Steamtown National Historic Site Receives Generous Donation to Restore Locomotive

A generous financial donation to Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is helping fund the restoration of the Atlantic Coast Line #1901, a steam era diesel locomotive in the park’s collection. Steamtown NHS was one of six railroad museums identified to receive funds from the estate of Eric J. Yankovich, a longtime rail enthusiast.   

The Atlantic Coast Line #1901 is a SW-1 class switching locomotive manufactured by the EMC Division of General Motors Corporation in 1939. Its restoration will help enhance the live railroad experience, a key component of the mission of Steamtown NHS. In addition to carrying out switching operations, #1901 may be used to provide short distance passenger rides throughout the rail yard.  

“On behalf of the National Park Service, I would like to thank the family of Mr. Yankovich for his generosity and support of these treasured and historic places.” said Steamtown NHS Superintendent Cherie Shepherd. “I’d also like to thank the Iron Horse Society for helping fulfill Mr. Yankovich’s wishes and facilitating the transfer of funds to the park for this important restoration work.”

After graduating from Drexel University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Yankovich took a position with the United States Navy as an engineer. While employed by the Navy, he continued his studies, attained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and became a licensed professional engineer. Yankovich eventually left the Navy and formed a structural analytics consulting firm that he managed until retirement. 

The contract for the restoration was awarded to McHugh Locomotive & Equipment. The work is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The park’s philanthropic partner, the Iron Horse Society, also supported this project by choosing a Lehigh Valley Railroad paint scheme for the #1901 restoration.      

WVIA Receives 11 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award® Nominations for Local, Original Programming

WVIA has been nominated by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for 2023 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards in multiple Program Feature/Segment categories.

This year, WVIA has been nominated for a station record total of 11 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards, the highest number in WVIA’s 57-year history.

The award categories include: Politics/Government- NEWS (Single Report), Diversity/Equity/Inclusion- Short Form Content (Single Report), Education/Schools- Short Form Content (Single Report), Health/Environment/Science- Short Form Content (Single Report), Societal Concerns- Short Form Content (Single Report), Documentary (Single Program), Magazine Long Form (Single Program), Societal Concerns- Long Form Content (Single Story or Program), Promotion-News/Program/PSA (Single Spot), and Video Essay.  

Standout nominations include programs such as WVIA Runs All of Us, It’s More Than Hair, Mind Over Matter, and Agnes 50: Life After the Flood, WVIA’s 2022 documentary project that chronicles the historic hurricane and the economical, physical, and emotional aftermath on the region. 

WVIA last won a Mid Atlantic Emmy Award in 2021 for the production of the VIA Short Takes television episode #103. 

WVIA Chief Content Office and Executive Producer Ben Payavis II said, “WVIA is honored to be recognized by the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and is proud to tell the stories of the people and places of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.”

“I am extremely proud of our talented team,” said Carla McCabe, President and CEO at WVIA. “11 total nominations from Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards is great recognition of the diversity of stories on all of our platforms. It is a privilege to tell the stories that represent our region.”

The content nominated for 2023 features a variety of subjects and covers a range of audiences, both demographically and geographically.

The full list of this year’s nominees and information about tickets can be found at: https://natasmid-atlantic.org/2023-emmy-nominees/. 

The 2023 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards will be presented on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 14. Discounted tickets are available through September 8.

PennDOT Announces New 511PA Features Ahead of the Little League World Series

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced updates to the 511PA traveler information service including new features and real-time travel and alternate-route information for fans headed to the Little League World Series (LLWS).

The new and enhanced features provide timely information and also support efforts to combat human trafficking.

PennDOT helps minimize congestion for LLWS travelers

Motorists traveling to the LLWS in Williamsport are encouraged to plan their trip using the real-time travel and alternate-route information available online at www.511PA.com/LLWS.

The website is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on the primary travel routes to the event. Travel times and alerts are provided for: Route 15 south to Route 220 to Market Street (from north); Route 15 north (from south); Interstate 80 east to Route 220 north to Market Street (from west); and I-80 west to Route 15 north (from east).

The page includes the average travel time for the primary route as well as one or two alternate routes. Users can see incidents, construction, weather forecasts and alerts, traffic cameras, and traffic speeds on the map.

PennDOT’s Central Region Traffic Management Center (CRTMC) is also supporting the Little League World Series by posting real-time travel information on dynamic message signs and transmitting audio messages on highway advisory radio systems to assist travelers.

Additional PennDOT bridge information for commercial drivers

Commercial vehicle drivers can benefit from an enhancement tailored to their needs. The 511PA traffic map now includes a “PennDOT Bridges” feature which shows locations for all state-owned bridges posted with weight or other limits, along with closed bridges. This expands on the existing feature of locations for all bridges under legal height (<13’6”) over state roads, which was previously added in December 2021. This information can be viewed on the web map and is also available as an alert that can be heard in drive mode on the mobile app.

Combatting human trafficking

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, PennDOT updated the 511PA Travel Links page to include new information for reporting concerns about human trafficking. Travelers can report suspected human trafficking via the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) tipline at 888-292-1919 or tips@pa.gov. 511PA also includes more information with recommendations from PSP on how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking. The 511PA mobile app and phone service have also been updated to provide travelers easy access for reporting suspected human trafficking activity.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

Mohegan Pennsylvania to Host Oktoberfest 2023

The region’s largest Oktoberfest is back where it all started. The festivities will kick off with a ceremonial keg tapping from each of our participating distributors for Oktoberfest at 5:00pm on Friday, September 15th. Over the course of this two-day event, guests will enjoy award-winning traditional entertainers, local bands, authentic German American cuisine, wiener dog racing, NEPA cornhole tournaments, strong arm contests and more than 50 beer selections including highlights like Shangy’s – The Beer Authority, Northeast Eagle, Wallenpaupack Brewing Co and L.T. Verrastro. Guests will also have the option to enjoy wine, spirits and various seltzers.

NEPA Cornhole will be conducting walkup tournaments throughout the festival which will take place on the racetrack infield.

Live entertainment at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Oktoberfest will include fan-favorites, Bavarski Band, Schützengiggles Oompah Band, Joe Stanky and the Cadets, Alpine Horns Ensemble, HSV Bavaria, Ken Norton, Jay Luke and the return of talented singer and Germany’s own, Romy. The main stage will feature an area of over 1,000 seats for guests to enjoy this incredible lineup of entertainment.

Oktoberfest will also feature local vendors offering authentic German American cuisine, traditional style fair options, pizza, pierogies and more; some of these vendors include The Alpine Wurst & Meat House, Luppo Russo Wood Fired Pizza, Yogi’s Pierogies, Lou’s Concessions, Cibo’s Pizza, Kernel Moonies Gourmet Popcorn, Best Cigar Pub and more.

Additionally, Wiener dog races are back by popular demand! Attendees can register their furry friends in several heats of races throughout the festival. Attendees who register their wiener dogs for the race will receive free admission to Oktoberfest. There will be a Dachshund parade before each race and trophies will be awarded to the winning wiener dog! To register, click HERE.

Okto-Bucks are the official currency of Oktoberfest 2023 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Guests may purchase Okto-Bucks at the event ($1 = 1 Okto-Buck).

Direct parking for the event is available on the racetrack with shuttle service to and from the festival grounds. Casino guests can access the event grounds through the racing lobby entrance.

For more information about Oktoberfest, visit MoheganPA.com/Oktoberfest.

The Dime Bank 2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Dime Bank has awarded scholarships to six students based on their academic and leadership capabilities from Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands, Delaware Valley, Carbondale Area, Scranton, and West Scranton school districts. The students must be furthering their education in the field of business, economics, finance, management, or accounting to be eligible for The Dime Bank Directors Award Scholarship. Each graduating senior received $1,000.00 to attend the college of their choice. The Dime Bank is proud to support future leaders with this educational assistance. 

Treasurer Stacy Garrity Praises Expansion of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, Reminds Pennsylvanians of Dec. 31 Deadline

Treasurer Stacy Garrity today congratulated the General Assembly and Governor Shapiro for expanding Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and encouraged eligible residents to apply now for the 2023 rebate.

“Expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program will help some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians – especially seniors on fixed budgets – at a time when the effects of historically high inflation continue to wreck household budgets,” Garrity said. “This essential program has provided more than $7.3 billion in relief since it started in 1971. One of Treasury’s highest priorities is processing these payments quickly to get the funds into the hands of the people who need them. The General Assembly and the Governor deserve a lot of credit for expanding it to help even more of our citizens.”

As of August 4, Treasury has processed 311,298 payments totaling $145.4 million for this year’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. The deadline to apply for a rebate this year has been extended to December 31, 2023.

“I encourage everyone who is eligible for this year’s rebates to apply as soon as possible,” Garrity said. “Treasury prioritizes getting these payments out the door and we will make payments on a rolling basis as applicants are approved by the Department of Revenue.”

Starting in 2024, the maximum standard rebate will increase from $650 to $1,000. The household income limit for property tax rebates will increase to $45,000 (up from the current $35,000 limit). The limit for rent rebates will also increase to $45,000 (up from $15,000).

Beginning in 2025, the new income limits will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI). That calculation will be done by the Secretary of Revenue.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Some homeowners may qualify for supplemental rebates.

For more information about eligibility, Pennsylvanians can contact their state legislators, visit the Department of Revenue’s website, revenue.pa.gov, or call 888-222-9190. Applications can be filed online through the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.

Anyone who has already applied for this year’s rebate can check the status by using the Where’s My Rebate? online tool.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity Waives Fees for PA 529 GSP Accounts, Reduces Fees for PA 529 IP Accounts

Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that asset-based fees will be waived for PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account owners for the second consecutive fiscal year. Fee waivers will be funded by PA 529 GSP surplus earnings.

PA 529 Investment Plan (IP) account owners will also see a second fee reduction this year, as state fees will decrease by 0.5 basis points (0.005 percent) effective September 1, 2023. Last month Treasurer Garrity announced a reduction in operational support fees by 1.25 basis points (0.0125 percent). Combined, the IP fee reductions will result in a savings of more than $800,000 for account holders throughout this fiscal year.

“I’m cutting these fees because the great PA 529 College and Career Savings Program should be as affordable as possible for every family in our state,” Garrity said. “Lower fees help Pennsylvanians save more for their children’s education. PA 529 accounts are a tremendous tool to help the next generation afford the training and education they’ll need to enter the workforce, whether they attend one of our great technical schools, community colleges, or four-year universities – or if they enter an apprenticeship.”

There are more than 287,000 PA 529 accounts, including more than 111,000 PA 529 GSP accounts and more than 175,000 PA 529 IP accounts. Families have nearly $7 billion saved for future education expenses.

PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and K-12 educational expenses. Both PA 529 plans have significant state and federal tax advantages, and assets saved in PA 529 accounts do not affect eligibility for state financial aid.

The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates, and families can choose the tuition credit rate they wish to save at from community colleges to Ivy League universities.

The Morningstar Silver Rated PA 529 IP offers a variety of investment options, and account earnings are directly tied to financial market performance.

To learn more about how to start saving with PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.