WVIA Hosts Keystone Edition – Data Centers: Deal of Dilemma Event How often have you heard the phrase “data center” lately? They are being talked about in all corners of our area. Data centers are a hot topic right now, but many people don’t know exactly what they are, how they’re used, and why there is opposition to them. We’ll wade through it all on the next edition of Keystone Edition: Data Centers: Deal or Dilemma? WVIA Public Media Studios Free Event 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM on Wed, 11 Feb 2026 By registering for any event, you agree to be added to WVIA’s email list to receive updates, news, and event information. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn more at the link.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Announce New and Returning Value-Driven Initatives The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce several new initiatives geared for veterans, first responders, seniors, and all fans attending games. The game day parking fee is being reduced to $5 per vehicle in 2026. Season ticket members can purchase preferred and general parking passes at a discounted rate. The RailRiders are thrilled to announce a partnership with Veterans Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) this season. Vet Tix partners with sports organizations to provide free tickets to more than 21 million military members, veterans and their immediate families. These free tickets are available to games as a way to help reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, create lasting memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay connected with their local communities and American life. Members of the military and their families can request free tickets for the upcoming RailRiders’ season through VetTix.org. Active and retired members of the military can show valid identification at the PNC Field Box Office and save $5 per ticket for any game (limited to four tickets per game). First Responder Fridays return for 2026. Thanks to Kost Tire & Auto, first responders have the opportunity to receive free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. One hundred complimentary tickets are given out for each Friday home game. Visit the First Responder Friday page on the Community tab at swbrailriders.com and fill out the form to request up to four free tickets. First responders, including police, fire and EMTs, can also show an ID at the PNC Field box office on Friday nights to save $5 per ticket (limited to four tickets per game). Additionally, the RailRiders recently announced the new Silver Sluggers program for $60 per person, offering reduced tickets and free parking on Tuesdays to individuals 55 and older who purchase the plan. “Minor League Baseball thrives on many things, including being a great value,” stated Shawn Reilly, the RailRiders’ president & general manager. “Working with Vet Tix and our partners at Kost Tire & Auto is a tremendous part of what we can do. Offering additional savings to those brave members of our nation’s military, both active and retired, our vital area first responders, plus the new Silver Sluggers program and lowering the cost of parking are all steps in creating the best possible value for every trip to PNC Field.” Daily promotions, 2026 theme nights and giveaways will be announced soon. Season tickets are on sale now, and single-game tickets will be available starting at 10 A.M. on February 9. Call (570) 969-2255 or visit swbrailriders.com for more information.
NAACP Lackawanna County Branch Hosts Community Talent Show Come join us for a Black History Month event. All ages!Do you sing? 🎤 Dance? Tap or rap? Come join us for the NAACP Community Talent Show! Sign-up sheet coming! Sign-up at the link.
University of Scranton Students to Offer Free Income Tax Assistance University of Scranton accounting students will assist local residents with their tax returns for free as part of the VITA program. Lackawanna and Wayne County residents, whose households earned $67,000 or less in 2025, can receive free assistance in completing and filing their federal, state and local tax returns from University of Scranton accounting students through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. University students have assisted residents with low and moderate incomes who need help with their basic tax returns for more than 30 years. Walk-in service at Brennan Hall on the University’s campus begins Monday, Feb. 4, and will end on Wednesday, April 8. The VITA service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis during scheduled hours. Appointments are not available at the University. Residents can schedule appointments at other locations by contacting the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by visiting its website or calling 570-602-3133 or 1-866-662-8887. Residents who qualify for the free VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents; all W2 forms; last year’s tax returns; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); unemployment paperwork; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or –C; and real estate tax receipts if you qualify for the rent/tax rebate. Walk-in VITA service without an appointment is available in Room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the University’s campus on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Service begins on Monday, Feb. 4, and continues to Wednesday, April 8, except for the week of March 16-20, when the University is closed for Spring Break. The VITA office may also close due to inclement weather. The University reserves the right to cap the number of walk-in residents they can serve within a single day. Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045.
United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike, VITA Program Enters 19th Year United Way Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is proud to announce the return of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, beginning on February 3, 2026. This free service is available to qualifying individuals and families, offering assistance with tax preparation to help maximize refunds and ease the burden of filing. The VITA Program provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with an annual income of $67,000 or less. Certified volunteers trained by the IRS will assist in preparing and electronically filing both federal and state tax returns. This service is designed to ensure participants receive the full benefits they are entitled to, including tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). “We’re thrilled to, once again, support and administer the VITA Program. Continuing to help families and individuals in our community navigate the tax season with ease,” said Angela Bassani, ED.D., CPA, President & CEO of United Way Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This program not only saves participants money on tax preparation fees but also helps them take advantage of critical tax credits that can provide much-needed financial relief.” Program Details: Start Date: February 3, 2026 Eligibility: Households earning $67,000 or less annually Appointments: Appointments are required. Call 570.602.3133, 866.662.8887, or visit uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita to schedule. The biggest change in this year’s VITA season is the main location. The majority of appointments will be held at United Way Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike’s headquarters on, 615 Jefferson Ave. in Scranton. Free parking is available in the JCC parking. VITA will also be “hitting the road,” like always with the following mobile locations for commuting convenience: Monday, Feb. 23 – Woodloch Springs Country Club, Hawley Monday, March 2, North Pocono Library, Moscow Tuesday, March 3 – Pike County. Admin. Bldg, Milford Wednesday, March 4 – Abington Fire Hall, Clark Summit Thursday, March 5 & Friday, March 6 – Trinity Episcopal Church, Carbondale For more information about the VITA Program, eligibility requirements, or volunteer opportunities, please visit https://uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/.
Hoban Wellness Hosts Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga for Two Rooted Together: Partner Yoga for Two is a Valentine’s Day shared yoga experience designed to celebrate connection in all its forms—friends, family members, and romantic partners. This 75-minute class invites you to move side by side through mindful movement, gentle strengthening, supported stretching, breathwork, and moments of stillness. The practice emphasizes presence, communication, and shared pacing—without physical contact—allowing each participant to remain fully grounded in their own body while experiencing the energy of practicing together. The experience is enhanced with curated aromatherapy and concludes with a deeply restful closing practice. Each participant will receive a take-home eye pillow and a thoughtfully prepared wellness goodie bag. Expect to leave feeling grounded, connected, and nourished—body, mind, and heart. Register: www.katiehobanwellness.com
Jeannine Luby Announces Recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund Grant Jeannine Luby is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation (for 2026 programming). Recipients are Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that offers a range of free services from dental care to counseling and much more, and The Lake Foundation, whose goal is to strengthen mental health literacy in NEPA through education and advocacy. Volunteers in Medicine, a past recipient of a Humor Therapy Fund grant over seven years ago, will build upon their humor tool kit that is integrated into counseling sessions with clients for healing and lightheartedness. The Lake Foundation is planning an improv workshop with Electric City Improv to help local youth heal through connection and creativity. Noelle Bonitatis, VIM’s behavioral health manager and Kelly Ranieli, VIM’s executive director posed with fund advisor Jeannine Luby to celebrate their recent grant; Luby also met with Jeffrey Lake and his son Harrison, along with Jacob Torba, philanthropy associate at Scranton Area Community Foundation for the Lake Foundation check presentation. Luby worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation in 2005 to create the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund that serves to promote healing through humor and laughter in our region. Learn more about the Fund here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1138
The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Brought Christmas to Nearly 700 Children 140 Years of Hope in Scranton: A Community Rallies to Feed Families and Carry the Mission Forward For nearly a century and a half, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has stood alongside neighbors in need—responding to hardship with compassion, dignity, and unwavering service. As the organization approaches 140 years of ministry in Scranton, that mission was powerfully on display on December 18, 2025, when 300 local families received Christmas Dinner boxes, ensuring that hope—and a warm holiday meal—were on the table. Families experiencing food insecurity registered both online and by phone, and on distribution day the event unfolded as a smooth, welcoming drive-through. Each box—filled with the essentials for a Christmas dinner—was made possible by a generous donation that allowed turkeys to be purchased specifically for this outreach. Behind the scenes, the operation was a true community effort. More than two dozen volunteers came together from Walmart, Lakeland High School, and the wider community to assemble and pack boxes donated by local partners, unload turkeys, greet families with warmth, and carefully load meals into vehicles. The entire effort was coordinated by Steve Oaten, Property Manager, who also faithfully serves as Food Pantry Coordinator—ensuring that no detail was overlooked and every family was treated with care. “The Salvation Army was founded on the principle of ‘soup, soap, and salvation,’” Oaten shared. “We are blessed to continue that mission by providing Christmas dinner boxes for our neighbors in need.” The impact of the day drew the attention of WNEP News 16, who joined the distribution and spoke with Captain Neil Childs, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Captain Childs highlighted a growing and concerning reality: families seeking help for the first time, and seniors on fixed incomes whose resources no longer stretch far enough to meet basic needs. “These are our neighbors,” Childs said. “And the need is increasing.” That growing need is felt well beyond the holidays. The Salvation Army Scranton operates a ChoiceFood Pantry every Tuesday by appointment for food-insecure households within its current service area. Families are able to schedule appointments every two months as needed, allowing them to select food that best meets their household’s needs while preserving dignity and choice. As demand continues to rise, The Salvation Army Scranton is facing a critical challenge. The Choice Food Pantry is currently housed in the Corps’ gymnasium, a space that has reached its limits. The Corps is now seeking to relocate the pantry to a larger, fully accessible space near its current location at 500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton. Making this move possible will require funding support from the community. Relocating the pantry would not only improve access and efficiency for families seeking food assistance—it would also free the gymnasium for additional community programming, expanding opportunities for youth activities, support groups, and neighborhood engagement. Since 1885, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has served the community without discrimination, meeting human need wherever it exists. As Scranton looks toward the next chapter of this 140-year legacy, the mission remains steadfast—but the path forward depends on collective support. Now is the time for the community to rally. Through financial support, partnerships, advocacy, and volunteerism, individuals and organizations can help ensure The Salvation Army Scranton continues to meet rising needs with compassion and dignity. Together, we can honor 140 years of service—and invest in the future—so that hope, help, and healing remain available to every neighbor who walks through The Salvation Army’s doors.
The Wright Center for Community Health Opens New On-site Pharmacy The Wright Center for Community Health will expand access to essential health services in Luzerne County with the opening of a new on-site pharmacy at its community health center in Wilkes-Barre. The 1,400-square-foot pharmacy, located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, will be open to patients of The Wright Center as well as members of the surrounding communities. The pharmacy provides convenient access to prescription medications and pharmacist support as part of The Wright Center’s integrated, whole-person primary and preventive health services delivery model. The pharmacy will open in mid-March and serve the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations will be led by three licensed pharmacists. Most common prescriptions can be filled while customers wait, while some specialty medications may require 24 hours’ notice. “The opening of our Wilkes-Barre pharmacy reflects The Wright Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to the health services our communities need and deserve,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer. “Several pharmacies around the region have closed over the past few years, so we’re excited to offer this service to our communities, whether they are Wright Center patients or obtain medical care elsewhere.” The pharmacy operates alongside a newly opened 1,400-square-foot laboratory for routine testing, further enhancing the services available at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre. Together, the pharmacy and laboratory help reduce barriers to care for patients who might otherwise struggle to access these resources, Dr. Sheth said. Plans call for the Wilkes-Barre pharmacy to also deliver patient prescriptions to Wright Center locations in Lackawanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Patients will eventually be able to pick up prescriptions at the community health centers most convenient for them. The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, recently received a Pride of Place Award from the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its transformation from a former office building into a health care destination. The community health center offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory services conveniently located in the heart of downtown Wilkes-Barre. The location is accessible to patients who rely on public transportation and is within walking distance of many of the city’s high-rise apartments. The renovation was made possible by $4 million in state grants awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The Wright Center for Community Health accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to help ensure whole-person primary and preventive health services are affordable for everyone. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126.
Archbald Borough and Neighborhood Association Hosts Archbald Winter Carnival Archbald Neighborhood Association will be holding an Archbald Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 7th from 1 pm to 3 pm in and around Archbald’s Borough Building at 400 Church Street in partnership with Archbald Borough. Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights, sounds, and the delights of the season as we transform Archbald’s Borough Building and High School Plaza Park into a winter wonderland of festive fun to celebrate Archbald’s 150th anniversary. This is a kid friendly event. There is fun for the whole family! There will be free s’mores, hotdogs, and popcorn, fire pits, drone demos with Archbald Police Department, Touch a Truck with the Eynon Sturges Hose Company, kid friendly craft, family friendly winter games in the park with prizes, desserts from Queen of Tarts Desserts, hot chocolate, coffee, and soup from Ginger’s Pies, BBQ from Smoked and Sauced food truck, winter story time led by the Valley Community Library, free hair tinsel by Mandy with Holiday Hair, and more! Contact Kayleigh at 570-351-1086 with any questions or if you would like to be involved.
