Johnson College Launches Automotive Collision Repair Program Johnson College is launching an Automotive Collision Repair program this fall through its WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) department, formerly known as Continuing Education. Developed in partnership with I-CAR, Toyota of Scranton, and Sherwin-Williams, the new program is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the automotive collision repair industry through foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. The program includes 104 lessons and over 500 contact hours, combining flexible online coursework with in-person training at Toyota of Scranton. Students will gain essential skills in structural assessment, bodywork, welding, painting, frame straightening and refinishing. Total course cost is $5,200. “Students won’t just learn in a classroom—they’ll be working directly in a professional collision repair shop,” said Ashley Bechaver, Director of WAVE at Johnson College. “By the end of the program, graduates will be prepared to step into the workforce with industry-recognized training and job-ready skills.” Throughout the program, students will follow actual repair orders from vehicle intake through final delivery, gaining real-world experience alongside expert technicians. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped for entry-level roles in the collision repair industry, supported by strong industry connections. To be considered for admission, applicants must first be approved by Johnson College’s WAVE team. Once approved, applicants are required to submit a job application to Toyota of Scranton to begin the online training in partnership with I-CAR. Admitted students will receive paid, hands-on training in a professional collision repair shop. For more information or to apply, visit johnson.edu/collision or contact our WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.
Geisinger Opens New Kidney Specialty Clinic in Northeast PA With a mission to bring specialty kidney care to northeastern Pennsylvania, Geisinger has opened a brand-new kidney specialty clinic with three new physicians. Located on the second floor of 521 Mount Pleasant Drive, Geisinger Nephrology Scranton offers specialized kidney care to diagnose and treat a variety of kidney conditions. The clinic cares for conditions ranging from kidney stones to more complex kidney issues, including treatment for hypertension, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Three nephrologists will practice out of the new office. Mohammad Al Khateeb, M.D., and Badar U Din Shah, M.D., have begun seeing patients at the clinic. Mugda Kulkarni, M.D., recently completed her nephrology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) and will join the team in August. Dr. Al Khateeb graduated from Hashemite University School of Medicine in Jordan. He spent the last two years as a nephrology fellow at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he helped diagnose and treat acute and chronic kidney diseases and oversaw care for renal transplant patients. Dr. Shah is a graduate of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. During his fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center, Dr. Shah conducted comprehensive assessments and helped manage patients with various kidney disorders, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances and hypertension. Dr. Kulkarni earned her medical degree from Ashwini Rural Medical College in India. She treated patients with a wide spectrum of kidney disorders during her fellowship at UCMC, was involved with numerous research projects and also headed clinical case presentations. The team at Geisinger Nephrology Scranton will provide consultations and comprehensive kidney care. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To request a consultation, call 800- 275-6401.
Kolmar Invests $60M in Lackawanna County The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its business development division and business development marketing program, the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), and The Scranton Plan announce the expansion of Kolmar within the Scott Technology Park, Scott Township. Kolmar, a leading contract manufacturer of innovative beauty, skincare, and personal care products, is proud to announce a $60M expansion of its campus in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. “I am incredibly excited and proud to expand our footprint in Scott Township and take this next big step in growing our business in the United States, said Yong Chul (“Ben”) Hur, chief executive officer, Kolmar. This new facility isn’t just about growing our production capabilities—it’s about creating new opportunities, strengthening our community, and building the future of beauty manufacturing right here in northeast Pennsylvania.” President of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Bob Durkin, added, “The continued investment by Kolmar in Scott Township and Lackawanna County represents a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to long-term growth and innovation. As the developer of Scott Technology Park, The Chamber, through its business development division SLIBCO, is pleased to provide a setting that enables companies like Kolmar to expand, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to our regional economy.” This expansion includes 36 acres on which it has just completed the construction of a 200k sq ft building that will house its administrative offices, warehousing and state-of-the art production capabilities. This new construction lays the foundation for the Company’s ultimate goal of building a cosmetic industrial complex that will include introducing supply chain partners to northeast Pennsylvania. “Kolmar’s expansion perfectly illustrates Lackawanna County’s suitability for a wide range of industrial development,” shared Commissioner Bill Gaughan. “The county is an ideal location not just for manufacturing or logistics, but for corporate management and the entire spectrum of business operations. We thank Kolmar for its major expansion and investment, and especially for demonstrating that Lackawanna County works.” Through SLIBCO and The Scranton Plan, The Chamber is committed to attracting, sustaining, and growing businesses and the workforce in targeted industries. These industries include advanced manufacturing, food and beverage production, technology, energy, and life sciences. Kolmar has been a dedicated member of its local community since 1993. This new facility will be the second Kolmar facility within the park, creating 280 additional jobs within the Scott Technology Park. The company is planning to celebrate the expansion publicly in the middle of July with a grand opening. Scott Township Administrator Carl Ferraro shares, “Scott Township would like to congratulate Kolmar on completion of the first phase of their expansion. As one of the Township’s largest employers, their continued success is a benefit to all of Scott Township and its residents.”
PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Nearly $256 Million in Rebate Payments Pennsylvanians can apply for rebates through December 31, 2025 Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments have been sent to eligible Pennsylvanians. Payments totaled $255.8 million. “The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is a tremendous program that gives hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians the help they need to make ends meet,” Treasurer Garrity said. “At Treasury we make sure these payments are ready to go on July 1, and we process any future approved payments in a couple of days once they’re received from the Department of Revenue. I encourage everyone to check to see if they’re eligible to apply if they haven’t already.” Rebate payments were issued on July 1, with 245,312 electronic payments totaling $148.7 million and 177,780 checks totaling $107.1 million. This is the first year Treasury has processed more rebates electronically than by paper check. Both homeowners and renters below this year’s income limit of $46,520 may be eligible. The maximum standard rebate is $1,000. Applicants can exclude half of their Social Security income. Income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program are adjusted annually. Pennsylvanians 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older within the income limitation are eligible to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The application deadline for this year’s rebate has been extended to December 31, 2025. Treasury will pay future rebates as approved payments are received from the Department of Revenue. Last year, Treasury paid more than $315 million to about 517,500 Pennsylvanians. For more information visit pa.gov or visit 888-222-9190 or contact your local legislative office.
WVIA Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Uncover Hazleton’s Underground Secrets New Documentary – The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper – aims to reveal hidden tunnels, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a forgotten chapter of American history— all hiding beneath the streets of Hazleton, PA. WVIA’s Emmy Award-winning production team is proud to present its latest original documentary film, The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper. To bring this expanded story to life, WVIA has launched a Kickstarter campaign inviting public support. Building on the viral success of the original VIA Short Take, The Secret Beneath Hazleton—which garnered over 2 million views and ignited widespread engagement across social media—this 30-minute documentary will unearth the astonishing, long-buried stories of Hazleton’s mysterious underground world. Beneath the quiet streets of Hazleton lies a hidden network of tunnels, sealed mine shafts, and secret passageways— remnants of a city shaped by coal, immigration, and industrial might. WVIA’s new documentary will venture into previously unexplored territory, including private home tunnels, underground banking corridors, and a mysterious speakeasy said to have been sealed for over 75 years. “This is more than just a story about Hazleton,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “It’s a story about the history Hazleton has buried— literally. It’s about the people of Hazleton that worked underground, and the people that have been living above this underground city, some unknowingly, for decades. This film will bring history to light before it’s lost forever.” A Deeper Dive into Hidden History The Kickstarter campaign seeks to fund the next phase of this groundbreaking project, allowing filmmakers, historians, and urban explorers to: Document the secret tunnels built from private residences that lead into Hazleton’s vast mine network. Investigate a rumored speakeasy believed to be accessible only through underground bank vaults. Interview local experts and dig into newly uncovered mine maps and archives. Preserve these locations with high-definition film and photography before they succumb to development or decay. This is not just a documentary—it’s a rescue mission for Hazleton’s hidden past. Why Now? Many of the underground structures identified in the first film are already at risk of permanent collapse or demolition. As interest grows and new leads surface, the WVIA team believes this is a critical window of opportunity to preserve these stories for future generations through a new full-length documentary. “There are places under Hazleton no one has entered in decades,” said the film’s producer, Tim Novotney. “And once they’re gone, they’re gone. This film is our chance to capture that lost world so the masses can see it.” WVIA invites the public to become part of this journey by contributing to the Kickstarter campaign, which will fund equipment, research, expert interviews, and post-production for the full-length documentary. Back the Project, Preserve History Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative ideas that are brought to life through the direct support of others. To learn more and support The Secrets Beneath Hazleton: Digging Deeper, visit the Kickstarter page here.
Shapiro Administration Announces $80 Million in Grant Funding Towards Community Infrastructure PennDOT will host a TA Set-Aside Webinar on Wednesday, July 9 – learn more, here. Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the 2025 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Surface Block Grant Program will begin accepting applications on July 14 and be open for submissions through October 31, 2025. The Shapiro Administration will offer a total of $80 million across award recipients, supporting the Administration’s goal of expanding access to a range of transportation options and improving safe access to schools in communities across Pennsylvania. A webinar for municipalities and other project sponsors will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at 10:00 AM to talk through the application process and answer questions that applicants may have; project sponsors may include regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, public land agencies, and school districts, local education agencies or schools. To join the webinar and learn more about the application process and eligible projects, please visit the TASA Webpage. “Pennsylvanians make decisions about how they travel for many reasons, the most critical of which is the infrastructure available to them,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The TA Set-Aside program offers communities around the Commonwealth the opportunity to improve infrastructure and provide residents with a broader range of transportation options.” TA Set-Aside program provides funds to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to schools, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Draft applications must be submitted to PennDOT district offices by September 5, 2025. All participating large Metropolitan Planning Organizations’ (MPOs) selections and all District and Planning Partner application review comments will be due January 23, 2026. The statewide project selection committee will meet in March 2026 to recommend projects for receipt of statewide TA Set-Aside funds.
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Misericordia University Announces Emeritus Status for Occupational Therapy Professor Misericordia University’s (MU) Board of Trustees recently awarded the rank of professor emeritus to Joseph Cipriani Ed.D., OTR/L to recognize his 34 years of exceptional service in teaching, research, and contributions to the university. In addition to the contributions Cipriani has made to teaching, research and service, he helped shape the lives of numerous students as a teacher and mentor, demonstrating an impressive record of scholarly achievement, authoring papers—both presented and published—and providing extensive service to his discipline, to MU and to the larger community. During his tenure he served as chair of the Occupational Therapy Department for more than three years, and he received the Misericordia University Teaching Excellence Award, the Louis & Barbara Alesi Excellence in Scholarship Award, and the Pauly and Sidney Friedman Excellence in Service Award. Cipriani assumed multiple leadership roles during his tenure at MU and developed several courses and experiences for students to gain real-world experience while serving their community. He created an occupational therapy elective that included working with Ruth’s Place in Wilkes-Barre as well as an elective that incorporated service-learning in Jamaica, working in concert with Mustard Seed communities. Cipriani leaves an impressive legacy at Misericordia University, where his teaching portfolio included vital courses such as Applied Functional Anatomy, Geriatric Occupational Performance Intervention, Research Design, and Contemporary and Emerging Interventions. His extensive involvement in the field of occupational therapy is widely recognized. Cipriani’s work on topics such as horticulture therapy, occupational therapy interventions for mental health, and international service learning has garnered recognition and significantly advanced occupational therapy practice. He has presented extensively at national and international conferences and published numerous articles in esteemed journals, including serving as a reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Science, OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, and Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. He also served on the editorial board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics. Throughout his career, Cipriani has been an active member of leading professional organizations, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the Occupational Therapy Association, and the PA Occupational Therapy Association. His commitment to service extended to numerous university committees, including the Middle States Self-study Steering committees and the Mission and Values Committee, and he advised the student honor society. Cipriani shared his insights in the classroom from his clinical experience as an occupational therapist at Geisinger Health Care System and the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at Allied Services. Cipriani earned his Ed.D. in higher education from Nova Southeastern University. He holds a Master of Arts degree in community psychology from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from College Misericordia, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wilkes College.
The Wright Center: Hepatitis C, A Dangerous but Highly Treatable Disease By Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth I’m here today to talk about a disease of grave seriousness — hepatitis. In recent years, the medical community has made significant strides in combating this global scourge. Still, much work remains, so I’m happy there are awareness events like World Hepatitis Day, which is celebrated on July 28. The day brings attention to viral hepatitis, which each year claims more than a million lives. Put simply, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are five main types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. The one that gets the most attention is hepatitis C, an especially pernicious form of the disease that is contracted through the blood of an infected person. More than 4 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, with half of those cases undiagnosed. Hepatitis C can be contracted in several ways, including through sharing needles, equipment used for preparing or injecting drugs, sex, sharing personal items, or unregulated tattoos or piercings. A small percentage of infants are infected through their mothers. Most people with hepatitis C are saddled with a lifelong infection, which left untreated can cause severe health problems including chronic liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer and, in the worst cases, death. The trick is catching it in time, which can be difficult, since the disease tends to develop almost imperceptibly at first. When symptoms do take hold, they include jaundice, lack of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, dark urine, light-colored stool, joint pain, and fatigue. They usually appear within two to 12 weeks, but can take up to six months to develop. Given the severity of the disease, all adults ages 18 and older should be screened for hepatitis C at least once in their lives through a simple and easily available blood test. Among those at elevated risk who should be screened are baby boomers; people who had blood transfusions before 1992; people who have undergone long-term dialysis treatments; people who have used illicit drugs; people living with HIV; babies born to mothers diagnosed with hepatitis C; and sexual partners of anyone diagnosed with the disease. I want to emphasize that hepatitis C is a very treatable — even curable — disease, and I’m proud to say that we at The Wright Center are one of Northeast Pennsylvania’s leaders in treatment. People who test positive for the disease are treated with oral medications that help clear the virus from the bloodstream. About 90% of patients are cured after eight to 12 weeks of treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And there are many healthy habits patients can adopt to mitigate the disease’s progression, including reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, being careful with over-the-counter medications, and receiving regular medical care that includes monitoring for liver cancer. Besides incorporating testing, prevention, care, and treatment into our patient-centered medical home model approach, we also provide essential services like outreach, patient education, case management, and care coordination as a means of improving the health outcomes for patients living with the disease. Even if you don’t think you have hepatitis C, please make it a point to get tested sometime in the near future. Be proactive — it really can make all the difference. Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., FACP, MPH, is senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at the Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine.
Geisinger to Launch State-of-the-Art Disinfection Devices in Hospitals Geisinger is deploying advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices across its hospital campuses, enhancing infection prevention efforts in patient care areas. These cutting-edge devices use UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens. They improve safety by disinfecting patient rooms following manual cleaning, specifically if the room was occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread. “Bringing UV disinfection technology into our hospitals is a powerful step forward in protecting our patients,” said Mark Shelly, M.D., medical director of infection prevention. “It’s not just about adding new tools. It’s about strengthening our commitment to safety and quality and doing everything we can to prevent hospital-acquired infections. A visibly clean surface is just the beginning. Because germs are invisible, they’re susceptible to UV light. This technology helps us take another meaningful step toward becoming a high-reliability organization, where safety is at the center of everything we do.” How the technology works Fast and effective: Disinfects rooms in just 12 to 30 minutes, depending on room size. Smart technology: Tracks usage and automatically adjusts UV light levels to ensure thorough disinfection, even in shadowed or hard-to-reach areas. Safe and secure: Operated exclusively by trained Environmental Services technicians. Rooms are clearly marked during use to ensure safety. Targeted use: Used in patient rooms previously occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread. Tested, trusted and now everywhere Following successful trials at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where the devices were integrated without disrupting patient flow, 16 of the devices are now being introduced systemwide. Stopping germs in their tracks The UV disinfection devices are effective against a wide range of pathogens, including: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) Acinetobacter baumannii Klebsiella pneumoniae Influenza A Norovirus
