Leadership Lackawanna Announces Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Class of 2023-24 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce community leadership and professional development affiliate, Leadership Lackawanna’s youth program, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, announces the program class of 2023–24. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) is a seven-month program that develops high school juniors’ leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills in the greater Scranton region. Program participants will be provided with real-world experiences in financial literacy, health care, STEAM, philanthropy, crime and corrections, nonprofit organizations, and community service instructed by partnering organizations. NBT Bank proudly sponsors the 2023–24 program year. TLT participants: Abigail Harshbarger Abygale Plevyak Akhilesh Velaga Anthony John Piestrak Ashley Bossick Ava Page Caroline Luyster Chloe Dong Clinton Muir Cole Johnston Dante Pallazari Declan Moran Dhruv D. Amin Elizabeth Schneider Elizabeth Washine Gabriella Estadt Gabriella Potis Gia Ann Serge Giada Costa Hope Polishan Isabella Moher Isabelle Maurer Ivy Neureuter Jack Maloney Jacob Antolick Jordan Robert Malar Joseph DiStasi Jospeh T. Healey Justin Osman Kylie Krzak Lily Rozzi Makayla Walto Mandie Martin Margaret Pegula Matthew Hill Nicholas Giumento Nico Warhola Reese Morgan Roland McLaine Sarah McCullon Sarah O’Brien Zavhary Kovaleski Tomorrow’s Leaders Today accepts applications from sophomores who attend high school in Lackawanna County and its surrounding areas, as well as all charter, technical schools, and homeschool students. PHOTO: Front Row: Ashley Bossick, Nicholas Giumento, Kylie Krzak, Isabella Moher, Ava Page, Dante Pallazari, Abygale Plevyak, Gabriella Potis, Lily Rozzi, Gia An Serge, Faith Wormuth. Second Row: Abigail Harshbarger, Chloe Dong, Cole Johnston, Giada Costa, Joseph T. Healey, Matthew Hill, Mandie Martin, Reese Morgan, Justin Osman, Margaret Pegula, Nico Warhola. Third Row: Gabriella Estadt, Jordan Robert Malar, Isabelle Maurer, Sarah McCullon, Declan Moran, Ivy Neureuter, Sarah O’Brien, Hope Polishan, Elizabeth Schneider, Makayla Walton, Elizabeth Washine. Back Row: Dhruv D. Amin, Jacon Antolick, Joseph DiStasi, Zachary Kobaleski, Caroline Luyster, Jack Maloney, Roland McLaine, Clinton Muir, Anthony John Piestrak, Akhilesh Velaga. NOT PICTURED: Ava Wallace
Wayne Bank Announces Third Quarter Earnings James O. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwood Financial Corp. (Nasdaq Global Market-NWFL) and its subsidiary, Wayne Bank, announced earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2023 of $4,119,000, which represents a decrease of $3,990,000, from the $8,109,000 earned in the same three-month period of 2022. The decrease in earnings was due to a $3.1 million decrease in net interest income, an $882,000 increase in the provision for credit losses, and a $1.1 million increase in total other expenses during the three-months ended September 30, 2023. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, earnings per share (fully diluted) were $0.51, which represents a decrease from the $1.00 earned in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The annualized returns on average assets and average tangible equity for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, were 0.76% and 11.22%, respectively, compared to 1.57% and 21.48% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2022. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, totaled $16,405,000, which is $5,688,000 lower than the same period of 2022. The decrease in net income includes a $4,390,000 decrease in net interest income, a $2.0 million decrease in total other income, and a $1.9 million increase in total other expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Earnings per share (fully diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, totaled $2.03 per share compared to $2.71 per share for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, total assets were $2.179 billion, loans receivable were $1.611 billion, total deposits were $1.747 billion and stockholders’ equity was $164.7 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis (fte), totaled $15,224,000, which represents a decrease of $3,145,000, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. Net interest margin (fte) for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was 2.94%, compared to 3.74% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Net interest income (fte) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $47,328,000, a decrease of $4,406,000, compared to the nine months ended September 30,2022, due primarily to the increased cost of interest-bearing liabilities in excess of the increase in the yield earned on interestearning assets. The net interest margin (fte) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 3.09%, compared to 3.52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses in the amount of $882,000 compared to $0 in the three-month period ended September 30, 2022. The increase in the provision for credit losses was required to replenish the allowance for credit losses to a level deemed appropriate after recognizing $2.3 million of credit losses during the current period. The current period losses include a $2.0 million charge-off resulting from deterioration in one large commercial relationship. The remaining balance of the relationship was transferred to nonperforming status, resulting in an increase in nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a release of provision for credit losses in the amount of $568,000, compared to a provision of $600,000 in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022. Total other income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $2,306,000, compared to $2,178,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total other income was $6,001,000, compared to $8,006,000 in the same period of 2022. The decrease was due primarily to income recognized in 2022 on previously acquired purchased impaired loans that were carried at a discount. Total other expenses were $11,276,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $10,139,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total other expenses were $32,649,000, compared to $30,768,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was due primarily to a $1,069,000 increase in salaries and employee benefit costs duringthe nine months ended September 30, 2023. Mr. Donnelly commented, “Our results for the first nine months of 2023 reflect decreasing net interest spreads due to rising interest rates, which have impacted our cost of interest-bearing liabilities more than the increase in yield earned on interest-earning assets. We continue to compare favorably to peer banks who have also reported a reduction in their financial performance. We will continue to search out opportunities to maintain our position as a premier community bank, and to serve our local communities with their financial needs. We appreciate the opportunity to serve our expanded base of stockholders and customers.” Norwood Financial Corp is the parent company of Wayne Bank, which operates from fourteen offices throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and fifteen offices in Delaware, Sullivan, Ontario, Otsego and Yates Counties, New York. The Company’s stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NWFL”. Forward-Looking Statements: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 contains safe harbor provisions regarding forward-looking statements. When used in this discussion, the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “contemplates”, “expects”, “bode”, “future performance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Those risks and uncertainties include changes in federal and state laws, changes in interest rates, the risks and uncertainty posed by, and the continued effect, and impact of, the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the Company’s results of operation and financial condition, our ability to maintain strong credit quality metrics, our ability to have future performance, our ability to control core operating expenses and costs, demand for real estate, government fiscal and trade policies, cybersecurity and general economic conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to those forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Non-GAAP Financial Measures: This release references net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis (fte), which is a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measure. Fully taxable-equivalent net interest income was derived from GAAP interest income and net interest income using an assumed tax rate of 21%. We believe the presentation of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis ensures comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources, and is consistent with industrypractice.
United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Received Proclamation Honoring Centennial United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites guests to join them as they receive a proclamation honoring the Centennial Celebration from the Mayor Paige G. Cognetti, City of Scranton. The reading of the proclamation will take place on the steps of City Hall, located at 340 North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 11:00 am. All media outlets are invited to capture is momentous milestone. UNC President and CEO, Lisa Durkin, will be available for interviews immediately following.
Lackawanna College to Bring Back Blitzen for the Holiday Season Lackawanna College is thrilled to announce a partnership with Dallas Shaw to bring back the unique and creative space known as Blitzen this holiday season! Best of all? This is happening right in downtown Scranton at 409 on Adams, the student-run restaurant at Lackawanna College! Last season over 5,000 guests were welconed, but more help is still needed to expand the space so even more guests can be welcomed! What is Blitzen you may ask? It is where the famed and mysterious reindeer spends his off-season. Guests are invited into his dimly lit home for a cocktail surrounded by his collection of antiques and clues about his life tucked into every corner of his den. Everything tells a story, from his paintings to his book collection and all allude to the feelings he carries about the other reindeer. How does Blitzen really feel about leading the pack from the back this whole time? Look around and learn a little more upon every visit. Our student bartenders and chefs create magic and guests tend to break out in song around a charmingly untuned piano. Let the reindeer games begin! When you show support for Blitzen, you are not just supporting Lackawanna College, you are giving back to our students. The College uses proceeds from Blitzen and other projects to do things like: Increase mental health support for students including the addition of a therapy dog on campus in Fall of 2023. Address food insecurity among the student body through on campus food banks with a program called The Common Kitchen which utilizes culinary kitchens outside of classroom hours and gives resident and commuter students basic staples and lessons to prepare meals for themselves to eat at home or bring back to their dorms. Increase fellowship opportunities: the appointment of third and fourth-year students to roles in key College offices whereby they receive a $3,000/semester scholarship and receive real-world workforce training and professional and leadership development.
Pennsylvania American Water Announces Disaster Relief Support The American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF), a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, and Pennsylvania American Water, today announced a $10,000 donation to the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support disaster relief to flood victims in Lackawanna County. Areas of the county were impacted by heavy rains and flooding in early September. “Pennsylvania American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, is pleased to support the families and communities impacted by the devastating flooding that occurred,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water and a board member of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We understand how critical clean, safe drinking water is in our daily lives and in times of emergencies. We hope this contribution can provide some assistance and relief to the residents of these affected communities who are still recovering from flood damage.” “We are grateful for the support from Pennsylvania American Water,” stated Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO. “The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County.” The Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant Program is designed to increase the impact of American Water employee donations made in response to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires and other extraordinary disaster events.
Johnson College to Hold Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Current U.S Military Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. virtually and inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
The Wayne Bank to Host Food Drive for Wayne County Food Pantry From November 13th through the 17th, Wayne Bank’s Honesdale Main Street Community Office will host a food drive to support the Wayne County Food Pantry. The Office will collect non-perishable food items including food, paper products, and personal care items during regular lobby hours. “There are many local families in need this time of year,” explained Jill Hessling, Vice President and Regional Manager for Wayne Bank. “Wayne Bank is committed to not only supporting our local neighbors with their financial goals, but we also care about their well-being and understand the importance of giving back. All items collected will be donated to the Wayne County Food Pantry. Just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Please consider taking a moment of your day to stop by with a donation that can help make a difference in our community.” The Wayne County Pantry Program is sponsored through County Government. It is operated under the leadership of the Wayne County Pantry Board which is comprised of private citizens. Board members are also coordinators at each of the pantry sites. The Wayne County Pantry Program has five sites located in strategic areas of the County to serve eligible County residents. The five food pantry sites can be found in Honesdale, Lakeville, Newfoundland, Lakewood, and Damascus. If you are interested in becoming involved with the food pantry or would like further information, please contact 570-253-4262 or visit https://www.waynecountypa.gov/169/Pantry.
PennDOT and The Shapiro Administration Announce Results of Operation Safe Stop 2023 Today, the Shapiro Administration released the results of Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative aimed at enhancing school bus safety for students across the Commonwealth. Held on October 18 this year, Operation Safe Stop is a one-day targeted enforcement and education event during which law enforcement agencies and participating school districts document occurrences of drivers violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law and emphasize the importance of school transportation safety. The press conference was hosted by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, West Shore Regional Police, and West Shore School District. This year’s Operation Safe Stop data revealed that participating school districts and law enforcement agencies reported witnessing 176 violations of the law, (down/up) from the 252 reported last year. “While we’re certainly glad that violations decreased this year, one incident of passing a school bus is one too many,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “If we saw this many violations in just one day, it’s clear that safety for our students traveling to and from school needs to be a continued focus for our communities and that motorists remain vigilant while sharing the road with school buses and students.” The School Bus Stopping 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 lanes of the highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median. “Drivers might consider the steep penalties if convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law – a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60-day license suspension. The fine increases to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera,” said Corporal Zeina Black, Permits and Bus Safety Unit Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police. “But even worse than these penalties, a tragedy could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings.” Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for or loading and unloading the bus include: Get to the school bus stop at least five minutes early, so you won´t have to run across the road to catch the bus. When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus. Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. Never push when getting on or off the school bus. “Student safety at school bus stops and in school zones is of the utmost importance and requires the undivided attention of all motorists,” said Department of Education Secretary Khalid N. Mumin. “Local school districts work hard to identify the safest locations possible for school bus stops and to train their staff. But to ensure that students remain safe, we urge all drivers to watch for the flashing lights of school buses and always stop when students are getting on and off.”
The Wright Center Honors American Diabetes Month Chances are, you know someone who has diabetes, whether it’s a family member or a close friend. The disease remains deadly serious, but thankfully, many medical advances have been made in recent years. And people are getting more proactive about their diabetes care than ever before. But there’s still work to be done, which makes causes like American Diabetes Month all the more integral to the battle. Observed during November and sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Diabetes Month is used to spread timely and relevant diabetes-related information. Among other things, it provides programs and education aimed at helping people prevent and manage diabetes through healthy living; advocates for the equitable treatment of those living with diabetes; funds research to advance treatment and ultimately find a cure for the disease; and makes an impact in local communities through donations and direct action. According to the ADA, about 37 million Americans currently live with diabetes, while nearly one in two people have diabetes or prediabetes – staggering and alarming statistics, no question. Genetics play a role in the disease’s prevalence, but so do poor lifestyle choices. With that in mind, we at The Wright Center for Community Health are doing our part to combat diabetes locally through our Lifestyle Medicine initiative, which can now be found at all of our primary and preventive care practices throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. No doubt, medications and cutting-edge treatments play an essential role in our long-term health, but we should all be doing as much as we can to take a more proactive, rather than reactive, approach to our health. Lifestyle Medicine adheres to this philosophy by helping individuals and families improve their health and quality of life by adopting and sustaining lifestyle behaviors, including eliminating tobacco use, improving diet, practicing stress relief techniques, increasing physical activity, strengthening personal relationships and connections, and adjusting sleep habits for better, more restorative rest. It’s not alternative medicine but rather an evidence-based approach that very well could revolutionize health care in America. The Lifestyle Medicine concept is increasingly gaining traction in the medical community precisely because the data shows it can prevent, treat, or even reverse diseases like diabetes, as well as cancer and hypertension. It’s really all about making those conscious choices to alter our behaviors for the better, and our team, trained in both conventional medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, works with patients to create a personalized lifestyle self-care plan that you can implement and sustain. Many people with diabetes struggle with their weight, which inevitably puts them at risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. And that makes them prime candidates not only for Lifestyle Medicine but also for our Obesity Medicine services. For anyone suffering from a weight-related illness, The Wright Center offers non-surgical approaches to manage better, care for, and overcome obesity. Our board-certified obesity medicine physicians consider all the relevant factors – environmental, genetic, behavioral, and nutritional – that lead to excessive weight gain and, from there, offer evidence-based approaches to provide patients with the safest, most effective weight loss solutions available. By getting to an ideal weight, you can significantly decrease the likelihood of developing chronic conditions while markedly improving the overall quality of your life. Diabetes remains a very serious disease, but prevention and treatment are well within reach thanks to modern medicine and an overall healthier approach to living. It can be done – trust the process. Douglas Klamp, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician, see patients ages 18 and over at The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit Practice. He also serves as the senior vice president and chief medical education officer of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, as well as associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program.
NEPIRC Adds SafeLandUSA Certification to Expanded Safety Training Portfolio The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Brian Matyjevich, Lean enterprise consultant and authorized OSHA outreach trainer, recently obtained SafeLandUSA trainer certification from West Virginia University. SafeLandUSA training is an eight-hour course that meets the requirements of several regulations pertaining to safety standards applicable to the natural gas and Marcellus Shale industry, particularly API RP 75 and API RP T-1. SafeLandUSA training enables employees to recognize potential workplace hazards and follow the safety requirements of an industry with which they may have limited familiarity. Although SafeLandUSA was developed with the oil and gas industry in mind, many topics presented are applicable to other energy and manufacturing sectors. “I’m honored to offer training that will empower oil and gas workers to make safe decisions for their livelihood,” said Matyjevich. “The results of this training include creating a more efficient, sustainable and productive workforce that drives progress and shapes the future of energy,” he added. As NEPIRC continues its mission to support the manufacturing sector by providing exceptional consulting and training services, its SafeLandUSA offering adds another element to its comprehensive safety training portfolio. NEPIRC is confident that this development will contribute to a safer working environment for clients and their employees. NEPIRC offers OSHA 10 & 30, HAZWOPER, Forklift and 35 other safety courses along with a free confidential EHS Gemba walk.
