can develop into severe illness in elderly individuals. Thankfully, Elan has remained successful in their efforts. To date, all residents remain untouched by COVID-19.
FNCB Bank Announces Expansion Into Equipment Financing Executive Vice President, Equipment Sales Officer Gary P. Cook FNCB Bank announced it’s recently-launched 1st Equipment Finance, a new equipment financing solution offered by the Bank, which is based in its Exeter, PA location. 1st Equipment Finance provides equipment financing solutions, including leasing alternatives, for business customers, vendors, manufacturers and municipalities and is led by Executive Vice President, Equipment Sales Officer, Gary P. Cook, a four-decade industry veteran. “Our seasoned sales and management team has over 150 years combined experience in equipment financing with vendors, commercial customers and municipalities across the United States,” said Cook. “We look forward to leveraging this experience to expand the Bank’s portfolio locally and across the country.” Today’s announcement builds on FNCB’s long-history of strategic initiatives to serve the needs of the business community and grow market share. “Our strong commercial banking legacy uniquely positions FNCB Bank to not only compete, but thrive in the equipment financing sector,” said Gerard Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “This will not only allow the Bank to grow but will also provide our commercial clients expanded options they need to grow in a competitive business environment.” To learn more about 1st Equipment Finance, visit www.fncb.com/equipment
Coal Creative Names First Chief Creative Officer Samuel O’Connell will serve as Coal Creative’s first chief creative officer, the agency announced today. The veteran storyteller, one of the full-service marketing agency’s first employees, will now set and advance the company’s creative agenda. That means he ensures every project meets an exceptional standard of excellence, and that the team continues to push the limits of creative innovation. “As a creative agency, we needed someone in this role to bring together all of our departments under one cohesive creative vision,” Coal Creative Chief Executive Officer Holly K. Pilcavage said. “Sam understands where the industry is headed and knows how to turn brilliant concepts into campaigns that work.” O’Connell, 30, whose most recent title was creative director, worked to build out Coal Creative’s award-winning video production team. His promotion comes amid stunning grow that the agency. With 13 full-time employees, expanding operations and more complex assignments, O’Connell will synchronize teams behind video, design and web projects to ensure continuity and effectiveness. He started his career at age 15 designing ads for a local magazine and has produced several short and feature-length films, including the award-winning “blackhole.”
Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week: Creating our next great workforce! As your partner in supporting local business, we know how difficult it is to find and keep great employees. Many of our young people lack the knowledge and skills you need, or they leave to pursue opportunities because they simply don’t know about the great local jobs available right here, right now. That’s why we support Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW). PFEW is a youth development program like no other. It teaches high school students about business and our American free enterprise system and helps them develop job ready skills like leadership, communication, work ethic, finance, marketing and more that prepare them for great careers right here at home. Offered by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education (FFEE), PFEW holds multiple week-long summer sessions for rising high school juniors and seniors on the campuses of Lycoming College and the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. PFEW made a triumphant return to in-person learning in 2021, educating 1,139 students statewide. This summer, they plan to welcome 1,600 eager students to Williamsport for the 43rd year of this award-winning program. Students attend on a fully tax-deductible $625 sponsorship donated by a business, foundation, organization or individual. FFEE is an approved Educational Improvement Organization through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. I encourage you to provide PFEW sponsorships for our local students and, if possible, volunteers for the sessions. FFEE offers two other impactful programs that prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The Stock Market GameTM (SMG) teaches students in grades 4-12 about investing and financial literacy, and the Speaker Series helps students explore careers and develop the knowledge and skills needed to become great employees. All Foundation programs are singularly focused on promoting the ideals of business and the American free enterprise system and preparing our young people to become great business and community leaders. To learn more about PFEW or their other educational programs, please visit the Foundation’s website, www.pfew.org, or contact Scott Lee, vice president of marketing & development for the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education at (814) 833-9576 ext. 8, or scott@pfew.org.
WVIA Announces New Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel WVIA Announces Kristen Mackrell Clark as New Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel WVIA, the PBS and NPR affiliate for northeastern and central Pennsylvania, has announced Kristen Mackrell Clark Esq. as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Kristen comes to WVIA from Myers, Brier, & Kelly, LLP where she served as an attorney representing educational institutions and non-profit organizations. While there she focused on helping clients with corporate governance, business planning, tax planning, and individual and corporate tax audits. Prior to working for Myers, Brier, & Kelly, LLP, Clark worked as a Certified Public Accountant specializing in individual and corporate taxation. Kristen has been honored by her peers every year since 2018 as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star and in 2015, she was recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 Business Professional by the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. She attained her Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law, Master of Accountancy from the George Washington University, and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. “We are extremely fortunate to have a team member with such a unique combination of skills,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President, and CEO, “Hiring Kristen in this critical leadership role demonstrates our ability to once again attract top talent at WVIA who want to be a part of our exciting future.” “I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic leadership team at WVIA,” Clark said. “I look forward to using my legal and accounting experience to serve in the dual role of Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Carla and her team are building something exciting at WVIA, and I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of strengthening this community treasure for our region.”
Boback Leads Hearing on Pennsylvania’s EMS Crisis Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, on Tuesday convened a public hearing to examine Pennsylvania’s emergency medical services (EMS) crisis. The committee heard from stakeholder groups about the recruitment and retention of personnel, financial needs, billing constraints, hospital emergency room protocols, local government support initiatives and COVID-19 challenges to the EMS system. “Due to their funding needs, manpower shortages and low reimbursement rates by government programs and insurers, Pennsylvania’s EMS system is in crisis,” said Boback. “We are learning what is at stake if things do not change and what the Legislature can do to improve the EMS system.” According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, there are about 1,300 licensed EMS agencies in the Commonwealth and over 40,000 certified EMS providers. The EMS system responded to nearly 2.5 million calls for service during 2021. However, committee members heard how the system is failing and putting the lives of Pennsylvania residents at risk. “Thanks to many factors, now exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 on transport volume, costs, staffing and more, these financial struggles have become dire,” Donald DeReamus, Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania board member told them. “Our organizations and clinicians are on the brink, just months, weeks, or even days from insolvency.” Recruitment and retention: Many EMTs are choosing to not renew their certification. “The number of EMTs that allow their certifications to expire and ultimately leave the profession continues to outpace those becoming certified,” said Aaron Rhone, Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services interim director. Financial needs: EMS agencies need a universal sustainable funding mechanism. “Reimbursement fails miserably in covering the cost of readiness as well as the cost of EMS operations,” said DeReamus. “Since 2002, after implementation of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule, costs have risen 70% while reimbursement rates have risen only 27% during the same period.” Billing constraints: Legislation is needed to provide local governments with the ability to increase fees. “Amending the statute to allow three mills for EMS and removing the current barriers required to increase the allowable mills for EMS funding to be consistent with the fire service will greatly improve flexibility and provide municipalities with an additional tool to provide EMS services for their communities,” noted Anthony Deaven, Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute board member. Hospital emergency room protocols: Changes are needed to reduce wait times for EMS crews. “EMTs and paramedics often wait in a hall with their ambulance patient for several hours until and emergency room charge nurse finally takes custody of the patient and releases the ambulance,” testified West Hempfield Township Manager Andrew Stern. “While the crew is being ‘held hostage,’ they are unavailable to respond to any other emergencies, even if more emergent than the current patient.” Local government support initiatives: Senate Bill 698 would allow for the creation of countywide public safety authorities. “Counties recognize and respect the need for local input and decision making and believe Senate Bill 698 protects that autonomy while more efficiently providing for our residents,” said Tioga County Commissioner Mark Hamilton. “To be clear, counties are not seeking to take over the responsibility for EMS.” COVID-19 challenges: The pandemic has made recruitment and retention efforts more difficult. “Since COVID-19 began, EMS workers have left the field to seek non-medical careers or employment in different areas of public service,” explained Gary Vinnacombe, West Grove Fire Company EMS manager. Boback called the four-hour hearing “very informative,” and said the committee will be working on legislative solutions to the EMS crisis. “It’s clear that our EMS services face multiple challenges that demand our attention and support more than ever,” she concluded. A video recording of the hearing is available for viewing at www.RepBoback.com/video.
