PennDOT Announces Public Comment Period for Transportation Plans The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced the launch of a Public Comment Period for the draft 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Freight Movement Plan (FMP). The plans are available for review through October 19, 2021. The LRTP sets an overall strategic direction for Pennsylvania’s transportation system for twenty years and the FMP reviews current and future trends in freight transportation to improve multimodal freight movement for five years. The LRTP and FMP represent a multi-modal approach to improve mobility, safety, fairness, resilience, and sustainability for moving people and goods throughout the Commonwealth. “For the past two years, PennDOT has been working closely with our fellow state agencies, local officials and our partners in the private sector to shape a vision for Pennsylvania’s transportation future that supports continuing economic growth and opportunity, connectivity, thriving communities, a cleaner environment and safe travel,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We now need Pennsylvanians to join this conversation to help us make these plans even more responsive to future public needs.” Public and stakeholder involvement is critical to understanding the needs and concerns across the commonwealth. Pennsylvanians already provided essential feedback and perspective which is reflected in the draft plan documents. In fact, broad engagement with underrepresented interests resulted in wide-ranging feedback, so much so that a major goal and objectives specific to equity are a key part of the LRTP. Gramian added that the value of these plans will only be as good as their implementation, and that will require sufficient funding resources during the decades ahead. “Whether we are speaking about more efficient freight movement, modernized public transit, reduced highway congestion or increased options for bicyclists and pedestrians, these improvements are only possible with a public commitment to a sustained level of investment for years to come,” Gramian said. “How we accomplish that equitably is an important part of this conversation, too.” PennDOT encourages the public to review the draft LRTP and FMP and to provide comments. These documents along with a comment form will be available online under Tell Us What You Think at penndot.gov/planning and at public library locations throughout the state. Any questions or concerns regarding the comment period may be sent by email to penndotplanning@pa.gov. Those without access to the internet may request printed copies by calling 717-705-1478. The Public Comment Period for the 2045 LRTP and FMP is in accordance with PennDOT’s Public Participation Plan, outlining opportunities for public input in statewide transportation planning and programming as required by the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR 450.210). All comments received will be reviewed and taken into consideration by PennDOT for inclusion in the final plans. Anyone who requires special assistance to participate, please contact the PennDOT Bureau of Equal Opportunity at 717-787-5891.
Broadway In Scranton Open House at Masonic Temple This week, for three days only, Broadway In Scranton moves its office location to the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple (420 N. Washington Ave.). From Tuesday, September 28 thru Thursday, September 30, Broadway In Scranton will be hosting an Open House at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. During these three days, guests can visit the Cultural Center and purchase new season tickets in-person. From 8A – 4P the theatre will be open and Broadway In Scranton staff will be on-site to walk patrons through the historic theatre and show them available seating options. Patrons will be able to “test-drive” the seat locations prior to choosing and purchasing their seat(s) for the upcoming 2021-2022 Broadway In Scranton season. “An open house provides patrons a wonderful opportunity to try out all of the available seats to get the true in-person view of the stage from the seat location” said Tom Combs from NAC Entertainment. Combs went on to note that Broadway In Scranton has hosted open houses in prior seasons, but this time it feels much bigger and different than past years. “Having been shut down since March of 2020, the excitement and anticipation of Broadway’s return to the Cultural Center this fall is at an all time high. The demand for season tickets is extremely robust and we expect the strong season ticket sales to continue.” The 2021-2022 season includes Waitress, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, South Pacific, and Cats. Season Tickets are priced at $175, $235, $275 and $315. Along with the four season shows, Broadway In Scranton presents three (3) specials coming to the Cultural Center this season: RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES opens its 2021 Tour in Scranton on October 6, 2021. Tickets for RAIN are now on sale. See the international percussion sensation STOMP January 12 – 13, 2022 and the smash hit phenomenon BLUE MAN GROUP May 18-19, 2022. As a benefit for subscribers, STOMP and BLUE MAN GROUP tickets can be purchased before public on sale. Frank Blasi, Executive Director of Broadway Theatre League of NEPA stated that the return to Scranton has been widely anticipated by the entire community. “Our presentation of Broadway tours brings a large and diverse audience from near and far, which has a major positive economic impact on the restaurants, hotels, parking garages, and retail stores in our community. After 18 months, the community cannot wait to see theatre returning and we look forward to welcoming them back to the Scranton Cultural Center with open arms.” For more information on the 2021-2022 Broadway In Scranton season, visit BroadwayInScranton.com or call the Broadway office at 570.342.7784. COVID-19 Update: Please note that the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple policy requires that masks must be worn when inside the building. For more information on venue policy, click here.
Geisinger Raises Minimum Pay Rate Geisinger is strengthening its commitment to its employees as it builds on its robust benefits packages and career development offerings by raising its minimum pay rate to $15 per hour for current and future employees, effective Sept. 26. In addition to its competitive pay, Geisinger regularly invests in its employees by offering comprehensive employee benefits, including affordable healthcare coverage that starts on an employee’s first day of employment, contributions toward retirement, tuition reimbursement, career development programs and more. “By investing in our Geisinger family, we’re investing in our patients, members and the communities we serve,” said Brion Lieberman, Geisinger’s chief human resources officer. “Increasing our minimum hiring rate, along with our other employee benefits, shows our ongoing commitment to our dedicated employees and increases our ability to attract talented candidates to fulfill our mission of making better health easier.” In 2019, the health system also unveiled paid parental and military leave benefits. These benefits further supported employees by providing greater flexibility in balancing their commitment to their families and service to our country. This most recent investment in raising the organization’s minimum wage positively impacts current employees and those joining the organization. The largest employee groups benefiting include nursing assistants, food service workers, medical assistants, and patient access representatives, among others. To learn more about career opportunities or to apply for a job opening at Geisinger, visit jobs.geisinger.org.
University of Scranton Psychology Professor Receives Conservation Award Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Environmental Studies Concentration at The University of Scranton, received a 2021 Women in Conservation Award from PennFuture, an independent, nonpartisan environmental advocacy organization. Dr. Nolan received the award for Woman of Environmental Education. Dr. Nolan joined the faculty at Scranton in 2008. She teaches Environmental and Conservation Psychology and Social Psychology, among other courses, and runs the Conservation Psychology Lab at the University. The Conservation Psychology Lab studies the human impact on the environment and uses the tools and methods of psychology to understand and solve environmental problems. Her research focuses on the application of psychological tools and principles to understand and solve environmental problems. She has studied the effects of normative social influence on various environmental behaviors, including energy conservation and household recycling. Dr. Nolan has published more than a dozen articles on environmental behavior in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented her research at numerous professional conferences. In her role as director of the Environmental Studies Concentration, Dr. Nolan has partnered with local environmental groups such as Friends of Lackawanna, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation and the Lackawanna River Conservation Association to sponsor more than a dozen co-curricular events for students and the local community. In 2018, Dr. Nolan received the University’s Excellence in Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum Award. This award is given to a faculty member who strives for excellence in teaching about sustainability and makes extraordinary efforts to introduce concepts of sustainability into the curriculum. Dr. Nolan is also the founder of Green Drinks Scranton, an informal networking group that provides a forum for area residents interested in environmental issues to connect and learn from one another. Dr. Nolan earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, her master’s degree at California State University and her Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas.
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza to Host Excess Inventory Sale On behalf of the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, the ASM Global staff at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza will host an “Excess Inventory Sale” on Saturday, September 25th from 7AM-11AM inside the venue’s West Gate Entrance. Mohegan Sun Arena will have gently used furniture, appliances, A/V equipment, pickup truck and kitchen equipment for sale. Transactions may be made with cash, credit card, cashier’s check or money order. All sales are final. Guests may not bring items to sell. All items must be paid for on site and picked up on or before Friday, October 1st at 5:00pm. For more information, please call (570) 970-7600 or visit the venue’s website at https://mohegansunarenapa.com/inventorysale/
Marywood University Professor Receives Second Fulbright Specialist Award Sister Angela Kim IHM, Ph.D., Full Professor, Director of the School of Social Work, and Director of MSW Program at Marywood University, received her second Fulbright Specialist Award to Poland from the William J. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She will complete a project that aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within the field of social work at the Rzeszow University of Technology in Poland. She is one of over 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide each year. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad. Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by telephone 202-632-6452 or e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov. For additional information about Marywood University’s School of Social Work, please visit www.marywood.edu/ssw/, or call (570) 348-6282. For additional information about the Marywood University Fulbright program, please visit www.marywood.edu/fulbright/benefits.html, or email vari@marywood.edu, or call 9570) 348-6211, ext. 2400.
NET Credit Union Recognized as Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in 2021 DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, has released its list of the 2021 Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America. DepositAccounts.com evaluates the financial health of every federally-insured bank and credit union in the United States once per quarter. To determine bank ranking and recognition, DepositAccounts.com grades each institution on a number of factors, including capitalization, deposit growth, and loan-to-reserve ratios. “We believe it is important to give consumers a way to evaluate the financial health of their institutions,” said Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com. “Our list empowers consumers to make informed decisions when selecting a financial institution.” For a complete listing of the 2021 Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America, visit https://www.depositaccounts.com/banks/health.aspx. Click here to learn more about NET Credit Union.
Woodloch Resort to Host 13th Annual “A Night for the Cure” On Sunday, October 17, 2021, Woodloch Pines Resort, an all-inclusive resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, will host the 13th annual A Night for the Cure. The tricky tray fundraiser benefits Susan G. Komen Greater Pennsylvania as part of BK Hope Cures. Originally established 22 years ago by Bob Kiesendahl (BK), co-owner of Woodloch and leukemia survivor, the organization’s mission is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. While 2020’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic, 2019’s tricky tray attracted more than 500 attendees and raised over $21,000, 100% of which benefitted Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Half of the dollars raised stay right here in Pennsylvania for education, screening and treatment grants, and the other half goes towards cancer research. Held in the Heritage Nightclub at Woodloch Pines from 5 to 8 PM, the family-friendly evening will feature over 150 items donated by local individuals and businesses, as well as wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert table, and a 50/50 raffle. Guests will enjoy live entertainment and have the chance to win dining gift certificates, unique gift baskets, and overnight stay packages at the area’s leading resorts and hotels. Admission costs $10, and 100% of the proceeds are donated. The dress code is casual, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. In the event of Covid-related challenges, the location will be moved outdoors under the canopied ice rink at Woodloch Pines. “It’s a wonderful night to get together with friends, show our support for the survivors, and raise money for the cause. We’re now in our 13th year, and the event just continues to get better and better. We are extremely grateful to the local businesses and individuals who donate their time and talents to make A Night for the Cure spectacular. All of this hard work and generosity is truly making a difference in the battle against cancer,” said Bob Kiesendahl. In addition to A Night for the Cure, Hope Cures also holds two other fundraising events each year, which include both a golf tournament and a 5K run/walk. Over the past 22 years, Hope Cures has raised over $1.3 million. These funds benefit cancer research and patient care at several worthy facilities and foundations. For more information about Hope Cures and this October’s event, please visit: www.bkhopecures.org/trickytray. Additionally, table and room reservations can be arranged by calling Woodloch Resort at 570-685-8002.
