Johnson College to Hold Decision Day for Military Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held virtually and in person on the College’s Scranton campus in Ideal Saldi Hall. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit Johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student complete an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
Steamtown National Historic Site to Launch Summer Schedule Steamtown National Historic Site will transition to its summer schedule and increase in-park operations and experiences starting on Saturday, May 3. The park and its buildings will remain free to enter, daily summer hours will expand to 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Technology Museum will reopen, and the park will fire up its popular“Scranton Limited” yard shuttles—short train rides that offer visitors a front-row seat to the sights, sounds and motion of a working rail yard, all set within the park’s historic landscape.“Scranton Limited” yard shuttle schedule:May: Short train rides will operate Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.June–July: Short train rides will expand to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at the same departure times.Ticket Prices: Ages 0–5: $1 Ages 6 and older: $6 Tickets are valid for the entire day of purchase. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; passengers should arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure to secure a seat. Operations are subject to change due to weather, mechanical issues or crew availability. Tickets can be purchased on site at the Tickets and Information Kiosk (credit or debit only).“Every ride through the park’s historic train yard connects visitors to the story of steam railroading in America,” said Superintendent Jeremy Komasz. “We’re proud to offer these experiences as part of our mission to preserve and share this rich industrial heritage.” Established by Congress in 1986, Steamtown National Historic Site was created to promote public understanding and appreciation of steam locomotives in the region. The park, located on the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad yard in downtown Scranton, interprets how railroads accelerated the growth of industry, innovation and communities across the United States.As the season continues, Steamtown will continue to explore opportunities for the expansion of access to live steam railroading and interpretive programming, offering even more ways for the public to engage with rail history.For more information about train rides and upcoming events, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/steamtown or call (570) 445-1898.
The Wright Center Hosts U.S. Representative Robert Bresnahan Jr. The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education hosted U.S. Representative Robert Bresnahan Jr., R-8, Dallas Twp., and several members of his staff on Friday, April 25, at the Teaching Health Center in Scranton. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Center, met with Representative Bresnahan to share information about The Wright Center and its mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center is one of 1,400 community health centers in the United States. Community health centers serve as a medical home for more than 32.5 million patients, are proven to reduce health care costs – saving an average of 24% per Medicaid patient compared to other providers – and generate an estimated $118.4 billion in total economic impact in local communities, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. Since 2019, The Wright Center has been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQLA) by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). FQLAs “ensure health care for our nation’s underserved communities and vulnerable populations through service provision to all, regardless of ability to pay,” according to HRSA. In addition to stressing the importance of protecting funding that supports community health centers, including FQLAs, Dr. Thomas spoke about how essential Medicare and Medicaid funding are to residents of Northeast Pennsylvania. They also discussed The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s nearly 50-year legacy of training physicians and strengthening the interprofessional health care workforce pipeline to meet the region’s complex health care and workforce needs. “We wanted to thank Representative Bresnahan for stepping up to represent our region in Washington, D.C. and for the partnership we have built with him and his staff, both here in his district and in our capital, over the past few months. We are grateful for the commitment he has shown in supporting community health centers,” Dr. Thomas-Hemak said. “Today was an opportunity to thank him and welcome him to our Teaching Health Center in Scranton so we can share the critical work we are doing throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.” During his visit, Representative Bresnahan toured The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton with Dr. Erin McFadden, The Wright Center’s deputy chief medical officer, medical director for the community health centers in Scranton and Scranton Counseling Center, and co-regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. The visit concluded with a group discussion with Representative Bresnahan, his staff, and The Wright Center’s board members, executive team, faculty, resident physicians, and other key staff members. “The Wright Center is doing extraordinary work to ensure high-quality, affordable care reaches every corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Representative Bresnahan. “I want to thank The Wright Center for the opportunity to visit their Scranton health center and to discuss ways in which we can work together to strengthen both the health and future of our communities. “The Wright Center serves as a national model for how community-based health care and workforce development can go hand-in-hand to improve lives.” Born in Kingston and raised in Wyoming and Hughestown boroughs, Representative Robert Bresnahan represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike, and parts of Monroe and Luzerne counties.
UNC Receives Contribution from Peoples Security United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 contribution for 2025 from Peoples Security Bank & Trust through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This generous contribution, part of a six-year pledge, will support UNC’s ongoing efforts to rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook neighborhood — a designated Elm Street Community under the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities Program. The support from Peoples Security Bank & Trust plays a vital role in strengthening neighborhoods, fostering economic development, and enhancing quality of life for Pine Brook residents. Photo attached (left to right): Martin Fotta, Chief Operating Officer at UNC; Lisa Durkin, President and Chief Executive Officer at UNC; and Sharon Borgia, Senior Vice President at Peoples Security Bank & Trust.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grants Funding for Mental Health in NEPA Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, will invest $2,130,200 to address well-documented regional mental and behavioral health care needs. The Foundation’s Board of Directors recently selected nine organizations to receive between $113,000 and $300,000 across a two-year span. The selected projects will utilize innovative, evidence-based solutions and promising practices to strengthen the care continuum, increase the availability of and diversity of providers, integrate mental health services in health care and non-health care settings, or eliminate barriers to care. “Mental and behavioral health challenges touch every corner of our 11-county service area. The organizations selected for this inaugural initiative are deeply ingrained in their respective communities, paving pathways to solutions with compassion and care,” stated Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. “The amount of interest in this new initiative and the diversity of responses we received underscores the pressing need for innovative approaches to mental and behavioral health and wellness. Moses Taylor Foundation is proud to uplift and support this recent cohort of grantees and improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” The following organizations received an approval notification following Moses Taylor Foundation’s March 27 board meeting: Catholic Social Services; Community Care Behavioral Health Organization; Geisinger Health Foundation; Greater Scranton YMCA; Keystone Human Services; The Wright Center for Community Health; United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers; and Wyoming County Health Family Partnership
Lackawanna Historical Society Releases Updated Downtown Scranton Walking Tour The Lackawanna Historical Society is pleased to release a revised and updated version of the “History Set in Stone” Downtown Scranton Walking Tour booklet, as well as a new Spanish-language version! This booklet, first produced by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in 2010, provides six guided walks around Downtown Scranton, focusing on history and architecture. The text has been updated to reflect new restoration projects and previously overlooked spaces in and around Scranton. We are grateful for the assistance of Jenny Gonzalez-Monges, director of Marywood University’s STARS Program, for her work translating a Spanish version of the booklet that provided the facts presented in the original version for a new audience of the city’s growing Latinx community. Booklets will be available at local history sites, libraries, hotels, and other sites. Funding support for this project was supplied by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley. More information and copies of the walking tour booklet will be provided at a press conference on Wednesday, May 7 at 11am on Courthouse Square, Adams Avenue. For more information, contact the Lackawanna Historical Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahistory@gmail.com.
