Episode Two: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss these Deadlines The Chamber 155th Annual Dinner is on Wednesday, March 27, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Hear a special message from keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo. Mardi Gras Business Card Exchange — Join The Chamber on “Fat Tuesday” and bring a non-perishable food item to donate to benefit the United Neighborhood Center. New Member Welcome Lunch — New Members are invited to attend a free luncheon at The Chamber. Register today! Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE
Byron Transitions to Executive Assistant Position The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amanda Byron’s transition to Executive Assistant to the President. As the executive assistant, Byron will serve as a liaison to The Chamber and its various affiliate boards and committees. She will also be responsible for board management, communications, and reporting requirements. Byron originally joined The Chamber as the board and office administrator, where she acted as the point of contact between The Chamber and its affiliate organizations, Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna. Her transition to executive assistant will allow her to use her communicative skills to assist Durkin with the progression of The Chamber’s mission, goals, and strategic plan. “Amanda brings a unique perspective to this important position in Chamber operations. I am looking forward to the changes she will bring based on her background and experience,” says Durkin. Byron graduated from Lackawanna College where she received an associate degree in paralegal studies. She has worked as a customer care office manager, an insurance customer service representative, and as a paralegal for multiple law firms, including her most recent position as a litigation paralegal.
WVIA News Announces the Addition of a Reporter WVIA is thrilled to announce the addition of a new reporter to its growing news team. Sarah Hofius Hall will join the team with a focus on local and regional education stories in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, providing dedicated coverage and transparency on the topics that affect one of the most vulnerable populations in any region; the youth and those that serve them. A trusted subject matter expert, Hall comes to WVIA with a wealth of experience in journalism and education. She was previously employed by The Times-Tribune in Scranton since 2006. For nearly all of that time, she covered education, visiting the region’s classrooms and reporting on issues important to students, teachers, families and taxpayers. Her reporting ranges from covering controversial school closure plans and analyzing test scores, to uncovering wasteful spending and highlighting the inspirational work done by the region’s educators. “We are excited to welcome Sarah to the WVIA News team,” says WVIA News Director Julie Sidoni. “She is an experienced journalist with a deep understanding of the local education system and the issues that matter to our communities. Her talent, dedication, and diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to provide our communities with essential news and information.” Hall’s work has been recognized by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association. She received her degree in journalism from Ithaca College and resides in Clarks Summit with her family. “I’m excited to bring my years of experience to a wider audience at WVIA,” said Hall. “I’m encouraged and inspired by the station’s commitment to covering the news important to residents of this region, and I’m honored to have a role in that. As the education reporter, I look forward to visiting classrooms and campuses, telling important stories that can have a significant impact.” Bucking the national trends of shrinking staff and non-local ownership groups, WVIA continues to grow – and is quickly becoming the source for balanced, local news throughout the 22-county region it serves. Founded in 2022, WVIA News now features a team of seven full-time journalists. “One of the core elements of the WVIA mission has always been education. We strive to educate our communities and provide support to our local schools, and we have done so since the 1970s,” stated WVIA President & CEO Carla McCabe. “We are ecstatic that we are able to take that a step further by providing education specific news coverage, ensuring an informed public and accountability on behalf of our educational institutions. When it comes to education, WVIA is an advocate, a resource, and now, a watchdog.” Learn more about WVIA’s News Impact here.
FNCB Bank Pledges $2,500 to United Way of Wyoming Valley FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $2,500 donation to United Way of Wyoming Valley. For over 100 years, the United Way of Wyoming Valley has been helping children and families in the Wyoming Valley. FNCB Bank’s donation will touch the lives of many individuals and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The support of United Way is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Marywood University’s “Day-in-the-Life” Exercise Science Experience Event Marywood University’s exercise science program will host a day-in-the-life experience for prospective students on Friday, February 16, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The deadline to register for the event is Monday, February 12. The experience will feature immersive and hands-on learning in topic areas including sports performance and sports rehabilitation. This event also includes a program overview, meetings with faculty, a Q&A student panel, and breakout sessions. An optional campus tour is included at the conclusion of the day’s events. Register for the event by February 12 at: admissions.marywood.edu/register/ExerciseScienceSpr24. Learn more about Marywood’s bachelor’s degree program in exercise science at: marywood.edu/exercise-science-bachelors-degree. Contact Lindsay Howard, Chair of the Exercise Science program, with any questions at howard@marywood.edu or 570-348-6211, ext. 2283.
The Dime Bank Announces 2023 Earnings Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC), the parent holding company of The Dime Bank, announces unaudited financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Total assets increased $20 million or 2.1% from the end of 2022 to $989 million as of December 31, 2023. The loan portfolio ended the year at $722 million, an increase of $43.4 million or 6.4% from the year prior. Deposits also increased year-over-year to $827 million, a gain of $39 million or 4.9%. Dimeco’s 2023 net income of $10.8 million was $1.5 million less than 2022, including a reduction of $1.1 million in fees from the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program. Net income at this level produced a return on average assets of 1.11% and a return on average equity of 11.84%. The 2023 dividend payout ratio was 36.07% providing a yield of 4.47%, with year-to-date dividends totaling $1.54 per share. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “I am excited to report the financial results of Dimeco, Inc. for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. While there were challenges in 2023, there were also many successes. Dimeco, Inc. fared well, especially within the loan portfolio. We look forward to the opportunities Dimeco will have in 2024. We are thankful to our customers and shareholders for their commitment to us.”
Mohegan Sun Arena Hosts WWE Superstars The superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment are set to return to the ring at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza for Friday Night SmackDown on Friday, May 10, beginning at 7:45 p.m. WWE has shared that the star-studded wrestling cast coming to Wilkes-Barre is set to include Superstars like LA Knight, Randy Orton, The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, Bianca Belair, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, The Street Profits, AJ Styles and Damage CTRL, among others. The lineup is subject to change ahead of WWE’s return to northeastern Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event begin at $25 and will be available beginning next week. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase starting Friday, February 2, at 10 a.m. All tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by visiting the NBT Bank Box Office at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Ringsider packages are also available exclusively online. For more information about the event, interested fans are invited to visit Mohegan Sun Arena’s official website, MoheganSunArenaPA.com. The two-hour Friday Night SmackDown will be broadcast live from the Mohegan Sun Arena and air on FOX beginning at 8 p.m. With more than 1,100 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. primetime TV history, only behind WWE’s other flagship program, Monday Night Raw (by number of original episodes).
Geisinger Welcomes New Pediatric Neurosurgeon Geisinger has welcomed a new pediatric neurosurgeon to serve Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and northeast clinics. Cameron Brimley, MD, joined Geisinger late last year after serving a residency at the children’s hospital. Dr. Brimley specializes in brain, head and spine procedures for pediatric patients from newborns to 18 years of age. He received his medical degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, completed his residency at Geisinger and St. Jude/Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. He completed fellowships at the University of Tennessee and at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Brimley served as a combat medic for 8 years for the U.S. Army and National Guard. “I specialize in pediatric brain and spine tumors, but I enjoy taking care of any pediatric patient with brain, head or spine issues,” he said. “I love interacting with my patients, taking care of their needs and seeing them succeed, grow and progress after we’ve helped them with the care they need.” Geisinger uses the latest technologies and specialized treatment options to care for your child and care for a wide range of conditions. To learn more, visit Geisinger pediatric neurosurgery online.
The Wright Center Achieves Gold Status for Advocacy Center The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently recognized The Wright Centers for Community Health as a Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) for the second time. The Wright Center was first awarded Gold ACE status in January 2022 – the first community health center in Pennsylvania to achieve the recognition. Being awarded a second Gold ACE status, effective Dec. 19, 2023, shows The Wright Center’s continued dedication to advocating for and supporting community health centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive health services to medically underserved populations in rural and urban areas. “The Wright Center is honored to be recognized by NACHC for the second time with designation as a Community Health Center Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We are very grateful and proud to be expanding our mission-driven advocacy efforts to ensure our elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels understand and commit to investing in the comprehensive, affordable, equitable, and innovative primary health services that The Wright Center and our community health center colleagues across our country provide to people of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses.” ACE levels recognize consistent engagement, success, and ongoing commitment to prioritizing advocacy. Community health centers that receive the designation are actively engaged with NACHC and forums addressing federal policy issues, as well as their state primary care association and platforms to address key state and local policy issues that impact the entities and their patients. NACHC awards three levels of ACES: bronze, silver, and gold. The status is valid for two years. In order to earn ACE status, a community health center must complete a checklist of activities and accomplishments as outlined by NACHC. The Wright Center’s employees, for example, developed and wrote guest editorials that addressed important public health issues that affect community health centers and patients and hosted round table discussions with elected officials. Additionally, an in-house advocacy committee offers training, and the organization also hosts elected officials at its primary care practices. “Earning Gold ACE status requires serious dedication and prioritization of advocacy,” Ky Rhee, M.D., MPP, president and CEO of NACHC, wrote in his letter congratulating officials at The Wright Center about the achievement. “Your organization is now part of an elite group that serves as an example to other community health centers striving to achieve advocacy excellence.” Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center operates 10 primary and preventive care practices, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health, in Northeast Pennsylvania. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. The Wright Center accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To make an appointment, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
