PennDOT Continues Work to Address Bus Driver Shortage PennDOT Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega today joined the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to encourage interested individuals to obtain Commercial Driver’s License to address bus driver shortage in Pennsylvania. “We want to do our part to encourage those looking for employment or supplemental income to consider obtaining a school bus endorsement to help get our children to school. That’s the critical part of all of this,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary Myers. “We believe these efforts will help to ensure the safe and effective transportation of our commonwealth students.” To address the shortage, PennDOT mailed a letter from PDE reaching out to approximately 376,000 individuals with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) to help connect interested drivers with school entities. The letter included information for a survey link for individuals who had an interest in exploring employment opportunities. To date, more than 1,300 individuals have expressed an interest in serving as a school bus driver through the survey. Those interested individuals will now be contacted by their local school districts to discuss next steps in licensure. “We know how challenging this year has been for our schools, communities, and parents; and we know how important it is to form partnerships and pool resources in times of crisis,” said PDE Secretary Ortega. “The Wolf Administration and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association stand committed to supporting our schools as they work to resolve these difficult transportation issues, and we encourage anyone interested in becoming a school bus driver to apply online.” Additionally, PennDOT has temporarily opened CDL skills testing on Mondays – for four weeks. This began this past Monday, October 18. CDL skills testing takes place at 23 locations throughout Pennsylvania. These additional testing appointments are intended to allow those who are interested increased opportunity to schedule time for a CDL skills test. Individuals may schedule a CDL skills test by visiting PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, selecting our Schedule a Driver’s Exam under Driver Vehicle Services, or they may call (717) 412-5300. “The school bus industry has been hit hard by COVID-19, and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association appreciates PennDOT and PDE’s partnership in working through the school bus driver shortage,” said Ryan Dellinger, Executive Director of the PSBA. “Our only goal, at the end of the day, is to ensure that children are able to get to and from school safely on a daily basis. School bus drivers are a critical part of the education system and are the first and last interaction a child gets during the school day, which can be incredibly important for setting the tone of their day. Now, more than ever though, it is incredibly important that we tell their story and recognize them for what they really are: heroes. The Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) has been working to address the driver shortage as well, through a multi-faceted Driver Recruitment Campaign, which they have been running since July. This campaign includes a content microsite, YouBehindTheWheel.com, that is designed to educate individuals on the school bus industry, walk them through the process of school bus driver training, and to get them interested in applying. From there, the interested individual can access SchoolBusHero.com, which is a public job board that will put these people in touch with local PSBA members who have vacancies. In order to further drive audiences to these websites and raise public awareness of the school bus industry, the PSBA is currently running a digital ad campaign that encompasses Facebook, YouTube, and the general internet. For more information, please contact the PSBA Office at office@paschoolbus.org or at (717) 975-1951.
Mohegan Sun Pocono to Host Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Starring Shawn Klush The“Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular” Holiday Show, starring Shawn Klush backed by The Fabulous Ambassadors makes a trip to Mohegan Sun Pocono this fall! Shawn Klush will grace the main stage on Sunday, December 12th in the Keystone Grand Ballroom with the best sounds of Elvis Presley. This all-ages show kicks off at 3:00pm. Tickets start at $25 and went on sale Monday, October 25, 2021at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Box Office located at Player’s Club. Guests who purchase their tickets at the Box Office will receive one voucher per ticket for $10.00 in Free Slot Play, valid on Sunday, December 12th. Free Slot Play offer is for guests who are 21 and older. The Closest Thing to the King in Concert was born and raised in the small coal-mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania, and his love of music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis Presley. Shawn Klush performed in the Poconos region before embarking on a tour of Canada, where he competed in and won the $5,000.00 prize in the “Worldwide Elvis Competition” in Montreal. This piqued the interest of the award-winning Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert,” where he starred as ‘Elvis’ for many years in their Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Branson, and Atlantic City show rooms. Every January, he performs in the “Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition Tour,” an extravaganza featuring Elvis’ own musicians, singers, and friends, in major venues across the country. The Luzerne County native has five CDs to his credit. JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, The Jordanaires, The Imperials, DJ Fontana, and Joe Esposito are among the musicians and singers he has shared the stage with. He played Elvis Presley in the CBS and VH1 hit TV miniseries “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.” On Elvis’ 70th Birthday, Shawn became grand champion at the $25,000.00 “World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition”. He then received “The Peoples Choice Award” from Gibson Guitar Co in Nashville for “Best Concert Elvis”. Shawn was then named the “World’s Greatest Elvis” by 6.5 million international viewers on BBC1 Television in the United Kingdom. On the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing, Klush was named the ‘First Ever’ “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” by Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis TN. Shawn has record breaking performances in the US, Switzerland, Canada Australia, the UK and South America. He was named “Worldwide Ambassador of Elvis” at the Las Vegas Hilton where he headlines the annual the Las Vegas Elvis Fest, celebrating Elvis’ historic Las Vegas Performances. For more information on this exciting upcoming event in the Keystone Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono, visit our website.
The University of Scranton Opens Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service “All public service is a trust given in faith and accepted in honor,” words inscribed over the front door of the Finance Building in Harrisburg, remind U.S. Senator Bob Casey of the promise and expectation of public servants, and, now, can be words to inspire and guide the work of the new Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service at The University of Scranton. Senator Casey was among the speakers at the opening of the Center that will serve 13 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. In his remarks, he quoted from the mission of the Center “to advocate for and promote the common good of all through programs that support the development of ethical and competent public officials and of civically knowledgeable, responsible and engaged community members,” noting that the region– and the nation – need both competent and ethical leaders now more than ever. JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and co-director of the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, said in her remarks that “according to Pew Research Center, public trust in government has been near to historic lows for more than a decade.” She said the work of the Center “will reach out to local community members, providing them with the tools and resources they need to hold their elected officials accountable. We plan to engage with public officials or those who hope to run for office to help educate and provide support, through workshops, certificate programs and opportunities for networking.” Dr. Hopper, who will co-direct the Center with University Political Science Professor Jean Harris, Ph.D., also said the Center will provide internships, research opportunities, mentorships and training that will allow University students to “become competent and ethical leaders in our local communities.” Clara Downey, a junior political science major at the University who is serving as an intern for The Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, said in her remarks that she has seen “first-hand what Dr. Hopper and Dr. Harris are working to offer students, and similarly how important it is for students, most especially Jesuit educated students, to be active and knowledgeable voters. The work we are starting here in the Center will enable my peers and I to not only be better people, but to enact real change in our world, because locality is where that has to start.” Downey, Easthampton, Massachusetts, is also a Student Government Senator at Scranton. Also speaking at the opening were Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service will be housed in the University’s Political Science Department of the College of Arts and Sciences. The 13 counties served by the Center are Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Montour, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming. Members of the Center’s Steering Committee are Michael Allison, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Political Science; Julie Schumacher-Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs; Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Criminology and executive director of the University’s Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime; Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy and faculty director of the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities; and Donna Witek, professor, Weinberg Memorial Library. The University offers a new major in public policy and service. Additional information about the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service can be seen on its website (www.scranton.edu/ceeps), or by contacting Dr. Harris or Dr. Hopper at the Political Science Department at CEEPS@scranton.edu or 570-941-6326.
Rep. Boback Announces Drive-Through Veterans Expo at Luzerne County Fairgrounds Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, announces a first-ever drive-through Veterans Expo to be held on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds in Dallas. “This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, I have decided to hold my first-ever drive-through Veterans Expo at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds,” said Boback. “This format gives us the opportunity to comply with any mitigation orders and allow us to continue to serve and thank the veterans of the 117th Legislative District. The event will go on rain or shine, and we are thankful to Luzerne County Fairgrounds for their hospitality. I hope to see all of our veterans there!” Simply follow the signs, placed at the fairgrounds and each attendee will be given a bag filled with information and materials from groups and agencies specific to veterans. American Legions throughout the 117th Legislative District will be at the event with collection boxes for discarded or faded flags. There is no cost to attend and no need to RSVP. For more information, contact Boback’s Dallas district office at 570-675-6000.
The Wright Center for Community Health Launches Online Smart Bot “Neo” The Wright Center for Community Health recently launched “Neo,” a secure patient-friendly smart bot on its website to help new and existing patients directly schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, learn about available COVID-19 services and more. By clicking on the easily identifiable icon, located at the bottom right-hand corner of the website (TheWrightCenter.org), consumers can start a convenient chat session with a live agent. “Neo” can find the nearest primary care location, help schedule an appointment, refill prescriptions, share the latest COVID-19 information, address billing questions and more. “Neo” begins the online interaction with the user by asking for a first name. It then offers a suite of options. The consumer can select, for example, assistance with making an office appointment with their primary care provider for themselves or a family member. “The Wright Center for Community Health strives to be on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to providing and delivering the best health care and information possible in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president at The Wright Center. “The new technology is all about making it more convenient for patients to take care of their health needs while empowering them to schedule appointments directly online without having to go through a call center.” Users of the technology can also navigate the system to address their COVID-19 needs. The smart bot allows them to go through a menu of options that will help them effortlessly address vaccination, testing or monoclonal antibody infusion therapy appointments or ask general questions about the pandemic. In addition, “Neo” has learning capabilities that will streamline and personalize future interactions with the smart technology. HIPAA compliant, the friendly chatbot is safe and secure when it comes to protecting patient privacy. The bot also will be phased into Facebook Messenger and eventually allow for direct SMS texting capabilities.
Mohegan Sun Pocono to Celebrate 15th Anniversary Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) turns 15 next month. In honor of this historic milestone, full bands will be returning to Breakers during the first weekend of November! MSP will also rollout a $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza, T-shirt giveaways, a Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spin event and more, beginning November 1st. Entertainment The long-awaited return of full bands at Breakers, one of the top Live Music Bar’s in PA, is in full swing. In celebration of Mohegan Sun Pocono’s 15th Anniversary, on Friday, November 12th, Pennsylvania’s premier blues-rock, power-trio, Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen, hit the stage for a much anticipated performance at 8:30pm. On the very next evening, November 13th, Ken Norton & The Fuchery are slated for an 8:00pm show. Highlighting this evening is a yet to be announced, very special performance from a four-time Grammy-nominated and Multi-Platinum recording artist! Win Big! Other 15th Anniversary celebrations are planned throughout the property such as the $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza from 5:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday, November 14th,where one lucky Momentum member will be selected every 15 minutes to win $1,500 Free Slot Play with a grand prize winner taking home a $15,000 cash prize at the end of the night. Momentum members can earn sweepstakes entries by simply playing their favorite slots and tables from Monday, November 1st through Sunday, November 14th with 15X entry multipliers on Tuesdays, November 2nd and November 9th. On Friday, November 10th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, the Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spins promotion is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as well, as five Momentum members will be randomly selected every thirty minutes to win five free $15.00 spins on the exciting Wheel of Fortune Mystery Link slot machines! Another $15,000 in cash is up for grabs with a special anniversary Spin it to Win It promotion on Thursday, November 11th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm where five winners every thirty minutes will spin the triple prize wheel to try and win the $15,000 cash grand prize! Exclusive 15th Anniversary T-shirts will also be given away on Friday, November 12th, starting at Noon. The first 500 Momentum Members to earn one Status Point, and then print their voucher at any Promo Kiosk, can redeem it for a free shirt! Cheers to 15 Years! On Saturday, November 13th, Momentum members will have the chance to earn a special commemorative edition BrüMate Hopsulator Trio. Keep your favorite beverages cold with the most versatile can cooler in the world. For more information on all things 15th Anniversary at MSP, visit www.mohegansunpocono.com/15th-anniversary.html
The University of Scranton Announces November Events Note: Access to the campus is currently limited to members of the University community, invited guests and others as listed in the Royals Back Together plan. Campus access and other health and safety information will be updated throughout the semester and can be seen on the Royals Back Together webpage. Nov. 4 Noon. Schemel Forum and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “This Community’s Medical College: How advances in pedagogy and technology, and the pandemic, have shaped medical education in the 21st century” presented by Steven Scheinman, M.D., president and dean, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; executive vice president and chief academic officer, Geisinger. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Nov. 7 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu. Nov. 9 5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “Beethoven’s Deafness: Psychological Crises and Artistic Triumph” presented by Richard Kogan, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director, Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. Reception to follow. Scranton Cultural Center at Masonic Temple. Registration required. $30. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” The University of Scranton Jazz Ensemble with guest artist Benny Benack III, voice and trumpet. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 17 7:30 p.m. 35th Henry George Lecture: “The Value of Money: Currencies, Bonds, Bitcoin” presented by Yuliy Sannikov, the Jack Steele Parker Professor of Economics at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu. Nov. 18-20 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “The Addams Family” presented by Liva Arts Company. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. $7. Call 570-941-7401 or email joelle.cote@scranton.edu. Nov. 20 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Joins The Wright Center A licensed clinical social worker with experience as a psychiatric therapist and clinical supervisor has joined The Wright Center for Community Health’s Mid Valley Practice at 5 S. Washington St., Jermyn. Danielle D. Sholcosky, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., C.P.R.P., of Dickson City holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies with a minor in human development and family studies from The Pennsylvania State University. She earned her Master in Social Work degree with a behavioral health specialization from Marywood University. A licensed clinical social worker and licensed social worker, Sholcosky previously worked as a psychiatric therapist at NEPA Community Health Care and as a clinical supervisor and psychiatric therapist at NHS Human Services Agency of NEPA. Sholcosky also served as a support specialist at Step-by-Step, Inc. At the Wright Center, Sholcosky will provide outpatient individual, group and family therapy services to mental health and substance use disorder patients. To schedule an appointment with Sholcosky at the Mid Valley Practice, please call 570-230-0019
PennDOT Highlights Collaborative Pilot Project to Pave Roadway with Recycled Plastic Officials from the state Departments of Transportation (PennDOT), Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Environmental Protection (DEP), and General Services (DGS) today highlighted a pilot project to pave part of a Ridley Creek State Park roadway with an asphalt and recycled plastic mixture. The project, coordinated through PennDOT’s Strategic Recycling Program which is funded through DEP, includes two quarter-mile roadway stretches surfaced with an asphalt/recycled-plastic mix. The material is intended to strengthen the roadway surface without leaching plastic material into the surrounding environment. “Transportation is integral in our communities and we are always evolving our operations,” PennDOT Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser said. “We are very pleased when we can pursue innovations bringing benefits to the public, our transportation assets, and our environment.” The material being tested supports interagency goals to increase the commonwealth’s sustainability in operations while supporting deployment in the state overall. Potential benefits include: Extended useful life of asphalt pavements;Diverting waste plastics from landfills and helping to establish a viable market for these plastics; andContinued ability to reuse asphalt millings in future recycled-asphalt pavement applications. “DEP is proud to support this project in partnership with PennDOT through the Strategic Recycling Program,” said Pat Patterson, DEP Southeast Regional Director. “Recycling is a fundamental environmental principal and DEP supports any effort that diverts waste from landfills.” The pilot project location was chosen in coordination with sibling agencies and supports increased emphasis on sustainable practices. The pilot is incorporated into a 1.5-mile reconstruction project within the park from the entrance to Pavilion 14. The rest of the roadway is being paved with a standard asphalt mixture to provide a comparison for the new material over the five-year evaluation period. “Sustainability is at the core of DCNR’s mission and we are pleased that one of our 121 state parks was selected to be a part of this innovative pilot project,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We look forward to testing this new technology based on the expected benefits, and are hopeful that it is a model for future successes in Pennsylvania – especially with regards to state agencies collaborating to create more sustainable operations and policies across the commonwealth.” Through the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, the GreenGov Council is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure that state government agencies play a lead role in energy sustainability, conservation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Among their goals are efforts to integrate sustainability and energy high-performance standards in building construction, lease, or renovation through the DGS Public Works deputate which is responsible for all state government non-highway construction projects. “Through the PA GreenGov Council, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the effect our activities have on the environment, especially with other construction and renovation of our facilities,” said GreenGov Council Director Mark Hand. “Our Public Works deputate currently has 79 active projects with 173 in queue and a portfolio valued at nearly $2 billion. These projects will require plenty of paved areas and we look forward to collaborating with PennDOT’s Strategic Recycling Program by identifying pilot projects within our agency to assist their efforts to evaluate this asphalt and recycled plastic mixture technology.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Mohegan Sun Arena to Host Harlem Globetrotters The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their newly reimagined Spread Game tour to over 200 cities in 2021-2022 starting on December 26th, 2021. The Spread Game Tour is a basketball event like no other. Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks are only some of the thrill you can expect from this fully modernized show. Part streetball from the players who defined it, part interactive family entertainment, the new tour will show off the best of the Globetrotters in a dazzling exhibition of talent and game. The Spread Game Tour introduces new premium fan experiences with unprecedented access and interaction, including celebrity court passes, meet and greets with players, and the #SQUADZONE, where fans have the opportunity to feel like part of the show. The Globetrotters will be playing at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday, February 12th, 2022 at 5 p.m. Harlem Globetrotters fans can get the best seats before tickets go on sale to the general public during pre-sale by signing up to become a Preferred Customer at HarlemGlobetrotters.com. Preferred customers receive exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code. To order tickets online: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. Tickets went on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 12th at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena.
