Kringle Lights can help give your home life year round with Inception Roofline Lighting. These permanent high-tech LED light displays allow for color customization, timers, and light sequences.

Kringle Lights offers residential, commercial, and event lighting.

For more information email, call, or visit http://kringlelights.co/

Patrick Seffrin, Ph.D., associate professor of social science, along with his graduate research assistant, Joseph Teeple, recently had an article, titled “Making Drug Use Dangerous for Black Men: Race, Drugs, Violence, and Criminal Justice,” accepted for publication in the journal, Race and Justice. Dr. Seffrin teaches courses in the areas of sociology, criminology, and criminal justice at Marywood University.

This study examined links between drug use, violence, and criminal justice involvement among Black and White men. Differential treatment under the law has historically been the case for African Americans. According to the article abstract, “This study theorized that the War on Drugs, which was waged disproportionately in majority Black communities, had the unintended effect of making drug use riskier for Black men by limiting the supply of drugs to high-risk populations who commit far more serious and violent criminal offenses.”

The study revealed that drug use was found to be less prevalent, overall, for Black men, but its association with violence was greater for Black men than White men. Differential legal treatment for violence and drugs was found to be greater for Black men than White men and had diminishing returns for deterring violence and negative returns for drugs by predicting greater use. Accounting for differential legal treatment did not significantly reduce predicted racial disparities in violence or drug use, and implications of these findings are discussed in the study.

The Dime Bank and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced the winner of the local “These Are My People” contest. Beth McElroy of Carbondale won $1,000.00 to help support human connection with her favorite people.

Kasasa’s “These Are My People” contest took place from November 7^th through December 7^th and provided entrants with the opportunity to share personal stories and how the prize money would help them connect with their loved ones.

Inspirational stories flooded in from entrants across the local area on how winning would impact their lives this holiday season. The Dime Bank’s local contest was part of a nationwide contest that included more than 150 community financial institutions across the country, with some offering cash prizes to their local community members. Additionally, Kasasa is awarding one grand prize winner with $25,000 and two runner ups with $10,000. In total, Kasasa and participating community banks and credit unions awarded over $150,000 in cash prizes.

“The holiday season is about love and sharing it with those we call our people,” said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. “This contest celebrated the incredible, loving individuals that create the fabric of their community. It’s this same network that our community financial institution partners across the country play such a vital part in – helping people stand strong in their financial world so they can stand strong for those they love the most.”

“It has been a long road this year and we are so excited that we will be getting my granddaughter and my daughter back home for Christmas, which is our Christmas miracle. Being chosen as the winner is such a blessing to my family and such a huge help. Thank you so much again,” said Beth McElroy.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “Beth’s granddaughter is recovering from grade 4 medulloblastoma and their family’s story of strength and courage serves as an inspiration to many. The Dime Bank is happy to be part of helping to bring this family closer together this holiday season.”

Kasasa partners exclusively with community financial institutions – the only place consumers can find their innovative banking solutions. Kasasa serves hundreds of community financial institutions nationwide, representing over 3 million consumer bank accounts across 3,400+ branches in all 50 states. Since 2003, Kasasa financial institutions have given back nearly $3 billion in rewards to Kasasa account holders. 

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local community-based nonprofit organization, has released the latest report on cancer, “Cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Incidence and Mortality for Common Cancers”.  The report is available at: http://cancernepa.org/ 

This unique, locally focused report was compiled by Cancer Institute Director of Cancer Surveillance, Karen Ryczak, RN and Medical Director, Samuel Lesko, MD, MPH. The report documents that both incidence and mortality rates for cancer are significantly higher in NEPA than the U.S. It also identifies those cancer sites for which there is a disparity in either incidence or mortality. In NEPA, we continue to see statistically significantly higher incidence rates for cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, pancreas, thyroid, cervix, and uterus compared to the U.S.  Evidence based screenings are available for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer that can reduce deaths from these cancers and in the case of cervical and colon cancer, prevent cancers from developing.  Primary care providers are well suited to direct individuals on what screenings are appropriate based on age, gender, personal and family history, risk factors and eligibility criteria for screenings. 

The goal in sharing these data is to raise awareness across the community and to promote collaborative efforts to reduce the risk of select cancers through healthy lifestyle choices and adherence to proper screening guidelines. The report offers important insight for Northeastern Pennsylvania residents, health professionals, and government leaders. 

For additional information or if you would like a hard copy of the full report, please feel free to contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or admin@cancernepa.org. 

Economic abuse is more common than physical abuse and can leave a survivor with their entire financial support structure shattered. The Women’s Resource Center is excited to announce it’s been awarded an $8,000 grant from The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help alleviate some of this financial insecurity.

The grant supports WRC survivors in obtaining or maintaining a job or an education that will lead to their financial freedom.

“The only way for survivors to remain independent of an abusive relationship is to have access to a sustainable income to support themselves and their children. WRC seeks to increase the economic well-being of survivors by addressing the financial needs that are directly linked to their ability to escape violence and stay out of an abusive relationship.” according to Peg Ruddy, Executive Director, of the Women’s Resource Center.

Additionally, the grant also provides services for their pets. Often survivors are forced to decide between leaving their pets behind or staying to protect them. It is estimated that 65% of victims stay in abusive relationships for the safety of their pets. The availability of supplies and access to kenneling enable survivors to be able to leave an abusive relationship. Many times a pet can be a major source of comfort to a survivor and their family. It’s important WRC has resources to bring their pets to help during an extremely difficult time.

“The pet program is truly amazing, and a tremendous help. The advocate genuinely cared about my cat and the progress she made at becoming strong and healthy. They were also very attentive toward me with vet appointment reminders, recommendations, and resources. I am very grateful.” said Jamie, a WRC program participant.

A huge thank you to the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for making this grant possible.