Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department to host toy drive for The Wright Center for Patient and Community Engagement The Lackawanna County Sheriff’s deputies will ensure local children have a great holiday season by hosting a toy drive benefiting The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement (TWCPCE). New, unwrapped toys and monetary donations will be accepted by deputies and TWCPCE staff during the Lackawanna Winter Market on Courthouse Square, 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6. Look for the sheriff’s department transport van near the main entrance to the Lackawanna County Courthouse on North Washington Avenue. Raffle basket chances will also be available. TWCPCE will distribute donated toys to local families and use all monetary donations to purchase toys. The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, the nonprofit subsidiary of The Wright Center for Community Health, works to improve health across Northeast Pennsylvania by addressing social drivers of health that can affect individuals and community well-being.
Marywood University Plans Photo Recognition Display to Honor Veterans of the Marywood Community The Marywood University Office of Military and Veteran Services is planning a special photo recognition display in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center during the week of November 9–13, to honor veterans of the Marywood community and commemorate Veterans Day. Those being honored include student/staff/faculty veterans, current service members, and veteran family members. The photos and bios of veterans and active-duty service members will be displayed in the Rotunda throughout the week to honor and recognize the service, dedication, and sacrifices of the Marywood University military community and their families. Additionally, a patriotic veterans display will be featured by the Pacer Statue, and flags will be placed around entrances of select buildings, which will be illuminated in red, white, and blue lighting. A luncheon for student veterans is planned in the Veteran Lounge in the Liberal Arts Center on November 11. Douglas Toth serves as Marywood’s Military & Veteran Specialist and is coordinating these events.
The Wright Center names new vice president, chief operating officer A longtime healthcare administration and operations executive with deep ties to Northeast Pennsylvania will serve as The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s new vice president and chief operating officer. JR Vought will oversee all business operations within The Wright Center, working closely with clinical and administrative leadership. He will play a key role in developing and implementing enhanced clinical delivery models supporting innovative care redesign in the communities served by The Wright Center. He earned a Master of Health Administration degree from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and exercise science from the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining The Wright Center, Vought served as executive director of PAK Pediatrics of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and is a former operations manager for Geisinger Health System and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center’s specialty clinics in Wilkes-Barre. A board-certified fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Vought has served on the steering committees for The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support Program and the Luzerne County Breastfeeding Coalition, as well as the health advisory committee of Luzerne County’s Head Start. He’s the past president of the Healthcare Management Forum of Northeast Pennsylvania, former adjunct faculty member of the graduate program of healthcare administration at King’s College, a past member of the King’s College Healthcare Administration Advisory Board, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Healthcare Reform Task Force chaired by state Representative Eddie Day Pashinsky. In 2006, he received the American College of Healthcare Executives Reagents’ Leadership Award – Early Careerist. Vought lives in Larksville with his wife and family.
Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania Awarded $15,000 Grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (JFS) is honored to be a recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation as part of its 2026 grant cycle. This generous funding, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, will provide vital support to JFS, allowing the organization to continue delivering essential programs and services to the community. For over 100 years, JFS has been committed to supporting individuals and families in need, regardless of race, religion, or background. The grant will directly enhance the agency’s ability to provide mental health counseling, older adult services, food assistance, and emergency support for vulnerable populations throughout our community.
Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant Continues Generous Support of Marywood University’s S.T.A.R.S Program Marywood University received a 2026 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant for $20,000, which further strengthens the foundation’s longstanding, generous support of the STARS (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) Program. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has been a significant source of funding, awarding $93,000 to STARS since its inception in 2018. Marywood’s STARS Program offers youth of all backgrounds in grades 3-12 the opportunity to explore their long-term career goals through one-on-one academic assistance and exposure to a variety of post-secondary educational paths, trades, and careers. Marywood students serve as tutors and mentors to the youth participants. In addition, quarterly workshops, held in English and Spanish, provide parents with similar information about potential opportunities for their children and families. Additionally, Marywood University, as well as other local institutions’ academic departments, host students on campus 2-3 times a year, providing information and experiential activities that are focused on various majors and careers. This includes small-group and individual mentorship for students using a college and career readiness curriculum, as well as individual tutoring/mentoring sessions with local college and graduate students from Marywood University, the University of Scranton and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. While the STARS Program’s focus is on diverse youth, the program is open to all students regardless of race, color, and national and ethnic origin. Marywood University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
SWB RailRiders, The Adventure Begins with a Big Reveal this Saturday at PNC Field The Adventure Begins Fall Festival is slated for this Saturday, November 7, at PNC Field. During this community-based event, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will unveil their new team identity. The fall festival, presented by the PA Army National Guard, starts at 1 P.M., with the new moniker announcement scheduled for approximately 3:10 P.M. The Jase Mathews Band will perform beginning at 1 P.M. Local food trucks, businesses, and vendors will beon-site for the festival, along with activities for families throughout the grounds. Special guests expected for theevent include Yankees legend Tino Martinez, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay, and three-time MLB Managerof the Year Joe Maddon. Kay will emcee the announcement, helping usher in the new era of baseball for the New York Yankees Triple-Aaffiliate. The Tunkhannock Marching Band will perform just prior to the reveal. The identity announcement will be broadcast live on the YES Network beginning at 3 P.M. Immediately following the announcement, select SWB staff, including Shawn Reilly, the team’s president & general manager, Jon Stephenson, the club’s assistant general manager, will be available for interviews. Nowhere Slow will perform on the main stage immediately following the announcement. New Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre uniforms will be unveiled at 4 P.M. A special drone show will cap the event shortly after 5 P.M. For more information, contact Adam Marco at amarco@swbrailriders.com. Find more details on The AdventureBegins Fall Festival, presented by the PA Army National Guard, at www.swbrailriders.com
Hendrick Celebrates 150 Years of Manufacturing Excellence Hendrick, a leading provider of perforated and fabricated metal products, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, marking a century and a half of manufacturing, innovation and service to customers across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1876 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where the company continues to operate today, Hendrick has grown from an early pioneer in perforated metal manufacturing into a company with three specialized divisions: Hendrick Manufacturing, Hendrick Screen and Hendrick Architectural. Today, Hendrick employs team members at facilities in Carbondale, Pennsylvania and Owensboro, Kentucky. “Hendrick Manufacturing’s 150-year legacy is a testament to its enduring commitment to innovation, quality and customer satisfaction,” said Ganesh Iyer, President and CEO of Etnyre International. “Companies that sustain this level of excellence across generations are rare, and Hendrick’s continued success reflects a deep understanding of its products and customers.” A History Built on Innovation Hendrick’s story began with founder Eli E. Hendrick, an inventor who held more than 25 patents in the late 1800s. Hendrick founded the company after selling his patented oil-refining formula to John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil. His work in oil refining led him to develop an improved process that replaced wire cloth with holes drilled into metal. He soon began producing perforated metal screens for the coal and oil refining industries, laying the foundation for what would become Hendrick Manufacturing. A piece of that early history is preserved by the Smithsonian Institution, which houses a Hendrick notebook containing shop orders and product drawings among artifacts documenting historic technological and industrial processes. Additional historical archives are preserved at Hendrick’s Carbondale facility. Over the decades, the applications for perforated metal expanded significantly. Today, perforated metal is used for purposes ranging from filtration and separation to functional and aesthetic architectural applications. Hendrick continued to diversify throughout its history. They began producing and selling “Mitco” floor grating in the early 1920s. This popular product eventually led to the opening of a dedicated screen manufacturing plant in Owensboro, KY, which has been operating for more than 50 years. Hendrick Architectural followed in 2008, expanding the company’s capabilities into custom metal solutions for architectural applications. “As we celebrate 150 years, we’re incredibly proud of our history, our members and the generations of customers who have trusted us,” said Mary Gaffey, COO of Hendrick Manufacturing. “Our endurance is built on a foundation of quality, safety and strong relationships, and we remain focused on carrying those values forward into the future.” Honoring the Past, Building for the Future As part of its 150th anniversary, Hendrick is introducing a new logo and refreshed brand identity designed to reflect both the company’s heritage and its vision for the future. The new identity brings Hendrick Manufacturing, Hendrick Screen and Hendrick Architectural together under one unified Hendrick brand, strengthening the connection among the company’s capabilities while making it easier for customers across industries to access its expertise and solutions. This milestone comes as Hendrick continues to invest in new machinery, expanded facilities, and most importantly, its people. As demand for digital infrastructure and reliable power continues to accelerate, Hendrick is expanding its role in these markets by providing precision-engineered solutions, including architectural metal facades, as well as components for server cabinets, ventilation systems, and generator enclosures. These investments position the company for future growth while maintaining the quality, service, and manufacturing expertise that has defined it for generations. After 150 years, Hendrick’s focus remains the same: solving challenges, building strong customer relationships and moving manufacturing forward. To learn more about Hendrick’s history, capabilities and career opportunities, visit https://www.hendrickcorp.com/.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Promotes Three to Market Executive Roles Peoples Security Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the promotions of Amy Branning, William J. Terrinoni and Patrick Barrett to Senior Vice President, Market Executive. In their new roles, Branning, Terrinoni and Barrett will support their respective markets in driving loan and deposit growth, strengthening client relationships and expanding business opportunities across the Bank’s markets. Branning will oversee commercial lending functions in the Bank’s Northern Tier market, which includes Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties in Pennsylvania and Broome County, New York. Branning began her banking career with FNCB Bank in 2008 in the credit department and transitioned to lending in 2014. She joined Peoples Security Bank & Trust in October 2016 as a commercial lender and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility, including her promotion to team leader in 2024. She earned a degree in accounting from Marywood University and is a graduate of Forest City Regional High School. A resident of Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, she serves on the boards of Scranton Counseling Center and MetroAction. She also volunteers with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Women’s Empower event, Junior Achievement of NEPA, Friends of the Poor and The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Terrinoni will oversee lending functions in Lackawanna and Monroe counties. Terrinoni joined Peoples Security Bank & Trust on June 1, 2009, as a management trainee after graduating from college. He has since held positions in credit and commercial lending, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Team Leader. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from The University of Scranton and is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. A resident of South Abington Township, Pennsylvania, he coaches basketball and soccer for Abington Youth Leagues and basketball for Our Lady of Peace School. He also volunteers with The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of NEPA and Friends of the Poor. Barrett will oversee lending functions in Luzerne County. Barrett began his banking career in 1996 with First National Community Bank as a credit analyst and has advanced through a series of lending and leadership roles during his 30-year career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a minor in economics from Lycoming College, where he was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society in economics, and a collegiate football student-athlete. He is also a graduate of Dunmore High School. A resident of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, he serves as a director on the Luzerne County Community College Foundation Board and previously served on the board of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. “Amy, Bill and Pat are experienced bankers and trusted leaders who understand the needs of our clients and communities,” said Joseph Feretti, EVP, Market President of Peoples Security Bank & Trust. “Their leadership in these important markets will strengthen our ability to build lasting relationships, support local businesses and create new opportunities for growth.”
Meals on Wheels of NEPA and Allied Services Announce New Partnership to Support Recovery After Hospital Discharge The Fast Track Home from the Hospital program is an integral service provided by Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA, helping individuals transition safely and comfortably from a healthcare facility back to their homes. Fast Track provides up to 20 nutritious meals, free of charge, to adults recently discharged from a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility. Through a new partnership with Allied Services Integrated Health System, the Fast Track program will further strengthen its reach and impact throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. As one of the largest non-profit healthcare providers in NEPA, Allied Services operates a vast and comprehensive set of home-based service and care programs, as well as rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing centers, hospice centers, and other healthcare facilities across the region, making the partnership a natural fit while bringing together two organizations committed to supporting recovery, independence, and overall well-being. Proper nutrition is essential to recovery, yet many individuals, particularly those living alone or without a strong support system, face challenges preparing meals after returning home from a hospitalization or rehabilitation stay. By connecting patients with nutritious meals during this critical transition, the Fast Track meal program helps ease the burden on individuals and their families, supports healing, and promotes greater independence at home. Beyond providing meals, the program offers peace of mind and an added layer of community support, helping reduce the risk of preventable hospital readmissions. Together, Meals on Wheels of NEPA and Allied Services are helping bridge the gap between healthcare and home, creating healthier outcomes and stronger communities throughout the region. WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 12:00 PM WHERE: Meals on Wheels of NEPA: 305 Cherry Street, Scranton, PA 18505
Johnson College Receives $50,000 Grant from Scranton Area Community Foundation Johnson College has received a $50,000 Community Impact Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support eligible Lackawanna County residents participating in the current Readiness in Skilled Employment (RISE) program cohort, which began August 31. The funding will support six participants in this year’s RISE cohort by helping cover tuition, tools, personal protective equipment, transportation assistance, and industry credentialing fees. These resources are designed to remove barriers to education and training while helping participants prepare for family-sustaining careers. RISE is a comprehensive workforce development program serving residents across nine counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming. Through technical training and wraparound support, the program helps participants living in poverty overcome challenges such as transportation, childcare, housing, and food insecurity while connecting them with opportunities in high-demand industries. The grant supports Johnson College’s commitment to strengthening the regional workforce and helping individuals build pathways to long-term career success.
