Wolf Administration Previews 2021 Northeast Region Construction Season The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today highlighted more than 64 projects that will take place across District 4 – which includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties – during the 2021 construction season. “With over $650 million in infrastructure investment in the northeast region we anticipate another busy construction season in 2021,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “We urge motorists to use caution in our work zones as we deliver the necessary improvements to our transportation system.” Overall highlights in the 2021 construction season for District 4 include: approximately 302 miles of paving;approximately 78 bridges will be repaired or replaced; andtwo slides will be repaired. “We are excited about the level of active improvements in this region and I appreciate the motorists’ patience as we make these improvements to our highways and bridges,” District 4 Executive Richard Roman said. “I am pleased that the Department is making such a substantial investment in our infrastructure.” Notable ongoing projects that will continue this year include: Interstate 84 eastbound and westbound resurfacing and bridge preservations included in 32 miles of roadway rehabilitation in Lackawanna and Wayne counties, $36.5 million;I-84 over Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook and Route 435 Bridge Replacement, Roaring Brook, Lackawanna County, $113.2 million;Completion of Interstate paving from Exit 164 South Cross Valley to Luzerne/Lackawanna county line consisting of 37 miles, $17 million;Continuation of $30.5 million roadway reconstruction of Route 2001 in Lehman and Delaware townships, Pike County; andInterstate reconstruction of 14 miles on I-84 eastbound and westbound from the Wayne/Pike county line to Exit 26 Promised Land, $104 million. Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include: Extension of Route 424 Hazleton Beltway from the I-81 Exit 141 Interchange to Humbolt Industrial Park, Luzerne County, $16.9 million;Resurfacing contract for 13 miles of roadway on Route 315 (Dupont Highway), Route 940 (Foster Avenue, Hazleton Freeland Highway), Route 1014 (Overbrook Avenue), Route 2022 (Main Street), Route 3021 (Old Turnpike Road), Route 1019 (Dennison Street), Route 2013 (Courtright Street), Luzerne County, $4.6 million;Resurfacing contract for 17 miles of roadway on Route 309 (North Cross Valley Expressway), Route 11 (Wyoming Avenue), Route 92 (Exeter Avenue), Route 2045 (South Main Road) and ADA ramp construction on Route 1009 (Market Street), Luzerne County;Safety improvement on two locations on Route 6, two locations on Route 2001 and two locations on Route 507 including placement of high friction surface treatment, Pike County, $400,000;Replacing three structures on Route 706 and improving the intersection of Routes 706 and 267 while removing a structure on Route 3037, Bradford County line to Rush, Susquehanna County, 4.3 million;I-81 northbound and southbound resurfacing from north of Exit 223 New Milford, Susquehanna County, to the New York State Line, 18 miles, $3.5 million;Base repair on approximately 75 miles of roadway including Route 247 (Main Street/White Rock Drive/Creamton Drive), Route 371 (Great Bend Turnpike), Route 670 (Belmont Turnpike South), Route 1014 (Galilee Road), Route 4008 (Niagra Road), Route 4009 (Dug Road), Route 4021 (Pleasant Mountain Drive), Route 4023 (Belmont Turnpike), Route 4025 (Sherwood Drive), Route 4031 (Pleasant View Drive/Cribbs Road), Route 3028 (Owego Turnpike), Route 191 (Hancock Highway), Route 652 (Beach Lake Highway) and Route 1001 (Cliff Street, Carley Brook and Dennis Road), Wayne County, $2.4 million;Resurfacing contract on Route 6 (Roosevelt Highway in Canaan Township and Waymart Borough), Wayne County, Route 652 (Beach Lake Highway) and Route 4005 (Beech Grove Road) consisting of 13 miles; andBridge rehabilitation of Route 92 over tributary to Susquehanna River in Falls Township, Wyoming County. As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and to take turns merging into the open lane. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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. 54PA 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. Subscribe to PennDOT news in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 4 including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
NET Credit Union Awards $5,000 in Scholarships High school scholarship winner Camilla Rinaldi. Camilla is a recent graduate of Scranton Prep. She will be studying nursing at Georgetown University in the fall. College/trade school scholarship winner Ryan Ward. Ryan is a senior at Thomas Jefferson University, majoring in finance, in Philadelphia. NET Credit Union awarded $5,000 in scholarships to two local recipients: a high school student and a college/trade school student. We believe in giving back to our community and in helping our members reach their goals. Each recipient receives a $2,500 scholarship. Scholarship application requirements include: Must be a NET Credit Union memberHave proof of a B average or betterProof of attendanceSubmit a 1,000 word essay or 60 second creative video
Geisinger Administers 300,000th COVID-19 Vaccine, COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop Below 40 Patients Walk-in and by-appointment vaccines remain available Geisinger has reached another milestone as we work to move past the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Geisinger administered its 300,000th COVID-19 vaccine dose and has seen COVID-19 hospitalizations decline to their lowest levels in months. As of Monday, Geisinger has administered 301,306 COVID-19 vaccine doses and had 37 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The 37 hospitalizations are the lowest since September 28 when 40 patients were hospitalized, but still higher than mid-June of last year, when COVID-19 hospitalization rates were in the low 20s. Geisinger continues its vaccination efforts by offering walk-in and by-appointment COVID-19 vaccines. Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations will be available this week: Wednesday, June 16, at the Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Vaccine Center, 400 Highland Ave. Ext., Lewistown, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Thursday, June 17, at the Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Vaccine Center, 116 Kerr Ave., Jersey Shore, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday, June 18, at the Geisinger CenterPoint Vaccine Center, 300 Keystone Ave., Pittston, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday, June 18, at the Geisinger Hughes Center Vaccine Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, from 9 a.m. to noon. Geisinger is offering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at all locations, which is a two-dose vaccine administered 21 days apart. Vaccines are available to anyone age 12 and over, but those under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian with them during vaccination. If needed, pediatricians will be on hand to answer questions and to assist with the vaccinations. To check on additional walk-in vaccine days and times, and for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit geisinger.org/COVIDVax. Vaccine appointments can be made through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657.
Marion Munley and Daniel Munley Named to 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers Marion Munley Daniel Munley Munley Law is pleased to announce that two of the firm’s partners, Marion Munley and Daniel Munley, have been named to the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs Consumer Lawyers list.Lawdragon is a legal media company that provides industry news, editorials, and resources including annual guides of the top lawyers in various areas of practice. The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list is an elite group of plaintiffs’ attorneys from all over the United States. Munley Law is the only Scranton firm to make the 2021 list. Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for more than 30 years. She is triple-board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in civil trial, civil practice, and truck law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. Daniel Munley has been practicing personal injury law for more than 25 years. He is board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in both civil trial and truck law. He has earned an AV-Preeminent designation and a Platinum Level Client Champion rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Gunn-Mowery Announces Retirement of Gary Harshbarger, Senior VP We are happy to announce the retirement of Gary Harshbarger, Senior Vice President after 30 years of employment at Gunn-Mowery and 52 years total in the insurance industry. May 1, 2021 was officially Gary’s last day of employment with Gunn-Mowery, LLC – which was also his 74th Birthday! Gary is a legend in our industry and was an instrumental leader at Gunn-Mowery. He always made time to share his knowledge with our employees and clients. You could often hear him telling a fellow co-worker to “Read the policy! And then read it again and again!” Gary originally started his career in the Insurance Industry with Aetna as a Commercial Insurance Representative and then became an Independent Agent in 1980. Gary joined the Gunn-Mowery team in 1992. Over the years he has managed the Personal Lines Department, Personal Lines Service Center, Commercial Lines Service Center, as well as aided in enhancing our Cyber Insurance presence. Gary was also one of our most well-known Producers. In addition, Gary taught several classes to employees who were seeking designations. Gary earned multiple designations from the American Institute of Charted Property & Casualty Underwriters. He received designations of CPCU (Charted Property & Casualty Underwriter), ASLI (Associate in Surplus Lines), ARM (Associate in Risk Management, including Cyber Risk Management), API (Associate in Personal Insurance), AINS (Associate in General Insurance) and CRM (Cyber Risk Management). For the last 25 years Gary was also a very active member of Le Tip of the West Shore. Gary is looking forward to spending his well deserved retirement hunting and enjoying the outdoors, as well as spending more time with his wife and their grandchildren. We will miss you, Gary, and wish you the best in this next chapter! Thank you for your 30 years of service to the Upside and our clients!
Tobyhanna Army Depot Employees Graduate from Leadership Wilkes-Barre Core Program Employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot are expanding their abilities, thanks to the skills and knowledge earned through Leadership Wilkes-Barre (LWB). Established in 1981, Leadership Wilkes-Barre aims to develop leaders and make Northeastern Pennsylvania a better place. The program has trained more than 3,000 community leaders through its comprehensive offerings, which target current and aspiring leaders from the high school level through senior leadership and beyond. LWB’s flagship endeavor is the Core Program, which runs for nine months. According to the LWB website, the Core Program’s mission is to develop adult professionals who improve themselves, their organizations, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Each Core Program participant attends a monthly training session and works as part of a cross-functional team to complete a community service project. Christopher Lupole is one of Team Tobyhanna’s three participants in the 2020-2021 LWB Core Program. A Logistics Management Specialist in the Production Management Directorate’s Sustainment Planning Division (SPD), Lupole says he volunteered for the program to grow himself personally and professionally. “LWB has a great reputation, and I believed the Core Program could help me become a better teammate in SPD. I also hoped the experience would allow me to re-engage with community service, something I am passionate about,” adding that the experience more than lived up to his expectations. “This is a great program and the monthly Core Program sessions were truly enlightening,” he said. “However, I feel I learned the most during my community service project.” Lupole and fellow depot employee Katie Brudzinski were members of the “Kirby Crowd” team charged with restoring parts of Wilkes-Barre’s Kirby Park. The team was responsible for all aspects of the effort, from project planning to fundraising to execution. According to Brudzinski, the task was a challenge, albeit a welcome one. “LWB Core projects are ambitious to begin with, and our team had to complete the entire thing during a global pandemic. We were lucky we could get creative with fundraisers like raffles and ticket sales to help us achieve our goals.” She works in the Resource Management Directorate. Brudzinski, Lupole and the rest of the “Kirby Crowd” finished their project last month, making a big impact on the beloved community space. The team repainted structures within the park, procured ten new picnic tables, and facilitated the preservation of a legacy wood carving in the park. In addition, the team researched the history of Kirby Park to create a visual timeline for patrons. While Brudzinski found the team project to be a great learning experience, she noted her biggest “a-ha” moment came through an exercise at the monthly Core Program meetings. “One of our sessions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. To demonstrate what life is like for others, we participated in a simulated society-type exercise. I was one of the people designated as a ‘minority group,” who had a much harder time doing basic things like renting an apartment for example,” she said. “At the end of the exercise, I realized the hardships experienced by others. That experience has made me more open minded to experiences and perspectives of all people.” Although she retired from federal service last fall, Marilouise Yermal continued to represent Team Tobyhanna in the LWB Core Program. She and her team worked to restore portions of Patriot’s Cove in Noxen. Tobyhanna’s Leadership Development Specialist Tara O’Neil says the organization benefits just as much from the LWB experience as the participants do. “Leadership Wilkes-Barre offers current and emerging TYAD leaders the opportunity to hone their leadership skills with practical applications that benefit our surrounding community. Our strong partnership with various community leadership programs not only allows us to give back to the Northeastern Pennsylvania region, but also enhances our leaders’ strategic thinking and impact-conscious decision making competencies,” adding that the depot expects to have more employees participating in community leadership programs like LWB next year. Connecting with the community is a foundational tenet of Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028. The plan aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Outreach – Center for Community Resources Welcomes Community and School Liaison Margy Durkin, Outreach – Center for Community Resources Community and School Liaison Outreach – Center for Community Resources welcomes Margy Durkin as its new Community and School Liaison. Ms. Durkin will partner with regional school districts and human service organizations to engage families in need of early childhood and other critical services that Outreach delivers to help families and children thrive. Ms. Durkin has made significant progress in connecting with school district staff as well as with numerous other agencies that can refer families in need of Outreach child and family services and programs. Ms. Durkin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Wilkes University and comes to Outreach with over 30 years of experience in social work. Outreach received grant funding from the Robert Y. Moffat Charitable Trust and the PPL Foundation to support the Community and School Liaison project. If your organization would like a presentation on the Parent/Child services offered by Outreach, please contact Ms. Durkin at 570.348.6484. Outreach serves a broad population of those affected by poverty and other challenges: single parents, unemployed workers, educationally at-risk children, veterans, individuals with health, behavioral and cognitive issues, individuals in recovery, and others in transition. Outreach improves the lives of over 5,000 individuals each year with award-winning workforce and family development programs that support individuals as they move forward in life.
Penn State Scranton Alum to Speak About ‘Office’ Experience Lynn Jesuitt-Donnini loves her job for a number of reasons, among them its relationship to a certain beloved Scranton-set TV show. On Monday, June 21, the Penn State Scranton alumna will be the featured speaker for the Penn State Northeast Region alumni chapters’ Summer 2021 Virtual Speakers Series. That night, Jesuitt-Donnini will discuss her experiences as the vice president of people/culture and public relations at Scranton-based Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Co., which for more than a decade has nurtured and maintained an association with the NBC sitcom “The Office.” The Penn Paper-“The Office” connection is now well-known. Not only is the television show set at a Scranton-based paper company — the fictional “Dunder Mifflin” — but the Penn Paper building is among the various Scranton locales seen in the show’s opening credits. In addition to her duties hiring, training and retaining Penn Paper and its affiliates’ nearly 300 employees, Jesuitt-Donnini has become the business’ go-to authority on “The Office.” Even today, the brick building with the distinctive tower continues to attract TV-show fans from all over the world who want to get a glimpse of the iconic landmark and all of the other real-life local places name-checked on the series, which ran on NBC from 2005 to 2013 but remains wildly popular through syndication and streaming services. At the upcoming event, Jesuitt-Donnini will share her anecdotes and collectibles from “The Office,” as well as provide attendees with a virtual tour of the Penn Paper operation. Jesuitt-Donnini said the company’s enduring association with the show has been nothing short of mind-blowing. “I never would have thought it would be this popular even 10 years later. We get visitors from all over the world to visit the tower and just get a glimpse of the ‘Office’ sign,” she said. “We are also one of the top five things to do while visiting Scranton, and have been on the cover and listed in many magazines and tourist promotional items. While we are not just a paper company, fans don’t seem to mind. They just want a picture to say they were here. The PR for this has been unbelievable.” Jesuitt-Donnini attended the campus from 1986 to 1988 before completing her bachelor’s degree in management at Penn State Harrisburg in 1990. She remembers plenty from her two years on campus, including the many people who left a lasting impression on her, among them former faculty members Dante Cancelli, Richard Harmstone and Walt Weber and former admissions office representative Ann Wilson. Even today, “they remind me how to be a better person,” said Jesuitt-Donnini, who has participated in the campus’ mentoring program. “I loved being at Worthington,” said Jesuitt-Donnini, referring to the campus’ former name. “Obviously, it was a little different, having only a few buildings compared to what is there today. The professors were just amazing and I often reflect on so many experiences. They really did take an interest, and back then we didn’t have the technology that we do today, so you were really able to sit and verbally communicate for hours with each other. For many of us, the SLC was our second home. There was no texting and no computers in class — you had to go to the computer lab to use one back then.” After graduating from Harrisburg, Jesuitt-Donnini worked in the banking industry for several years before realizing her true calling was “to work with individuals to help them find career placements and better opportunities.” So, she switched gears and pursued a new career in human resources. One day in 2005, she received an unexpected phone call from Douglas Fink, owner of Penn Paper & Supply. He wanted her to join the family-owned company as its very first director of human resources. Since then, Jesuitt-Donnini’s role has expanded significantly to also include public relations, marketing and event planning. She’s proud of the vital role she’s played in the company’s continual growth. “I’ve been here for 16 years, so that does say a lot,” Jesuitt-Donnini said. “It took a while and a lot of hard work to obtain this position. You must have a good leader and you also need to have great people on your team. The team is what drives any company and its goals, and here everyone knows what is expected of them.” Given the campus played such a significant role in shaping her professional journey, Jesuitt-Donnini is all too happy to come back and share her story with her fellow alumni. “I’m looking forward to sharing my life and how my education, family and Penn State really set the groundwork for who I am and what I bring to others,” she said. “No one can ever take your education from you. It is something that today many may take for granted, but just 30 years ago, that was not the case. The world has changed, the people have changed, technology has played a huge part in lives, but the one thing that still remains are the values that have to be there. Having a good foundation, education and family values plays a big part in anyone’s future.” The presentation begins at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Register at this link for it or any of the other summer alumni events. The other Northeast Region Virtual Speakers Series events this summer are: Summer BINGO Madness: Featuring the Penn State “Button Man”Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. Jonathan U. Dougherty, Penn State class of 1999, director of corporate knowledge for James G. Davis Construction Corporation, will host a night of virtual bingo. Five games will be played, with each winner receiving a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. The winner of a final “coverall”-themed game will earn a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. Creative Candles by CorinaMonday, July 12, at 7 p.m. Corina Piller, Penn State class of 2016, owner of She Paints Co., will demonstrate the process of making soy candles. Through a Dog’s EyesMonday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. Retired Penn State Hazleton Assistant Professor of Biology David Orbin and his wife, Kathy, will discuss the origins of guide dogs for visually impaired people, their training from birth to service, and how local volunteer families are participating in this important service. Kahoot – Penn State TriviaMonday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. Roseanne Chesakis, Penn State class of 1984, information resources and services supervisor at Penn State Schuylkill’s Ciletti Memorial Library, will host a night of Penn State-themed trivia. There will be five games in total, with each winner receiving a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a Penn State goodie basket.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Juneteenth The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 18, 2021, in observance of Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas – the furthest point in the south – with news of the end of the Civil War. Enslaved people were previously unaware they had been freed more than two years earlier when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, or that Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered in Virginia two months earlier. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services 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. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2021 is available online. 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.
