Treasurer Garrity Announces Fee Reduction for PA ABLE

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that a new fee reduction for PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account owners went into effect on Sept. 1, 2025 — the sixth PA ABLE fee reduction since she took office in 2021.

“Every dollar counts for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, and this latest fee cut is another step in making sure PA ABLE account owners are saving as much as possible,” Treasurer Garrity said. “PA ABLE is a tremendous program that helps our friends and neighbors with disabilities live more independently and build financial stability.”

This latest fee cut is the result of the National ABLE Alliance (NAA) surpassing $700 million in assets. PA ABLE is the largest member plan in the NAA with total assets of more than $175 million. The reduction of two basis points lowers program management fee ranges from 0.30%-0.36% to 0.28%-0.34%. This reduction results in about $35,000 in savings across the PA ABLE program.

PA ABLE offers tax-advantaged savings options for people with disabilities. Saving with PA ABLE does not impact eligibility for important benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance. PA ABLE allows contributions of up to $19,000 annually. With ABLE to Work this limit may be higher for employed individuals who do not contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Funds saved with PA ABLE are easily accessible and can be used for a wide range of disability-related expenses, from day-to-day things like groceries and rent, to bigger expenses like assistive technology, vehicle adaptations and more. No federal or state income tax is paid on PA ABLE account growth or withdrawals when used for qualified expenses.

Currently to save with PA ABLE, a person’s disability must be onset prior to the age of 26. Starting in 2026, this age rises to 46, expanding to include millions more Americans, including one million Veterans.

Marywood University Proudly Presents Lenape/Delaware Leader Curtis Zunigha As Speaker

Event Is Being Co-sponsored by Marywood and the University of Scranton

Curtis Zunigha (Lenape/Delaware) will present “Remembrance & Continuance: The Spirit of Lenapehoking” on Monday, October 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center, on the campus of Marywood University. The program is free and open to the public and is being co-sponsored by Marywood University and the University of Scranton.

Zunigha is an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Oklahoma, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He will discuss the return of the Lenape descendants to their original homeland, where he and other contemporary Lenape leaders from Delaware Tribal Nations are forming community partnerships that bring Indigenous knowledge to the area’s history and environmental advocacy.

Zunigha is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Lenape Center based in Manhattan, N.Y. The Lenape Center’s mission is continuing Lenapehoking, the original homeland, in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, through community, culture, and the arts. As Director of Agriculture for Lenape Center, Zunigha has initiated a Lenape Seed Garden Project in his home community in Oklahoma. The project will grow ancestral varieties of corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, gourds, and tobacco.

A specialist in Delaware/Lenape culture, language, and traditional practices, Zunigha has 35 years of experience in tribal government & administration, community development, telecommunications, and cultural preservation. He also has presented locally at the University of Scranton and at The Greenhouse Project in Nay Aug Park.

Mohegan PA Awarded Over $11.7 Million in August Jackpots

One Lucky Guest Hits Massive $150,000 Jackpot

Mohegan Pennsylvania was the place to be in August! Throughout the month, Mohegan Pennsylvania awarded more than $11.7 million in slot jackpots to its guests. Of that $11.7 million, one Mohegan Pennsylvania guest accounted for $150,000 on Wednesday, August 27th. The lucky guest was playing at a Konami Gaming Stuffed Coins Toad slot machine when they hit the massive GRAND progressive jackpot!

Marywood University Earns “Best Value” Recognition Among NEPA Colleges

Marywood University continues to offer the “Best Value” among Northeast Pennsylvania universities, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking.

Moving up four places to #14 on the Regional Universities (North) rankings for “Best Value,” Marywood continues to demonstrate its exceptional affordability and academic excellence as the top regional four-year private university included in this category.

According to U.S. News, the “Best Value” ranking considers a school’s academic quality—the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included. U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically.

In the “Best Colleges for Veterans” (Regional Universities North category), Marywood is ranked at #29. Marywood has consistently placed in the top 30 institutions for this category year over year. According to U.S. News, this designation includes the top-ranked schools in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.

Marywood University also had a solid showing at #61 (tie) in its overall position on the “Best Regional Universities North” list, which includes institutions from seven states. Marywood is one of only four local universities to attain placement on this list, and the second highest ranked, demonstrating its enduring quality as a higher education provider in the region.

Additionally, Marywood placed in the top 100 for Top Performers on Social Mobility, ranking at #88 (tie) overall. Marywood is the only local university to place in the top 100 for this category. This includes institutions that are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The social mobility ranking also includes borrower debt and college graduates earning more than high school graduates.

Click here for additional information regarding Marywood University’s rankings in U.S. News & World Report

Johnson College Hazleton to Host Open House

Johnson College Hazleton will hold its Fall Open House on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township.

To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/hazletonopenhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The event will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted, and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Johnson College to Host Fall Flower Design Workshop

Johnson College is now accepting registrations for its Fall Flower Design Workshop, a cozy, hands-on class where participants will create their own floral arrangement using seasonal blooms, rich colors, and natural textures. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the college’s Scranton campus.

The cost is $40. Registration is available at johnson.edu/workshops. For more information, contact the college’s WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.

This workshop is perfect for all skill levels and includes all materials, step-by-step instruction and a completed arrangement to take home and enjoy. Participants will explore the beauty of autumn through floral design, embracing creativity in a welcoming environment.

The workshop is open to individuals ages 10 and up, accompanied by a guardian. No prior experience is necessary, making it ideal for anyone interested in learning the art of flower arranging in a relaxed, seasonal setting.

Greater Scranton YMCA Halloween Costume Drive Underway

The Y is collecting new and gently used Halloween costumes for local families

The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2025 Halloween Costume Drive is underway, providing families in the community with the opportunity to donate and receive costumes for the upcoming holiday.

The Y is accepting new and gently used costumes of all sizes and for all ages. Donated costumes can be dropped-off at the Y’s Welcome Center, located at 706 North Blakely Street in Dunmore, through Monday, October 6th. Costume pick-up days will be held from October 7–9, giving families in need the chance to find fun, festive costumes free of charge.

“Here at the Y, we believe all children deserve the chance to experience a magical Halloween season,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through donating new or gently used costumes, community members can help make this Halloween special and memorable for local families and children in need.”

The Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging the community to participate by donating costumes in good condition. Every contribution ensures that more children will have the opportunity to experience Halloween with confidence and excitement.

For more information about the Halloween Costume Drive, contact Tressa Capoccia, Senior Education Director, at tcapoccia@gsymca.org.

Dimeco, Inc. Declares Cash Dividend

The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC) declared a dividend on September 18, 2025, of $0.42 per share to shareholders of record September 29, 2025. The dividend is payable on October 23, 2025, the anticipated date to release earnings for the third quarter of 2025. This dividend is an increase of $0.02 per share over the dividend declared in September 2024 and produces a yield of 4.36% at the market value of $38.54 on September 18, 2025. 

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “We continue to prioritize delivering exceptional banking services to our customers and the communities we serve. This dividend reflects our sincere appreciation to Dimeco shareholders for their steadfast commitment to our purpose and their continued trust.”