Tobyhanna, L3Harris Technologies Partner to Sustain Air Force MQ9 Reaper

Tobyhanna Army Depot has joined forces with defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to repair portions of a critical intelligence collection system for the U.S. Air Force.

The depot is scheduled to repair two types of line repairable units (LRUs) for the MQ-9 Reaper ground control station (GCS), part of a lucrative public-private partnership (P3) agreement between the organizations. 

The Reaper is an armed unmanned aircraft system that performs strike, coordination, and reconnaissance missions.  The asset is designed for long-endurance and high-altitude surveillance, with the ability to carry 15 times more ordnance payload than its predecessor.  The Reaper is monitored and controlled by an aircrew in the GCS.

The acquisition of this new workload is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028. The plan, which focuses on posturing the depot to be competitive in coming years, has lines of effort dedicated to expanding an already diverse portfolio through securing new workload, as well as connecting with community partners. The mission represents further growth for the depot’s support of assets used by the U.S. Air Force.

The workload’s arrival is the culmination of several years of effort, according to Logistics Management Specialist Christopher Volch.  Volch works in the Production Management Directorate.

“We have been working with L3Harris Technologies since 2016 to transition sustainment responsibility incrementally.  This measured approach ensures Tobyhanna is prepared to provide superior support to this program,” he said.

The cross-functional transition team included personnel from the C4ISR, Production Engineering and Production Management Directorates.

Much of the transition has focused on technical requirements, such as the development of test program sets (TPS).  Matthew Rhoades, chief of the Production Engineering Directorate’s Test Engineering Branch, says the TPSs serve an important purpose for the program.

“These TPSs will allow Tobyhanna’s electronics personnel to screen the LRU at the beginning of the process to identify where the asset requires repair.  Once repair is complete, the asset will be tested to validate the repair, ensuring the warfighter receives a quality product – every time.”  Rhoades noted the TPS development was only possible due to the P3’s collaborative working relationship.

“It has been a great experience working with L3Harris Technologies. Their personnel have been extremely good communicators and are willing to help however they can.”

The transition team has also focused on training to close the capability gap between the contractor and Tobyhanna personnel.  A cadre of depot subject matter experts traveled to an L3Harris Technologies facility in Salt Lake City, UT last month for side-by-side training and validation of technical documentation.  Attendees praised the experience, citing it as a valuable opportunity to collaborate and learn from subject matter experts.

Representatives from L3Harris Technologies say they are pleased with the depot’s efforts to prepare for the new workload.

“The entire team has been extremely accommodating.  We are very excited for this workload to come to Tobyhanna,” said Steven King, project manager for the Reaper transition.

Volch is hopeful that the already fruitful partnership will lead to more work for Team Tobyhanna.

“This partnership has been a fantastic experience, and we’ve been able to meet all of their expectations thus far.  I believe we are well postured to work together again in the future, “ adding that P3s allow the Department of Defense to leverage unique capabilities available in the private sector to support operational readiness in the most effective and efficient fashion.  The depot has entered into nearly 300 partnerships since the program began in 1996.

Geisinger Continuing Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccines this Week

Geisinger continues to make it easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine by offering walk-in vaccine events this week at its four vaccine centers.

Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations will be available:

  • Wednesday, May 26, at the Geisinger Hughes Center Vaccine Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 26, and Thursday, May 27, at the Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Vaccine Center, 116 Kerr Ave., Jersey Shore, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, May 28, at the Geisinger CenterPoint Vaccine Center, 300 Keystone Ave., Pittston, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 29, at the Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Vaccine Center, 400 Highland Ave. Ext., Lewistown, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Geisinger is offering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at all locations, which is a two-dose vaccine administered 21 days apart.

Walk-in vaccines are available to anyone age 12 and over, but those under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian with them to receive their vaccine doses. The vaccine centers are staffed with pediatric teams, including pediatricians, to answer any questions and assist with the vaccinations.

Geisinger continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines by appointment at its four vaccine centers, and those can be made through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. To check on additional walk-in vaccine days and times, and for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit  geisinger.org/COVIDVax.

Lackawanna College Signs Transfer Agreement with SUNY Orange

Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) and Lackawanna College Lake Region Center have jointly approved a transfer agreement that provides a seamless and smooth pathway for SUNY Orange graduates to transfer to Lackawanna and remain on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in four years.

For qualifying SUNY Orange graduates who intend to transition immediately to Lackawanna College after earning their associate’s degree, Lackawanna will waive the transfer application fee, extend students a $1,250-per-year scholarship, consider them for tuition discounts if they are eligible, and provide access to Lackawanna advising while the students are still enrolled at SUNY Orange to facilitate an easy transfer process. For their part, SUNY Orange graduates must maintain at least a 2.8 grade point average and enroll full-time at Lackawanna in one of the College’s seven bachelor’s degree programs.

“I’d like to thank President Dr. Jill Murray and her team at Lackawanna for collaborating with our staff, led by Dr. Erika Hackman, vice president for academic affairs, to provide SUNY Orange graduates with a viable and a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree at an institution that is close by,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president. “A handful of Lackawanna’s bachelor’s degree programs align perfectly with our degrees, specifically in the areas of accounting, business, criminal justice and human services, and I’m confident their RN-to-BSN program will be of interest to our nursing grads.”

“This agreement is a culmination of our efforts to partner with SUNY Orange to create streamlined pathways for students who desire to continue their education at Lackawanna College, where they will achieve bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields and make a difference in our communities,” said Jennifer Passenti, director of the Lackawanna College Lake Region Center.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Scranton, Lackawanna College remains one of the oldest educational institutions in the region. For more than 120 years, the College has been empowering students to become the next generation of leaders, and its roots in Scranton run deep. Since its formation in 1894, the College’s mission has always been to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better their communities.

Presently, the College has five satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Tunkhannock and Towanda, Pennsylvania; an Environmental Education Center in Covington Township; and a rapidly expanding main campus in Scranton. Lackawanna College is accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The College prides itself on its focused class sizes, which allow for personalized attention from skilled and extremely passionate faculty; its progressive curriculum, innovative programs, and cutting-edge learning studios that better prepare students; and the unparalleled student support services and active student life community that deepens each student’s college experience. For more information, contact the SUNY Orange Academic Advising office at advising@sunyorange.edu or call (845) 341-4070. For additional information about Lackawanna College, contact Jennifer Passenti at passentij@lackawanna.edu or call (570) 226-4625.

Additional PennDOT Driver License Centers to Reopen

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that, due to the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, beginning Tuesday, June 1, additional driver license centers throughout the central part of the state will reopen for driver licensing and photo services.

In May 2020, PennDOT began reopening of headquarter-based driver license centers, temporarily extending days of operation to 5 days weekly at all reopened locations while travel centers remained closed.  This decision was made as a direct result of COVID-19, to mitigate the spread of the virus, and the need to protect the safety of PennDOT’s customers and employees. With the reopening of travel centers for driver licensing services, PennDOT locations with extended days of operation will also change on June 1. Changes in hours of operation for are listed below.

The following locations will reopen on the days and hours listed below the week of Tuesday, June 1:

  • Berwick Driver License Center, 10th and Mulberry Street, Berwick; hours of operation will be Thursday from 9:15 to 3:30 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Elizabethville Driver License Center, 4686 State Route 209, Suite 5, Elizabethville; hours of operation will be Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Honesdale Driver License Center, 18 Collan Park, Honesdale; hours of operation will be Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Huntingdon Driver License Center, 9048 William Penn Highway, Suite 1, Huntingdon, hours of operation will be Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Lehighton Driver License Center, 1403 Blakeslee Boulevard, Route 443, Lehighton; hours of operation will be Friday from 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Milford Driver License Center, 201 West Harford St., Route 6, Milford; hours of operation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Montrose Driver License Center, 78 Grow Avenue, Montrose; hours of operation will be Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Shamokin Driver License Center, 5 Anthra Plaza, Shamokin; hours of operation will be Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Tunkhannock Driver License Center, 600 Hunter Highway, Suite 12, Tunkhannock; hours of operation will be Friday from 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Photo license center hours will be Friday and Saturday 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM; and
  • Wellsboro Driver License Center, 40 Plaza Lane, Wellsboro; hours of operation will be Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;

The following locations in the central part of the state will begin service to our customers during the following hours beginning the week of Tuesday, June 1:

  • Dunmore Driver License Center, 81 Keystone Industrial Park, Dunmore; hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Hazelton Driver License Center, 1052 South Church Street, Hazleton; hours of operation will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Lewistown Driver License Center, 13217 Ferguson Valley Road, Yeagertown; hours of operation will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Monroeton Driver License Center, 60 Chiola Lane, Suite 101, Towanda, hours of operation will be Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM;
  • Snydersville Driver License Center, 4218 Manor Drive, Snydersville; hours of operation will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM; and
  • Schuylkill Haven Driver License Center, 972 East Main Street, Schuylkill Haven; hours of operations will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Photo License Center hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM.

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at 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; and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There are no additional fees for using online services.

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 accessible on the 511PA website. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot/.

Johnson College Now Enrolling Middle and High School Students in On-Campus STEM Energy Outreach Program

Johnson College is now enrolling middle and high school students in its STEM Energy Outreach Program being held on-campus, on Monday, June 7, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This program introduces students to green, renewable energy through solar concepts using an interactive, hands-on demonstration. For more information and to register visit, https://forms.gle/jTNphmJzbzMR9dSc7 or email Dr. Kellyn Williams, Chief Academic Officer at Johnson College, at knolan@johnson.edu. Space is limited. The STEM Energy Outreach Program is made possible by a grant from the PPL Foundation.

Students will participate in the interactive learning experience by assembling K’nex Education Renewable Energy sets with Johnson College Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kellyn Williams. The completed K’nex kits will be shared with other schools as part of future Johnson College STEM Outreach Programs. 

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Through strategic partnerships, the Foundation: supports organizations working to create vibrant, sustainable communities, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; and empowers each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. 

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

McNees to Hold 30th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar

McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC is pleased to announce that it will host its 30th Annual Labor & Employment Seminar on June 10-11, 2021.

The virtual event will feature various topics, including diversity, equity and inclusion, ADA/FMLA/WC, wage & hour law, employee benefits & executive compensation, Biden’s labor board, data breaches, litigation trends and workplace safety.

Approved Credits:

  • CLE Substantive – 9 Hours
  • CPE Management – 9 Hours
  • SHRM – 9 Hours
  • HRCI – 9 Hours

For more information, including how to register, click here.

The Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Free Back to Normal Bash and Open House

On Thursday, June 3rd, the Greater Scranton YMCA will host a free event open to all members of our community. The Back to Normal Bash will take place from 4:00–7:00 p.m. and will feature free food, beverages, DJ, bounce house, magician and more.

The event will take place outside in the back of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s facility in Dunmore. While registration is not required, the first 200 people who RSVP via the Y’s website will receive a FREE T-shirt (adult sizes only)!

In addition to the event from 4:00-7:00 p.m., the Greater Scranton YMCA is opening its doors all day for community members to tour the facility and workout for free. For anyone who joins the Y on June 3rd, the joiner’s fee will be waived.

“We are so excited to be coming out of this trying year and could not think of a better way to celebrate than to have a traditional family-style barbeque with music and magic,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are proud to open our doors for the day, allowing all members of our community to see what our facility has to offer.”

The Y’s Covid-19 safety plan will be in effect during this event. Staff is asking attendees to wear masks, except while exercising, and maintain appropriate distance from others. 

For more information, visit us online or contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org.

The Dime Bank Promotes James Gardas

The Dime Bank Board of Directors along with President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich, are pleased to announce that James Gardas was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of the Wealth Management Division. Gardas is an investment adviser representative for The Dime Wealth Management, a full-service brokerage operation located within The Dime Bank. 

Gardas has almost thirty years of experience in the customer service arena including twelve years of experience in the Wealth Management Division. Gardas graduated Summa Cum Laude from Charleston Southern University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in Business Administration and Mathematics. Gardas is a registered representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and is life, accident and health insurance licensed and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. Gardas offers stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money management, annuities, insurance products, advisory services, retirement and educational savings plans, financial and estate planning services, and trusts to individuals and businesses through the Wealth Management Division.

Peter Bochnovich stated, “Jim is an invaluable asset to The Dime Bank team. As the head of our Wealth Management division, Jim’s expertise has broadened the Wealth Management client base since taking the lead. His counsel and knowledge are a great fit for his customers, his team, and as a leader to The Dime Wealth Management division in pursuing our growth objectives.”

He currently resides in Hawley, PA with his wife, Jade, and his two dogs, Moxie and Nugget.

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple Announces FREE Outdoor Summer Concert Series

WHAT:  Scranton Cultural Center’s FREE Outdoor Summer Concert Series
WHEN:  June 11 (Young Lion), July 9 (Erin Malloy & Friends), August 13 (The Mule Team) and September 10 (Blind Chioce); Doors at 6:00 PM; Shows from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
WHERE:  420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503 (In front of the Cultural Center)
PRICES:  Free!  Cash bar and light fare available for purchase.

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is pleased to announce a new Outdoor Summer Concert Series that will be free and open to the public.  The concerts will take place outside of the Scranton Cultural Center and will feature local and regional talent.  The lineup includes Young Lion (June 11), Erin Malloy & Friends (July 9), The Mule Team (August 13) and Blind Choice (September 10). 

“It has been a long hiatus for in-person events, which is what we thrive on” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.  “We have enjoyed being able to connect with our audiences virtually through the past year, and we are so grateful to be able to welcome back the community with this free concert series.”

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed at each performance with any updates being shared via social media.  All performances will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to each show. The Scranton Cultural Center had plans to launch this free series for the community last summer.  During the past year, it has offered its popular Underground Microphone series virtually each week, as well as virtual programming as part of the Center’s Youth Theatre Programming.  To learn more about the Scranton Cultural Center and its upcoming events, visit SCCMT.org.