Pennsylvania Highlights Transportation Innovations The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced the release of the department’s Focus on Innovations report, which showcases innovations recently developed and implemented across the organization. “Innovation is absolutely essential to our operations, and we have seen how celebrating our successes acts as a continuous driver of new ideas across the department,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “One of the best things we can do to continue cultivating innovation at PennDOT that will ultimately benefit our customers is to encourage and recognize the amazing talents of our workforce; this publication helps us to do just that.” Innovation at PennDOT stems from many sources, including employee-driven innovations councils and committees, an employee suggestion system (IdeaLink); smart practice sharing tool (WorkSmart); the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC); and every day suggestions and solutions discovered by PennDOT employees at all levels across the state. Available in an interactive format on the department’s website, Focus on Innovations entries are categorized by Construction, Maintenance, Safety and Traffic Operations, Driver and Vehicle Services, Aviation and Public Transportation. Some of the latest implemented innovations include: An Adopt A Highway supply pick-up box, constructed and strategically placed so Adopt A Highway crews can safely retrieve supplies at curbside locations. Automated Flagger Assist Devices (AFAD), allowing flagging to be conducted by a single crew member, from a safer location, at one-tenth the cost per day when compared to contracted flagging services. Raising paint truck exhaust stacks to prevent the compressor from overheating, which has nearly eliminated equipment down time due to overheated compressors. The report also features the more recent progress and successes of the STIC. Since its inception in 2012, the STIC remains committed to supporting and promoting the development and deployment of the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts innovations as well as others that exist at the state, national and international levels that may be well-suited for implementation in Pennsylvania. The STIC advanced several innovations in 2021, including a Certified Concrete Finishers Course, a STIC innovation that requires 60 percent of concrete finishers certified on PennDOT projects, which will help eliminate mistakes with concrete finishing and reduce the amount of rework due to concrete scaling. Predictive Work Zone Analysis (FREEVAL-PA), also advanced in 2021, is an innovative analysis tool based on the Highway Capacity Manual that can be used to analyze work zones’ effect on traffic flow. It guides PennDOT’s decision-making process for implementing lane closures, crossovers, or other traffic control measures and helps minimize congestion and delays during construction or maintenance projects. The Pennsylvania STIC brings together a diverse team of transportation stakeholders to forge an environment of imagination and ingenuity to pursue specific innovations and their rapid implementation to deliver a modern and high-quality transportation system to the citizens of Pennsylvania. Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts or choose a region to subscribe to. Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
WM Sites Offering Free Disposal to Cleanup Projects WM’s Alliance Landfill in Taylor and Beach Lake Transfer Station in Berlin Twp., Wayne County, are offering free waste disposal in April to groups that register their spring cleanup projects with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’ s (KPB) Pick Up Pennsylvania program. Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania coordinator, said groups planning cleanups can register their projects and receive free gloves, bags and vests while supplies last through KPB at www.KeepPABeautiful.org (Programs/Pick Up PA). Ms. Dunn said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association have arranged for free waste disposal for registered cleanup projects. Free disposal is available at Alliance and the Beach Lake Transfer Station through April. KPB’s statewide cleanup effort in 2021 attracted more than 6,000 volunteers who removed 1,100 tons of waste and recyclables from 4,430 miles of roadsides, shorelines and trails. Project volunteers last year also picked up and properly disposed of almost 23,041 waste tires and planted more than 102,000 trees, shrubs and flowers. “Plenty of litter and other waste remains to be picked up,” Ms. Dunn said. “We estimate that there are over 500 million pieces of litter spoiling Pennsylvania’s roadsides.” According to the state’s 2020 litter study, more than two-thirds of this litter is cigarette butts and bits of plastics. Motorists and pedestrians are the leading sources of litter. The report also found litter is impacting the taxes we pay. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spent more than $65 million to remove litter from roadsides between 2014 and 2018 and the state’s nine largest cities, including Allentown and Scranton, spend $68.5 million a year on litter prevention, education and cleanup. “You can make a difference in your community by working together and I encourage scout and church groups, youth sports organizations, neighborhood associations and workplace teams to register an event at keeppabeautiful.org and celebrate spring by helping to clean up our state,” Ms. Dunn said. “And if you are an individual or family interested in joining an existing event, please contact our office and we will try to match you with a local cleanup project.”
Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the PA Able Savings Program Treasurer Stacy Garrity today joined Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Sherri Landis of The Arc of Pennsylvania, Susan Tachau of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, and other disability advocates to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program. PA ABLE is a savings program for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families. It provides a tax-free way to save without affecting eligibility for critical means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (up to $100,000) or Medical Assistance. Nearly 6,300 Pennsylvanians have opened PA ABLE accounts and saved more than $72 million for disability expenses. “PA ABLE is a tremendous program that really expands opportunity and increases independence for Pennsylvanians with disabilities,” Treasurer Garrity said. “It’s great to see the success as the program keeps growing – and as it does, we will continue to look for ways to improve the program. I’m so thankful for the great support we have for PA ABLE in the General Assembly, and with our incredible network of partners who do such important work every day and help spread the word about how PA ABLE can help improve lives.” “Due to the care taken during the conception and legislative construction of ABLE, we have come up with a good balance of state assistance and personal initiative,” Senator Baker said. “This helps families in dealing with extremely challenging and difficult circumstances, by removing roadblocks and helping them offer a better life for their loved one coping with a disability. The concept is so simple – reward, rather than penalize, families for prudently planning ahead.” Federal ABLE legislation, championed by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in 2014, allowed for states to create ABLE programs. PA ABLE was enacted in 2016 with instrumental support from Sen. Baker and former Rep. Bernie O’Neill. “Since its inception 5 years ago, PA ABLE has helped thousands of Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families save for the future,” Senator Casey said. “I am proud to have led this effort at the federal level, but we have more work to do to make ABLE more accessible. The next step is to pass my bipartisan ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which would expand ABLE account eligibility to people with disabilities that occur prior to age 46—including veterans—and ensure more Pennsylvanians and their families can benefit from this life-changing resource. I thank Treasurer Garrity for marking this occasion and I will continue to fight in Congress for the needs of people with disabilities and their families.” “The Arc of Pennsylvania celebrates the 5th anniversary of the PA ABLE and the incredible opportunity the program has given to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Landis said. “Allowing individuals to save money for the future, while maintaining benefits, is a step forward in creating financial security.” “I’m honored to be here today to help celebrate PA ABLE’s 5th anniversary,” Tachau said. “Self-determination and autonomy are values that we hold dear – and PA ABLE provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to become empowered and save for their futures without jeopardizing critical services. As a parent of an adult with cerebral palsy, I’ve been able to have new discussions with our son about savings and goal setting because he can now control his finances. He has used his PA ABLE account to buy a smart doorbell so that he can see who’s at his front door, and he’s purchased a smart phone with specialized software so that he can make calls by himself. PA ABLE has given him the ability to be more independent in how he makes financial decisions.” Others joining the celebration included Karen Leslie-Henry, Coordinator of Community Relations for the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, a Pre-K to 12th grade school located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia; and Lori Tyndall, Vice President of AHEDD, a nonprofit organization that provides employment services for people with disabilities. PA ABLE is one of the largest, and fastest growing ABLE programs in the country, and is the largest in the 19-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for nearly 25% of total assets. To be eligible for PA ABLE, a person’s disability must have occurred prior to their 26th birthday. PA ABLE account owners can choose from six different investment options and an interest-bearing checking account. Contributions and earnings in PA ABLE accounts can be used to help save and pay for short- or long-term disability related expenses. Qualifying expenses include education, housing, transportation, assistive technology, health care, financial management, and more. Tax advantages for PA ABLE account owners include no federal or state income taxes owed on earnings or qualified withdrawals; a PA state income tax deduction on contributions up to $16,000 annually; and exemption from PA inheritance tax. Senator Casey has introduced the ABLE Age Adjustment Act in Congress, which would raise the eligibility for ABLE programs to those whose disability occurs by age 46. This would expand ABLE account access to about 6 million more Americans, including an estimated 1 million disabled veterans. The legislation is cosponsored by Senator Pat Toomey. A House version has also been introduced and is cosponsored by 12 members of the Pennsylvania delegation. To learn more about PA ABLE, visit paable.gov, email info@paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.
The Dime Bank Hosts Free Virtual Webinars on Money Management Want to get smarter about money? April 9 -16 is Money Smart Week! This FREE virtual campaign aims to help people better manage their personal finances with a focus on those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.This year’s line-up includes: Monday, April 11th @ 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. EST | Spend Smart. Eat Smart. Presented by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Tuesday, April 12th @ 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. EST | Credit: Build & Improve It! Presented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Wednesday, April 13th @ 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. EST | Buying or Refinancing a Home: Options & Tools. Presented by North West Housing Partnership Thursday, April 14th @ 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. EST | Understanding Social Security Benefits. Presented by the Social Security Administration View more details at www.moneysmartweek.org*. Events are free and open to the public, but registration is advised. Questions for the panelists can be submitted during the registration process.
Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center Hiring Looking for RNs, LPNs, Nurse Aides, Nurse Aide Trainees, and Adaptive Equipment Technicians. Job Fair on Wednesday, April 27th! https://www.dmva.pa.gov/paveteranshomes/GinoMerliVeteransCenter/Pages/default.aspx
Net Credit Union Announces 2022 Charity Recipient Saint Joseph’s Center Trinity Child Care Center is NET Credit Union’s 2022 charity recipient. In 2014, St. Joseph’s Center opened its latest program, Trinity Child Care Center, to benefit medically fragile or technology dependent children. This center opened as an alternative or supplement to in-home nursing care. The need in our area for a facility like Trinity Child Care Center is higher than most think. The center is for children whose parents are working or attending school that struggle finding appropriate childcare. Trinity Child Care Center is a relief for parents due to the professional trained staff and hands on care. This year, all funds raised by NET Credit Union’s fundraising efforts will benefit the children at St. Joseph’s Center Trinity Child Care Center. NET Credit Union will be hosting our 9th Annual NEToberfest Golf Tournament Friday, October 7th at Blue Ridge Golf Course. Learn more about our fundraising efforts and event details here. Since 2015, NET Credit Union has and will continue to fundraise for local charities. In 2021 alone, NET Credit Union donated over $85K to our local community. “People helping people” is not only our motto, but also our community’s motto. Together partnered with St. Joseph’s Center Trinity Child Care Center, we are determined and committed to helping them achieve their goals.
Widmer Sign Co. Purchased by PA Signs. Bobby and Noelle Lynett purchased Widmer Sign Co., Inc. on January 31, 2022. With deep roots in Scranton, Bobby and Noell stepped into the sign industry in 2018 when they started PA signs and purchased Sekula Signs located in DuBois, Pennsylvania. The acquisition of Widmer Sign will allow for continued, planned growth and expansion in northern Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York. The creative and energetic team at Widmer Sign will not change. Todd and Jenny Collins will be working with the company as the new owners get acclimated. As you know, Widmer Sign has manufactured and produced award-winning, high quality signs for over 85 years. Our goal has always been to gain greater visibility for our customers with a better designed, unique sign to landmark their business. You have always been our inspiration to do our best. We assure you that the combination of these companies’ talents and extensive capabilities, under the leadership of the Lynetts, will provide new and additional services to Widmer’s loyal client base. Joining forces with a company as passionate about small business success as us is what takes us into the next chapter in our storybook. Bobby and Noelle vow to carry on the family-owned legacy while keeping the innovative and fun culture of the company. They plan to develop and grow PA Signs while promising attention to detail and superior craftsmanship on every project, large or small. Thank you for being our valued customer. You have been an amazing part of our journey and we are so grateful to be a part of yours! Here’s to new opportunities for all of us!
Telespond Senior Services Appoints Two Members to Board of Directors Telespond Senior Services is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, Thomas DePietro and Michelle Carr. Thomas DePietro is the owner and pharmacy manager of DePietro’s Pharmacy in Dunmore. Since opening in 2012, DePietro’s Pharmacy has received numerous recognitions for excellence in customer service and community involvement, most recently being named “Best Local Pharmacy” by readers of the Scranton Times for the sixth consecutive year in 2021. DePietro serves on the board of directors for the Greater Scranton YMCA and the Lackawanna County Heritage Valley Authority and is also a member of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Spirit of Hope Gala Committee and the Lackawanna College Board of Trustees. Michelle Carr is Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Director at Fidelity Bank. She has over 30 years of experience in bank management and first joined Fidelity Bank in 2005. In 2020, she stepped into her current role and was also named Fidelity Banker of the Year. Carr serves on the Maternal and Family Health Services Resource Development Committee and the Area on the Aging Elder Justice Multi-Disciplinary Team. To learn more about Telespond’s board of directors and the organization’s mission of enhancing the safety and well-being of the region’s elderly, visit our website: http://www.seniordayservices.org/about-us/
Action Lift, Inc. Awarded Crown Pioneer Award and The Summit Award 2021 Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, recently announced the James F. Dicke Pioneer Award for 2021, along with the company’s Summit and Ascent Award winners. Action Lift, Inc. in Pittston, PA, earned the prestigious Pioneer Award as Crown’s top-performing independent dealer in all North America. In addition to the Pioneer Award, the company was awarded the Summit Award, which signifies the best Crown dealer within their market size. “We are thrilled to be named as the Pioneer Award winner in addition to the Summit Award. I am very proud of the entire team at Action Lift. If it weren’t for their hard work during these challenging times, we wouldn’t have seen this level of success.” said Joe Mikiewicz, General Manager, Action Lift, Inc. William F. Medico, President of Action Lift, added, “We are proud to represent Crown Equipment in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our outstanding team went above and beyond to reach our sales goals while delivering exceptional customer service in the process.” This is Action Lift’s third Pioneer Award and twenty-second Summit Award for outstanding sales and customer satisfaction as a Crown Equipment dealer.
