SWB RailRider named International League Pitcher of the Month Minor League Baseball announced Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Brendan Beck was named the International League’s Pitcher of the Month for June 2026. Beck held a 1.24 earned run average in five June starts. During this time, he also worked 29 frames, earning three wins and no losses. He was named Pitcher of the Week twice in Summer 2026. The Yankees selected the 27-year-old in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft out of Stanford University.
Innotek Computer Consulting receives prestigious worldwide ranking InnoTek Computer Consulting, a leading provider of managed IT services, cybersecurity and computer consulting for small and mid-sized businesses, announced it has been ranked #124 on the 2026 Channel Futures MSP 501 — the most prestigious and comprehensive ranking of managed service providers in the world. The 2026 ranking marks a landmark achievement for InnoTek on multiple fronts: a 253-spot improvement from the company’s 2025 position, and a decisive break of its previous best ranking of #207, set in 2022. The achievement places InnoTek firmly among the top tier of managed service providers operating globally.
Wayne Bank announces leadership transition Wayne Bank has announced that its Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Vinny O’Bell is retiring at the end of October 2026, and Steve Daniels will take over the role. As part of the bank’s succession plan, Daniels will take over O’Bell’s duties on July 20, 2026. Daniels has worked at Wayne Bank since 2011 and will work closely with O’Bell over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition. O’Bell has worked in banking for 47 years.
Geisinger Community Medical Center begins neonatal intensive care unit renovation Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton is renovating its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to provide care for newborns. The $7.7 million project began in late May 2026. The hospital will add a Level II neonatal intensive care unit to its third floor. It’s expected to open in the last quarter of 2026. This unit will be capable of helping babies as young as 32 weeks of gestation and as small as about 3.3 pounds. “Our Level II NICU at Geisinger Community Medical Center will allow us to care for more babies and their families right here in the greater Scranton area and northeastern Pennsylvania community by enhancing our capability to care for premature and sick newborns,” said Ben Lee, M.D., director of the Division of Neonatology in Geisinger’s northeast region. “Whether your baby is born in good health or in need of intensive care, our network of NICUs in NEPA and in the Geisinger system will be with you to provide the care your baby needs.” The NICU will also have space for care teams and a lounge for families and visitors.
Wayne Bank makes EITC donation to Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania Wayne Bank has made a $2,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) donation to United Neighborhood Centers (UNC) of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Banking Officer and Community Office Manager Christopher Moshinskie presented the check to UNC Chief Operating Officer Terilynn Brechtel. This money from Wayne Bank will help the organization offer educational programs and services to people throughout the region. “The UNC’s mission comes down to neighbors helping neighbors, and that’s something we believe in at Wayne Bank,” said Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank. “Programs like theirs make a real difference in the lives of families across our region, and we’re glad we can support the work they’re doing every day.” Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
Menah Pratt named regional chancellor for three local Penn State campuses Menah Pratt has been named regional chancellor for Penn State’s Hazleton, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre campuses, effective August 1. In this role, she will oversee Penn State’s northeast campuses, working closely with faculty, staff, students and community partners to support academic excellence, student success and regional engagement. Pratt previously served in executive leadership roles at Virginia Tech, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Vanderbilt University. “Menah is a highly accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success, institutional strategy and community engagement,” said Renata Engel, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor. “She understands the important role Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses play in expanding opportunity and strengthening the regions they serve. I am confident she will provide thoughtful leadership for our northeast campuses while building strong relationships across the University and throughout the community.” Most recently, at Virginia Tech, Pratt served as vice president for strategic affairs since 2016. She has led university-wide strategic planning efforts, supported enrollment and student success initiatives, and worked across academic and administrative units to guide institutional priorities and support shared governance efforts. “I am honored to join Penn State and to serve the Hazleton, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre communities,” Pratt said. “These campuses have longstanding traditions of student-centered education, community engagement and regional impact. I look forward to building on the conversations I began during the interview process and working alongside students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners to deepen and enhance the campuses’ impact throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.” Pratt holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in sociology and a law degree from Vanderbilt University, as well as a master’s degree in literary studies and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa.
Incoming Penn State Scranton student receives America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship A Penn State Scranton student who’s going to begin his studies this fall has been recognized at the state level. Anthony Betti is a recipient of the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship. Betti is a graduating senior from Mid Valley Secondary Center. He was one of just 25 students selected from more than 1,800 applications statewide. He’s also the only recipient from Lackawanna County. “Receiving the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship means more to me than I can fully express,” Betti said. “When I learned I was one of only 25 students selected from more than 1,800 applicants, it didn’t just feel like an achievement — it felt like a pivotal moment in my life.” The scholarship is just one of the ways Pennsylvania is recognizing the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. It honors students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving their communities. Betti also attended a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, where he and other recipients met Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro.
Mechanical engineering students at Penn State Scranton conduct solar panel study for local organization Six mechanical engineering students at Penn State Scranton received experience solving a real-world issue. The Monroe County Conservation District (MCCD) in Stroudsburg was having issues with power interruptions threatening its educational programming and support services. Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Farhang Daneshmand had put out a call to organizations in the area that could provide student engineering projects, and MCCD jumped on the opportunity. “The partnership was motivated by a desire to move beyond purely hypothetical design problems and provide students with an authentic, real-world engineering experience,” Daneshmand said. “The Monroe County Conservation District presented a meaningful and timely challenge — energy reliability and resilience — which allowed students to work on a problem with clear technical, economic and community impact.” Six third-year students enrolled in Daneshmand’s ME 340: Design Methodology class – Emily Beemer, Ethan Lee, Joshua MacLunny, Clera O’Boyle, Eric Pisack and Vance Weimer – completed the project. They were all organized into specialized teams based on their backgrounds, experience and interests, and worked with MCCD to figure out if a solar energy backup system could improve power reliability. The students also consulted with industry professionals. In the end, the students helped prepare a proposal for a solar energy resilience system that could run the MCCD building during a power outage. The proposed system was also tailored to the building’s space constraints. The system isn’t being installed yet, but MCCD said it’s analyzing its budget and looking for grant opportunities to bring the project to life. Daneshmand said the project reflected the core goals of Penn State Scranton’s mechanical engineering program: combining technical theory with hands-on application.
Comcast Business Named official connectivity provider of Scranton Official Fan Zone Comcast Business announced today that it is the official connectivity provider for the City of Scranton’s upcoming summer soccer watch parties on Lackawanna County Courthouse Square. Comcast will provide connectivity for staff and vendors, as well as the live multi-screen broadcasts of matches. Comcast Business is using a network solution powered by Comcast Business Internet and Wifi Pro for the July watch parties. It will provide reliable connectivity for operations and cashless vendor transactions. Comcast Business officials say events like these are the type of environment the Comcast Business network is built for. The connectivity and video solutions are provided as an in-kind contribution from Comcast Business, which is celebrating 20 years in business. You can read more about this announcement in a press release from Comcast Business here.
Outdoor events at Mohegan Pennsylvania happening throughout the summer months Looking for fun events to attend throughout the summer months? Mohegan Pennsylvania is hosting something for everyone! Take a look at their list of events happening in the coming months to celebrate America 250: The free outdoor concert series Party on the Patio will feature Adrenalize: The Ultimate Def Lepperd Experience on Thursday, July 9th and 7 Summers: The Ultimate Morgan Wallen Tribute on Thursday, July 30th. You can find the full Party on the Patio lineup here. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for these concerts. There will also be two special trackside NEPA America 250 Concerts: Laurel Canyon Band on Friday, July 10th and Bad Co. Legacy on Friday, August 28th. Both start at 7:00 p.m. You can find information about those concerts here. Sunday Fundays are happening at the Racetrack through July 26th. There will be live acoustic performances between harness racing events. These events start at 5:00 p.m. and are for people of all ages. You can find more information about Sunday Fundays here. There will be outdoor entertainment every Friday to Sunday at Embers Terrace. DJ Tommy will play on Saturday, July 4th, followed by Social Call Duo on Friday, July 10th, The Two Taboo on Sunday, July 19th, and Jay Orrell on Friday, July 31st. You can find Mohegan Pennsylvania’s full entertainment calendar here.
