Barry Isett & Associates Expands Construction Quality Assurance Services Barry Isett & Associates (Isett) announces a strategic expansion of its service offerings, unveiling a comprehensive suite of Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) services that support projects from design through completion. Formerly known as the Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Department, the newly named CQA Department now delivers an enhanced menu of services, delivering clients with greater confidence and peace of mind. While the department’s name has evolved, Isett’s commitment to construction materials testing remains steadfast; these essential services are now part of a broader, more robust offering. Isett provides these CQA services as a code-required, independent third-party agency. The firm’s trained and certified inspectors deliver unbiased verification that projects meet applicable codes, quality standards, project specifications, and design drawings. From initial site preparation to final occupancy, Isett’s experts bridge the gap between design and construction, documenting compliance at every stage. Blending thorough inspections with expert testing and detailed reports, Isett’s CQA Department frequently partners with local construction management firms, acting as an extension of their teams to help ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with design intent and regulatory standards. These collaborations foster precision, accountability, and shared success. “The transition from Construction Materials Testing to Construction Quality Assurance reflects both our legacy and our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients. We remain the boots on the ground, the eyes and ears working on behalf of the project owner. This evolution allows us to build on our foundation of trusted materials testing while expanding our capabilities to deliver even greater value, safety, and quality. Our team provides objective, code-required oversight and practical solutions that help keep projects on schedule, on budget, and built to the highest standards,” said AJ Schwartz, Department Head, Construction Quality Assurance. The enhanced menu of services now offered includes: Soils and earthwork testing for strong, stable foundations Building structure inspections and laboratory testing for safety and durability Indoor air quality monitoring to support healthy environments HVAC system testing and commissioning for optimal performance Construction materials testing With four fully equipped CQA Testing Labs located in Allentown, East Norriton, Mechanicsburg, and Wilkes-Barre, PA, Isett offers both deep local knowledge and broad regional coverage. This infrastructure allows the team to respond quickly, test accurately, and support projects across the Commonwealth. Why CQA Matters—Safeguarding Health, Safety, and ValueCQA plays a critical role in protecting the health and safety of building occupants. Isett’s CQA team provides essential services like indoor air quality testing, which is frequently performed for schools to help ensure healthy learning environments. As awareness of air quality’s impact grows, these services are increasingly important across sectors, including healthcare and housing. Beyond air quality, CQA ensures that every aspect of construction—from soils and foundations to final systems check—meets or exceeds required standards, helping to safeguard investments and support community well-being. To learn how Isett’s enhanced Construction Quality Assurance services can support your next project, contact 610.398.0904 or visit www.barryisett.com/CQA.
Wright Center To Host Free Soup for Community The Wright Center invites community members to enjoy a warm, cozy, and free bowl of soup at its community health centers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited quantities. Gerri McAndrew The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., will offer soup and bread donated by or purchased from area restaurants on Monday, Jan. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsors include state Senator Rosemary Brown’s office, state Senator Marty Flynn’s office; state Representative Bridget M. Kosierowski’s office, the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office, Caravia Fresh Foods, Pasquale’s Pizzeria and Family Restaurant, the Sacco family, and others. Community officials will join The Wright Center’s employees to serve the hot meal. Additionally, The Wright Center’s community health workers will be at the event to provide information about services, including help with temporary housing, utility assistance, transportation to medical appointments, health insurance, food, and clothing. The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., will host a similar event with soup and bread donated by or purchased from area restaurants on Monday, Feb. 16, from 11:30 to 2 p.m. The Wright Center will also provide information about whole-person primary and preventive care services, including pediatric and geriatric services, as well as the Ryan White HIV Clinic. “This is about more than soup – it’s about showing up for our communities,” said Gerri McAndrew, director of development and relations for community outreach at The Wright Center. “While we offer a warm meal, we’re also helping people understand the high-quality, whole-person primary health services available to them at The Wright Center, no matter their circumstances.” The events are organized by The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, which helps many of the most under-resourced individuals and families in Northeast Pennsylvania, including those experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, social isolation, poverty, or other hardships. To learn more, visit TheWrightCenter.org/patient-and-community-engagement. For a full list of upcoming community events, visit TheWrightCenter.org/events. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019.
Scranton Cultural Center Announces A Tribute to ABBA The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions will present The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on February 3 at 7:00 PM. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, produced by 21st Century Artists, has shared the ultimate tribute show throughout North America for over 20 years. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA continues to be the top ABBA Tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see their fantastic performance while playing the band’s most iconic hits, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” “Dancing Queen,” and more. Audiences and the press all agree, “this is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get!” The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $58.05 (includes fees), and will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 12 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
PA Department of Environmental Protection Providing Small Business Advantage Grants Gift for PA Small Businesses – Small Business Advantage Grant Funds Available The Small Business Advantage Grant can used by Pennsylvania small businesses to increase energy efficiency, reduce pollution, or protect the natural resources of Pennsylvania relating to their business operations, all while saving small business owners money! Even with $1 million available, funds go fast so apply soon! Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are due by March 13, 2026. With as much as $12,000 possibly available for projects! A link to the online application system and to all the program documents, including Program Guidelines and a Grant Calculator, are available on the Small Business Advantage Grant Website. Contact the Small Business Ombudsman Office if you have questions at RA-epAdvantageGrant@pa.gov.
PS Bank Announces the Hiring of Sabrina Armbruster Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Sabrina Armbruster as Compliance Officer / Vice President. With over 20 years of experience in community banking, Sabrina brings strong operational expertise and extensive banking knowledge to the team. In this role, she will be responsible for developing, implementing, and administering various aspects of the bank’s compliance management program. “I’m excited to join PS Bank and contribute to an institution that values its role in serving the community. Community banks are vital to local economies, and maintaining strong compliance practices is key to sustaining that impact. I look forward to supporting the bank’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and a robust compliance culture,” said Armbruster. Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO of PS Bank, added, “Sabrina’s background in banking and specifically loan operations and administration make her a valuable asset to our team. We look forward to seeing her significant contributions to PS Bank as she enters into this exciting phase of her career.” Prior to serving as compliance officer, Sabrina held positions in credit analysis, loan operations, and bank marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and management from Penn State University. Sabrina resides in Roaring Brook Township with her husband Dave and daughter Kayla.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Launches 2026 Community Support Initiative Nonprofit organizations across Lackawanna County are navigating a period of significant uncertainty marked by rising costs, staffing challenges, policy changes, funding delays, and increased demand for services. In response, the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF) has launched its 2026 Community Support Initiative, inviting nonprofit partners to share candid insight into the realities they are facing through a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process. The initiative is designed as a listening and learning effort—not a competitive grant application—to help the Foundation better understand sector-wide challenges and determine how future grant opportunities can be structured to respond thoughtfully, effectively, and equitably. “Nonprofits are experiencing interconnected pressures that extend beyond any single funding source,” said Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO. “This initiative allows us to listen closely, identify shared trends, and shape our response in a way that reflects what organizations are truly experiencing right now.” As the Foundation enters 2026, it does so having already taken deliberate steps to meet heightened community needs. After careful consideration, SACF’s Board of Governors approved deploying significantly more grant funding in 2026 than in a typical year, balancing urgent community response with long-term fiduciary responsibility. That approach began in 2025, when the Foundation’s distribution (grantmaking) committee expanded its definition of critical needs to better reflect current realities—such as emergency operational support, coverage of unforeseen budget gaps, and bridge funding for sudden revenue shortfalls. “As we face ongoing uncertainty, the role of a community foundation is both clear and complex,” said David Price, the Foundation’s Board Chair. “We must respond to urgent needs today while stewarding resources to serve this region for generations to come. Listening to our nonprofit partners is essential to doing both well.” The Community Support Initiative is part of a broader strategy through which SACF is working to strengthen community stability and resilience. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation continues to convene partners, explore mission-aligned investments such as flexible capital and bridge funding, and advance regional initiatives focused on workforce development, food security, health system monitoring, and place-based economic opportunity. “We recognize that uncertainty places an added burden on nonprofit organizations,” Ducceschi shared. “We are grateful to our partners for taking the time to share their experiences. Their insight will help guide how the Foundation listens, learns, and responds in the months ahead.” The Foundation is inviting Lackawanna County 501(c)(3) nonprofits to submit a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) by January 31, 2026, sharing current challenges, emerging needs, and anticipated impacts in the next 6–12 months. Organizations can apply through the SACF grant portal at safdn.org/grants and learn more about the Letter of Inquiry process at safdn.org/SACF2026LOI.
Quest Studio Introduces the Sanctuary From one small studio…to a sacred sanctuary…to one unified home.Big changes. Same heart.WELCOME TO THE SANCTUARY. Change is never simple when it involves a place filled with memories. Quest Studio’s original space was narrative’s beginning—where goals became habits and strangers became community. It was a place that encouraged risk-taking, trust in the process, and bigger dreams for the community it served. That space wasn’t outgrown; the studio was grown because of it. Every class, every session, and every breakthrough helped build the foundation of what Quest Studio is today. Then came the church—a vision to create a true sanctuary for movement and healing. A space where breath, strength, and restoration could exist side by side. Today, those two stories officially come together. By uniting everything under one roof, Quest Studio is able to better align its services, expand its offerings, and deepen the experience members receive every time they walk through the doors. Movement lives upstairs.Restoration lives downstairs.Together, they now form one complete experience. This unified space is dedicated to strength, recovery, and belonging—designed for the person each member is becoming. This is more than a change of location; it’s alignment. It’s evolution. It’s a return to what matters most, allowing Quest Studio to serve its community more fully. At the center of it all is the belief that has guided Quest Studio from the beginning: “Our gym is our church” — a place where movement heals, community restores, and everyone belongs. Members are encouraged to keep an eye on their inbox, ZenPlanner, and social media channels for updates, including the new schedule, special events, offerings, and workshops. Everything launches in January. Click here for more information.
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Leads NEVI EV Expansion Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the opening of eight new federally-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Pennsylvania built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The new stations bring Pennsylvania’s total EV stations opened under the program to 28, opening 22 charging stations in 2025 through $13 million in federal investment. Since the first Pennsylvania NEVI station opened in December 2023, NEVI-funded charging stations in Pennsylvania have supported over 53,000 charging sessions, over 6.4 million estimated miles driven, and reduced CO2 emissions by more than 1,300 metric tons. “The Shapiro Administration made reliable and accessible clean transportation a priority for Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re expecting an influx of visitors to the Commonwealth this year, and we’re providing the infrastructure to make green travel accessible for everyone.” New stations since October 2025 include: Francis Energy – Breezewood Located at Pizza Hut along I-70 (Exit 147) Tesla – Shrewsbury Located at Shrewsbury Commons along I-83 (Exit 4) Francis Energy – Mercer Located at Shell along I-80 (Exit 15) Francis Energy – Newburg Located at McKinney Station Restaurant and Ice Cream along I-76 (Exit 201) Tesla – Somerset Located at Wendy’s along I-76 (Exit 110) Applegreen Electric – Newburg Located at Blue Mountain Service Plaza along I-76 (Mile Marker 202) Sheetz – Sewickley Located at Sheetz along I-79 (Exit 68) Applegreen Electric – Hunker Located at New Stanton Service Plaza along I-76 (Mile Marker 77) Additionally, PennDOT is powering forward with more investments through the NEVI program, beginning with the Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity, which was released on October 7, 2025. This funding round focuses on implementing EV charging stations along major roadways to strengthen long-distance travel beyond the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Projects funded from the Corridor Connections program will improve range confidence for drivers who are considering travel with an EV across and throughout the Commonwealth. PennDOT is accepting proposals until January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Please visit the PennDOT website for more information including a map of eligible locations, webinar recording, and additional resources. PennDOT plans to invest most of its remaining NEVI funds in upcoming Community Charging Funding Opportunities throughout 2026. These funding rounds will be regional and all publicly available locations within the region will be eligible to pursue funds. Check the Community Charging Funding Rounds webpage for updates or contact ra-pdevcorridors@pa.gov to be added to PennDOT’s NEVI email distribution list for updates. The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently withholding Congressionally-apportioned funding that would have supported EV construction in Pennsylvania and created new, good-paying jobs. That is why Governor Josh Shapiro sued the Trump Administration once again for breaking the law and taking dollars out of the Commonwealth. The Governor also sued the Trump Administration alongside 15 other states over the summer, in a lawsuit which reinstated the NEVI program and helped ensure projects like the one being announced today to continue throughout Pennsylvania.
Wayne Bank Promotes Kayla Dixon to VP, Business Intelligence Manager Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kayla Dixon to Vice President, Business Intelligence Manager. “I’m thrilled to recognize Kayla on her promotion to Business Intelligence Manager,” said Mr. Donnelly. “As one of the Bank’s newest and fastest-growing areas, Business Intelligence requires strong leadership, analytical expertise, and strategic vision – qualities Kayla consistently demonstrates. She has already played a key role in advancing several initiatives, and I am confident she will continue to drive innovation and deliver valuable insights that support our organization’s growth.” In this role, Kayla uses her technical skills and data analytics expertise to lead the Bank’s Business Intelligence Division. Under her guidance, the division leverages data to drive smarter, more informed decisions across the organization. An integral part of Wayne Bank for 14 years, Kayla has held various roles. Before joining the Business Intelligence Division, she served as Assistant Vice President and Consumer Loan Officer for the Bank. Kayla is actively involved in her community, serving on various school and sports committees. This balance between her professional and personal life contributes to the thoughtful, well-rounded approach she brings to her work each day. She resides in Waymart with her husband, John, and their three children, Finley, Natalie, and Logan.
