Misericordia University to Host Two Halloween Events Misericordia University will host two upcoming Halloween events. The first is BOOM in the Night on Wednesday, October 28, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Henry Science Center, Rooms 210/212. There will be Halloween-themed activities, including the opportunity to make your very own bubble squishy, as well as an outdoor science show at 8:00 PM at the Amphitheatre. Archie’s Halloween Festival will take place on Saturday, October 31, from 10:30 AM–12:30 in the Henry Student Lounge at the campus on Lake Street in Dallas, PA. There will be spooky crafts for kids, warm apple cider, and apple-filled doughtnuts. Don’t forget to dress in your best costume! All ages are welcome to this free event.
Urban Co-Works to host First Friday Free Co-Working Event Urban Co-Works will host a first Friday free co-working event on Friday, November 6, 2026. The event will be held at 116 N Washington Ave, Floor 3 from 9am-5pm. The event will offer networking and is open to all. Click here to register.
Scranton Cultural Center Announces Free Concert Featuring Six-String Soldiers Enjoy a concert given by the United States Army Field Band’s Six-String Solders ensemble at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on November 6 at 7:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public. Six-String Soldiers is a six-member country music group performing Americana and patriotic music in order to inspire a national pride in the country and help the American people have more connection to their Army. The group was formed in 2015 by active-duty Soldiers who received national media attention after a Facebook video of the group playing The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun” went viral. Since then, they have appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Morning Express with Robin Meade,” “Harry” with Harry Connick Jr., and Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family.” The United States Army Field Band’s Six-String Solders free concert is sponsored by LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 PM with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. Convenience charges may apply when ordering online or by phone. There is a limit of six (6) tickets per household. Tickets can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2026-2027 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Thom Welby, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Allied Services, Audacy, Lamar Advertising and MAC Signs.
Fall League Registration is Open at Clubhouse 315 Clubhouse 315 will host a fall league, and registration is open now! Details Include: Cost: $200 per player or $400 per 2 person team Season: November 2 – January 31 Format: 8 weekly 9-hole matches Teams: 2-person teams playing 9-hole better ball matches Handicap: 80% handicap off the how handicap in each match What is Included: – Live leaderboards through Golf Genius – Weekly hole-in-one competition – Weekly Skins competition – Complimentary Srixon golf glove – Sleeve of Srixon golf balls for each player Register here!
AAF Northeast PA hosting annual Cropped competition on Thursday The northeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Advertising Federation is hosting its annual Cropped competition on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Benco Dental in Pittston. Creative students will compete to rebrand an area nonprofit in a three-part timed competition based off of the hit TV show Chopped. The college students will be on teams that will be supervised by local creative professionals. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Community members are welcome to watch the competition for free. The winning team will have the opportunity to fully work on the rebrand in the coming months and will be recognized at AAF NEPA’s American Advertising Awards early next year. You can find more information about the competition and register here.
Misericordia University Announces Intent to Establish School of Law Misericordia University announced its intention to establish the Misericordia University School of Law, a law school designed to expand access to legal education, address legal workforce needs throughout northeastern Pennsylvania and prepare future attorneys committed to service, leadership and justice. The university engaged in a planning and evaluation process for more than a year, developing plans necessary to launch and support the school, including preparing for accreditation requirements, academic planning, strategic partnerships, fundraising and facility development. As envisioned, the proposed school would become the first law school located in northeastern Pennsylvania and would build upon Misericordia University’s century-long tradition of preparing graduates for lives of professional excellence and compassionate service to others and their communities. “The study of law is ultimately about serving others, strengthening communities, protecting rights, and advancing justice,” said Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., president of Misericordia University. “A Misericordia law school would be grounded in the University’s Mercy values while preparing attorneys who are equipped to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and communities throughout our region and beyond.” The announcement follows extensive preliminary research and consultation with the American Bar Association regarding legal education, attorney workforce trends, employer demand and opportunities to expand access to legal studies in northeastern Pennsylvania. University leaders said the proposed law school would be further developed in consultation with legal professionals, judges, employers, community leaders, higher education experts and professional organizations. “Our goal is not simply to create a law school,” Myers said. “Our goal is to create a distinctive law school that reflects the values of service, ethical leadership, academic excellence and opportunity that have defined Misericordia University for more than 100 years.” With this public announcement, the university launches the next phase of developmental activities, including: Recruitment of the founding Dean and law school faculty; Pursuit of philanthropic support, including a $10M campaign Development of curriculum and experiential learning opportunities; Engagement with legal and community stakeholders; Completion of accreditation and state authorization processes; and Preparation of instructional and support facilities. The current name of the school is the Misericordia University School of Law, although university officials noted that naming opportunities and other developments may cause that to change as the process moves forward. The first class is expected to enroll during the second half of 2028. The school would be located in some of the academic space at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus as part of the pending lease agreement between Misericordia University and HGC Development LLC, the entity recently approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees to acquire the campus following its closure in June 2027. The law school will occupy some of that space, and the university will also offer other programming that will not necessarily be linked to the law school. Additional details regarding the proposed law school’s structure, leadership, timeline, and enrollment goals will be announced as planning progresses. The Misericordia University School of Law will meet a national need, but more importantly, a regional need, for well-educated legal professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lawyers is projected to grow by 5 percent between 2025 and 2035, with approximately 28,700 job openings expected annually as new positions are created and experienced attorneys retire or leave the profession. At the same time, many rural and underserved communities continue to face significant shortages of legal professionals, creating ongoing challenges in access to legal services and justice. A new law school can help strengthen the talent pipeline while preparing the next generation of attorneys to serve their communities. Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year higher education institution. Situated on a scenic 129-acre campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania, this private Catholic university serves a vibrant student body of approximately 2,250 students through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and College of Health Sciences and Education. MU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs in both full- and part-time formats. Guided by its core values of mercy, service, justice and hospitality, Misericordia combines rigorous academics with a robust commitment to hands-on learning, collaborative research and community service. Beyond its strong academic profile and commitment to personalized attention, the university fields a successful array of varsity sports teams. The Misericordia Cougars compete at the NCAA Division III level within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom, fostering a championship-winning athletic culture alongside dedicated student-athlete academic success. For more information on the university, call (570) 674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu.
Greater Scranton YMCA hosting free Trunk or Treat event on Wed., Oct. 21 The Greater Scranton YMCA will host its Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at 706 N. Blakely St. in Dunmore. The event is free and open to the whole community. Families do not need to be Y members to attend. Children can trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk in costume. Y programs, local businesses and community organizations will decorate and stock each car. The Y is planning for up to 1,500 children, and about 40 trunks are committed. Trunks this year include the Y’s Dunmore and Olyphant Early Learning Centers; its Membership, Aquatics and Wellbeing Initiative teams; Johnson College; Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den; and many more. “For a few hours, our parking lot becomes the friendliest block in Dunmore,” said Rich Surridge, president and CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA. “Families get a safe, well-lit place to trick-or-treat. Our neighbors get a chance to meet the people behind the programs they love. It’s a great way to bring the community together, and we’re glad to host this event again this year.” Local businesses and organizations can still sign up to host a trunk. Setup begins at 3 p.m. To reserve a spot, contact Tressa Capoccia, Senior Director of Education, at tcapoccia@gsymca.org or 570-795-4563. Families who still need a costume can stop by the Y’s free community costume giveaway, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 17. The costumes came from the Y’s annual Halloween Costume Drive. The season continues with the Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14. For more information, visit greaterscrantonymca.org or call 570-342-8115.
Commonwealth Health Announces Opening of Pharmacy at Moses Taylor Hospital Tenor Health Foundation and Commonwealth Health will celebrate the grand opening of a new retail pharmacy, The Apothecary at Moses Taylor Hospital on Monday, October 19, at 10 a.m., marking another investment in services designed to enhance the patient experience and revitalize the Moses Taylor Hospital campus. The new pharmacy will provide retail pharmacy services for patients, employees and the community and will offer bedside medication delivery through a Meds-to-Beds program. The opening is part of Tenor Health Foundation’s broader commitment to investing in Moses Taylor Hospital and working alongside Commonwealth Health to revitalize the campus, enhance services and make healthcare more convenient and accessible for the communities it serves. “Investing in Moses Taylor Hospital means investing not only in facilities, but also in services that make a meaningful difference for patients,” said Radha A. Savitala, President & Chairman of the Board of Tenor Health Foundation. “The pharmacy is an example of how Tenor Health Foundation and Commonwealth Health are working together to strengthen the hospital system and improve the overall patient experience.” A key component of the new pharmacy is its Meds-to-Beds program, which allows patients to receive prescribed medications before leaving the hospital. The service is intended to eliminate an additional stop at a pharmacy after discharge and help patients leave the hospital with their medications in hand. Having medications available at discharge can also support medication adherence by helping remove access barriers during the transition from hospital to home. Clear access to prescribed medications is an important part of helping patients follow their discharge treatment plans. “The goal is to make the transition home as easy as possible for our patients,” said Patrick D. Conaboy, MD, CEO Regional Hospital of Scranton & Moses Taylor Hospital. “When a patient can leave the hospital with the medications they need, we are removing one more hurdle and helping them focus on their recovery.” The opening of the 340B pharmacy is an important part of Tenor Health Foundation’s broader strategy to invest in and strengthen Commonwealth Health. It reflects Tenor’s commitment to expanding patient-centered services, improving access to care, and supporting the health system’s long-term future in the Scranton community.
Geisinger Community Medical Center completes second phase of postpartum care expansion project Following the opening of 12 new postpartum beds in December, Geisinger Community Medical Center has completed the second phase of its postpartum care expansion and is seeing patients. The third-floor renovation opens six more postpartum beds, a family waiting room, an education room, and a pre- and post-operative bay for expectant families in Lackawanna County and across northeastern Pennsylvania. “Growing our postpartum care resources is critical to providing more labor and delivery access to mothers, babies and families in our region,” said Lucinda Mirra, D.O., chief of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Geisinger’s northeast region. “We now offer 18 rooms dedicated for families to rest, recover and prepare for their new life at home.” The now-complete postpartum unit provides a peaceful, modern space for mother and baby to recover and bond, and that capacity helps care teams prepare labor and delivery beds for incoming mothers in labor. The project aligns with a parallel effort to improve neonatal care at the hospital. The first phase of the postpartum renovation also upgraded the medical center’s well-baby nursery to a continuing care nursery capable of delivering specialized treatment to babies with minor health issues. Geisinger Community Medical Center is also under renovation to add a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is a specialty care nursery capable of caring for babies as young as 32 weeks gestation and as small as about 3.3 pounds.
The Wright Center earns three American Heart Association achievement awards For the second year in a row, The Wright Center for Community Health has earned three American Heart Association (AHA) achievement awards recognizing its commitment to helping patients manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of serious complications, but early diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient education can help people manage these conditions and improve their long-term health. “We are honored to receive recognition from the American Heart Association for our commitment to the management and care of patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Erin McFadden, chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. “With early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment, these serious conditions can be effectively managed, helping patients improve their health, reduce the risk of complications, and enjoy longer, healthier lives.” This year, The Wright Center again earned: Target: BP Gold+ – The highest level of recognition in the Target: BP program, honoring organizations that follow evidence-based practices for blood pressure measurement and treatment and achieve blood pressure control in at least 70% of their adult patients with hypertension. Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that implement evidence-based practices to help patients understand, monitor, and manage their cholesterol levels. Target: Type 2 Diabetes Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that meet established thresholds for selected clinical measures related to diabetes management and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension and high cholesterol. “Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for Americans, and addressing Type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Kevin Hwang, volunteer chair of the AHA’s Outpatient Quality Improvement Advisory Group. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize The Wright Center for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.” The Wright Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement are a physician-led, community-owned nonprofit and a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. The enterprise employs nearly 680 professionals – including nearly 200 resident and fellow physicians – and trains more than 200 interprofessional healthcare learners each year. In fiscal year 2025-26, The Wright Center served more than 39,000 unique patients across all care settings in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves all patients, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
