Scranton Half Marathon members gather for check presentation Members of the Scranton Half Marathon gathered with representatives from each of Scranton’s Little Leagues and Tripp Park Little League Softball for a check presentation. A total of $35,882 was distributed among the seven organizations, with each receiving $5,126. The remaining $35,882 from the race proceeds was deposited into the Scranton Half Marathon Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Lackawanna County. Those on hand for the presentation include (from left to right): Matt Byrne, Scranton Half and South Scranton Little League, Tony Cantafio, Green Ridge Baseball Association, Brian Wallace, Tripp Park Little League Softball, Ted Zwiebel, Scranton Half, Chris Healy, Connell Park Little League, Tom Minora, Scranton Half, Kayla Bunevitch, North Scranton Little League, Tim Holmes, Scranton Half, Ryan Collins, West Scranton Little League, Tim Wolff, East Scranton Little League, Gary Jones, Scranton Half, and Pat Fricchione, Scranton Half. Since its inception, the Scranton Half Marathon has been committed to giving back to the community. The race aims to inspire the community by promoting health, fitness and local heritage, and showcases the scenic beauty and rich cultural history of Scranton and the Lackawanna Valley.
Mutts & Motors Car Show happening September 13 The Mutts & Motors Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, September 13 and will benefit the animals at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. at 946 Griffin Pond Road in South Abington Township, and vehicles must be on the field by 11:00 a.m. for judging. It costs $10 to register a car or truck, and the top five vehicles will will trophies. The public can attend the event for free with the option to donate to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, food trucks and music. The rain date for this event is Sunday, September 27. You can learn more about the event by clicking here.
WVIA nominated for six Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards WVIA has announced that it has received six nominations for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards. The nominations are as follows: Overall Excellence (#101) WVIA General Manager: Carla McCabe Documentary (#503) Making NEPA Home Producer/Director: Kara Washington Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content (#405) VIA Short Takes: The Day Carbondale Director: Alexander Monelli | Reporter: Kat Bolus Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content (#405) VIA Short Takes: The Lattimer Massacre Producer/Director: Timothy Novotney Societal Concerns – Short Form Content (#408) Aging Together in PA Producer/Director: Timothy Novotney Editor – Content (#701) Making NEPA Home Editor: Kara Washington
La Festa Italiana taking place on Labor Day Weekend 2026 The 50th La Festa Italiana will be September 4-7 in downtown Scranton. Those who attend will be able to enjoy delicious Italian-inspired food from dozens of restaurants, as well as live entertainment. The annual Captain James R. Minicozzi memorial 5K race will be on Saturday, September 5 at 10:00 am., followed by a car show at 1:00 p.m. You can learn more about the 50th La Festa Italiana by clicking here, and see the full schedule of events below.
Marywood University and Scranton Shakespeare Festival announce partnership Marywood University and Scranton Shakespeare Festival (SSF) have entered into a landmark partnership establishing SSF as Marywood’s resident professional theatre company and bringing professional theatre, experiential learning, community programming, and new creative opportunities directly to Marywood’s campus. The partnership is an important part of the vision behind Marywood’s new School of Communication, which formally launched this semester and brings together the University’s Theatre programs, Film, TV & Digital Production, Multimedia Communication, Music Production & Entrepreneurship, Journalism & Public Communication, Sports Media, Digital Influencing, Arts Administration, and other creative disciplines in one academic home. The partnership between the new School and SSF was developed with a shared purpose: to create greater connections among academic disciplines, professional practice, and the wider community. By bringing a professional theatre company into this new interdisciplinary environment, Marywood students will have opportunities to work across programs while gaining hands-on experience alongside professional actors, directors, designers, technicians, producers, and other creative professionals. At the same time, SSF will establish a permanent institutional home at Marywood from which to expand its performances, educational programming, and community outreach. Together, these initiatives will bring students, professional artists, faculty, audiences, and community members together on Marywood’s campus throughout the year, advancing a broader vision for Marywood as a place where education, professional practice, performance, and community intersect. A signing ceremony was held at Marywood on August 24, 2026, marking the beginning of the partnership, featuring Lisa A. Lori, J.D., President of Marywood University; Dr. Lindsey Wotanis, Director of the School of Communication; Dawn McGurl, Chair of the SSF Board of Directors, and Lizzie Newcomb Gumula, SSF Director of Education/Associate Producer. “This is about creating opportunities for our students, for SSF, for professional artists, and for our entire region,” said President Lori. “As we developed the vision for our new School of Communication, we wanted professional practice and community engagement to be integral to the student experience. Bringing Scranton Shakespeare Festival to Marywood helps make that vision a reality. Our students will have extraordinary access to professionals working in the field, our campus will come alive with even more performances and creative activity, and our community will have another reason to experience Marywood as a destination for theatre, culture, and the arts.” President Lori added, “Together, the new School of Communication and our partnership with SSF advance our longstanding vision for Marywood to become a cultural hub for the arts in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a place where artists, students, and the community come together to create, learn, perform, and experience the arts.” The university’s partnership with SSF is woven into the broader vision for Marywood’s new School of Communication: creating an interdisciplinary environment where students learn across traditional academic boundaries, engage directly with working professionals, and prepare for a creative economy in which disciplines and platforms increasingly intersect. “The world our students are entering is increasingly interdisciplinary,” President Lori said. “Performers, directors, designers, filmmakers, producers, marketers, journalists, and content creators work across disciplines and platforms. That is one of the reasons we created the School of Communication, and this partnership helps bring that vision to life. We are putting a professional theatre company into an academic environment where theatre students can collaborate with these creative professionals. Students will learn by doing, build professional relationships, and connect what they study in the classroom with the realities of today’s creative industries.” Lindsey Wotanis, Ph.D., Director of Marywood’s School of Communication, said the partnership will create opportunities extending well beyond the stage. “Bringing SSF into the School of Communication’s interdisciplinary environment creates a living laboratory for our students,” said Dr. Wotanis. “A theatrical production requires storytelling, performance, design, production, sound, video, marketing, publicity, social media, and audience engagement. Those are precisely the kinds of connections we want our students to make across programs. They will have opportunities to apply what they are learning to real productions, work alongside professionals, and build portfolios and experiences that prepare them for their careers.” “Marywood University is the ideal home for Scranton Shakespeare Festival,” McGurl said. “This partnership gives SSF the opportunity to put down roots, grow artistically, expand our programming and community reach, and build for the future, while investing in the next generation of creative professionals. With a permanent home at Marywood and access to the university’s students, faculty, facilities, and broader community, we have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen SSF and extend the impact of professional theatre throughout the region. We look forward to building a shared future that celebrates performance, education, and community while creating new opportunities for artists, students, and audiences across Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Marywood University reports perfect pass rates across multiple health sciences programs Four of Marywood University’s clinical health sciences programs, including Physician Assistant, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and Counseling, were recently notified that their graduates achieved perfect pass rates on their respective national qualifying examinations. Marywood University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program earned an overall perfect pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the national certifying examination required for licensure in all fifty states. The program’s overall pass rate of 100 percent, which it has maintained for six consecutive years, includes a first‑time pass rate of 100 percent for its most recent graduating class. The national mean overall pass rate for 2025 was 88.4 percent overall and 91.5 percent for first-time test takers; national pass rates for 2026 are still being processed. The overall PANCE pass rate reflects all exam attempts, while the first‑time pass rate includes only candidates who sat for the exam once. Marywood’s nursing program was notified that its 2026 graduating class also achieved a perfect 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This result significantly exceeds the year‑to‑date national average of 88 percent for first‑time U.S. educated nursing candidates. The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing to ensure valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence. This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Marywood nursing graduates have achieved a perfect pass rate for first-time test takers. Graduates of Marywood’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) program from the Class of 2026 attained a 100 percent first‑time High Cut Score pass rate on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple‑Choice Examination, far exceeding the national first-time passing percentage of 68 percent in 2025, highlighting the exceptional performance of Marywood’s graduates. Achieving the High Cut Score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential and grants eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination to pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Reaching this threshold on the first attempt reflects sustained effort in both classroom and clinical settings and demonstrates readiness to provide exceptional patient care as future respiratory therapists. Marywood’s most recent Counseling program graduates also achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Counselor Exam (NCE), fulfilling the examination requirement for professional counselor licensure and eligibility for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. “The perfect pass rate on the PANCE for our physician assistants, as well as the 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX for our nurses, the High Cut Score on the NBRC for RT graduates, and NCE for counselors, demonstrates that Marywood University consistently produces top graduates in health sciences who score well above the national average in their respective fields of practice,” said Shelby Yeager, Ph.D., Academic Vice President and Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “We are tremendously proud of our graduates and continuously strive to maintain that standard of excellence through the academic and clinical rigor of our health sciences programs.” For additional information about these programs and Marywood’s College of Health Sciences, please visit marywood.edu/academics/affairs/colleges/health-sciences.
Wayne Bank Welcomes Stephanie Abraham as Senior Vice President and Commercial Team Leader Stephanie Abraham has joined Wayne Bank as Senior Vice President and Commercial Team Leader. In her new role, Abraham will be responsible for leading and expanding Wayne Bank’s commercial lending team while helping to deepen the Bank’s presence throughout the Lackawanna and Luzerne County markets. “Stephanie brings an exceptional combination of commercial lending expertise, relationship-building skills, and leadership experience,” said James O. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank. “Her strong track record of business development and customer service, along with her deep understanding of our local markets, makes her an excellent addition to our commercial banking team. We are excited to welcome her to Wayne Bank and look forward to the impact she will have on our continued growth.” Abraham brings more than 11 years of banking experience and more than two decades of sales, business development, and relationship management experience. Most recently, she served as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, where she managed a commercial loan portfolio, generated significant loan and deposit growth, and developed long-term customer relationships while maintaining a strong focus on credit quality and customer service. A graduate of the University of Scranton, Abraham earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has continued her professional development through the Pennsylvania Bankers School of Commercial Lending, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Amplify Women’s Leadership Program. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank operates 33 branches serving communities throughout Pennsylvania and New York. Its stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NWFL.
The Wright Center welcomes alumna as a physician and faculty member A graduate of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program has returned to The Wright Center for Community Health to serve patients while helping train the next generation of physicians and advance health policy and advocacy efforts. Dr. Sandra Rabat, who completed her Internal Medicine residency at The Wright Center in June 2026, is accepting adult patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley. In addition to providing whole-person primary and preventive health services, she will serve as an internal medicine physician faculty member and physician liaison for health policy and advocacy. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rabat spent three years in Scranton as a member of the inaugural cohort from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. During medical school, she completed her clinical rotations at The Wright Center for Community Health, an experience that ultimately led her to remain in the region for residency training. Dr. Rabat provides comprehensive, whole-person primary and preventive health services, including checkups and physicals, preventive screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries, chronic disease management, and more. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. In her new role, Dr. Rabat will have medical, educational, and administrative responsibilities focused on high-quality patient care and clinical education. She will teach and supervise resident and fellow physicians, medical students, and interprofessional learners participating in clinical education at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. She will also work closely with The Wright Center’s advocacy team to champion legislative and regulatory changes at the state and federal levels that affect graduate medical education, public health policy, patient care, and healthcare workforce development. During medical school, Dr. Rabat participated in the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center’s (AHEC) prestigious Scholars Program, which strengthened her focus on caring for vulnerable populations, community engagement, integrating behavioral health services into primary care, and advancing access to healthcare. She received an honorable mention for the 2024 AHEC Alumni/Advocate of the Year Award. Dr. Rabat’s interest in advocacy developed during her residency at The Wright Center, where she became increasingly involved in local and federal advocacy. Working alongside Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO at The Wright Center, as well as The Wright Center’s advocacy team, colleagues, and enterprise leadership, she championed the vital role of teaching health centers and addressed the needs of rural and underserved communities. Her work with Dr. Thomas-Hemak and The Wright Center advocacy team helped shape her passion for health policy and advocacy. In her final year of residency, she served as chief resident of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, acting as a liaison between resident physicians and faculty members, mentoring junior residents, and helping facilitate clinical training. She previously served as a resident physician leader for advocacy in her second year of residency and as a resident physician leader during her first year. She has also led a community-oriented primary care project focused on increasing routine breast cancer screening rates, emphasizing preventive care and patient education. Dr. Rabat signed her employment contract on Feb. 17, 2026 – the 50th anniversary of The Wright Center. Founded on Feb. 17, 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement is 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, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
NAMI Northeast Region receives donation from Hardcore for Husvar NAMI Northeast Region PA (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has accepted a donation for the second year from the Hardcore for Husvar benefit shows and is extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to speak and offer resources at these events. Hardcore for Husvar is in memory of former Scranton resident Neil Husvar, who was an integral part of NEPA’s hardcore music scene. In addition to his contributions to the arts in music and photography, Neil was known to be a man who encouraged unity and kindness, especially for those who felt cast out. Together we can break the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Visit NAMINEPA.org to learn about monthly support group meetings, trainings and other programs and advocacy NAMI is leading. You can also text or call 988 for free 24/7 mental health crisis support.
Celebrate 200 years of American railroading at Railfest 2026 Steamtown National Historic Site will celebrate the past, present and future of American railroading during Railfest 2026, taking place Sept. 4 to 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The park’s premier annual celebration features three days of historic train rides, visiting railroad equipment, locomotive shop demonstrations, exhibits, music, ranger programs, hands-on activities and displays from community and railroad partners. General admission to the park and Railfest is free. This year’s Railfest marks an extraordinary convergence of national and local milestones: the 200th anniversary of railroading in the United States, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 40th anniversary of Steamtown’s enabling legislation. The celebration officially kicks off with an opening ceremony on Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m. “Railfest celebrates not only America’s railroad heritage but also the people, partnerships and communities that keep that history alive,” said Jeremy Komasz, superintendent of Steamtown National Historic Site. “Following an incredible summer that brought more than 111,000 visitors to Northeastern Pennsylvania for the Big Boy Reunion, we’re excited to build on that momentum and welcome visitors back to Scranton for another celebration of our shared history.” Steamtown’s 1929 Baldwin Locomotive Works No. 26 will take center stage with “No. 26 in ’26,” providing steam-powered Scranton Limited rides throughout the weekend. Visitors can also experience caboose hops, photo run-bys, maintenance-of-way equipment rides, Big Boy No. 4012 cab tours, model railroad layouts and demonstrations inside the park’s historic Locomotive Shop. Railfest will bring an impressive collection of visiting railroad equipment to Scranton, including the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad’s famed Nickel Plate Road PA No. 190 and a special commemorative locomotive from Norfolk Southern. Visitors can also see the public debut of a half-scale replica of Union Pacific No. 119, representing one of the locomotives present at the 1869 Golden Spike ceremony. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s traveling exhibit, All Set for the West, will also explore the historic relationship between America’s railroads and national parks. Throughout the weekend, dozens of railroad, cultural, historical, recreational, educational, civic, tourism and preservation organizations will participate in Railfest’s Community Partner Expo. Additional activities include railroad-themed musical performances, special walking tours, hands-on demonstrations and World War II-era military vehicle rides supporting restoration of Steamtown’s historic Troop Sleeper. Visitors can also participate in evening railroad photography opportunities in partnership with the Iron Horse Society and the park’s first “Life on the Railroad” Costume Contest on Sunday. General admission and parking at Steamtown National Historic Site are free. Fees apply for train rides and some special activities. Some advance train tickets will be available through Recreation.gov beginning Wednesday, August 26, with a limited number available for walk-up purchase during Railfest. For the complete Railfest schedule, ticket information, parking details, participating organizations and the latest event updates, click here. Programs, equipment, train rides and activities are subject to change.
