The Dime Bank Invests in Financial Literacy for Local Students

The Dime Bank has donated $9,000 to Brighter Financial Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among students. This contribution, made possible through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, will directly benefit students in the Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Delaware Valley school districts.

The funds supported the Personal Finance Lab, an innovative program that equips students with essential financial skills through interactive investing and budgeting challenges. The Personal Finance Lab offers a comprehensive learning experience, including:

  • A robust personal finance curriculum covering key financial and business concepts.
  • A realistic stock market challenge simulation to teach the principles of stock market investment.
  • An engaging personal budgeting game simulation that educates students on credit, budgeting, net worth, and overall financial well-being.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in these challenges! Special recognition goes to the top three students in each of the following categories:

High School: 1st Place – Hayden Elderkin, Delaware Valley High School; 2nd Place – Devin Hopkins, Wayne Highlands; 3rd Place – Nora Warner, Wallenpaupack.

Middle/Elementary School: 1st Place – Owen Curtis, Wayne Highlands Middle School; 2nd Place – Diana Sutton, Wallenpaupack Middle School; 3rd Place – Liz Stuart, Wallenpaupack Elementary School.

Personal Budgeting Challenge: 1st Place – Logan Petroski, Wallenpaupack; 2nd Place – Brock Ludwig, Wayne Highlands; 3rd Place – Hayden Elderkin, Delaware Valley.

The first-place winners of the Stock Market Challenge, Owen Curtis of the Wayne Highlands Middle School and Hayden Elderkin of the Delaware Valley High School received a Chromebook, a gift card, and The Dime Bank gift basket. All other students received gift cards, as did the teachers.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich commented, “The Dime Bank is deeply committed to fostering financial literacy in our youth. Equipping students with personal finance skills today is investing in a future of limitless possibilities. It’s the bedrock for their success.”

Teacher Donald Burchell, AVP Damascus Branch Manager Marcris Rueger, Student Owen Curtis, Principal of Preston School David Jagger.
AVP Dingmans Ferry Branch Manager Amy Burke, VP Marketing Deb Unflat, Student Hayden Elderkin, Teacher Audrey Dennis.

Source: The Dime Bank / Deborah Unflat / June 11, 2025

PS Bank Welcomes Karen Weller

Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Karen Weller as Deposit Operations Manager / Vice President.   

With nearly 20 years of experience in banking and 13 years specializing in operations management, Karen brings a wealth of expertise to the team. In this role, she will oversee the key components of the deposit operations function.

“I’m excited to join the PS Bank team because of its outstanding reputation in the community. A strong reputation combined with the strength of its leadership team has PS Bank primed for success,” said Weller.

Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO of PS Bank, added, “Karen will play an important role in further developing and expanding our deposit operations department. As our bank continues to grow, her strong banking background and leadership skills will allow us to continue to scale up and meet the needs of our customers and communities.”

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton, and she is a resident of Scranton.

Penn State Scranton Holds Information Session: Sustainability Coordinator Certificate

Did you know that the Securities and Exchange Commission have adopted new rules for publicly traded companies to disclose climate-related information in annual reports? Did you know that businesses that invest in sustainability outperform their peers?

The sustainability coordinator’s primary responsibilities include identifying gaps or inefficiencies in a company, developing projects to create more sustainable processes/environments, and implementing the plans created to help their company’s positive impact grow. This role requires honed critical thinking- and communication skills, as well as the ability to oversee multiple projects at once. 

In order for businesses in all industries to be successful today, they will need Sustainability Coordinators to help assess, recommend, and implement plans to ensure the processes and policies are efficient and responsible for the three pillars of the triple bottom line: People, Prosperity, and Planet!

The online, non-credit Sustainability Certificate at Penn State helps business professionals turn rigorous knowledge into meaningful action. 

An Information session on our Sustainability Coordinator Certificate will be held August 8th from Noon to 1 pm. Those attending will be provided a discount when they register. 

For more details visit: https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/certificate-programs/sustainability or email scrantonoutreach@psu.edu

Comcast to Host NASCAR Xfinity Series Meet & Greet

  • Event Name: NASCAR Xfinity Series Meet & Greet
  • Date: Friday, June 20
  • Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: 1128 Commerce Blvd, Scranton, PA 18519
  • Special Guests: Josh Williams and Harrison Burton – current Xfinity Series drivers
  • Extras:
    • Swag bags (while supplies last)
    • Food truck on-site: Grilled Cheese Café

This is a great opportunity for local fans to meet professional drivers, enjoy some great food, and gear up for race weekend!

The Wright Center and WVIA-TV Seeking Audience Members for Panel Discussion

The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and WVIA-TV 44 are collaborating on the panel discussion, “Conversations for the Common Good: Shaping Tomorrow’s Health Workforce,” on Tuesday, June 17, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at Scranton Preparatory High School’s Bellarmine Theater. The free program is open to the public.

The program is being recorded and will be aired live on WVIA-TV 44 in June and July. The show explores how education programs and partnerships are transforming the future of health care by training the next generation of health care professionals.

Panelists include Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education; Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College; Jill Avery-Stoss, president of The Institute; and Pennsylvania State Representative Bridget M. Kosierowski. Tracey Matisak of WVIA will moderate the panel discussion.

The show will air on WVIA-TV 44 on June 26, 9 p.m.; June 27, 2 p.m.; June 29, 1 p.m.; July 10, 7 p.m.; July 11, 4 p.m.; and July 13, noon.

To participate in the live recording, you must register for free tickets in advance. Go here for more information or to reserve your ticket.

Tobyhanna’s New Microelectronics Facility Shapes Future

From left: Anthony Shebelock, Tobyhanna; Martin Nealon, Tobyhanna; Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker; Army Materiel Command Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Ms. Liz Miranda; CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV; Jeffrey Burrell, Tobyhanna; and Mark Sgobba, Tobyhanna. 

With the snip of the scissors, Tobyhanna Army Depot celebrated the official opening of its Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility on Jun. 05, enabling the organization to lead the Department of Defense into a new era of warfighter readiness – one microchip at a time.

The depot’s new capability will directly address current supply chain hurdles faced by the U.S. Armed Forces. Like many other industries, the DOD depends on foreign electronics suppliers to provide microelectronics components to develop and sustain weapons systems. This reliance on the global supply chain as well as the emergence of counterfeit parts results in a significant risk for national security.

Enter Tobyhanna’s microelectronics facility, where a team of talented engineers and technicians develop repair, manufacturing and testing capabilities for circuit cards required by complex military weapons systems.This operation keeps the DOD’s existing equipment running, meets new technology needs, and, most importantly, reduces reliance on foreign suppliers.

The event hosted by Communications-Electronics Command Commanding General, Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV. Also in attendance was Ms. Liz Miranda, Executive Deputy to the Commanding General of Army Materiel Command, other distinguished visitors, depot leaders and members of the workforce.

During the keynote address, Miranda emphasized the importance of the new mission.

“This facility is a direct investment in Army modernization, enabling us to not only sustain our legacy systems, but to rapidly adapt and integrate cutting-edge technologies into future platforms,” she said, adding that the effort was made possible by the talented members of Team Tobyhanna.

“To the workforce of Tobyhanna Army Depot – you are the heart of this operation. Your expertise in C5ISR systems is nationally recognized, and this new facility is designed to empower you, to challenge you, and to provide you with a world-class working environment prioritizing your safety and well-being.”

Turinetti shared Miranda’s sentiment, noting the depot’s importance to the Department of Defense overall.

“Tobyhanna repeatedly demonstrates value to the Army and other services for their unwavering dedication to innovation,” he said. “None of this would be possible without the expertise, commitment, and ingenuity of the subject matter experts here at Tobyhanna and throughout CECOM. Their dedication to our force and our country allows us to continue modernizing so we can fight and win in any domain.”

Lead Electronics Engineer Mark Sgobba has been exploring the potential of a microelectronics facility for Tobyhanna since 2020. He says the effort has been an opportunity for the depot to grow its capabilities, while also embracing agile, future-ready talent.

“We enjoy pushing boundaries, embracing challenges and the continuous pursuit of knowledge. I’m very proud of the ME Team we have developed,” he said.

The depot first got involved with microelectronics when Sgobba and his colleagues revived the dormant M139 Volcano mine dispensing system through the Service Life Extension Program. Artisans began with an obsolescence and producibility analysis to show that TYAD could support the electrical and mechanical fabrication, assembly, inspection and testing of the dispenser control units for Volcano. The team then got busy developing repair, test and manufacturing capability for 13 different Volcano circuit cards to support U.S. and foreign military sales requirements. The success of the Volcano effort led to missions supporting the AN/TPQ-53, Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical Terminal (SMART-T), Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System and more.

Depot Commander James L. Crocker says the ribbon cutting was only the start of Tobyhanna’s microelectronics journey.

“Today, we celebrated the first milestone in a four-phase project to support microelectronics needs across the DOD. We look forward to expanding our capacity and capability for this critical warfighter readiness mission.”

Army Materiel Command Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Liz Miranda tours Tobyhanna’s new Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility, an effort she says is a direct investment in Army modernization. 
CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV addresses the crowd during Tobyhanna’s Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility Ribbon Cutting

Photo Credits to Justin Kucharski

WVIA President & CEO Urges Support to Keep Local News Funded

WVIA’s President & CEO, Carla McCabe has released the following statement.

Yesterday the White House formally asked Congress to rescind federal funding that had already been appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). 

This effort would zero out any funds that have already been approved by Congress to fund CPB (and NPR and PBS) over the next two years, approximately $1.1 billion. 

On the surface, this reads like a national issue with no clear impact on our region. But let me be clear: the consequences will hit home—right here, in our communities. Currently, WVIA receives approximately $1.2 million in critical federal funding from CPB each year – roughly 20% of our overall budget. 

If this funding is cut, local stations like WVIA could be forced to immediately reduce—or eliminate—the trusted local news, educational programs and resources, tv and radio programs, and emergency broadcasting services you rely on.

Congress now has 45 days to vote on the rescission request but we anticipate that the House may bring it to a vote as early as next week. So what can you do right now to help?

Call and email your congressional representatives today and urge them to oppose efforts to rescind federal funding for public media. 

Your voice matters to your lawmakers, which is why it’s important for you to take action now to protect public media.

Eliminating federal funding for public broadcasting would have a devastating impact on local stations, the communities that depend on them, and the public media system as a whole. We don’t know what the specific ramifications of this would be on WVIA but we do know that we must stop it from happening now.

Through your continued support, WVIA has delivered relevant, balanced and in-depth programing for nearly 60 years, including award-winning locally produced documentaries, performances, news and public affairs programs across TV, radio and digital platforms.

Thank you for believing in the value that local public media brings to our community and empowering us to serve you every day — no matter the challenges ahead.

Remember, these are your stories. This is your community. And WVIA is where it all comes together. 

Public media is for all of us. Let’s continue to fight for it together.

Best,

Carla McCabe

President & CEO, WVIA