Geisinger Welcomes Vascular Surgeon John A. Kutz, M.D., an experienced vascular surgeon with deep ties to northeastern Pennsylvania, has joined Geisinger. Dr. Kutz practices at Geisinger Community Medical Center and treats patients with diseases of the circulatory system. He has a clinical interest in helping patients get appropriate operative and non-operative care for vascular conditions and is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Vascular Surgery. He joins Eugene Langan, M.D., David Phang, M.D., and Alessandro Smeraldi, M.D., on a vascular care team that provides comprehensive coverage for Scranton and surrounding communities. A native of Luzerne County, Dr. Kutz earned his medical degree from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in general surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and his fellowship training in vascular surgery at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has provided vascular care in Scranton for 20 years and has held clinical and administrative leadership positions in surgery, vascular surgery and wound care. Dr. Kutz serves as an assistant professor of vascular surgery at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, and he was recently appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania to serve on the State Board of Medicine. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue caring for members of my community with Geisinger,” Dr. Kutz said. “My wife and I came back to this region two decades ago, because we wanted to be part of the communities in which we were raised.” Dr. Kutz served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve where he trained at the School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas, reached the rank of major and was awarded for expert marksmanship, unit achievement and meritorious service. To learn more about vascular care at Geisinger or find a vascular surgeon near you, visit Geisinger.org/vascular.
The Honesdale National Bank Announces Chief Technology Officer Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Robert Hughes has joined HNB as Chief Technology Officer. In making the statement, Sheridan noted, “I am very happy to have Rob rejoin our HNB Family.” He continued, “His experience in information technology systems will help us strengthen our commitment to broadening the security and depth of our systems that provide support to our customers.” In his role as Chief Technology Officer, Hughes provides direct management over the institution’s information systems and technology functions; ensures system security; oversees networks and telecommunications as well as management of the information technology department. Hughes began his career with HNB in 2016, as a Systems Analyst and was promoted to Assistant Vice President. He gained additional industry insights during a stint at IBM as a Technical Lead prior to his return to the Bank. In mentioning his role at HNB, Hughes noted, “At this point in my career, it has made me appreciative of the people that work in the HNB family.” Hughes is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory High School and received a bachelor’s in business administration from La Salle University in 1999. Certifications include MCSA, MCSE, A+ and Net+. In his spare time, he is a coach in the Abington Youth Basketball League, Abington Little League, and Abington Youth Soccer. Outside of the Bank, Hughes enjoys golfing, spending time with his children and traveling to new places.
Action Lift, Inc. Appoints New President The ownership group of Action Lift, Inc. announces that Mr. Joseph Mikiewicz has been promoted to President of Action Lift, Inc., effective immediately. Mr. William F. Medico will remain as the Company’s CEO. Mr. Mikiewicz is a graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He has been with the company for over 34 years, most recently serving as General Manager. Action Lift, Inc. has experienced local and national growth under his management, with expansion plans underway.
The University of Scranton Ranked No. 10 for Community and National Service Since 2005, Washington Monthly analyzed numerous data sets in order to rank colleges across the nation in categories for “community and national service,” “research” and “social mobility” in order to assess the contribution graduates make to “the public good.” In the 2023 listing, published in the September/October issue of the magazine and online, Washington Monthly ranked The University of Scranton No. 10 among the 604 master’s universities in the nation in the “community and national service” category. According to the publication, they rank “four-year schools (national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges, and master’s universities) based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and providing opportunities for public service.” Scranton was No. 30 in the overall ranking that combines equally-weighted scores for “community and national service,” “research” and “social mobility.” Scranton ranked No. 37, and No. 183, respectively, in the “research” and “social mobility” categories among master’s universities in the country. For “community and national service” score, Washington Monthly looked at the percentage of all degrees awarded in health, education and social work “to reward colleges that produce leaders in socially valuable fields that are not always highly paid.” They also reviewed the size of the ROTC program and the number of alumni serving in AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, adjusted for the size of the school, as well as the percentage of federal work study grant money spent on community service projects, among other factors such as voter engagement. Washington Monthly determined the “research” score is based on each school’s research expenditure and the number of alumni earning Ph.D.s, relative to the size of the college. The “social mobility” score is based on actual and predicted graduation rates; student loan repayment rates; the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants; and the school’s average net price for full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the past three years, among other factors. This is the 14th consecutive year Washington Monthly has included Scranton in its college rankings. In other national rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton No. 5 among regional universities in the north in its 2024 guidebook, marking the 30th consecutive year that Scranton ranked in the top 10. The Princeton Review included Scranton in its list of “Best Colleges” for 22 consecutive years, and ranked the University No. 18 in the nation for “Best Science Lab Facilities” in its latest edition of the guidebook.
FNCB Bank Officer Receives AAP Certification FNCB Bank’s Rebecca Richardson, Baking Officer, Electronic Banking Supervisor, has obtained her certification as an “Accredited ACH Professional (AAP)”. The certification focused on comprehensive knowledge in all areas of ACH including a deep understanding of and experience in ACH with broad knowledge of concepts that relate to the payments system as a whole. Ms. Richardson joined FNCB Bank in September 2014 and has worked in several roles, including Electronic Banking Coordinator and Loan Operations Associate. She is a graduate of Old Forge H.S., Elizabethtown College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree, and from the University of Scranton earning her Certificate of Accounting. She currently resides in Olyphant, PA with her husband, Mark.
Penn State Scranton Adds Eight New Faculty and Staff Members Penn State Scranton adds eight new faculty and staff members. Joining the campus are Farhang Daneshmand, assistant professor of engineering; Valarie Lynn, head librarian; Kelly Conlon-Mazzucca. lecturer of corporate communication; Loan Pham, assistant professor of business; Sarah Shigo, administrative support assistant/business services; Sarah Smith, coordinator of psychological and counseling services; Zachary Troy, IT support specialist; and Nicole Watkins, assistant professor of psychology. Read more here: https://scranton.psu.edu/story/23676/2023/10/19/penn-state-scranton-welcomes-eight-new-employees
IRS Announces Withdrawal Process for Employee Retention Credit Claims As part of a larger effort to protect small businesses and organizations from scams, the Internal Revenue Service today announced the details of a special withdrawal process to help those who filed an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim and are concerned about its accuracy. This new withdrawal option allows certain employers that filed an ERC claim but have not yet received a refund to withdraw their submission and avoid future repayment, interest and penalties. Employers that submitted an ERC claim that’s still being processed can withdraw their claim and avoid the possibility of getting a refund for which they’re ineligible. The IRS created the withdrawal option to help small business owners and others who were pressured or misled by ERC marketers or promoters into filing ineligible claims. Claims that are withdrawn will be treated as if they were never filed. The IRS will not impose penalties or interest. Those who willfully filed a fraudulent claim, or those who assisted or conspired in such conduct, should be aware that withdrawing a fraudulent claim will not exempt them from potential criminal investigation and prosecution. “The IRS is committed to helping small businesses and others caught up in this onslaught of Employee Retention Credit marketing,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “The aggressive marketing of these schemes has harmed well-meaning businesses and organizations, and some are having second thoughts about their claims. We want to give these taxpayers a way out. The withdrawal option allows employers with pending claims to avoid future problems, and we encourage them to closely review the withdrawal option and the requirements. We continue to urge taxpayers to consult with a trusted tax professional rather than a marketing company about this complex tax credit.” When properly claimed, the ERC – also referred to as the Employee Retention Tax Credit or ERTC – is a refundable tax credit designed for businesses that continued paying employees during the COVID-19 pandemic while their business operations were fully or partially suspended due to a government order, or they had a significant decline in gross receipts during the eligibility periods. The credit is not available to individuals. The ERC is a complex credit with precise requirements to help businesses during the pandemic, and since mid-September, the IRS has received approximately 3.6 million claims for the credit over the course of the program. In July, the IRS said it was shifting its focus to review ERC claims for compliance concerns, including intensifying audit work and criminal investigations on promoters and businesses filing dubious claims. The IRS has hundreds of criminal cases being worked, and thousands of ERC claims have been referred for audit. The new withdrawal process follows the Sept. 14 announcement of an immediate moratorium on processing new ERC claims. The moratorium, which will last until at least the end of this year, follows a flood of ineligible ERC claims. Payouts for claims submitted before Sept. 14 will continue during the moratorium period but at a slower pace due to more detailed compliance reviews. With stricter compliance reviews in place, existing ERC claims will go from a standard processing goal of 90 days to 180 days – and much longer if the claim faces further review or audit. The IRS may also seek additional documentation from the taxpayer to ensure the claim is legitimate. Enhanced compliance reviews of existing claims submitted before the moratorium is critical to protect against fraud but also to protect businesses and organizations from facing penalties or interest payments stemming from bad claims pushed by promoters. The IRS continues to warn taxpayers to use extreme caution before applying for the ERC as aggressive maneuvers continue by marketers and scammers. The IRS is also working on guidance to help employers that were misled into claiming the ERC and have already received the payment. More details will be available this fall. Who can ask to withdraw an ERC claim Employers can use the ERC claim withdrawal process if all of the following apply: They made the claim on an adjusted employment return (Forms 941-X, 943-X, 944-X, CT-1X). They filed the adjusted return only to claim the ERC, and they made no other adjustments. They want to withdraw the entire amount of their ERC claim. The IRS has not paid their claim, or the IRS has paid the claim, but they haven’t cashed or deposited the refund check. Taxpayers who are not eligible to use the withdrawal process can reduce or eliminate their ERC claim by filing an amended return. For details, see the Correcting an ERC claim – Amending a return section of the frequently asked questions about the ERC. How to withdraw an ERC claim To take advantage of the claim withdrawal procedure, taxpayers should carefully follow the special instructions at IRS.gov/withdrawmyERC, summarized below. Taxpayers whose professional payroll company filed their ERC claim should consult with the payroll company. The payroll company may need to submit the withdrawal request for the taxpayer, depending on whether the taxpayer’s ERC claim was filed individually or batched with others. Taxpayers who filed their ERC claims themselves, haven’t received, cashed or deposited a refund check and have not been notified their claim is under audit should fax withdrawal requests to the IRS using a computer or mobile device. The IRS has set up a special fax line to receive withdrawal requests. This enables the agency to stop processing before the refund is approved. Taxpayers who are unable to fax their withdrawal using a computer or mobile device can mail their request, but this will take longer for the IRS to receive. Employers who have been notified they are under audit can send the withdrawal request to the assigned examiner or respond to the audit notice if no examiner has been assigned. Those who received a refund check, but haven’t cashed or deposited it, can still withdraw their claim. They should mail the voided check with their withdrawal request using the instructions at IRS.gov/withdrawmyERC. Upcoming webinar and other resources for help Tax professionals and others can register for a Nov. 2 IRS webinar, Employee Retention Credit: Latest information on the moratorium and options for withdrawing or correcting previously filed claims. Those who can’t attend can view a recording later. The IRS unveiled a new question and answer checklist last month to help taxpayers understand if they’re eligible for the credit. Since then, the IRS evolved the checklist into an interactive IRS.gov feature to help employers – and the tax professionals working with them – check potential ERC eligibility. The IRS also continues to encourage employers to seek out a trusted tax professional who understands the complex ERC rules, not a promoter or marketer trying to get a hefty contingency fee while taking advantage of honest taxpayers. New approach from scammers Marketers and scammers have already revised their ERC pitches following the Sept. 14 moratorium announcement. Some are pushing employers who submit an ERC claim into agreeing to costly up-front loans in anticipation of a refund. The IRS urges taxpayers to avoid these loans and also learn the warning signs of ERC scams.
Marywood University Sets Programming for Sexual Assualt Awareness Through DOJ Grant Marywood University, the first institution in the region to receive a three-year $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women on Campus, has set programing for the initiative’s final year. The Project SHARE (Sexual Assault and Harassment Awareness Response Education) grant, originally awarded in October 2021 and which runs through September 2024, aims to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking within the confines of a college campus. The grant established a Coordinated Community Response Team, the implementation of preventive measures, and the provision of victim services. The stakeholders on campus include: The Dean of Students, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Housing and Residence Life, the Counseling and Student Development Center, Campus Safety, Career Services, Retention and Advising, the Athletics and Campus Ministry, as well as committed faculty from the Social Work, the Physician Assistant Program, Education, and others. Ross Novak, Dean of Students, says the grant is a boon for the community as well as for students. “The grant has allowed us the opportunity to assess and improve our operations and outreach efforts regarding issues of sexual assault, dating, domestic violence, and stalking, to ensure that they are effective and inclusive”, Novak said. “Beyond campus, the grant has provided opportunities for company partnerships, particularly with the Women’s Resource Center, which ultimately assists us in better serving our students.’ The grant also supports advocacy events to inform students about a different topic each month. Several events are already set for the Spring 2024 semester, including a presentation on “Stalking in the Media” (January 23); Women’s Resource Center presentation/training regarding dating violence and sexual assault (January 25); Date Safe Online event (April 10); Bystander Engagement Event (April 16); Take Back the Night collaborative event with the University of Scranton (April 25), International Denim Day to Support Awareness (April 26), and other related events.
Telespond Senior Services Directors Attend AmeriCorps Conference Two Directors from Telespond Senior Services, Inc., attended the AmeriCorps Seniors Pennsylvania Directors Association (ASPDA) Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Jodi Catania, Director of the Senior Companion Program of Lackawanna County; and Colleen Garrison, Director of the Foster Grandparent Program of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, had an opportunity to engage with other program directors from across the Commonwealth and AmeriCorps Mid-Atlantic Portfolio Managers. They received valuable information on policies and procedures in order to maintain successful programs. In addition to the training, each director joined a committee. Catania is a member of the ASPDA Training Committee and will assist with training topics and speakers. Garrison is the Chairperson of the ASPDA Marketing Committee and will coordinate social media projects. For more information on Telespond’s Senior Companion or Foster Grandparent Program, call 570-961-1950.
PennDOT and Shapiro Administration Honor School Bus Safety Week Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver and Vehicle Services Director of the Bureau of Driver Licensing Dios Arroyo joined the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania school bus safety advocates to honor nine students for communicating important school bus safety messages through their submissions to this year’s School Bus Safety Poster Contest and to recognize three school bus drivers for their superior driving skills. The ceremony complemented the Shapiro Administration’s work to support and enhance Pennsylvanians’ safety, including Governor Shapiro proclaiming October 16-20 School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the federal observance. The week recognizes the potential to save young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the commonwealth. “Students’ return to school has meant the return of school buses to our highways, and the Shapiro Administration is focused on everyone getting home safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “School Bus Safety Week gives us all an opportunity to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect our most precious asset – our children.” The students, in kindergarten through eighth grade, were recognized for their winning entries in the 2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for this year’s contest – “Safely Rolling To My Destination” – reminds everyone of the important relationship between students and their school bus drivers, who are responsible stewards of our children as they deliver them safely to and from school and school-related events. “By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations,” said Arroyo. “This year’s entries reinforce the importance of school bus drivers in delivering students to and from school safely and the role they play in students’ well-being every day.” This year’s winners were chosen from 127 student entries from schools across Pennsylvania. The first-place entries will move on to the national competition, which will be judged at the end of this month. 2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest Winners include: Kindergarten – Grade 2 1st Place: Ananyasri Boddupalli, Franklin Elementary School, Sewickley, Allegheny County 2nd Place: Sophia Stroman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County 3rd Place: Lorelei Troutman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County Grades 3-5 1st Place: Ava Tsao, Marshall Elementary School, Wexford, Butler County 2nd Place: Emina Bernice George Michle, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County 3rd Place: Mya Carter, Sugar Valley Charter School, Loganton, Clinton County Grades 6-8 1st Place: Arjun Kairi, Boyce Middle School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County 2nd Place: Alexionna Kephart, Bald Eagle Area School District, Wingate, Centre County 3rd Place: Musfika Turi, Oak Park Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County There were no qualifying entries submitted this year for the Special Education and Computer Aided categories. Templeton and Sgt. Michael Pavelko, Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the Bureau of Patrol for the Pennsylvania State Police, presented certificates and small gifts provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to the students in recognition of their efforts to help communicate this important safety message. Time was also taken during the ceremonies to recognize the winners of the 2023 Pennsylvania statewide school bus competition, held June 24-25 at Mount Nittany Middle School in State College. The event hosted more than 30 drivers locked in competition to determine the top school bus drivers in the state. The winners in the conventional bus category this year were: First place – Tara Herman with Krise Transportation in Chester County; Second place – Ruth Del Vecchio with Krapf School Bus in Chester County; and Third place – Patricia Carey with Krapf School Bus in Chester County. This year’s competition was the first to be held in three years. There was no competition for the Transit style buses this year. “Bus drivers do an extraordinary job every day ensuring the safety of our children as they travel to and from school,” said Sgt. Pavelko. “Their continuing dedication to the safe delivery of their precious cargo reinforces the trust parents have in them.” The ceremony built on safety initiatives across the state. As part of School Bus Safety Week and in a collective effort to enhance students’ safety, local and state law enforcement agencies, school districts and student transportation agencies united for one day last week to raise awareness of the consequences of improperly passing school buses through “Operation Safe Stop,” a safety initiative conducted statewide. Police officers watched for motorists who violated the school bus stopping law. School bus drivers also documented any illegal passes occurring on their routes and will file reports with local police. State law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop when a divider, such as concrete barriers or grassy medians, clearly separates lanes of the highway. In 2022, more than 500 motorists were convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law. One hundred forty-eight law enforcement agencies and 45 school districts combined efforts last year to report violators of the School Bus Stopping Law during Operation Safe Stop. School bus drivers in Pennsylvania traveled over 412 million miles during school year 2021/22, transporting more than 1.4 million students daily. For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT the School Bus Safety page on its highway safety website.
