FNCB Bank Donates $85,000 to the Diocese of Scranton FNCB Bank, based locally since 1910, has allocated $85,000 through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation. This donation aims to facilitate tuition assistance for students enrolled in pre-school, elementary, and high school programs throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation annually extends tuition awards to over 1,000 families, a substantial portion of which is funded by contributions from FNCB Bank. “This donation underscores FNCB Bank’s commitment to supporting education and the local community,” said Gerard Champi, FNCB Bank President & CEO. “Our contribution aligns with the Diocese of Scranton’s objectives, and we are pleased to assist in providing educational opportunities to many deserving students across Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Since participating in the EITC initiative in 2010, FNCB has contributed over $3,000,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations, underlining the bank’s sustained commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the region. FNCB Bank’s commitment to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation is part of its broader Community Caring initiative that extends beyond financial contributions, encompassing volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Releases Latest Local Cancer Surveillance Report The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local community-based nonprofit organization, has released the latest report on cancer, “Cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Incidence and Mortality for Common Cancers”. The report is available at: http://cancernepa.org/ This unique, locally focused report was compiled by Cancer Institute Vice President of Cancer Surveillance, Karen Ryczak, RN and Medical Director, Samuel Lesko, MD, MPH. The report documents that both incidence and mortality rates for cancer remain significantly higher in NEPA than the U.S. It also identifies those specific cancer sites for which there is a disparity in either incidence or mortality. In NEPA, we continue to see statistically significantly higher incidence rates for cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, pancreas, thyroid, cervix, and uterus compared to the U.S. Evidence based screenings are available for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer that can reduce deaths from these cancers and in the case of cervical and colon cancer, may prevent cancers from developing. Primary care providers are well suited to advise individuals on what screenings are appropriate based on age, gender, personal and family history, risk factors and eligibility criteria for screenings. The goal in sharing these data is to raise awareness across the community and to promote collaborative efforts to reduce the risk of select cancers through healthy lifestyle choices and adherence to proper screening guidelines. The report offers important insight for Northeastern Pennsylvania residents, health professionals, and government leaders. For additional information or if you would like a hard copy of the full report, please feel free to contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or admin@cancernepa.org.
NeighborWorks NEPA Collaborates on Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have collaborated to bring the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) program to Luzerne County to help older adults live safely and independently near caregivers in their community. NeighborWorks and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have been given the opportunity to provide the first ECHO unit to Luzerne County older adults thanks to a grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) and Pennsylvania for Aging (P4A) through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). ECHO units are small, separate manufactured homes that are temporarily placed on the property of an older adult’s friend or family member, allowing the older adult to maintain independence while the property owner continues to provide caregiving to ensure the older adult’s safety. Applications will be taken until February 15, 2024. Interested parties can access the application and Frequently Asked Questions on the NeighborWorks website at www.nwnepa.org or at the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging office located at 111 N Pennsylvania Boulevard, Suite 100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: host property located in Luzerne County, PA; older adult income at or below 80% area median income; older adult must be able to live independently but require occasional caregiver assistance; older adult must be agreeable to paying affordable rent. Build and unit placement will be provided by Simplex Homes. For more information and a schedule of events please contact Sean McDonough, Project Manager at 570-558-2490.
Request for Public Input Hearings in Scranton on Proposed Water Rate Hikes On Friday, the City of Scranton and Borough of Dunmore sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) formally requesting that the Commission hold public input hearings on Pennsylvania-American Water Company’s (PAWC) outrageous proposed water rate increases. The letter states, “From all corners of the city, residents have been calling city hall, speaking at city council meetings, discussing with city councilmembers, writing to the newspaper, and posting on social media about the tangible impact these rate increases would have on their household budget.” In light of this substantial public interest, the City specifically requested that the Commission hold an in-person public hearing in Scranton: “The opportunity for our residents to share their perspective face-to-face would no doubt benefit the Commission in its review of the proposed rate changes. We would be more than happy to offer City Hall as a location for the hearing and to assist in any other way possible.” According to the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the PAWC proposal would increase the water bill for a typical residential customer by about 25 percent, from $70.65 per month to $88.24 per month. “I’m grateful to the residents who have made their voices heard on these proposed rate hikes and encourage residents to file formal complaints with the PUC. We understand how painful these hikes would be for our residents,” said Mayor Paige G. Cognetti. “This letter signed jointly by Scranton and Dunmore officials continues our advocacy for fair utility rates alongside necessary improvements to make our water infrastructure more sustainable.” “I’m proud to support the taxpayers of both Scranton and Dunmore in fighting these massive increases over the past two years,” said Scranton City Council President Bill King. “These rate hikes are simply not sustainable to our constituents. Thank you to the many citizens that have reached out to City Council and the Mayor’s Office to express their concerns.” “I have heard from many residents across the Borough, and there is a consistent sentiment—Dunmoreans cannot bear the burden of another massive utility hike,” said Dunmore Mayor Max Conway. “Borough Council and I are committed to taking action to oppose this increase. We will explore every available avenue to advocate for the well-being of the residents of Dunmore.” The letter was sent in advance of the Public Utilities Commission’s pre-hearing on the rate cases, which is expected to take place in late December. Residents can file formal complaints with the PUC here: https://www.puc.pa.gov/complaints/formal-complaints/. The PUC Case Docket Numbers are R-2023-3043189 (water) and R-2023-3043190 (wastewater).
Penn State Scranton Donates to Keystone Mission Penn State Scranton: With cold weather already impacting Northeast Pennsylvania, concern for those who may not have the necessary warm clothing, particularly winter coats, was a primary concern for students in Penn State Scranton’s BA 321 class. So much so, that they made conducting a community-wide coat and clothing drive their semester class project. Under the guidance of Assistant Teaching Professor Frank Sorokach, the students completed their project on Friday morning at Penn State Scranton’s Business Building with a formal presentation of close to 600 winter items to Scranton’s Keystone Mission. A $600 donation from Adidas was secured by the students working on the project earlier in the fall, but they did not share that with Keystone Mission, so that they could surprise them with something above and beyond what they were expecting. Multiple community partners also played a vital role in the success of this project including Home Depot, the Mountain View School District, Jessup Borough, Colarusso’s Restaurant, and several others committed to fostering a spirit of giving and warmth within the region and supporting Penn State Scranton students in their endeavor. In October, students launched their project, strategically placing collection boxes across campus and community locations. Within just one week, their efforts exceeded the initial goal of collecting 100 coats. The upcoming public presentation to Keystone Mission reflects the students’ dedication to community service and their desire to make a meaningful impact. “Community service means being selfless,” said third-year business major Michael DeWolfe. “It’s important to give back because we have the privilege to have warm clothes. Helping others is important to our group.” DeWolfe credits Penn State Scranton for providing him with the opportunity to help those in need. “PSU shaped me as a student and as an individual [to be able to give] back to the community by giving me opportunities like BA 321. With great professors and a community to back me up, I have seen how fortunate I am to be able to attend this institution and have the resources I have,” DeWolfe said. “It is important to use these skills and opportunities to give back.” Josephine Sesay, a fourth-year business major, said, “As a team, we want this drive to be successful to help the community and put smiles on people’s faces. “Giving back to those in need is important because it helps create a more compassionate and equitable society. Additionally, helping others is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity. It addresses systematic issues of inequality and provides crucial support to individuals and communities facing hardships. Additionally, helping others is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity.” The Winter Wear Drive is a project undertaken as part of Penn State’s BA 321: Contemporary Skills for Business Professionals course. This course, offering three credits, emphasizes the development of individual, group, critical thinking, and presentation skills through modern methods and business technology. Penn State Scranton is committed to community engagement and creating positive social impact through student-led initiatives. The Winter Wear Drive exemplifies the University’s dedication to fostering compassionate leaders and contributing to the well-being of the community.
Wayne Bank Supports Local Animal Shelter Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to present the Olga and Dorothea Dessin Animal Society with a donation of $10,000 on behalf of Wayne Bank. Dessin Animal Shelter is a not-for-profit organization that has greatly supported the needs of the local community and has provided ongoing animal housing, medical care, and adoption services for over 50 years. “Wayne Bank is committed to helping and giving back to the communities we serve. We care about the welfare of not only the people in our community, but our animal companions as well. We are proud to partner with Dessin Animal Shelter to help aid in providing humane animal rescue, medical and daily care, and pet adoption services in Wayne County,” stated Mr. Donnelly. These funds will directly impact the Dessin Animal Shelter and will be used for facility renovations, a new septic and sewage system, HVCC, electrical system repairs, and kennel restorations. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank has 29 Community Offices serving Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania, along with Delaware, Sullivan, Otsego, Ontario, and Yates Counties in New York, including those offices operating under the Bank of Cooperstown and Bank of the Finger Lakes brands. The stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol— NWFL.
Allied Services Announces New Assistant Vice President Allied Services Integrated Health System proudly announced Stacy Lewis, BS, as Assistant Vice President of Application Architecture, Information Systems. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology, Integration and Application from Penn State University. Since joining Allied Services in 2010, she has been pivotal in the successful implementation of workforce management processes at the non-profit health system. Lewis is currently implementing a new outpatient Electronic Medical Record system.
The Wright Center Healthy MOMs Program Receives Grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation The Wright Center for Community Health was recently awarded an $8,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation in support of the collaborative Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program that focuses on helping pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and rebuild their lives in recovery. The grant will support working mothers enrolled in the Helping MOMS Out of Poverty (HOP) program with initial costs related to housing – including security deposits, rent, and utility bills. Having stable housing is an important step for program participants in maintaining their sobriety, caring for their children, and building a better life. The lack of affordable housing remains an issue, with more than one-third of the mothers in the program needing financial assistance with housing and utilities, according to Maria Kolcharno, MSW, LSW, director of addiction services at The Wright Center for Community Health. “The Helping Moms Out of Poverty project addresses these vital needs,” Kolcharno said. “Many moms live in transitional housing and are exposed to drug use, violence, and unsafe conditions. Stable housing plays a vital role in recovery from substance use disorders. The inability to pay rent and utilities can trigger substance misuse and relapse. While the mom can manage the rent, initial costs are hardships. Funding will help with one-time upfront rental costs and assistance with emergency utility bills for gas, electric, and water to alleviate shut-offs.” The Healthy MOMS program assists women in recovery from substance use disorder and aims to lower the incidence of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Since October 2018, the program has helped more than 445 moms across nine counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. Currently, there are 144 active moms and 233 babies have been born into this program. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awards grants to registered nonprofit organizations that support initiatives and programs serving Lackawanna County and Northeast Pennsylvania. Among the foundation’s five priority areas are programs that break the cycle of poverty, veterans’ affairs and veteran-oriented programs, animal welfare, Jewish culture and cemeteries, and environmental projects. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has provided over $3.7 million in funding to the community. For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, call 570-955-7821 or visit HealthyMOMS.org.
Mayor Cognetti and NeighborWorks Dedicate Parking Lot in West Scranton The project was managed by NeighborWorks as part of its West Scranton Neighborhood Plan Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti joined Todd Pousley, Community Development Manager at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, to dedicate a new City-owned parking lot in West Scranton at the corner of N. Main Avenue and Price Street. As a part of NeighborWorks’ West Scranton Neighborhood Plan, the project was managed by the non-profit organization and will serve nearby small businesses while improving the safety and aesthetic of West Scranton’s business district. “We know how important parking availability is to small businesses, and our team is focused on increasing West Scranton’s economic vitality,” Mayor Cognetti said. “The improvements to this parking lot work toward this vision and set an example for other lots in the City.” The parking lot has been transformed with pavement resurfacing and striping, additions of concrete curbs and islands, decorative fencing, landscaping, upgraded lighting, and the installation of a “West Scranton Business District” monument sign. The West Scranton Neighborhood Plan is NeighborWorks’ comprehensive, 10-year development strategy for improving the West Scranton neighborhood. In partnership with the City and other community partners, the plan focuses on park improvements, walkability, business support, and building community identity. “This dedication celebration highlights our efforts over the past year and a half to bring this lot to residents and revitalize the neighborhood,” Pousley said. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the City to revitalize West Scranton.” This project was funded through a combination of dollars from the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a Keystone Communities Implementation Grant, administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development. The parking lot received $125,000 in CDBG funds and $50,000 from the Keystone Communities Program.
Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. Wins Three Silver acknowledgments in 13th annual Best in Biz Awards Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. has been named a Silver winner in Crisis Response of the Year, Crisis Management Department of the Year, and Crisis Management Executive of the Year in Best in Biz Awards, the only independent business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier publications in North America. Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. (BBLCA) is a not-for- profit Association in the State of Pennsylvania, nestled in the Pocono Mountains. For 52 years it has been a destination for multi- generational families, city dwellers needing respite, and international visitors looking to experience some of the most incredible fall foliage one could ever see. The 13th annual program saw intense competition among more than 600 entries from public and private companies, representing all industries and regions in the U.S. and Canada and ranging from some of the most iconic global brands to the most innovative start-ups and beloved local companies. This year’s judges highlighted the winning companies’ breadth and depth of innovation, their novel approaches to employing new technologies, impressive workplace benefits and employee diversity and inclusion programs, as well as continued community involvement and critical investments in environment and corporate social responsibility programs. “The recognition from the esteemed independent Judging Panel of 2023 humbles us beyond words. Our Board of Directors, Committee & Community Volunteers, Members, Staff, and Business Partners have worked tirelessly the past 18 months to bring the most genuine and memorable experiences to our stakeholders who live and play in the Poconos – #bigbasslake” said Neil Bresnahan, General Manager & Chief Operating Officer. Since the program’s inception in 2011, winners in Best in Biz Awards have been determined by independent judging panels assembled each year from some of the most respected national and local newspapers, TV and radio outlets, and business, consumer, technology, and trade publications in North America. Thanks to the unparalleled expertise and experience of the editors and reporters serving as judges and the impressive diversity of outlets they represent, Best in Biz Awards judging panels are uniquely suited to objectively determine the best of the best from among the hundreds of competitive entries. The 2023 judging panel included, among others, writers and contributors to Ad Age, Computerworld, Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., Portland Tribune, and Washington Post. “As in years past, determining winners in some categories was a matter of selecting the very best from among the very good and came down to the smallest details,” said Best in Biz Awards staff. “Each year, the judges are impressed by the innovations, growth, and change emanating from the winning companies and permeating across layers of society, from their employees through clients to local and global communities.” Best in Biz Awards 2022 honors were conferred in 100 different categories, including Company of the Year, Fastest-Growing Company, Most Innovative Company, Best Place to Work, Customer Service Department, Executive of the Year, Marketing Executive, Most Innovative Service, Enterprise Product, Best New Product, App, CSR Program, Environmental Program, Website and Film/Video of the Year. For a full list of gold, silver and bronze winners in Best in Biz Awards 2022, visit: http://www.bestinbizawards.com/2022-winners.
