PennDOT is Seeking Feedback on Winter Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey.

“Our team works hard throughout the winter to keep us moving and keep us safe,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Through the survey, the public can share their comments, expectations, and perceptions which helps us review our operations and ways to enhance public information.”

The survey is available through April 6 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

The 17-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.

Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions, and other services.

At any time, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts. 

As construction season begins, information on projects occurring or being bid this year is viewable at www.projects.PennDOT.gov. Subscribe to travel alerts in a specific area on the Regional Offices page or subscribe to statewide PennDOT news.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram. 

NET Credit Union Promotes Employees

NET Credit Union makes career moves with multiple employee promotions.

Scranton, PA March 13, 2023 – Mary Rapach has been promoted to Director of Member Experience. In this roll, Mary will manage Branch Operations, the Member Service Center, and corporate training. Mary has over 20 years of diversified banking experience and her goal is to unite all of our front line member experiences with consistent sales and service standards.

Phil Zvirblis has been promoted to Branch Operations Manager. In this roll, Phil will manage all branch operations. Phil has nearly 10 years of banking and credit union experience and has lead our branches in serving our members.

Sean Thorpe has been promoted to Scranton Branch Manager. Sean has over 13 years of banking experience and knowledge. Sean has been an asset to NET for over 6 years and has been a cornerstone of our lending department.

Jessica Tonkin has been promoted to Olyphant Branch Manager. Jessica has dedicated 14 years to NET and has worked in many departments throughout the years. Jessica has been essential in the development and training of our branch staff.

Christina Dehaba has been hired as Taylor Branch Manager. Christina brings with her over 20 years of lending and management experience.

Jean Seifert has been promoted to Scranton Assistant Branch Manager. Jean has served as a key member of the NET team for nearly 27 years. Jean has excelled at training new employees, while overseeing all facets of the teller line, and has demonstrated relationship building skills with both employees and members.

Devon Hessmiller has been promoted to Olyphant Assistant Branch Manager. Devon has been an asset to NET for 15 years. Devon has excelled at learning new processes in the branch and has been integral in the running of the branch with the implementation of new software and training new tellers.

Jessica Hernandez has been promoted to Taylor Assistant Branch Manager. Jessica has been with NET since 2017 and has been member-centric in her roles in collections and lending. Jessica also brings with her years of experience in business development.

Jessica Fashouer has been promoted to Member Service Center Supervisor. Jessica has been with NET Credit Union for 15 years. With the knowledge and skills she has accumulated during that time, she is an invaluable part of the creation and development of the Member Service Center.

Pennsylvania American Water Promotes Water Saving Tips

Pennsylvania American Water is joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promote water conservation and help provide savings to customers.Small drips from faucets and often-overlooked toilet tank leaks can add up quickly. Helping homeowners fix the drips to save money and water is the goal of the annual “Fix a Leak Week,” running March 20-26. Fix a Leak Week is a national campaign that helps raise awareness about leaks and other water issues that contribute to water waste within homes.

“Customers might barely notice a small drip at their faucet, but at the rate of one drip per second, it can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year — enough for more than 180 showers,” said Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Operations Jim Runzer. “Fortunately, most common leaks are easily detectable and correctable, which not only makes you a more environmentally conscious consumer, but also saves money on your monthly water and sewer bill.”

According to the EPA, the average residence in the U.S. loses 10,000 gallons of water per year from seemingly minor leaks. With more than 110 million households in the U.S., this equates to more than one trillion gallons of water lost every year due to leaks in the home. Moreover, it is estimated that the average homeowner can reduce his or her water bills by 10 percent simply by addressing leaks.

Runzer added, “As a water utility, we work every day to practice what we preach, which is why we invest millions in our pipes each year to reduce system leaks.”

Pennsylvania American Water is committed to fixing leaks in its underground network of pipes by constantly replacing and upgrading its infrastructure. Over the past five years, the company has funded more than $2 billion in system upgrades and plans to invest $450 to $600 million annually over the next several years to continue providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to customers. 

To assist customers with at-home leak repairs and prevention, Pennsylvania American Water has helpful information including tips on finding and fixing common, and some not-so-common, indoor and outdoor water leaks along with downloadable leak detection kits, available in English and Spanish, through the company’s leak detection webpage.

Pennsylvania American Water also offers these starter tips for detecting leaks:

  • Regularly check your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks. If you find a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible.
  • Reduce faucet leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replace them.
  • Leaky toilets are most often the result of a worn toilet flapper. Replacing the rubber flapper is a quick fix that could save a home up to 200 gallons of water per day.
  • For a leaky garden hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
  • Tighten connections on your showerheads if drips appear when the shower is off.
  • Check your garden and lawn irrigation system for leaks.
  • Consider installing water and energy-efficient appliances. The EPA reports that certified Energy Star washing machines use up to 35 percent less water per load. Water-saving shower heads, toilets and faucet aerators also help cut your water usage.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute received a donation of $3,005 from AllOne Charities from their annual online Give Day campaign in December 2022. This event helps to boost fundraising efforts as the national day of giving by matching the first $1,000 raised. Additionally, AllOne Charities partnered with Coterra Energy to offer additional funds to organizations entitled Random Acts of Kindness. The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute was a recipient of $1,000 through this bonus. The Cancer Institute raised $4,005 total through the giving day.  Over $171,000 was raised through AllOne Charities Give Day for 49 local nonprofit organizations in NEPA. AllOne Charities Give Day occurs each year on Giving Tuesday as a local online fundraising event. The Cancer Institute has been participating since inception of this campaign in 2020.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Events

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival

A star-studded lineup will perform at PNC Field on Friday, June 16, and tickets go on sale this week. Bert “The Machine” Kreischer announced today he will be starting the party back up this summer with his second annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival in June at sixteen of the most iconic ballparks and arenas across the country.
NEPA’s biggest comedy event of the year will feature a “Fully Loaded” line-up including Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Dave Attell, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli.
Promoted by Outback Presents, Presale begins Wednesday, March 8 at 10 A.M. with the full on-sale to the public set for Friday, March 10, at 10 A.M.
“Fully Loaded is the best ticket you can buy in entertainment this summer – Indoors, outdoors, baseball stadiums, arenas, and The Gorge,” said Kreischer. “The Fully Loaded lineups are top to bottom the best talent to have ever graced stand-up stages. An absolute no-brainer for any comedy fan.”
The concept for the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival was conceived during Bert’s 2020 Hot Summer Nights Tour while performing at drive-in venues during the pandemic. He fell in love with the unconventional aspect of outdoor comedy shows, which sparked the idea to create a top-tier showcase that had never been done before. Having fond memories of the original Lollapalooza, Bert founded his own comedy version that would encompass everything he loves: comedy, the outdoors, good times, and drinking with friends to give fans an experience they will be talking about for years to come.
This year the festival will partner with the charity Comedy Gives Back. They are an organization founded as a safety net for comics by providing them with financial crisis relief, mental health support and more to those that need help.
Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation,” to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. In 2022, Pollstar listed Bert as #4 in the “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours”, performing to sold-out arenas around the globe. He is currently on his 2023 Tops Off World Tour.
As one of the best storytellers of his generation, Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while showing his ability to prove “that there’s a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age,” (Forbes)

On March 14, he will release his highly anticipated fifth stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are currently streaming on Netflix.
As if that wasn’t enough, Kreischer tops off this summer as the star in the Legendary/ Sony picture film, The Machine, exclusively in theatres across the country May 26. Set 23 years after the study abroad experience he chronicled in his 2016 Showtime stand-up special, the movie follows Kreischer as the Russian mafia finally catches up with him after all these years and seeks retribution for the crimes that he committed in their country as a rowdy, drunken college student.
In additional to a successful stand-up career, Kreischer has made himself a household name in the podcast world with several top comedy podcasts including Bertcast and Two Bears One Cave that he co-hosts with Tom Segura. He also hosts the popular YouTube cooking show, Something’s Burning.
FULLY LOADED COMEDY FESTIVAL 2023:
06/14/23 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
06/15/23 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
06/16/23 – Moosic, PA – PNC Field
06/17/23 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
06/22/23 – Traverse City, MI – Turtle Creek Stadium
06/23/23 – Fort Wayne, IN – Parkview Field
06/24/23 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
06/25/23 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
07/06/23 – Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
07/07/23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
07/08/23 – Memphis, TN – AutoZone Park
07/09/23 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
07/12/23 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
07/13/23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena
07/14/23 – Boise, ID – ExtraMile Arena
07/15/23 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre
Lineup varies by market and is subject to change. Additional special guests to be announced.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders to Participate in Copa de la Diversión

The Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders will be participating in the Copa de la Diversión® (Fun Cup™) event series. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will be Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Vejigantes Puerto Rican Folkloric Character. The Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) unveiled the schedule of games and the 95 on-fieldHispanic identities for this season’s Copa de la Diversión® (Fun Cup™) event series. Continuing its annual expansion into more communities, eight new teams joined Copa de la Diversión (“Copa”) this season, with four teams returning with rebranded personas.
The 405-game event series will kick off April 6 in Columbus, Ohio, with Nationwide returning as the Official Insurance Partner of the Copa initiative.
The eight MiLB teams joining Copa for the first time include the Augusta GreenJackets, Beloit Sky Carp, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Fredericksburg Nationals, Lynchburg Hillcats, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Rocket City Trash Pandas, and Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Four teams – the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Daytona Tortugas, Durham Bulls, and Reno Aces – return with all-new identities, while the Chattanooga Lookouts, El Paso Chihuahuas, and Fayetteville Woodpeckers are back with rebranded looks. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs added an additional Copa identity for 2023.
Five clubs playing in MLB Partner Leagues will be part of the Copa fun in 2023, with the Boise Hawks, Gateway Grizzlies, Milwaukee Milkmen, Rocky Mountain Vibes, and Tri-City ValleyCats joining the program.
Through the success of the Copa program, now in its sixth season, MiLB has solidified its commitment to the long-term growth of its U.S. Latino/a communities and its diversity and inclusion efforts across the country. During the first five seasons of the initiative, Copadesignated
games had a nearly 20% higher average attendance than non-Copa games, as teams extended their reach into local communities and partnered with more than 200 local Latino/a organizations on various events and charitable endeavors.
“The Copa de la Diversión initiative allows our teams to connect with the Latino/a population in their community in an authentic manner,” said Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. “The
continued growth of this initiative reinforces the importance of connecting with our Latino/a fans and the Latino/a community, creating a deeper and more meaningful fan experience.”
“Nationwide is proud to support MiLB’s continued efforts to showcase the unique on-field Hispanic identities of the 95 participating clubs around the league, including our hometown Veleros de Columbus,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of Sports Marketing for Nationwide. “As an Official Partner of the Copa initiative, it’s great to see the continued expansion and elevation of the program that celebrates Hispanic culture at the ballpark and in the community.”
At the end of the season, a panel comprised of industry experts and civic leaders will recognize the top-performing teams in several categories, including ballpark experience, community engagement, and philanthropic impact, and one team will be named the overall Copa de la Diversión champion with an award presented by Nationwide. Previous winners include the Mariachis de Nuevo México (2018 and 2019), the Wepas de Worcester (2021), and the Soñadores de Hillsboro (2022). Last season, Nationwide included a $5,000 donation to Hillsboro to further amplify their efforts in the community.
For more information on Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative and to purchase tickets or official merchandise, visit MiLB.com/copa.
MLB Partner League team. The MLB Partner Leagues are comprised of the American Association, the Atlantic League, the Frontier League, and the Pioneer League.

Marywood University Launches Online Program

Building on the success of its existing biotechnology programs and meeting emerging educational and professional needs within this growing science industry, Marywood University is launching a completely online biotechnology master’s degree program.

Featuring a competitive, affordable pricing structure for all students, along with the convenience and flexibility of asynchronous online learning, the 32-credit program will be ready to begin in June 2023. The program cost will be $515 per credit, making it one of the most competitively priced graduate biotechnology degree programs in the Northeast region of the U.S.

Marywood’s M.S. degree program in biotechnology is the only graduate program of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including a two-year master’s program or a five-year bachelor’s to master’s program, with emphasis on either a research track or a business/entrepreneur track. Marywood University has had a professional science master’s program in biotechnology since 2006, but this new, completely online program format “meets students where they are and offers greater flexibility as well as affordability,” said Deanne Dulik Garver, Ph.D., associate professor of science and chairperson of Marywood’s science, mathematics, and computer science department.

Marywood’s interdisciplinary graduate degree in biotechnology blends modern science education with communication skills, management and business understanding, and analytical reasoning. Featuring MBA-level courses, a master’s degree in biotechnology is considered the scientific equivalent of the MBA, with emphasis on cutting-edge science. Additionally, a master’s degree in biotechnology greatly enhances admissions qualifications for students who eventually plan to apply to medical, dental, or veterinary programs. The present market for scientists with an M.S. Biotechnology degree is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that biomedical research is growing at a rate of 17 percent (2020 through 2030 period)—double the average growth across all occupations.

Dr. Lisa Antoniacci, associate professor of science, oversees the work of Megan Hedgelon, who graduated from Marywood’s five-year B.S. to M.S. Biotechnology program in 2022.

Building on the success of its existing biotechnology programs and meeting emerging educational and professional needs within this growing science industry, Marywood University is launching a completely online biotechnology master’s degree program. Featuring a competitive, affordable pricing structure, along with the convenience and flexibility of asynchronous online learning, the 32-credit program will be ready to begin in June 2023.

For more information about Marywood University’s master’s program in biotechnology, visit marywood.edu/biotechnology-masters-degree or contact Marywood University Admissions by email at GoGrad@marywood.edu or by phone at 570-348-6234.

Marywood University’s Future Events

Marywood University to Show Jack and the Beanstalk

Marywood University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance gears up to present its Children’s Theatre production of Jack and the Beanstalk.There is a public performance on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2 p.m., in the Munley Theatre at the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, while school district performances (closed to the public) will take place on March 30 and 31.

Under the direction of Dr. Laurie Houser, this family-friendly production is fun for all ages and features an adaptation of the classic fairytale, which tells of Jack, a boy who climbs to the top of a huge beanstalk, then uses his quick wits to outsmart a Giant in his castle in the clouds to free the imprisoned Queen. 

The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk features Jocelyn Meyer as Jack, Gabe Jenceleski as the Giant, Angela Klawiter as the Troll, and Mikaela Clark as the Bean Seller/Magic Harp.

Participating area schools receive an educational packet to prepare students for the show. The packet includes a synopsis of the story, classroom activities for before and after seeing the performance, coloring contests, and an audio recording of a song from the show, which enables the children to interact with the characters during the performance. The children also get to “meet and greet” the characters from the show as they board the buses to return to their schools.

Admission is $10 per person (regardless of age) or free with a valid Marywood ID. Tickets can be purchased in advance by credit card at https://marywood.universitytickets.com/ or purchased at the door.

Marywood University’s to Host Tenth Annual Community Leadership Celebration

Marywood University’s Tenth Annual Community Leadership Celebration will honor Professor Emerita of Art Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM, M.F.A. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness on the University’s campus. During the celebration, Sister Cor will receive the University’s Lead On Award, in recognition of her lifelong commitment to education, to service, and to the common good. An art auction will be featured during the event that includes a piece of artwork by Sister Cor.

The Community Leadership Celebration, Marywood’s signature fundraiser, provides special support to Marywood students and honors individuals in the community who exemplify Marywood’s core values in leadership and service to others. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the President’s Innovation Fund, which supports Marywood students through initiatives that enhance the academic experience in the IHM tradition.

A professed member of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), Sister Cor spent the better part of five decades teaching, primarily teaching art at the high school and college levels. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Art at Marywood, she went on to complete multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Arts in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Marywood University, and a Master of Fine Arts from Syracuse University. Much of her prolific career as an art educator was spent at Marywood, where she taught for 30 years and served as Art Department Chair for 14 years, until her retirement in 2008. She now holds the distinction of Professor Emerita of Art.

As an artist, Sister Cor has been commissioned to create numerous sculptures, some of which can be seen throughout the country, including college, estate, wellness, and spiritual settings. Many of her sculptures and other works adorn the interior and exterior spaces at Marywood University and the IHM Congregation facilities. She has designed and published two books, including Spirit of Light (2004), and, her most recent, Spirit Within: The Art of Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM. Earlier this year, she presented a retrospective exhibit for Spirit Within, featuring paintings, calligraphy, prints, and sculptures at the Mahady Gallery at Marywood University. As a spiritual director, Sister Cor has presented extensive workshops and retreats, on five continents, for the Missionaries of Charity. She also has worked with the Institute for Priestly Formation, along with a multitude of parishes and congregations, offering retreats and spiritual direction for priests, consecrated religious, and members of the laity.

In addition to her long career as a Marywood faculty member, Sister Cor is a former Marywood trustee. She also has held membership and leadership positions with the Lackawanna Regional Cultural Council; Everhart Museum; Commission on Architecture and Urban Design; Scranton Diocesan Liturgical Commission; and Meals on Wheels. Sister Cor has been honored by numerous entities for her achievements as an artist, art educator, arts advocate, and a dedicated woman of faith and service.

To join Marywood University in honoring Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM at the Community Leadership Celebration on May 4, or for details about event sponsorships and items for auction, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call (570) 348-6238.

The Hilton Scranton to Host Easter Brunch

The Hilton in Scranton will be hosting Easter Brunch on April 9, 2023. Seating will be from 11:30AM-3:00PM. Adults are $38 each, seniors 65 and older are $34, children 5-12 are $18 each, and children under 4 years old are FREE!

The menu includes breakfast, soups and salads, displays, entrees, desserts, and a kids menu.

The Wright Center Welcomes New Residents on Match Day

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 66 new resident physicians into its four regional residency programs after achieving a 100% match on national Match Day for soon-to-be newly minted doctors.

The National Resident Matching Program’s Match Day is one of the most important events and competitive processes in the medical school experience. On the third Friday of March each year, fourth-year medical students, as well as their graduate medical education programs, learn where they will complete the next stage of their medical training.

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education matched residents in the following regional programs: Internal Medicine Residency (40); Regional Family Medicine Residency (11); Psychiatry Residency (10), and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (5). Resident physicians will begin their first-year residencies on July 1 in Scranton.

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency has filled its resident physician positions at the Tucson, Arizona (4); Auburn, Washington (6); Washington, D.C., (6), and Hillsboro, Ohio (3) training sites.

The incoming first-year residents for the five residencies hail from 16 countries. They are: China (1), Canada (8), Cayman Islands (1), Dubai, UAE (1), Egypt (2), India (15), Iran (1), Libya (1), Nepal (3), Pakistan (12), Philippines (1), Saint Lucia (1), Trinidad and Tobago (1), Turkey (1), Ukraine (1), and the United States (35).

Overall, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 85 new residents into the regional and national programs on Match Day. The residency programs received 5,882 applications and interviewed 811 candidates or 14% of the applicants for the available slots in the five residency programs.

“Match Day is one of my favorite days of the academic year,” said Jumee Barooah, M.D., the Designated Institutional Official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Our new resident physicians now are one step closer to realizing a lifelong dream of becoming physicians. This day is the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance that began at an early age. Enjoy your residency experience and be sure to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented to you during your time at The Wright Center.”

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium in the nation. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.

The Wright Center offers residencies in four disciplines – family medicine, internal medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and psychiatry – as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and geriatrics. The residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.