PennDOT Accepting Unsolicited Public-Private Partnership Proposals Until October 31 The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Office of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) announced today that it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through October 31. The submission period applies to PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure. During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs. Unsolicited proposals are being accepted through 11:59 PM on October 31. Instructions on how to submit a project and information on the unsolicited proposal review process can be found on the state’s P3 website, www.P3.pa.gov. PennDOT holds an unsolicited proposal period in April and October each year. The private sector may also submit applications for non-PennDOT-owned assets directly to the P3 board during this time. Transportation entities outside of the governor’s jurisdiction, such as transit authorities, may establish their own timelines or accept proposals year-round. The state’s P3 law allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining, and financing transportation-related projects. As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board was appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation would be more cost-effectively administered by a private company, the company will be authorized to submit a proposal and enter into a contract to either completely or partially take over that operation for a defined period of time. The next unsolicited proposal acceptance period will occur in April 2022. To learn more about P3 in Pennsylvania, including active projects, visit www.P3.pa.gov.
NEPIRC COVID-19 Response Efforts for Manufacturers Earns National Award The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s largest association of economic development organizations and practitioners, recently presented the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) with an International Silver Award for its COVID-19 Resiliency, Recovery & Mitigation Efforts for Manufacturers. According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and obtained directly from firms that utilized NEPIRC’s services during the pandemic, the organization’s COVID-19 response allowed the region’s manufacturers to avoid 1,700 layoffs and 4,661 temporary job furloughs. Firms that called upon NEPIRC also reported the retention of $124.7 million in sales that would have otherwise been lost due to closure, supply chain breakdowns, raw material outages or other pandemic-related consequences. More than 1,800 regional manufacturers took advantage of NEPIRC’s no-cost COVID-19 assistance efforts during the peak of the pandemic – with more than 100 receiving highly-customized pandemic response solutions. “This recognition by our peers is a testament to the tireless work of our team members and our collective innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, which allowed us to develop and deploy workable solutions and approaches for our manufacturers quickly and effectively,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s President & CEO. “Our team members were our greatest asset, followed by our I.T. infrastructure, which allowed us to transition to remote working environments and virtual services without missing a beat,” he added. Within the award presentation, the IEDC applauded NEPIRC’s proactive approach to contacting manufacturers during the pandemic and providing them with free COVID-19 impact assessments and customized response plans. IEDC’s recognition also noted the value of NEPIRC’s informational webinars and seminars, online manufacturer guides, virtual CEO and Leadership networks and other services. The award was conferred at a special ceremony during IEDC’s Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee on October 5th, which was broadcasted internationally. NEPIRC plans to celebrate the award with its clients, Board of Directors and staff at a later date.
Wright Center decorating pumpkins at Carbondale Farmer’s Market The Wright Center for Community Health will present a series of children’s activities for the fall season and offer important information about the services offered by the regional health care provider on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Carbondale Farmers Market, 185 Fallbrook St. The Wright Center for Community Health will set up its information and activities table in the Fallbrook Healthy Aging Center. A pumpkin painting activity will be provided to all children that attend the market. Market shoppers will also receive free merchandise and information about health care services. “The Carbondale Farmers Market is a perfect opportunity for The Wright Center to engage with community members of all ages and reinforce the health care services we provide at eight regional clinics,” said Allision LaRussa, the director of health humanities at The Wright Center. “We will be creative with our pumpkins and other crafts, while highlighting the important role art can play in our daily lives.” The Wright Center for Community Health also participated in the grand opening of the farmers market in September. The market is open year-round on Thursdays. Photo Caption: Allision LaRussa, director of health humanities at The Wright Center, poses with arts and crafts supplies that she will bring to the Carbondale Farmers Market on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 2-5:30 p.m. The Wright Center for Community Health is offering children an opportunity to be extra creative with pumpkins and other seasonal activities, while others can obtain information about the health care services the nonprofit provides in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties.
High School Students in Lackawanna College’s Level Up Program Honored On Tuesday, Sept. 21, several local high school students in Lackawanna College’s award-winning Level Up program were recognized at a ‘Level Up 30 Down’ reception on the main campus in Scranton. Students in the program are pursuing an associate degree through Lackawanna College while in high school and have earned 30 or more credits. “We are proud of our Level Up students and what they have accomplished,” said Dr. Abbey Judge, Level Up Program Director. “This progressive program fast tracks a student’s education, saving them both time and money, and prepares them academically for college-level academic rigor.” Level Up has graduated a total of 49 students, with 24 earning a certificate and 25 earning an associate degree since its launch in 2018. Upon completion, students can stay at Lackawanna to complete their degree, earning an incentive scholarship for their participation in the Level Up program, or transfer credits to another college or university. In March 2021, the business magazine Fast Company included Lackawanna College on its World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021 list, specifically for the merits of our Level Up program. The College ranked 9th place in its Corporate Social Responsibility category. For more information about the Level Up program, visit www.lackawanna.edu/levelup. Photo Caption:Students in Lackawanna College’s award-winning Level Up program who earned 30 or more credits toward their associate degree were recognized at the ‘Level Up 30 Down’ reception. These high school students are on track to graduate with an associate degree from Lackawanna College when they graduate from high school. Listed are, from left to right, Connor McKeefery, Riverside HS, Professional Studies; Ava Aulisio, Old Forge HS, Professional Studies; Lawrence Lombardi, North Pocono HS, Professional Studies; Dr. Abbey Judge, Program Director; Kathryn Dougherty, Riverside HS, Professional Studies; Kayleigh Leonard, Abington Heights HS, Professional Studies; Shea Dailey, Notre Dame Academy, Stroudsburg, Professional Studies; Jason Catalano, Pittston Area HS, Criminal Justice. The following students are on track to graduate but were not in attendance: Isabelle Edwards, Blue Ridge HS, Professional Studies; Shannon Toolan, Mt. View HS, Business Administration; Ian Richmond, Mid Valley HS, Accounting; Sydney Harris, Riverside HS, Professional Studies.
Marywood University to Hold Undergraduate Open Houses Marywood University will hold undergraduate open houses for high school students and their parents on Saturday, October 30, 2021, and Saturday, November 13, 2021. There will be two programs on both days, the first session beginning with registration at 9 a.m., and the second session beginning with registration at 10:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Lounge at the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus. The event will include an informative tour of the campus, complimentary continental breakfast and lunch for all guests, and the opportunity to meet with current Marywood students, faculty, and athletic coaches. Information sessions with admissions and financial aid counselors will also be available. For additional information, please call Marywood University’s undergraduate admissions office at (570) 348-6234 or visit www.marywood.edu/admissions/.
Pennsylvania American Water Awards $50,000 to Local Fire Departments Pennsylvania American Water announced today that it has awarded $50,000 in grants to 100 fire and rescue organizations across the Commonwealth through its annual Firefighting Support Grant Program. The announcement coincides with Fire Prevention Week, which seeks to provide lifesaving public education on fire safety to children, adults and teachers. Since launching the grant program in 2009, Pennsylvania American Water has donated more than $780,000 to help hundreds of fire departments and emergency service organizations across the Commonwealth. “Through this grant program, we help our local fire departments purchase lifesaving personal protective gear, water handling equipment, firefighting tools and training materials as a ‘thank you’ for the valuable service they provide to our communities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “Water systems and fire departments work collaboratively to deliver community fire protection, and we are proud to support to the men and women who serve our local fire departments.” Pennsylvania American Water awarded $500 each to the following fire departments across its service territory through its 2021 grant program: Allegheny County– Blaine Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company, Elizabeth Township Fire Department, Jefferson Hills 885 Volunteer Fire Company, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Oliver Hook & Ladder Company, Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company, Vigilant Hose Company #1 of Port Vue, Volunteer Fireman’s Association of Liberty Borough, West Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Company, West Mifflin #3 Volunteer Fire Company, and Whitehall Fire CompanyBeaver County – Big Beaver Volunteer Fire CompanyBerks County – Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Township of Spring Fire Rescue Services, and Wyomissing Fire DepartmentButler County– Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, City of Butler Bureau of Fire, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, and Unionville Volunteer Fire CompanyCentre County – Mountain Top Fire CompanyChester County – Liberty Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 and West End Fire Company No. 3Clarion County – Farmington Township Volunteer Fire Company and Sligo Volunteer Fire DepartmentCumberland County – Camp Hill Fire Company, New Cumberland Fire Department, New Cumberland River Rescue, Shiremanstown Fire Department, Silver Spring Community Fire Company, and West Shore Bureau of FireDauphin County – Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, Steelton Fire Department, and Union Deposit Fireman’s Relief AssociationFayette County– Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Company, Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Department, Republic Volunteer Fire Company, South Union Fire Company, and Uniontown Fire DepartmentIndiana County – Indiana Fire AssociationJefferson County – Central Fire Department and Lindsey Fire CompanyLackawanna County– Dunmore Fire Department, Elmhurst Roaring Brook Volunteer Fire Company, Eureka Hose Company No. 4, Eynon Sturges Volunteer Hose Company No. 3, Jessup Hose Company No. 1, Taylor Fire & Rescue, Volunteer Hose Company of Throop, and William Walker Hose CompanyLancaster County – Christiana Fire CompanyLawrence County– City of New Castle Fire Department and New Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire DepartmentLebanon County – Citizens Fire Company-Palmyra and The Union Hose Company of AnnvilleLuzerne County – Avoca Hose Company #1, City of Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, Glen Lyon Alden Volunteer Hose Company, Good Will Hose Company #2, Hanover Township Fire Department, Kingston Fire Department, Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department, Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Mountaintop Hose Company No. 1, Nanticoke City Fire Department, Rescue Hose Company No. 1 – Ashley PA, Wilkes-Barre Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Wyoming Hose Company #2Montgomery County– Black Rock Volunteer Fire Company, Centre Square Fire Company, East Norriton Township Fire, Hancock Fire Company, Norristown Fire Department, Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, Trappe Fire Company No. 1, and Upper Merion Township Fire and EMS DepartmentNorthampton County – Washington Township Volunteer Fire CompanyNorthumberland County– Milton Fire Department, Northumberland Fire Company No. 1, and Northumberland Hook and Ladder CompanySchuylkill County– Friendship Fire Company No. 2 of Butler Township and Good Will Hose Company #1Susquehanna County – Hallstead Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1, Susquehanna Fire Department, and Thompson Hose CompanyUnion County – William Cameron Engine Company•Warren County – City of Warren Fire Department and North Warren Volunteer Fire Department Station 55Washington County – Avella Volunteer Fire Department, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company, Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department Company No. 1, New Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, North Strabane Township Fire Department, Richeyville Volunteer Fire Company, South Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, South Strabane Fire Department, The Volunteer Fire Department of Carrol Township, and West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1Wayne County – Browndale Fire Company #1
New nurse practitioners at Wright Center’s Hawley and Jermyn practices Allison MillerKayla Gatto Two certified registered nurse practitioners with diverse experience in general nursing and acute patient care have joined The Wright Center for Community Health to provide primary and preventive care to people of all ages. Greentown resident Allison Miller, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., F.N.P.-C., joins The Wright Center’s primary care practice in Wayne County at 103 Spruce St., Hawley. She earned her master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees in nursing from The Pennsylvania State University. Miller is a board-certified registered family nurse practitioner and a member of the Emergency Nurses Association. Prior to joining The Wright Center, she worked as an education liaison for Regional Hospital of Scranton and as an emergency department nurse for Moses Taylor Hospital. At The Wright Center, Miller will see infant, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. To schedule an appointment with Miller at the Hawley Practice, please call 570-576-8081. Dunmore resident Kayla Gatto, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C., joins The Wright Center’s Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from The University of Scranton and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wilkes University. Gatto is a board-certified registered family nurse practitioner. She most recently served as a registered nurse in the medical surgical intensive care unit at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre. At The Wright Center, Gatto will provide family practice care to patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with Gatto at the Mid Valley Practice, please call 570-230-0019.
Pennsylvania Launches New Driver License Program for Visually Impaired The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that visually-impaired Pennsylvania residents can now use bioptic telescope lenses to obtain a learner’s permit and ultimately earn a driver’s license. “This law makes significant changes that will ultimately increase many of our residents’ independence and enhance their quality of life,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. Act 131, which was signed into law by Governor Wolf in December, took effect September 27 and directed the establishment of a safe program for eligible individuals to use bioptic telescope lenses that can help them meet visual acuity standards to qualify for and obtain a driver’s license. These bioptic telescope lenses, with authorized use in at least 46 other states, are designed to help certain individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to obtain a license meet visual acuity standards. PennDOT has developed the program’s training and licensing process and has now implemented the program. The law amends Title 75 – the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code – by allowing drivers with a visual acuity less than 20/100 combined but at least 20/200 visual acuity in the best corrected eye, to be eligible to apply for a Bioptic Telescope Learner’s Permit. In order to be eligible, the individual must: Pass a complete vision examination completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist;Have possessed a Bioptic Telescope Lens for at least 3 months;Undergo a minimum of 10 hours of front seat passenger-in-car instruction with a Low-Vision Rehabilitation Professional; andProvide the Department a letter of enrollment with a PennDOT approved Certified Driving Instructor (CDI) or Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). Once all requirements have been met, the applicant may apply for a Bioptic Telescope Learner’s Permit. Upon successful completion of PennDOT’s knowledge test, the applicant must complete a minimum of 20 hours behind-the-wheel driver training using the Bioptic Telescope with a PennDOT approved (CDI) or (CDRS), plus 45 hours of observed driving hours with a licensed person who is age 21 or older in order to complete the 65 hours of accompanied driving required and reassessed by a PennDOT approved CDI or CDRS before taking the skills exam. Bioptic telescope drivers may only drive during daylight hours, are limited to roads other than freeways and may only drive passenger vehicles weighing no more than 10,000 pounds. For more information on Driver and Vehicle Services, please visit the website, 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; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
J. Morgan Puett to Speak at Marywood as part of Distinguished Visiting Artist Lecture Series The Marywood University Art Department will present a lecture by interdisciplinary artist J. Morgan Puett as part of its Distinguished Visiting Artist Lecture Series on Wednesday, October 20, at 4 p.m. The event will take place in the Comerford Theater, located in the Center for Natural and Health Sciences at Marywood University, and will be followed by a reception in the Shields Visual Arts Center. The lecture and reception are free and open to the public. Puett is an interdisciplinary cultural producer with an accomplished body of work in the areas of installation art practices, clothing and furniture design, architecture, fine art, film, and photography, to name a few. Puett exhibits, lectures, and teaches extensively in venues around the world including, New York City, Tokyo, Chicago, Venice, Charleston, London, and many others. She is also the architect of The Mildred’s Lane Project, in Beach Lake, PA, which she founded and co-directs with Mark Dion. It is a place that continues to forge new ground, citing that being is profoundly a social and political practice. The lecture is being offered in conjunction with the exhibition, Workstyles: The Labor Portraits of Mildred’s Lane in Conversation with The Maslow Collection, currently on view in the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art and co-curated by J. Morgan Puett and Ryan Ward. For more information, contact Ryan Ward at 570-348-6211, ext. 2520.
