Wolf Administration Announces Liquid Fuels Distribution to Municipalities for Local Roads and Bridges

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has committed $452.7 million in liquid fuels payments to help certified municipalities maintain their roads and bridges.

This year’s allocation is approximately 7 percent less than last year’s, due to reduced gas tax revenues as a result of COVID-19.

“We have the fifth-largest state-maintained road system in the country, and there are even more locally owned roads and bridges,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “These critical investments help keep our communities safe and connected.”

PennDOT’s annual distributions assist with municipalities’ highway and bridge-related expenses such as snow removal and road repaving. There are 120,596 miles of public roads in Pennsylvania. There are 73,091 miles owned by municipalities and eligible for liquid fuels. The formula for payments is based on a municipality’s population and miles of locally-owned roads.

Act 89 of 2013 made more funding available for locally owned roadways. Before the law, municipalities received $320.8 million in liquid fuels payments.

To be eligible for liquid fuels, a roadway must be formally adopted as a public street by the municipality, meet certain dimension requirements, and be able to safely accommodate vehicles driving at least 15 mph.

For the complete list of local payments, visit the “Municipal Liquid Fuels Program” page at www.penndot.gov under the “Doing Business” Local Government page.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov or 717-783-8800

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple Announces Bright Side: A Virtual Variety Show

WHO:  The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
WHAT: Bright Side: A Virtual Variety Show
WHEN: Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 PM; Pre-show Happy Hour at 6:00 PM
WHERE: ScrantonBrightSide.com
TICKET PRICE: $25 General Viewership; $60 Patron Viewership
PRESENTED BY: Montage Mountain Resorts

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is pleased to announce a new fundraising initiative in collaboration with Posture Interactive.  Bright Side: A Virtual Variety Show will be live-streamed on March 11 at 7:00 PM and is presented by Montage Mountain Resorts.

“A top notch variety show with lighthearted, family-friendly entertainment is just the dose of optimism we can all use right now,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.  “The concept was conceived by the SCC staff, is professionally produced by Posture Interactive, and will showcase the talents of local performers and artists.”

The hour-long production will feature performances from the Scranton Fringe Festival, Scranton Shakespeare Festival, New Vintage Ensemble, Newave Studios, Flashmilk Productions, Michele Conaboy McGrath, Stephen Murphy, Erin Malloy and Friends, Mike Miz, Roy Williams, Mariah Hawley and the Scranton Cultural Center Youth Theatre Program.  Chris Bohinski, of WBRE’s PA Live!, and Camille Reinecke, SCC Youth Theatre Program Director, will serve as the evening’s emcees.

While the production aims to shine a spotlight on local talent, it also hopes to support local businesses.

 “Throughout the evening, gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, as well as other prizes, will be raffled off to event attendees,” explains Peterson.  “The event will not only support the SCC, but will do its best to build up our community.  It’s a win, win!”

Audience members will have a chance to virtually mix and mingle with each other during a pre-show Happy Hour sponsored by PNC Bank and hosted by the SCC’s Board President, John Murray, along with Celebrity Bartender, Conor McGuigan.

Bright Side:  A Virtual Variety Show is presented by Montage Mountain Resorts.  The pre-show Happy Hour is sponsored by PNC Bank.  Additional sponsors include Geisinger, Truist Bank, WBRE/WYOU, Lamar Advertising, Fidelity Bank, Century Dental Associates, FNCB Bank, Honesdale National Bank, NET Credit Union, Fellerman and Ciarimboli and Entercom Pennsylvania.

Tickets are $25 for general viewership and $60 for patron viewership, which includes admission to the pre-show Happy Hour at 6:00 PM as well as additional entries into the evening’s free giveaways.  They are available for purchase at ScrantonBrightSide.com.  For more information about the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, visit SCCMT.org.

Johnson College Extends Scholarship Support to ‘YES’ Program Graduates

The Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council and Johnson College today announced a partnership and a scholarship opportunity for YES (Your Employability Skills) Northeast Program graduates.

YES, which is administered by the Council, is a 120-hour, one-credit, year-round elective course that addresses the shortfall of basic skills that employers say are lacking in many job applicants. The course covers 38 modules in all, including communication, team building, interview/resume/cover letter writing, completing a job application, personal finance, conflict resolution, and time management.

In order to earn a certification and become a graduate of the program, students must achieve passing scores on both the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) and the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test, demonstrate an attendance rate of 95% or better, pass a six-panel drug screen, complete the 120 hours of curriculum, and earn their high school diploma. Since the program began in 2006, more than 8,500 students have enrolled in the program with 2,918 earning their industry-recognized credential.

Starting with the 2021 fall semester, graduates of the program that enroll at Johnson College are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship. In addition to the scholarship, students will also be awarded four credits based on prior learning assessment.

“The Council is proud to partner with Johnson College, as together we can help out industry by building tomorrow’s workforce today,” said NEPA MAEC president Darlene J. Robbins. “Manufacturers are currently facing a workforce crisis, with approximately 60 percent of today’s unfilled manufacturing jobs being caused by a shortage of applicants that lack proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as employability skills. Through partnerships such as this one, we can bring more young people into high-paying careers by connecting them with the right training opportunities. This benefits not only the manufacturing sector, but all industries that Johnson College graduates may enter.”

“Our partnership with the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council allows YES Northeast Program graduates to save time and money as they pursue their ultimate goal of entering the regional workforce,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “We look forward to these graduates experiencing Johnson College’s industry-driven, in-demand, hands-on training in a caring environment that we’re known for.”

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

The Wright Center for Community Health Names New Director of Geriatric Services Program

Nicole Lipinski, a registered nurse with 25 years of experience working with elderly patients and caregivers, has been named the new Director of The Wright Center for Community Health’s geriatric services program.

Since its debut in July, the program has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System Partner for providing a full spectrum of comprehensive, safety-net primary health and support services for seniors. Through individualized care plans developed by a team of providers, The Wright Center serves as a trusted primary health advisor for seniors and their families to support independent living.

A key component of the geriatric program is the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Clinic, which provides comprehensive evaluation and testing and is accessible no matter who the patient’s primary care doctor is. The Wright Center is one of only eight health systems across the country selected as an adopter of the innovative Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program created at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

“Our geriatric program was created to meet the need for specialized services that address the physical, mental and behavioral health challenges specific to seniors, especially as we experience an unprecedented growth rate in Pennsylvania’s aging population,” Lipinski said. “Countless families in Northeast Pennsylvania have benefited from this expert care already, which became even more critical as we navigated the challenges the pandemic presented for at-risk older adults, including isolation.”

Lipinski joined The Wright Center in July as the geriatric care manager, bringing decades of experience caring for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases to the role. She earned her nursing degree from Luzerne County Community College, and her bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in healthcare informatics from Misericordia University. She resides in Throop.

For information about The Wright Center’s geriatric services or to make an appointment, call 570-230-0019.

Pennsylvania American Water Seeking Entries for Annual “Protect our Watersheds” Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water announced that entries are being accepted for its 19th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest. The contest is for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water, as well as individual students who live in the company’s service area. The contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting water resources across the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania American Water recently sent contest information and applications to nearly 400 schools in its service territory, encouraging teachers to promote the contest as a fun and imaginative way to draw students’ attention to protecting and preserving Pennsylvania’s watersheds. As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on the personal impact of watershed protection.

“This contest demonstrates our company’s commitment to watershed education and protection,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “These students will be the next generation of environmental stewards. By stressing the importance of watershed protection at an early age, we can help protect this precious resource for generations to come.”

New this year, participants will have a chance to be featured in the company’s first ever “Protect Our Watersheds” wall calendar. Twelve students’ artwork will be chosen for the calendar, and the grand prize-winning artwork will be featured on the cover along with the student’s essay and short bio.

The deadline for artwork submission is April 23, 2021. Contest rules and entry forms are available on the company’s website. Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding. All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion Certificate, and the top seven winners will also receive bookstore gift cards. For additional information, please contact pa.communityrelations@amwater.com.

For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

RailRiders Announce 2021 Schedule

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce the schedule for the upcoming 2021 season. The RailRiders are scheduled to play 72 home games and will open their season on Tuesday, April 6, in Moosic against the Worcester Red Sox.

After the entire 2020 Minor League Baseball season was canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, PNC Field served as the alternate training site for the New York Yankees. During the last few months, Major League Baseball reorganized its developmental ranks, essentially creating new leagues and adding several new affiliates across the sport. On February 12, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre announced a 10-year agreement to remain as the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, playing in the newly-formed Triple-A East. The RailRiders were placed in the Northeast Division along with former International League North teams from Buffalo (Toronto) Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia), Rochester (Washington), Syracuse (New York Mets) and Worcester (Boston).

After nearly two decades with the Minnesota Twins, the Rochester Red Wings are now an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The club in Worcester moved from Pawtucket to a new ballpark set to open this season in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“We are excited to release this schedule as a positive sign towards baseball in Moosic this year,” stated John Adams, Team President of the RailRiders. “While certainly several factors must still be clarified to help us move forward with a safe and successful season, this schedule is the first sign of things to come. The front office is hopeful for the return of baseball and seeing our loyal fans at PNC Field very soon.”

The RailRiders will play their entire 2021 schedule against teams from the Northeast Division in an effort to reduce travel for health and safety reasons.  Each Monday during the season is slated as an off day for travel to better accommodate players and staff. Unlike recent seasons, the 2021 campaign will extend beyond Labor Day, culminating on September 19th in Lehigh Valley.

Go to www.SWBRailRiders.Com for the full 2021 schedule.

This 2021 schedule remains fully subject to change due to the ongoing pandemic, while COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, game times and promotional details will be announced at a later date.

Luxury Suites as well as Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now. The RailRiders front office is open on a limited basis and by appointment only. For more information on the upcoming 2021 season, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact the club by calling (570) 969-2255 and leave a voicemail. Calls will be returned at the earliest possible opportunity.

COLTS Offering Free Transportation for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Beginning Monday, March 1, the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) will offer FREE Shared Ride service to any members of the community who need transportation to and from their scheduled COVID-19 vaccination appointments within Lackawanna County.

“I am pleased that COLTS is able to offer this important service,” said COLTS’ Executive Director Bob Fiume. “COLTS is committed to ensuring that transportation is not a barrier for people to get vaccinated and we are prepared to assist people in reaching their vaccine appointments.”

Advance reservations for service are required and service is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Residents will need to call the Shared Ride department at (570) 963-6795 no later than NOON on the business day prior to their appointment. COLTS’ staff members will assist individuals with this process.

When scheduling a Shared Ride trip to a vaccination site, riders must have a confirmed COVID-19 appointment at the location to which they are requesting transportation.

University of Scranton Adds Communication Sciences and Disorders Major

The University of Scranton will offer a new undergraduate major in communication sciences and disorders, which will prepare students to pursue graduate studies in the much-in-demand fields of speech-language pathology, audiology or a related discipline. The new major, housed in the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies, is currently enrolling students for the fall 2021 semester.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for speech-language pathologists and audiologists is stronger than average for growth and has high earnings potential. For speech-language pathologists, which requires a master’s degree, the job growth projected for 2019-2029 is 25 percent. The median pay for 2019 was $79,120. For audiologists, which requires a doctoral degree, the job growth projected for 2019-2029 is 13 percent. The median pay for 2019 was $77,600.

The new major will focus on the basic science of human communication, including biological, physical, social, and linguistic aspects. Students will develop an understanding of what happens when communication is impaired, and how to treat those impairments. Infused within the program, students will complete the prerequisite coursework required to apply for graduate studies in speech-language pathology and/or audiology. However, if the student chooses an alternate path, the completion of the degree program will prepare the student  for the advanced study in a related discipline such as education, counseling and human services, gerontology, public health, or neuroscience.

Students pursing a major in communication sciences and disorders will complete coursework in statistics, social/behavioral science, biological science, and chemistry or physics. They will develop enhanced critical thinking skills, professional and technical oral and writing skills, and problem-solving skills as they engage in projects that examine and analyze current research, participate in clinical case study reviews, and develop empirical studies that focus on communication disorders. In addition, ethics of clinical research practices and evidence-based practice will be emphasized. Clinical intervention techniques and empirical studies for the assessment and treatment of various communication disorders will be introduced. Students will also be required to orally present a detailed case study and analysis of a specific treatment approach within an evidence-based practice framework.

For additional information, contact the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 888-727-2686 or email admissions@scranton.edu, or Hope E. Baylow, D.A., assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, at hope.baylow@scranton.edu.