Johnson College to Host 4th Annual Auction for Children’s Advocacy Center

Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program will host an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 on the Johnson College campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m.

More than 60 items will be available to bid on including cutting boards, tables, cabinets, a book case and more. All items were created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking program. Most of the items were made from re-purposed wood. Face masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

The 2019 auction raised over $7,000 for the local non-profit. No auction was held in 2020 due to the on-going pandemic. To register, please visit johnson.edu/events/annual-carpentry-auction. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Lackawanna College to Help Local Hospitality and Leisure Industry

A new partnership between Lackawanna College Lake Region Center and the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance aims to help local hospitality and leisure businesses grow their staff and train their existing workforce.

“The well-rounded training courses that we are offering will be crucial to helping our hospitality and leisure businesses start to rebuild their workforce that was drastically affected by the pandemic,” said Jennifer Passenti, Lackawanna College Lake Region Center Director “We are proud to work with the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance to help this industry survive and continue to grow.”

USDA Rural Development awarded a grant to the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance to provide internships and online training programs through the Lackawanna College Lake Region Center’s Continuing Education Department. Training courses include marketing and communications, design, Microsoft Office programs, skilled labor, and more.

“Workforce Alliance is offering paid internships and free training to qualified businesses in Wayne & Pike Counties,” said Lucyann Vierling, Workforce Alliance Executive Director. “Assisting our local businesses by providing much-needed resources to upskill existing or future staff, will not only assist individuals to retain or gain the skills that can lead to career advancement within the organization, but it also helps support the recovery efforts of the many businesses impacted by the pandemic.”

To get connected to the right training program, employers can complete the Train to Retain Form or call 570-390-7613 Ext. 702 for more information.

Non-Discrimination Statement

RailRiders Set PNC Field Safety Protocols for Upcoming Season

With the 2021 season opening early next month, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have set their safety regulations and protocols for fans attending games at PNC Field. These changes have been put in place to help protect everyone at the ballpark this year, from the fans and staff to the players on the field.

“We want our loyal fans to have the best time possible as they return to PNC Field this year, but that truly requires some changes to how we operate for the best interest of everyone involved with making RailRiders baseball happen,” stated John Adams, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s team president. “These protocols and procedure changes are necessary to ensure that our facility remains one of the premier venues in Minor League Baseball. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding from our fans and staff while we ensure that watching a RailRiders game at PNC Field is a safe and enjoyable one.

Most areas of operations at PNC Field have had policies and procedures updated in accordance with state, CDC and Major League Baseball guidelines. This includes:

Ticketing and Seating
Tickets to RailRiders games this season will now be digital. This helps eliminate contact points for fans and employees, increasing safety as your enter PNC Field.

Due to state and CDC guidelines, PNC Field will not open at full capacity at the outset of the season. The RailRiders will incorporate “pod” seating within the ballpark and tickets will be limited based on social distancing guidelines and procedures. Seats in the vicinity of each “pod” will be zip-tied to prevent use and to assist in maintaining proper distancing.

Single-game tickets will be available online only at swbrailriders.com.

Entry and Exit Points
There will be one gate designated for exit from PNC Field to avoid contact with those entering PNC Field. This gate will be located at the Main Gates, but away from the entry gates.

There will be no re-entry allowed into the PNC Field once a guest has exited unless there is a rain delay where fans may exit the stadium during the time of the delay to ensure distancing.

Mask Policy
Major League Baseball has enacted a mask policy for the 2021 season and it applies to teams under its Player Development License. All attendees age two years and older will be required to wear a face-covering over their nose and mouth at all times while on the ballpark property other than when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats. Exceptions may be made for attendees who cannot wear face coverings for medical reasons and provide written medical verification. These attendees with proper verification will be wristbanded at gate entrances by security for identification purposes.

Cashless Points of Sale
PNC Field will be a fully cashless facility in 2021. This includes all aspects of operation at the ballpark, including parking, ticketing, the SWB Station Team Store and the concession stands and bars. Venues around the country have gone cashless during the pandemic, including nearby ballparks and arenas in Pennsylvania, which has helped minimize health risks by limiting contact. A cashless ballpark should also help minimize wait times. PNC Field will accept credit and debit cards. Additional forms of cashless payment will be available as upgrades are made at each point of sale this season.

Bag Policy
The RailRiders bag policy has been updated for 2021 as well. Fans may only bring medical bags, diaper bags or small wristlets into the ballpark this season. No other bags will be permitted.

Concessions
When fans head to the concession stands, they will notice social distancing markers to help keep everyone safe while waiting in line. All concession employees will be required to wear protective gloves and face coverings. Condiments and similar items will be served using pre-packaged servings as opposed to communal displays.

Restrooms
Every other urinal will be closed to ensure social distancing. Exterior doors will be propped open to encourage touchless entry/exit. Automatic towel and soap dispensers have also been installed to provide touchless distribution. Restrooms will be cleaned approximately every 30 minutes by PNC Field cleaning staff.

Smoking Policy
PNC Field is a smoke-free facility. Designated smoking areas have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 concerns until social distancing and additional restrictions are lifted.

Autographs
Due to MLB, CDC and state distancing guidelines, players will not be signing autographs.

SWB Station Team Store
Capacity inside the team store will be limited to a maximum of 20 guests at a time. The team store footprint will be expanded to the outdoor concourse to allow for social distancing.

Additional Protocols and Procedures
– Enhanced cleaning procedures will be put in place throughout the ballpark during the 2021 season.

– Water fountains will be disabled for health precautions.

– The elevators to the Geisinger Champions Club and suites will be used with limited occupancy. A ticketed group in the same seating pod or suite will be permitted to ride together according to the elevator occupancy limit. PNC Field Gameday Staff will disinfect elevator buttons before each use.

– Public address announcements will be made throughout the game to encourage social distancing and to remind fans of the face-covering requirements.

– Social distancing guidelines will begin as you enter PNC Field and remain prevalent for the duration of your time at the ballpark. There will be stanchions that will separate and social distance each entrance.

– There will be a 12’ buffer zone between the dugouts and assigned seats.

– All full-time and game day staff will have their temperature checked during their arrival as well as fill out a COVID-19 Survey. Any staff member exhibiting a temperature above 100.4F or responding to the survey in a way that indicates possible infection will not be permitted into PNC Field.

Additional changes or protocol updates may be required as the season progresses due to MLB, CDC and state guidelines or restrictions.

Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now. Single-game tickets for the 12 home dates in May will go on sale April 27 at 10 A.M. online at swbrailriders.com. Individual tickets for the remainder of the schedule will go on sale at a later time with eyes on restriction changes throughout the season.

For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact the club by calling (570) 969-2255.

Jane Jacobs’s First City Live Book Launch

Hear author Glenna Lang at an in-person lecture and slide presentation celebrating the release of her new book—Jane Jacobs’s First City: Learning from Scranton, Pennsylvania(New Village Press). Learn how Jane Jacobs’s influential ideas about vibrant cities developed through her early life in the City of Scranton. This May 4th marks what would have been Jane Jacobs’s 105th birthday and the first annual Jane Jacobs Day in Scranton.

Special guests will include Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, architect John Cowder, and Center for the Living City director Maria MacDonald. Audience Q&A will be followed by a book signing. The socially-distanced program will take place at the spacious Theater at Lackawanna College, formerly Central High School from which Jane Jacobs (née Butzner) graduated.

Registration is required but free. This program is part of the Jane Jacobs Lecture Series hosted by the Center for the Living City and Marywood University, and is a kickoff for many events in the week-long Observe Scranton: Jane Jacobs’s First City Festival.

If you cannot attend in person, tickets for a livestream virtual event will be available soon through the Center for the Living City.

Thanks to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) NEPA Chapter for sponsoring this event and offering CES credit for architects attending in-person or virtually. Additional sponsors include Lackawanna College and the Scranton Public Library.

Seating is limited—Register now.

Masks required. Space is wheelchair accessible.

Observe Scranton Festival

Join us for a weeklong community festival celebrating Scranton through the eyes of Jane Jacobs, its hometown iconic city activist, on what would be her 105th birthday.

On May 4-8, free community exhibits will be located all over the city in collaboration with the Lackawanna County Library, Marywood University, the University of Scranton, the City of Scranton, and many private community-minded Developers, organizations, and businesses.

Live Music, First Friday Celebrations, Book launch/signings, Flag raising, Bike rides and more. The Festival concludes with a special ticketed Fringe Festival event StorySlam. 

Marywood University Announces Its Summer Athletic Camps and Clinics

Marywood University announces its summer athletics camps and clinics. Those interested can, “Pick Your Passion this Summer,” from more than ten camps and clinics featuring an array of sports activities. Our camps will follow CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines. Additional guidelines pertaining to individual camps will be sent after registration. To register, please visit marywood.edu/camps/index.html.

  • Stroke Technique Clinic will take place on Friday, May 21, for ages 7-12, from 3:30 – 5 p.m.; ages 13-18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, May 22, 23, for ages 7-12, at 10:30 a.m., and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness.
  • Girls Lacrosse Camp will take place from Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24, from 9 a.m. – noon, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for athletes in grades 5-9. The cost of the camp is $100, and registration can be made by June 10. This camp will focus on lacrosse skills with lots of fun activities woven in.
  • Boys Basketball Instructional Camps will be held the week of Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, and from Monday, July 26 – Friday, July 30, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., each week, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The instructional camp is for ages 7-15, and the cost $190 per week. Early bird cost is $160 until June 7 for both camps. Campers will be divided into groups based on age and ability. Each day, campers will go through a dynamic stretch, ball handling workout, six stations, and one game set each morning, and more.
  • Volleyball Summer Camp will take place from Tuesday, July 6 – Thursday, July 8, from 9 am. – 4 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is offered to girls in grades 9 – 12. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and lunch will be provided. The cost is $150.
  • Esports Virtual Coed Summer Camp will take place from Monday, July 12 – Thursday, July 15, from 12-4 p.m., each day. This camp is for high school aged students in grades 9-12. The cost of the camp is $159, but campers can register by June 14 for the early bird cost of $129. This four-day virtual camp will give attendees the opportunity to learn about esports in a variety of capacities. At the end of the camp week, matches will be broadcast for parents to watch live or following as recordings.
  • Family Basketball Camp will take place from on Saturday, July 24, from 5-9 p.m., and Sunday, July 25, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The minimum age for campers is 5, and the cost of the camp is $120, with an early bird option of $100 for those who register by June 26. The skill work for this camp is designed to give both parents and children useful drills and techniques to take home and continue working on together.
  • Boys and Girls Soccer Camp will take place from Monday, July 26 – Wednesday, July 28, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for ages 8-12, and the cost is $200, with an early bird option of $180 if registered by June 28. The camp will provide soccer-based and other fun activities to all campers. Instruction will be for all levels and based on the ability of each camper.
  • Girls Basketball Day Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., each day. This day camp is open to grades 3-8, and the cost is $150, with an early bird option of $125 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided based on age and skill, and the camp will be composed of individual competitions as well as team competition, stations, guest speakers, and fun.
  • Girls Basketball Elite Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 6 – 9 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is recommended for high school athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $100, with an early bird option of $85 if registered by July 5. Players will be placed on teams where they will compete against other players in a competitive setting. Attendees will work on the skills needed to succeed in high school and college basketball.
  • Men’s Lacrosse Camp and ID Clinic will take place from Wednesday, August 4 – Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. The camp and ID clinic is suggested to athletes in grades 7-12, and cost $150, with an early bird option of $100 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided by age and will work on basic skills as well as advanced concepts unique to college play. Saturday will be used as a prospect day, and players will have the option to sign up for this day only.
  • Girls Field Hockey Jr. High/High School Preseason Prep Camp will take place from Monday, August 9 – Thursday, August 12, from 9 a.m. – noon, each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is suggested for athletes in grades 7-12, and costs $150. Athletes will be divided into junior high and high school groups to keep skill and ages appropriate. The day camp will consist of team warm up, preseason fitness, skill instruction, small sided games, and scrimmaging.
  • Pre-Season Prep Swim Clinic will take place from Monday, August 16 – Friday, August 20, from 3:30 – 5 p.m., each day for ages 7-12; and 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., each day for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The cost for one session is $55, two sessions is $100, three sessions is $160; and four sessions is $175 per week.
  • Softball Summer Prospect Clinic will take place on Sunday, August 29, from noon 12 – 4 p.m., on the Softball Field. This clinic is for athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $75, with an early bird option of $65 with registration by August 1. This one-day clinic will offer instruction and help athletes’ skills in offense, defense, pitching, base running, and more. Athletes will be instructed by Marywood’s coaching staff and team, and a tour of campus will also be provided.

For additional information about Marywood University’s “Pick Your Passion” Athletic Camps and Clinics, please visit www.marywood.edu/camps/index.html.

Lottery Raffle to Benefit the Scranton Public Library

The Scranton Public Library is hosting a lottery raffle fundraiser happening now through May 7, 2021. Only 500 tickets will be sold with five cash prizes available. The more tickets sold, the higher the cash prizes. All Scranton Library locations are selling a set amount of numbered tickets.

It’s simple to play. Participants can look for their “lucky” number and its location from the list below.

Then they visit the library to purchase a ticket. Numbers are first come, first served.

All participants will be entered to win the top prize of $3,000* or another cash prize of lesser amount. Tickets are $30 and are on sale now.

  • Ticket Numbers 001 through 125 are sold at the Albright Memorial Library | 500 Vine Street.
  • Ticket Numbers 126 through 250 are sold at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library | 520 Vine Street.
  • Ticket Numbers 251 through 375 are sold at Library Express Bookstore | 2nd Floor of the Marketplace at Steamtown.
  • Ticket Numbers 376 through 500 are sold at the Nancy Kay Holmes Library | 1032 Green Ridge Street.

*Total prize amounts will represent 1/3 of gross collected.

Proceeds will directly benefit programs and services at the library.

For more information, call Jessica Serrenti at (570) 795-4315 or call the library at (570) 348-3000.

PennDOT 2020 Traffic Fatalities Second Lowest on Record

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in 2020, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 from the record low of 1,059 in 2019. Last year was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward.

“Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel regardless of the mode you use, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through educational outreach, the latest innovations, effective enforcement and low-cost safety improvements.”

Pennsylvania roadway deaths were up about 6 percent in 2020 despite an approximate 20 percent reduction in traffic counts statewide last year when compared to 2019. This increase is in line with a recently released report from the National Safety Council, showing preliminary data estimates national motor-vehicle deaths are up 8 percent.

“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” said Gramian. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our roads safer for all drivers.

“Motorists are our most important partners in road safety – we can only get to zero fatalities with your help. We urge all Pennsylvanians to always wear their seat belts, never drive impaired or distracted, and always follow the speed limit.”

While the overall number of highway deaths increased last year, decreases in fatalities were noted in crashes involving drivers aged 65 or older, head on/opposite direction side swipes, crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrian crashes. Fatalities in drivers 65 years old or older dropped from 281 in 2019 to 243 in 2020. Head on crashes/opposite direction side swipe fatalities also decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128 last year. There were 47 fatalities in 2020 crashes involving distracted drivers compared to 62 in 2019.

Additionally, the year-to-year longer-term trends also continue to decrease. For example, compared to 2016, there were 59 fewer total traffic deaths, 86 fewer deaths in lane departure crashes, and 60 fewer fatalities involving unrestrained occupants in crashes.

The following crash types saw fatality increases in 2020:

  • Crashes involving single vehicle run-off-the-road – 506 fatalities, up from 447 in 2019;
  • Crashes involving local roads – 224 fatalities, up from 186 in 2019;
  • Crashes involving motorcycles – 217 fatalities, up from 174 in 2019; and
  • Crashes involving speeding – 188 fatalities, up from 162 in 2019.

According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. For this reason, PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests $18 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.

In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements to roadways in an effort to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Approximately $477 million in Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds has been invested in 444 unique safety projects from 2015 to 2019. During that same timeframe, another $50 million of state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at approximately 3,000 locations. Examples of low-cost safety countermeasures include centerline and edge-line rumble strips and signing and pavement markings.

For more information on reportable crash data, visit PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT) website, www.crashinfo.penndot.gov. Under “Crash Downloads,” the “Reportable Crash Fatality Statistics” spreadsheet is updated with 2020 fatalities; 2020 crash statistics and suspected serious injury statistics are not yet available. The “Custom Query Tool” and additional crash downloads will be available later this month.

For more information on the department’s highway safety initiatives, visit PennDOT.gov/safety.

Space Time Mead & Cider Works Pledges 1% of Annual Sales to Environmental Causes

Space Time Mead & Cider Works joined 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of annual sales to support The Lackawanna River Conservation Association.

“When we started our winery, one of our core principals was to do what we could to protect our natural environment. Afterall, our wine depends on clean air, water, soil and biodiversity”, said Dan Schreffler, President of Space Time Mead & Cider Works. “We could think of no other local organization that has done so much for Lackawanna County’s quality of life by protecting and cleaning up the Lackawanna River and surrounding lands.”

“Currently, only 3% of total philanthropy goes to the environment and, only 5% of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of business members is doing its valuable part to increase giving and support on-the-ground outcomes. We’re excited to welcome Space Time Mead & Cider Works to our global movement,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. By contributing 1% of their annual sales, thousands of 1% for the Planet members have raised over $265 million to support approved environmental nonprofits around the globe. Nonprofits are approved based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Thousands of nonprofits worldwide are currently approved.

“The biggest challenge we face in our work of river conservation and watershed stewardship is the lack of locally available funding to match state and federal grants and to help sustain our everyday operations,” said Bernie McGurl, Executive Director of the Lackawanna River Conservation Organization, (LRCA). “Having a dedicated fund like 1% for the Planet and a local business, like Space Time Mead & Cider Works reach out to us can be a real game changer to help advance our mission in the Lackawanna Watershed. We gratefully welcome the support of Space Time and look to their example as an encouragement to other local businesses to join with them in supporting 1% for the Planet and the LRCA.”