Wilkes Barre Monster Jam® Championship Series to be Held at Mohegan Sun Arena

This. Is. Monster Jam™!  The most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today returns to Wilkes Barre for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. Monster Jam®, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, features world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com with Monster Jam Preferred Customers able to purchase advance tickets starting today, January 11, before tickets go on-sale to the general public on January 18. Fans can still sign up for free to become a Monster Jam Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.

The Monster Jam Pit Party will be held on Saturday and Sunday. At the Monster Jam Pit Party, fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly fun.  This unique experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.

Wilkes Barre fans will witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship.  Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions. 

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. 

TRUCK LINEUP:  Grave Digger® driven by Krysten Anderson; Max-D® driven by Blake Granger; Wild Side ® driven by Zack Garner; Bakugan Dragonoid™ driven by Camden Murphy; Soldier Fortune™ driven by Tony Ochs; Terminal Velocity® driven by Jon Zimmer, Jr.; El Toro Loco® driven by Elvis Lainez; Raminator driven by Mark Hall; Rammunition driven by Kurt Kraehmer

**Truck and driver line-up subject to change

WHEN:

Friday, April 29 at 7 PM

Saturday, April 30 at 1 PM & 7 PM

Pit Party 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, May 1 at 1 PM

Pit Party 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

WHERE: Mohegan Sun Arena | 255 Highland Park Blvd, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702

TICKETS:

Tickets will be available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Visit MonsterJam.com for more detailed information on the event and wellness policies.

RailRiders Football Squares Promotion Returns

With Super Bowl LVI only weeks away, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are bringing back a great ticket promotion with the chance to win prizes.  Fans can purchase mini-plans, partial, half or full season memberships to get involved in the RailRiders Football Squares promotion with the opportunity to win on February 13.

Chances to win occur with the score at the end of each quarter and at the end of the game.  The scores will reward you with fun prizes and experiences in 2022.  Squares correspond with the number of packages purchased, so buy multiple plans or memberships for more chances to win!

With the purchase of one mini-plan, you will receive one square.  If you purchase a partial season plan, you will receive two squares. A half-season plan will receive three squares and any full-season membership purchased will net four squares. All squares are placed at random. Winners are determined by looking at the last number in each teams’ score at the end of each quarter and then matching those numbers on the grid and seeing which square intersects those two numbers. 

Winning Outcomes:

Match the score at the end of the first quarter and receive a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of PNC Field on a non-game day (some areas remain restricted due to current health protocols)

Match the score at the end of the second quarter and get four Geisinger Champions Club passes for one game

Match the score at the end of the third quarter and receive four tickets to a 2022 Yankees game

Match the score at the end of the fourth to receive a David Cone autographed baseball

Should the game go to overtime and your square matches the final score after OT, you will win all four of the items listed above.

Additional terms and conditions apply. Please ask your sales representative to clarify any concerns.

Tickets packages for the 2022 season, both full season and mini-plans, are available now and Football Squares are on a limited, first-come, first-serve basis until Friday, February 11. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact a ticket sales representative at (570) 969-BALL.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, January 15, through Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.   

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2022 is available online.

United Way Announces 2022 Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship is Now Open

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is pleased to announce the availability of the 2022 Mike Munchak Community Services Scholarship to assist high school seniors from Lackawanna, Wayne or Pike Counties, PA who plan to continue their education at an accredited university, college, or trade school in a two or four-year degree program. If selected, the 2022 recipient will receive a one-year award of $6,300 to commemorate Munchak’s #63, retired by the Houston Oilers. Funding for the award comes from proceeds of the Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic and will be presented at this year’s 26th annual tournament, slated for this upcoming June at the Country Club of Scranton.

A 2001 enshrinee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mr. Munchak’s career has earned him accolades as both a player and a coach, currently serving as the offensive line coach for the Denver Broncos. Yet, it is his work off the field that led to a scholarship program being established by the United Way to honor his long-standing commitment to his hometown of Scranton and the people of the area.

“For the past 25 years, we’ve been honored to work with Mike and we remain grateful to him for his unwavering commitment to the people of our community,” said Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must be actively involved in community service activities within programs/agencies receiving funds from the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, be full-time residents and/or students of a school district within Lackawanna, Wayne or Pike Counties, and be accepted by an accredited university, college or trade school, in a two or four-year degree program track, for the 2022/2023 school year.

Additional requirements include a demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, agency recommendation and a track record of community service.

Last year’s scholarship recipient was Molly Dougherty, a West Scranton High School graduate who served as President of the West Scranton High School Red Cross Club where she directed the club activities and various drives throughout her years of involvement.

Additionally, Ms. Dougherty was an active member with numerous organizations in her community including St. Joseph’s Center, Friends of the Poor, Mathew’s Mission, Knights of Columbus, Cinderella’s Closet, and many others.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, student liaison of the senior class, Miss Invader, Varsity Cross Country Captain, President of the Drama, Spanish and Chorus Clubs, Editor of the West Side Story, graduate of the Leadership Lackawanna’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program as well as an array of clubs and activities in which she was engaged.  The Scholarship Committee noted Molly’s superior GPA as well as the leadership qualities she exhibited throughout her time at West Scranton

To be considered, completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2022. A complete listing of eligibility requirements and the application are available for download at www.uwlc.net or by calling Frank Kincel at the United Way 570.343-1267 x233.

Sordoni Construction Services Announces Promotions

Sordoni Construction Services was founded by Andrew J. Sordoni in 1910 and has since built a strong presence in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region as a construction manager, design-builder, and general contractor. The firm has successfully completed significant construction projects with primary emphasis on industrial, commercial and institutional clients.

Robert Obuhosky has been promoted to Director of Preconstruction. Mr. Obuhosky joined Sordoni in April of 2018 as an Estimator and has over twenty years of commercial construction experience with a strong background in estimating and project management. In his new role, Robert will manage the workload and development of the preconstruction/estimating staff, collaborate with owners, architects, and Sordoni personnel on projects throughout the many phases of project development and execution, and provide clients with high quality solutions at competitive costs. Robert holds an Associate Degree in Architectural Engineering.

Carmen Brutico has been promoted to Senior Project Manager. Mr. Brutico joined Sordoni in September of 2016 as a Project Manager and has over eleven years of experience in the construction industry. Carmen has a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of construction management along with diverse project experience in numerous industries. As Senior Project Manager, Carmen will play a significant role not only in the successful delivery of company initiatives but also provide leadership by building and motivating project teams to meet their project goals. Carmen holds a Master of Architectural Engineering Construction Management Option from Pennsylvania State University.

NET Credit Union Promotes Multiple Employees

Marc Michalowski has been promoted to CIO, Chief Information Officer. Marc’s diverse experience in both IT and the credit union industry continues to help NET Credit Union grow and develop.

Cheryl DeHaut has been promoted to Vice President of Risk Management. Cheryl is responsible for managing the Compliance and Human Resources Departments, which both ensure that NET’s policies and procedures comply with regulatory and ethical standards.

Mary Rapach has been promoted to Member Service Center Manager. Mary has multiple years of call center experience, which has helped evolve NET Credit Union’s Member Service Department to serve our members better.

Andrea Krivak has been promoted to Accounting Manager. Andrea has both public accounting and credit union accounting experience. She is currently pursuing her MBA.

Steve Cowgill has been promoted to IT Manager. Steve has various years of IT experience, which has assisted both the IT Department and credit union expand our products and services.

Lauren Pabst has been promoted to Marketing Manager. Lauren has over five years experience within both the company and department. She is responsible for educating our members, staff and community about NET Credit Union’s products and services.

Registration Now Open for Johnson College’s 3D Printing Competition for High School Students

Johnson College will host its second 3D Printing Competition for local high school students on Friday, March 11, 2022 (Snow date March 18, 2022). The competition is an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and creativity using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) techniques.

All students and groups must be registered by a school staff member who will also serve as an advisor while their students are on the Johnson College campus the day of the event. For more information and to register, please visit, johnson.edu/3DCompetition. Upon registration, a document will be emailed detailing additional information. Registration ends February 11, 2022. Prizes are to be announced.

This year’s competition requires high school students to compete individually to design and make an assembly to span 500mm (19.685”). The assemblies can only be made using 3D printed parts and must weigh no more than 2000 grams. Each assembly will be tested to the point of breaking. The student with the assembly that bears the most weight at the time of breaking will be declared the winner. Each competitor(s) must submit a complete technical drawing of all parts and assembly.

Stronghold Group Supports The Wright Center with Monetary, PPE Donations

Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Sean Niquette, co-founder and chief financial officer, Stronghold Group; Dave Henderson, co-founder and CEO, Stronghold Group; William Waters, co-chairperson, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement; Laurie LaMaster; and Kara Seitzinger, director of public affairs/advisor liaison to the president and CEO, The Wright Center.

The Stronghold Group continued its support of regional health care workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 5,000 pieces of personal protection equipment (PPE) and a $5,000 check to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Patient & Community Engagement.

A veteran-owned business that specializes in medical equipment, the Stronghold Group donated 20 cases of disposable 3-ply surgical masks and 80 cases of medical gowns to protect clinicians at The Wright Center for Community Health’s eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties.

Stronghold’s financial support will be used to purchase fresh produce and canned goods for the most marginalized in our community who need it most.

“Worrying about having enough to eat should be the last thing on someone’s mind when they’re already worried about their health and finances,” said Laurie LaMaster, associate vice president of development and Patient & Community Engagement at The Wright Center. “We know the winter months bring higher heating bills, which further strain household budgets. Too often people are forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. That’s why we are incredibly grateful for the support of the Stronghold Group. Not only are they keeping our health care heroes safe on the frontlines, they’re putting food on the table of the most vulnerable in our community.”

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-343-2383.

Wayne Bank Promotes Linda Meskey to Assistant Vice President and Senior Credit Analyst

Linda Meskey, AVP, Senior Credit Analyst

Lewis J. Critelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Linda Meskey to Assistant Vice President and Senior Credit Analyst.

Mr. Critelli remarked, “Linda is well-deserving of this promotion.  Her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication have helped to maintain the Bank’s strong credit culture.”

Ms. Meskey has over 23 years of banking experience and joined Wayne Bank in 2011.  She earned an Associate’s Degree in Science from Lackawanna College.  She resides in Scranton with her husband, Gary, and enjoys walking, bicycling, and swimming.