BUSINESS BEAT DENISE ALLABAUGH by Dave

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16:01 | GAYDOSKRIS

tHE CItIzEns’ VOICE

Business

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Business Buzz local crafters creating masks City Stitches, an arts and crafts education center in forest City, has already professionally sewn enough masks to protect local nursing homes, senior centers, area home health workers and ﬁrst responders during the pandemic. Now its “craftivist” group of volunteers have set their sites on signiﬁcant donations to the #MillionMaskchallenge. Joining forces with fabric supplier SwatchOn.com, City Stitches has contributed more than 231,744 masks toward the cause, with plans for more as long as there are those in need.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020

Pandemic fears trip up bank earnings Institutions brace for potential loan losses By JOn O’COnnell Staff Writer

Local banks are bracing for the possibility that borrowers will start missing loan and mortgage payments. After a lengthy season of steady growth over the last decade, earnings reports across the board came in lower for the first quarter compared to last year’s. Most banks blamed uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and included steeper loan loss provisions, an accounting measure that anticipates losing money when calculat-

ing profit. Loan losses are a cost of doing business, but they’re getting more expensive. “We took what we believe to be a significant increase in reserves because we like to be conservative,” said James Bone, FNCB Bank’s chief financial officer. FNCB posted earnings down 22% compared to the first quarter last year, or $2.1 million compared to $2.6 million last year, with a $1.15 million provision for loan and lease loss. “The current event we’re in is not going to be identical

to anything we’ve seen in the past,” Bone said. “We want to be optimistic. We want to believe that everybody can get back.” But unchecked optimism could be dangerous, he added. “There are a lot of small businesses that were hanging on by their fingernails before the pandemic,” he said. Local banks have an extra tool in their toolbox to shield earnings. The federal Paycheck Protection Program, a wildly popular loan-to-grant pro-

gram for small businesses, rolled out as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act economic stimulus plan. The PPP relies on leveraging the banking industry’s lending infrastructure. Banks issue the loans, backed 100% by the federal government, and get to collect fees. The arrangement will help shore up banks’ balance sheets — for some more than others. “While it is helping individuals to have that safety net, that is going to help the banks as well,” said Satyajit Ghosh, a University of Scranton economist. At FNCB, bankers worked around the clock, literally,

submitting loan applications, Bone said. Some logged on in the middle of the night to enter application data. He estimated FNCB will lend out $110 million to small businesses. Economic stimulus, however, only goes so far in soothing a bucking economy, and some dramatic measures have done little or nothing at all to cool markets, Ghosh said. For example, the Federal Reserve Bank, under pressure from the White House, hacked benchmark interest rates to zero, a move expected to entice consumers and companies to borrow. Please see BAnKs, Page A15

Company aids clients with tech Borton-Lawson has been able to provide its clients a new perspective on how remote data collection and visualization technology can be used to streamline project execution, particularly in the current business environment. the restrictions from COViD-19 have made remote access to sites vital to maintaining operations and project schedules. Many clients are relying on 3D laser scanning and drone technology to capture data from their sites and access it remotely. in cases where its ﬁeld teams are permitted to enter the site, the company can complete a thorough 3D laser scan of the facility and immediately provide the client with a virtual 3D representation of the facility, including high-resolution photographs. in situations where they are not permitted to enter the facility, they can take advantage of drone technology to obtain the necessary site information. Clients can then view the processed data and navigate their project sites using readily available software viewers, and effectively communicate with their safety, operations and project engineering staff.

Online summer program offered Marywood University’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” program will offer its summer 2020 classes completely online. the unique program for an Mfa in graphic design or illustration is speciﬁcally designed for working art directors, designers, illustrators, new media artists and art educators who wish to pursue a degree while also working professionally. Marywood University’s Mfa program is supported by accomplished, professional faculty, visiting artists of acclaim, impressive exhibit offerings, and excellent academic and technical resources. there are opportunities designed to provide experiences of breadth and depth for matriculating graduate students. for information about Marywood University’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” summer program, visit www.marywood. edu/mfa/academic-programs/, or call the university’s ofﬁce of admissions at 570-348-6234.

WViA streaming live on youTube the public media company announced it is now streaming live on Youtube tV. Dedicated live channels for WVia and PBS KiDS, as well as on-demand programming, are now available to Youtube tV subscribers, expanding PBS’s digital footprint and offering viewers additional ways to stream PBS content. to access the full lineup available in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Central Susquehanna Valley, you can visit the Youtube tV live guide or the PBS schedule. Please see BuZZ, Page A15

MarK MOraN / Staff PhOtOGraPher

Dominick Tafani carries hanging flower baskets Wednesday for a customer at Larry O’Malia’s Farms & Greenhouses in Plains Twp. Gov. Tom Wolf classified greenhouses as essential businesses that can continue to operate outside of his shutdown order.

Shutdown pits garden centers vs. greenhouses

Garden centers, forced to close under governor’s order, struggle while greenhouses, considered essential, thrive By Denise AllABAugh Staff Writer

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped van Hoekelen Greenhouses in McAdoo from providing plants and flowers to supermarkets nationwide but the business was forced to shut down its retail garden center this spring. It’s one of many family-owned garden centers throughout the state that have remained closed since Gov. Tom Wolf ordered “non-lifesustaining” businesses shut down in March to contain the spread of coronavirus. Alex van Hoekelen, who operates van Hoekelen Greenhouses with his parents and his sister, said they normally operate the garden center for short times from the Easter season through July, in the fall to sell mums and in the Christmas season to sell poinsettias. While they have adhered to Wolf ’s order to shut down their garden center, he said they don’t agree with the mandate. Many independent garden center owners’ livelihoods revolve around their businesses being open in the spring, van Hoekelen said. He said it’s frustrating that garden centers don’t have solid answers about when they can reopen. “For us, our garden center is seasonal. However, it is something that definitely is a source of revenue for us in the times we have it open,” van Hoekelen said. “The spring is obviously very big. Now we can’t have it open for the local people who have supported us in the 30-plus years we have been here.” Van Hoekelen Greenhouses has been a family-owned business since 1988 and calls itself the “largest bulb grower on the East Coast.” Since the business couldn’t open its garden center, it held a drive-thru flower box sale for Easter and van Hoekelen said another drivethru flower box sale will be held for Mother’s Day.

tiMeS-ShaMrOCK fiLe

Alex van Hoekelen loads a box Easter flowers into the back of a customer’s vehicle during a drive-thru flower sale that his family’s McAdoo greenhouses recently held at the Four Bloom Restaurant in Drums. Van Hoekelen Greenhouses was forced to shut down its retail garden center in compliance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandate this spring. Van Hoekelen Greenhouses will team up with McAdoo Fire Company and Valley Regional Fire Rescue to hold the drive-thru Mother’s Day flower box sale Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locations include Four Blooms parking lot, 668 N. Hunter Highway, Drums; the old Videomania parking lot, 532 Centre St., Freeland, and McAdoo Fire Company, 34 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo. “We need something positive during this

time,” van Hoekelen said. “We felt that people need plants as well. We’re lucky to be in a business to produce things that make people happy.”

Thousands sign petition to reopen garden centers Throughout Pennsylvania, more than 18,000 state residents signed a petition asking Wolf to allow their local independent familyowned garden centers to open. Please see gReenhOuses, Page A15

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16:01 | GAYDOSKRIS

BUSINESS

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020

THE CITIZENS' VOICE A15

People on the Move Citizens Savings Bank Dawn Lehutsky, Waymart, has been promoted to the position of branch manager in the Honesdale branch. Lehutsky joined the bank in September 1997 as a parttime teller and later moved to a full-time teller in January 1998. She was promoted to senior teller in September 2007, customer service lead in September 2010 and to her former position of assistant branch manager in March 2018. Tameka Brown, Mount Pocono, has been promoted to the position of branch manager in the Mount Pocono branch. Brown joined the bank in December 2011 as assistant branch manager of the Mount Pocono branch. She graduated from William Patterson University. Lehutsky and Brown will be responsible for maximizing sales and efﬁciency of their individual branch operations. They will manage, coach and mentor branch staff, ensuring each staff member has been appropriately trained in the sales process and bank policies and procedures.

Family Vision Care of Kingston Carl J. Urbanski, O.D., of Mountain Top was recently appointed chairman of the American Optometric Association’s Evidence Based Optometry Committee. Urban-

LEHUTSKY Citizens Savings

BROWN Citizens Savings

URBANSKI Family Vision Care

GENELLO Janney Montgomery

SMITH Marywood University

MARCY University of Scranton

health agent. He has also Trust,” was written by Amanearned the Accredited Invest- da S. Marcy, assistant ment Fiduciary designation. professor of accounting; Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., Marywood chairman of the universiUniversity ty’s accounting department; James F. Boyle, D.B.A., Maura Smith, BSN, RN, assistant professor of acdirector of Student Health counting; and Daniel P. MaServices, recently shared honey, Ph.D., professor of the university’s efforts in accounting. The award highaddressing COVID-19 on lights an article that focuscampus with the American es on the importance of ethCollege Health Association. ics in business as a whole The resources that the uniand finance and accounting versity posted have been in particular. recognized as valuable, and Janney Montgomery ACHA asked for permission The new annual award is Scott LLC to share those resources on named in memory of Curtis C. Verschoor, a longtime its website. The full-service wealth member of the IMA ComThe documents shared management, capital marmittee on Ethics, editor of kets and asset management include a COVID-19 triage form, wellness package and the Strategic Finance Ethics firm headquartered in Philacolumn for 20 years, and a delphia announced that Mar- the university’s flyer, “What significant contributor to the to Do If You Are Sick With tin Genello, AIF, has earned development and revisions 2019 Novel Coronavirus.” the Certified Financial Planof the IMA Statement of EthSince sharing the informaner professional designaical Professional Practice. tion, the submitted items tion in accordance with CFP Marcy was named assishave had 52 views and 124 Board certification and retant professor of accountdownloads. newal requirements. ing at Scranton in 2018 He is a member of Wilson University and previously served as a Wealth Advisory, located in faculty specialist in the deof Scranton the Scranton office with a partment. She worked as focus on insurance planning An article written by acan accountant for Baker Tilly and employer-sponsored recounting professors was Virchow Krause LLP. She is tirement plans for the team awarded the inaugural Curt a certified public accounand prioritizing opportuniVerschoor Ethics Feature of tant and member of the ties with profit sharing and the Year from the Institute American Institute of Cer401(k) Plans. Genello is Se- of Management Accounries 6, Series 7, Series 63 tants’ Committee on Ethics tified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute and Series 65 licensed and and Strategic Finance. The of Certified Public Accounis a Pa. licensed life and article, titled “The Value of ski was originally appointed in 2012 and has served as chair of the Glaucoma Guideline development group. Urbanski is a graduate of Wilkes University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and past chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Optometry. Urbanski is also a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

D. BOYLE University of Scranton

J. BOYLE University of Scranton

tants, the American Accounting Association and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Marcy earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA specialized in accounting from the University of Scranton. She is currently pursuing her doctorate of business administration in accounting at the university. Douglas Boyle serves as director of the university’s internationally recognized DBA program and the founder and director of the university’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. In addition, he, along with James Boyle and Mahoney, led the university’s effort to establish a Business High School Scholars Program. Articles written by these three professors have also won four Institute of Management Accountants’ “outstanding article of the year” medals, including two gold medals. A certified public accountant, as well as a certified management accountant, he has more than 25 years of industry executive experience. An award-winning teacher, he was profiled in 2019 as one of just six “Professors to Know in Business Programs Based in the Northeast” selected

by Bschools. org, an online resource for entrepreneurs. Dr. James Boyle has MAHONEY taught part University time at the of Scranton university since 2009 and full time since 2012 and also served as an internal auditor for the university for more than a decade. He has published articles in multiple academic journals, including The CPA Journal, Strategic Finance, The Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting and Internal Auditing. He holds a bachelor’s and MBA from the University of Scranton and a DBA from Kennesaw State University. Mahoney, an award-winning teacher and scholar, has had research published in numerous professional journals, such as The CPA Journal, Internal Auditor, Management Accounting Quarterly and Journal of Business and Economics Research, Accounting and Financial Management. A certiﬁed public accountant, he was named Kania School of Management’s Professor of the Year ﬁve times and has won numerous other awards for teaching. He earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Scranton as well as a doctorate in accounting from Syracuse University. SUBMIT PEOPLE ON THE MOVE items to business@. or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

BUZZ: Businesses recognized FROM PAGE A14

YouTube TV represents WVIA’s ﬁrst local livestreaming partnership and includes episodes and on-demand content from locally produced shows and PBS favorites. The accompanying PBS KIDS 24/7 channel extends the organization’s mission of helping prepare children for success in school and life through trusted, educational media, available anytime and anywhere. Users can access favorite series. YouTube TV subscribers can also access select content through YouTube TV’s VOD service. In addition to YouTube TV, WVIA content is available on all WVIA-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and PBSKIDS.org, as well as the PBS Video app and PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. WVIA members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via Passport.

Local franchisee groups give back Local Dunkin’ franchisee groups are stepping up to give back to the frontline staff working in nine of Geisinger’s screening tents in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. Local Dunkin’ locations are providing breakfast, including boxed coffee, individually wrapped donuts and bagels with cream cheese for the front-line medical staff. In addition, Dunkin’ has launched an online gift card site, DunkinCoffeeBreak.com, so that guests in Northeast Pennsylvania and across the country can send a Dunkin’ eGift Card as a small token of appreciation to thank a doctor, nurse, first responder, teacher, grocery clerk, postal worker, neighbor or any hero in their life. For every card purchased at this site, Dunkin’ will donate $1, up to $100,000, to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation emergency funds, specifically for nonprofits helping families affected by COVID-19. To make a donation in the fight against COVID-19, please visit Geisinger.org/fightcovid or call 800-739-6882. SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@ timesshamrock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Customers shop Wednesday in one of the greenhouses at Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouses in Plains Twp.

GREENHOUSES: Adhering to social distancing, require masks FROM PAGE A14

The petition was started on April 14 by the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, which represents garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries and landscape contractors in Pennsylvania and can be seen on www.change.org/OpenPaGardenCenters. “We are hopeful that the governor will see that a significant number of his constituents support their local family-owned garden centers and want them to be able to serve their communities during this COVID-19 crisis,” said PLNA board Chairman Ted Ventre. According to the PLNA, a recent survey revealed that 77% of adults spend time gardening around their homes. More than one-third grow some of their own food,

a proportion that will likely increase during the COVID-19 crisis. Independent family-owned garden centers are at a critical time. Most make up to 75% of their annual revenue from April to June and the spring season carries them throughout the rest of the year. Pennsylvania’s surrounding states New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia have allowed garden centers to open.

Essential greenhouses open While independent familyowned garden centers were forced to shut down, Wolf classified greenhouses as essential businesses since they supply food. Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouses in Plains Twp. is open for outside sales and

recently added new items such as cold weather crops like lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower as well as herbs and hanging baskets. Larry O’Malia said there has been discrepancy about who falls into which category. “There were differences between nurseries, greenhouses and landscapers,” O’Malia said. “In this business, a lot of guys fall under multiple headings.” He grows vegetables on 40 acres along the Susquehanna River with his brother Gary and they sell vegetable plants as part of their greenhouse operation, so he said he wasn’t concerned about his business being shut down. He said they are asking customers to maintain social distancing and wear masks. They also are selling masks. “We are limiting how

many people can go into the greenhouse so they can maintain social distancing,” O’Malia said. They previously set an “honor system” in front of their building but recently opened registers. “We think we’re going to sell an exceptional amount of vegetable plants to consumers this year,” O’Malia said. “When the weather is nice, we are busy.” Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouses are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stanton’s Greenhouse at 709 Layton Road in the Chinchilla section of South Abington Twp. opened on Friday. It will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the first few weeks of May with plans to later extend hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Giles Stanton, the secondgeneration owner of Stanton’s Greenhouse, said greenhouses are considered farms, which are essential. “We actually plant things and grow them,” he said. “We have flowers and vegetable plants.” To m a t o a n d p e p p e r plants are for sale at Stanton’s Greenhouse as well as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, herbs and thousands of hanging flower baskets. Stanton said he also is asking customers to wear masks and the business will supply hand sanitizer. “People could take their wagons up to the register like they always did before as long as there is spacing,” he said. Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2115; @CVAllabaugh

BANKS: Worried that borrowers may miss payments FROM PAGE A14

But the solution didn’t match the problem. Supply chains are disrupted. Consumer confidence is down. “A company would not invest in equipment or more production capacity unless they’re sure they would be able to sell what

they’re producing,” Ghosh said. Loan loss provisions weren’t entirely to blame for poorer bank earnings. Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank posted quarterly earnings down $200,000 to $2.6 million, a drop bank President Daniel J. Santaniello said comes not from pandemic uncertainty, but from

one-time expenses related to its acquisition of the Merchants Bank, a small financial company based in Northampton County with branch offices around the Lehigh Valley. “When you add back some of the costs related to the acquisition, we were up,” he said. “Really there’s nothing I can point to specif-

ically as it relates to the pandemic.” Analysts with S&P Global expect strong balance sheets from the last 10 years, among other factors, will cushion any bank rating downgrades the pandemic might trigger, though stumbling markets will nonetheless have a long-term effect on profitability.

S&P predicts a strong rebound next year, and Santaniello shares the optimism, but like Bone, he’s cautious. “I think a lot of 2021 is going to depend on how protracted this pandemic is,” he said. Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @jon_oc

WB_VOICE/PAGES [A16] | 06/13/20

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tHE CItIzEns’ VOICE

A16

Business Buzz Company marks 60th anniversary Koberlein Environmental Services, which provides nonhazardous wastewater management services to homeowners, businesses and municipalities across Northeast Pennsylvania and neighboring counties in New York state, is celebrating 60 years in business. Then-Koberlein Septic was started in 1960 by Sam Koberlein. In 2000, Chris Ravenscroft purchased Koberlein Environmental from US Liquids Inc. At that time, it was one of nine companies in the Northeast that he managed for US Liquids, a publicly traded company. The company now employs more than 50 people, has a ﬂeet of over 24 pump trucks, various commercial and industrial cleaning trucks, a ﬂeet of wastewater pump vans, various video inspection and line jetting equipment.

Business SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2020

Water bill up? You’re not alone State residents’ usage balloons in lockdown by JOn O’COnnell STAFF WRITER

SCRANTON — In a normal summer, when he’s not stuck at home for 11 weeks, Joe Wechsler might hang three geranium baskets from his front porch. This year is different. The former Scranton city councilman is testing the limits of his green thumb, and he’s got the water bill to prove it. COVID-19 forced millions of Americans to shelter in place. One side effect: It dramatically altered how they consume water. Data collected by the water tech firm Phyn, based near Los

Angeles, finds that on average, households used 21% more water in April compared to February, the month before stay-at-home orders began for most of the nation. In Pennsylvania, consumption was much higher than that. Phyn, which markets leakdetection hardware and tracks usage, studied data from 2,000 households across the country. Pennsylvania homes with the company’s devices installed used an average 35.2 JASON FARMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER gallons each day, a 38% increase, in April, and 54.3 Joe and Cathy Wechsler stand next to their garden in their backyard in Scranton. Please see WATeR, Page A17

The Wechslers have seen their water bill climb 25% because they’re doing more laundry, eating more meals at home and tending to the flowers and garden.

Geisinger launches COVID-19 app Most patients with COVID-19 will recover at home, but that doesn’t mean they have to do it alone. Geisinger launched a new mobile app to connect patients with their care providers and monitor their symptoms as they recover from COVID-19 at home. Through Epic’s MyChart Care Companion, patients report their symptoms, temperature and oxygen levels twice a day to a team of nurses. If symptoms worsen, an automated alert is sent, and the patient is quickly contacted by a clinical nurse for further evaluation and a video encounter with a physician if needed. The clinical team can help get patients who have particularly concerning ﬁndings to the emergency room. The mobile app uses reminders, notiﬁcation badges and other features to prompt the patient to complete standardized assessments of their symptoms, temperature and oxygen levels, as well as provide educational content to engage them in their care.

Insurer donates face coverings Highmark Inc. extended its gratitude to Emergency Medical Service ﬁrst responders during National EMS Week by donating nearly 40,000 cloth face coverings to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and preserve valuable PPE for direct patient care. This effort spans across Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. The face coverings are made of a washable cloth material and are branded with Highmark’s signature colors, blue and green. The face coverings are intended to be worn in situations where an EMS provider may not be interacting with a patient or is off-duty. The initiative highlights Highmark’s dedication to the community by providing coverage for more than health care alone.

Veterinary hospital celebrates 10 years Dr. Nichole Danova, founder, president and director of surgery at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center and her staff recently celebrated VREC’s 10th anniversary. VREC was preceded by Veterinary Surgical Center, a dedicated veterinary surgical facility Danova founded in 2009. Seeing explosive growth in a short time, she began planning for a larger, full-service facility for the region’s “pet parents.” The 24/7 emergency and referral facility opened at 318 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Twp. in May 2010 and remains there today. VREC offers services not Please see buzz, Page A17

CHANGE ON THE MENU

JASON FARMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Coney IIsland Lunch owner Pete Ventura blocks off the main dining area in his Scranton restaurant according to restrictions under Lackaw wanna County’s yellow phase.

Small restaurants make big modifications to reopen indoor dining. by DenIse AllAbAuGh STAFF WRITER

Small restaurant owners throughout Northeast Pennsylvania have made big changes to keep customers and employees safe as they gear up to reopen their dining rooms in the “green phase.” They include Scott Druby, who owns Abe’s Lunch on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre with his brother, Gary. Among the changes at Abe’s Lunch, plexiglass barriers were installed between tables and at the counter between customers and employees. The Drubys made modifications to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf ’s COVID-19 guidelines that state restaurants must limit customers to 50% capacity and they should be seated with barriers between them or spaced at least 6 feet apart when reopening during the green phase. Wolf announced Friday that Luzerne County will move into the green phase on June 19. “We’re ready to go. Everybody is going to wear masks and gloves,” Druby said. “It’s worth it to keep the customers and our staff safe.” Abe’s Lunch has been serving takeout, and customers can use a walk-up window to pick up their orders. “That’s working out well,” Druby said. “There’s no contact and everybody is safe.” While Luzerne County was one of eight counties that Wolf announced would move into the green phase this week, Lackawanna County remains in the yellow phase. Pete Ventura, who operates Coney Island Lunch on Lackawa-

MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ABOVE: Customers wait in line for takeout at Abe’s Lunch in Wilkes-Barre. Scott Druby, who owns Abe’s Lunch with his brother, Gary, has installed plexiglass barriers between tables in preparation for the restaurant to reopen its dining room next week when Luzerne County enters the green phase. nna Avenue in Scranton with his brother Robert, is getting ready to offer indoor dining, however. Ventura plans to remove stools at the counter to make more space between customers when his restaurant may open for indoor dining. Booths are 12 feet apart, he said. He could normally fit about 60 customers and by spacing things out, about 30 people can dine indoors at Coney Island Lunch, he said. Ventura also purchased disposable plates, cups and menus to meet the guidelines and they were not costly, he said. As Lackawanna County MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER remains in the yellow phase, Coney Island Lunch has been Rebecca Karas takes the next order as customers line up at Please see DInInG, Page A17

Abe’s Lunch in Wilkes-Barre. The restaurant has been serving takeout to customers from a walk-up window.

WB_VOICE/PAGES [A17] | 06/13/20

18:05 | DONLINKEVI

BUSINESS

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2020

THE CITIZENS' VOICE A17

People on the Move Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Kristyn Howell, CPA, MBA, has been promoted to partner in the advisory, tax and assurance firm’s commercial practice, effective June 1. Howell, who has been with the firm since 2008, specializes in providing accounting, consulting and financial statement assurance services to family-owned companies and closely held businesses in the middle market. She has an extensive background in tax and her experience is related to individual, partnership and corporation income tax compliance. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Business Builders Media LLC Dan Kimbrough has been appointed senior producer for the company. The podcast production company gives entrepreneurs and business owners the tools they need to have their voices heard. He has a lengthy media production career spanning radio, television, broadcast news, documentary ﬁlm, sports broadcast-

HOWELL Baker Tilly Virchow

KIMBROUGH Business Builders

DISTASIO Distasio & Kowalski

KOWALSKI Distasio & Kowalski

BECK Greater Honesdale

M. MUNLEY Munley Law

Wilkes-Barre, specializes in auto and truck accidents, medical malpractice, birth injury, personal injury and wrongful death.

Marion Munley and Daniel Munley, have been named to the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs Consumer Lawyers list. Lawdragon is a legal meGreater Honesdale dia company that provides Partnership industry news, editorials and Alfred D. Beck, board trea- resources, including annual guides of the top lawyers in surer, has announced his various areas of practice. retirement from the board. Marion Munley has been A certified public accounpracticing personal intant in Pennsylvania since Distasio & jury law for more than 30 1988, he has years of exKowalski LLC perience in various aspects years. She is triple-boardof both public and corporate certified by the National Attorneys Daniel J. DistaBoard of Trial Advocacy in sio and Michael J. Kowalski, accounting functions. Beck civil trial, civil practice and has worked more than 15 partners in the personal intruck law. She has earned years in public accounting jury firm, have been named and had been employed for an AV-Preeminent designaPennsylvania Super Lawtion from Martindale-Hub13 years in various finanyers for the 12th consecubell, the industry’s highest tive year. Both have been top cial management positions ethical and client satisfacwith Nabisco Inc. He is a rated in the category of Pertion rating. member of the American sonal Injury Attorney. Daniel Munley has been Institute of Certified Public Super Lawyers rates lawpracticing personal injury Accountants, Pennsylvania yers from more than 70 law for more than 25 years. Institute of Certified Public practice areas who have atHe is board certified by the Accountants and Pennsyltained a high level of peer National Board of Trial Adrecognition and professional vania Society of Public Acvocacy in both civil trial and countants. achievement. Each year, no truck law. He has earned an He has been the organizamore than 5% of the lawyers in the state receive this hon- tion’s treasurer for nine years. AV-Preeminent designation and a Platinum Level Client or bestowed by Super LawMunley Law Champion rating from Maryers magazine. tindale-Hubbell. Two of the firm’s partners, The law firm, located in ing, podcasting, photography and content marketing. Kimbrough has worked all over the U.S. with ESPN. He also served as the president of the Documentary Studies and Multicultural divisions for the Broadcast Education Association. He holds a master’s degree in electronic broadcast management from Central Michigan University.

D. MUNLEY Munley Law

ESPOSITO Tobyhanna Army Depot

Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates PC Jennifer Murray Aebli, PA-C has joined the practice and will be treating patients in the Scranton location. She is a graduate of the University of Scranton and received her physician assistant graduate degree at King’s College. Aebli has been a practicing physician assistant in NEPA for more than 26 years, with extensive experience in orthopedics and rehabilitation. Her practice includes both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

The supervisor of the quarter award identiﬁes and rewards senior-level emMCCABE ployees and VIA Public leaders, who in the perMedia formance of their assigned duties, have established a pattern of excellence for the period during which the nominations are being solicited.

VIA Public Media

The board of directors of the media organization, which operates WVIA, the PBS and NPR affiliate for Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania, has announced that Carla McCabe is the organization’s new president and CEO. McCabe, who currently serves as chief operating officer of KCPT in Kansas City, Missouri, will take over leadership on July 13. Tobyhanna Army McCabe has extensive exDepot perience in public media and television production. Patrick Esposito was named the depot’s, then the As chief operating officer at U.S. Army Communications- KCPT, or Kansas City PBS, Electronics Command Super- she oversaw the media company’s three brands — KCPT, visor of the Quarter for the second quarter. He is the di- 90.9 The Bridge and Flatland, rector of the Production Man- KCPT’s digital magazine. agement Directorate. His SUBMIT PEOPLE ON THE responsibilities include plan- MOVE items to business@ ning, monitoring and control- timesshamrock.com. or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., ling work performed at the Scranton, PA 18503. depot.

WATER: People spent more time at sink FROM PAGE A16

ens they otherwise might have left alone. The tradeoff remains unclear, but Phyn Chief Executive Officer Ryan Kim suggested, while residential use has skyrocketed, overall consumption has almost certainly dropped. Restaurants, which are notorious water hogs, have mostly closed or reduced service to takeout only. Work at office buildings and many factories has been suspended. While it’s not likely people are using the toilet more often, Pennsylvanians used the bathroom at home an additional four times in April and an additional five times in May, Phyn found. The data also offers clues on other curious behavior shifts. “We saw an increase, a notable increase in midday showers that weren’t there before,” Kim said. The figures prove an assumption, he said, that people are rolling out of bed just before the work day begins, and hopping in the shower when they get a break. The executive said his company pursued the data because the discussion draws attention to a looming water crisis. A growing population demands more water, but crumbling infrastructure and shrinking aquifers due to climate change pose a threat to the world’s water supply. “We want water to be topof-mind for folks,” he said. “Any time we get to celebrate water in our lives, we think it’s a good thing.”

gallons each day, a staggering 59% increase, in May. People also spent more time at the sink, with a couple extra longer trips — 15 to 24 seconds — at the sink each day in May, which suggests people are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and washing their hands more frequently for longer. In Wechsler’s home, on an East Mountain cul-de-sac where he lives with his wife, Cathy, and two adult children, he attributes his ballooning water bill to four people spending a combined 160 additional hours at home each week. “Ours has gone up considerably,” he said, estimating his water bill jumped 25%, which is not a direct reflection of Phyn’s data, which measured consumption rather than water bills. He attributes the increase to more frequent laundry loads, meals at home and, of course, watering the vegetables twice a day. His modest garden grows tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and squash. Like many Pennsylvanians, Wechsler, the purchasing director for Lackawanna County, and his wife, were able to bring work home. Cathy Wechsler works for Lackawanna College as manager of corporate, foundation and government relations. Unable to leave the house, even when the workfrom-home day ends, the two Contact the writer: of them have cleaned out joconnell@timesshamrock.com closets and washed extra lin- 570-348-9131, @jon_oc

MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Owner Scott Druby prepares an order as customers line up for takeout at Abe’s Lunch in Wilkes-Barre.

DINING: ‘There is pent-up demand’ for eating out FROM PAGE A16

offering takeout and delivery daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Restaurants in the yellow phase were permitted to begin offering outdoor dining June 5. Coney Island Lunch has not offered outdoor dining because the sidewalk is too narrow on Lackawanna Avenue, Ventura said. When indoor dining starts, the guidelines state employees are required to wear masks and customers should wear masks while entering, exiting in a safe, effective manner FROM PAGE A16 or traveling throughout the through various enhanced, restaurant but they can found anywhere else in the innovative, precautionary remove them when seated. area, including dedicated measures. Community fundVentura said he doesn’t emergency, internal mediing will go toward purchasing know how it will work out if cine, cardiology, surgery and customers don’t wear masks physical rehabilitation depart- hand sanitizing stations for the entire building, an antiments. In 2013, the facility and are “offended” about added an MRI suite, the only microbial UV lighting system wearing them. for child-care programs, infraunit of its kind in the region. He said he doesn’t want to red thermometers for daily fight with people over masks Local bank donates temperature checks, the inbut he will ask them to wear stallation of hand-washing to organization them and put up a sign on stations, proper signage on The Honesdale National the door about wearing sanitary practices, a oneBank Foundation extended masks. year contract with a profesits support to the commuPutting up signs stating sional cleaning service to nity with a $5,000 donation that face coverings are disinfect the building reguto the Waverly Community required are among the larly, building access moniHouse. The funds will spetors to control foot traffic in changes restaurants must cifically support the nonprofit common areas, and the pur- make statewide to comply organization’s COVID-19 Rechasing of outdoor tents and with the guidelines. building Initiative to offer the partitions to promote social According to the Pennsylcommunity a safe place to redistancing at future events. vania Restaurant and Lodgturn to when the current paning Association, other proviSUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ demic restrictions are lifted. This donation will allow the items to business@timessham sions include providing face rock.com or The Times-Tribune, coverings for employees and Waverly Community House 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA adding social distancing to continue to serve the 18503. markers at checkout counters. community with programs

BUZZ: Businesses receive recognition

JASON FARMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Coney Island Lunch owner Pete Ventura said he will ask customers to wear face masks and will post a sign on the door when the Scranton restaurant is able to reopen its dining room. John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, said he has heard from some restaurant owners who have said they cannot operate profitably at 50% capacity and he has heard from many who are achieving revenue volumes exceeding what they were doing at 100% capacity. “T here is a pent-up demand,” Longstreet said. “People want to eat out.” He said profitable restaurants have ramped up takeout and delivery and are

maintaining that part of their business model. They also are finding places in their restaurants to add tables so that the capacity limitations dictated by social distancing are not as severe. For example, lobby areas formerly used for waiting are now being used for dining. “Restaurants that have reopened that I have spoken with have been largely positive about the initial business, and the expense of getting ready has not been extensive,” Longstreet said. Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Associ-

ation Executive Director Chuck Moran said many restaurants and taverns have been struggling as they still await the ability to offer indoor seating. “Even though they have been permitted to offer takeout meals and beverages, many were barely keeping their heads above water. Some opted not to open at all,” Moran said. “Simply put, running a restaurant on takeout alone was not enough to sustain the business.” Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2115, @CVAllabaugh

voice

the citizens’

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Martin Truex Jr. will miss the fans at Pocono. B1

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

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States retreat as confirmed virus cases surge Texas and Florida clamp down on bars as 40,000 new cases are reported in the United States. BY PAUL J. WEBER AND MICHELLE R. SMITH ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas and Florida reversed course and clamped down on bars again Friday in the nation’s biggest retreat yet as the number of confirmed coro-

navirus infections per day in the U.S. surged to an all-time high of 40,000. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all bars closed, while Florida banned alcohol at such establishments. The two states joined the small but growing list of those that are either backtracking or putting any further reopenings of their economies on hold because of a comeback by the virus, mostly in the South and West. Health experts have said a

disturbingly large number of cases are being seen among young people who are going out again, often without wearing masks or observing other social-distancing rules. “It is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” Abbott said. Abbott had pursued up to now one of the most aggressive reopening schedules of any governor. The Republican not only resisted calls to

order the wearing of masks but also refused until last week to let local governments take such measures. “The doctors told us at the time, and told anyone who would listen, this will be a disaster. And it has been,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat who is the county’s top official. “Once again, the governor is slow to act. He is now being forced to do the things Please see SURGE, Page A4

DAVID J. PHILLIP / ASSOCIATED PRESS

A ‘no entry’ sign is posted on the door of the Craft Beer Cellar on Friday in Houston.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Pandemic effects ripple across home construction industry BY DENISE ALLABAUGH STAFF WRITER

DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Summit Pointe Builders President John Halbing stands in front of a property under construction in Goodleigh Manor in Dallas Twp.

Inside today

Business . . . . C1 Lottery . . . . . . A2

City officials are fed up with 2017 law that legalized sale of major fireworks.

Crossword. . . C2 Pets . . . . . . . . . B4 Editorial . . . . A11 Sports . . . . . B1-6

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Horoscope . . C3 World/Nation A10

Afternoon t-storm

Please see BUILD, Page A6

W-B mayor: State needs to repeal fireworks legalization

Classified C4-12 Obituaries A12-13

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ome builder John Halbing has just returned to work after battling COVID-19 and he is seeing ripple effects in the home construction industry as a result of the pandemic. Halbing, president of Summit Pointe Builders in Dallas, said there are shortages of materials like certain lumber and vinyl products since some manufacturers and lumber mills shut down or are operating with smaller crews. High demand for some supplies like paint at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have left shelves bare as retailers try to keep up. “It’s taking considerably longer to get certain materials,” Halbing said. “What used to take two days is now taking three weeks.” Amid the uncertainty about the economy and finances, Halbing said some clients also are holding off on buying new homes or are considering scaling back their original plans. One client, for example, wanted to start construction on a new $650,000 home but he decided to wait since his business was adversely affected by the pandemic and

Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown makes a point during Friday’s press conference at City Hall.

WILKES-BARRE — Amid an onslaught of nightly firework explosions disturbing residents, Mayor George Brown on Friday called on Gov. Tom Wolf and state legislators to provide citizens relief by repealing or replacing a 2017 law that legalized the sale of potent fireworks.

mum $100 fine and a summary offense against those who illegally set off fireworks. “T hat’s ridicul ou s,” Brown said. In a densely populated city like Wilkes-Barre, there is virtually nowhere that shooting fireworks off is legal — yet people are blasting them off nightly without regard and taxing the resources of emergency services, Brown said.

“I’m tired of hearing from people that their homes are being disrupted,” Brown said at a City Hall press conference flanked by his police and fire chiefs. “We don’t want to put up with this.” Brown said he and other municipal leaders in Pennsylvania are hamstrung by a provision in the state law that only imposes a maxi- Please see FIREWORKS, Page A9

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A6 THE CITIZENS' VOICE

SaTurday, JuNE 27, 2020

BUILD: Construction industry struggles to recover from pandemic FrOM PaGE a1

shutdown, Halbing said. Gov. Tom Wolf initially classified construction and real estate as non-essential and both industries shut down in mid-March. Wolf later permitted construction projects to restart May 1 and employees in the real estate to get back to

work on May 19 with safety guidelines. Once construction resumed, Summit Pointe Builders completed three properties the company started in Dallas Twp. and Jackson Twp., Halbing said. On an average day, 75-100 employees work for his company on a construction job and the shutdown took a toll

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on his business and workers, he said. On Friday, workers continued a construction job on Manorview Drive in Dallas that was started last year. Halbing, 59, said the “ironic” part about the pandemic is that he just returned to work this week after being diagnosed with COVID-19 himself and quarantining. He has asthma but had not suffered an attack since he was 20. “I was pretty diligent with washing my hands and using hand sanitizer,” he said. “If I went through the bank drive-thru, I wiped the canister down and wiped the steering wheel down.” During the first two days, he said he felt like he was suffering from a “real bad

daVE SCHErBENCO / STaFF PHOTOGraPHEr

Summit Pointe Builders employee Chris Andiario does some work on a property in Goodleigh Manor in Dallas Twp. on Friday. flu” and he never had the flu before. He had a fever, cough, shortness of breath, a loss of appetite, weakness and aches and pains.

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On the second day, he passed out in the shower, fractured his ankle and went to Geisinger’s emergency room. After a litany of tests, he tested positive for COVID-19. After being released from the hospital, he and his wife stayed in different homes. His wife didn’t contract the virus. His 27-year-old daugh-

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ter tested positive for COVID-19 but did not have symptoms, he said. He felt better after four days of weakness, aches and pains, he said. Now that Halbing has recovered and returned to work, he wears a mask, practices social distancing and follows other safety guidelines. He said he knows many naysayers who think coronavirus is being blown out of proportion, but he said he knows first-hand how serious it is. He couldn’t believe how fast it spread and he contracted it. “For me, the biggest fear was unknowingly infecting someone and that person having a serious problem,” he said. Halbing encourages workers and others to wear masks. He said it bothers him when people say it’s their right not to wear a mask even though he doesn’t like wearing a mask himself. “You wear a mask to try to protect the more vulnerable people,” he said. “My biggest fear was what if somebody got sick and had serious issues because I was being careless.” Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2115, @CVallabaugh

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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Teenager Landmark furniture store closing for good after 73 years county’s youngest COVID-19 victim Johana Rodriguez, 18, died two days before her high school graduation. BY KENT JACKSON STAFF WRITER

remote instruction, in-person instruction, restricted in-person instruction and a hybrid plan. The hybrid plan splits the student population of into two groups, and each group rotates between physically going to school and remote instruction.

An honor student at Hazleton Area High School died two days before graduation from COVID-19. Johana Rodriguez is the youngest victim of the pandemic in Luzerne County, and her classmates and teachers dedicated commencement ceremonies to her. “She was an RODRIGUEZ extremely bright young lady. Her schedule was vigorous — top academic courses, including organic chemistry,” said high s c h o o l P r i n c i p a l Ro c c o Petrone, who expressed his condolences to her family. “ My heart goes out to them and my best goes out to them.” Harry Werkheiser, her boss for two years at Bonanza Steakhouse, didn’t know Rodriguez was an honor student. “But it makes sense. She picked up things so fast,” he said, “If I trained her, she picked it up the first time.” When Werkheiser joked with Rodriguez, she joked back. He said she arrived at work early to socialize and get ready to do her job. “You don’t find too many young people with that work ethic,” he said. A prep cook and food bar attendant, Rodriguez didn’t work after the steakhouse closed for in-person dining in mid -Ma rch, ab o u t wh en Hazleton Area High and schools across the state held their last classes in person.

Please see DALLAS, Page A12

Please see YOUNGEST, Page A6

MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Rhys Evans, an employee at Noble Furniture for more than 25 years, rearranges a dining set at the store Monday morning. BY DENISE ALLABAUGH STAFF WRITER

HANOVER TWP. — Noble Furniture is closing its doors after 73 years in business. It’s the last furniture store in the Hanover Twp. and Nanticoke areas and one of the last independently owned furniture stores in Luzerne County. The furniture store at 825 E. Main St. is temporarily closed but it will reopen 10 a.m. Wednesday for a going out of business sale, said Scott Elinsky, who owns the store with his parents Joe and Jeanne Elinsky. He said sales have been declin-

ing for years but the coronavirus shutdown in March was the last straw. Business started to drop during the 2008 recession and Noble Furniture, which sells American-made furniture, has struggled to compete with big box stores, he said. “It’s just so tough for the smaller guy these days,” Elinsky said. Noble Furniture reopened June 1 after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered nonessential businesses shut down in March to slow the spread of COVID-19 and that included furniture stores. Please see NOBLE, Page A7

MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Noble Furniture is temporarily closed, but will reopen Wednesday for a going out of business sale.

Dallas officials review school reopening plans

Parents should plan for four modes of education. BY MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER

Food service will be a challenge when Dallas schools reopen for students Aug. 26, Director of Opera-

tions Jason Rushmer said during M o n d ay ’s s c h o o l board meeting. RUSHMER “.... to maximize our 6 feet distancing, we are restructuring our eating spaces to include

both the cafeteria and gymnasium in most cases. .... So one of of the challenges that goes to the holistic health of our children is individual seating. You can’t sit with someone else. You can’t have a shared table and a conversation,” Rushmer said. Because of the COVID-19

pandemic, students will be required to wear masks or facial covers when unable to socially distance from at least 6 feet, and they won’t be able to wear masks or facial covers when eating and drinking. The Dallas School District is planning four modes — a complete closure with

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Protest after cop uses knee to restrain man Video emerged of the officer restraining a man outside an Allentown hospital.

BY MICHAEL RUBINKAM ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALLENTOWN — Activists against police brutality expressed outrage and demanded accountability Monday after video emerged over the weekend of an officer placing his knee on a man’s head and neck area outside a Pennsylvania hospital. Allentown police violated their own policy against neck restraints when an officer used his knee to bear down on the man’s head, the activists said, while the American MICHAEL RUBINKAM / ASSOCIATED PRESS Civil Liberties Union of Protesters kneel in front of the Lehigh County Jail in Pennsylvania called it an illegal use of force. Allentown on Monday.

H u n d re d s o f p e o p l e marched in downtown Allentown on Monday night, calling for the officer to be fired and police funds to be reallocated to education, mental health and other social services. “These police officers s h o u l d n o t h ave b e e n restraining him. He needed help,” said protester Maegan Llerena. “Not even two months after George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, there was a knee on the neck of a man in front of a hospital. What is that? Can someone explain that to me?” Please see PROTEST, Page A12

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THe CITIZeNs' VOICe A7

NOBLE: Last of furniture stores to close in Hanover Twp., Nanticoke FROM PaGe a1

The first couple weeks after reopening were busy with customers “eager to get out” but then sales hit a lull again, Elinksy said. Furniture will be marked down starting at 30%, he said. Noble Furniture features a showroom with dining sets, sofas, recliners, rockers, bedroom sets, mattresses, television sets and solid wood furniture. The business was located on East Main Street in Hanover Twp. since 1974 but it was formerly on Noble Street in Nanticoke. Elinsky’s late grandparents,

MaRK MORaN / sTaFF PHOTOGRaPHeR

Joseph and Esther Elinsky, started the business. It was the last of a slew of furniture stores to close in the area. About 50 years ago, eight furniture stores were located in Nanticoke but Bartuska’s Furniture was the last one in the city and that closed in 2012 after 78 years in business. Elinsky said customers throughout the area formerly purchased higher quality cherry, oak and maple furniture to grace their homes In recent years, he said people have become more interested in buying lower priced furniture and that took a toll on business. “People want to buy

‘People want to buy cheaper stuff and they’re not as concerned about quality. We’ve been seeing that trend for the last 15 to 18 years.’ SCOTT ELINSKY

Co-owner of Noble Furniture

cheaper stuff and they’re not as concer ned about quality,” he said. “We’ve been seeing that trend for the last 15 to 18 years.” Hanover Twp. Manager Sam Guesto said it’s unfortunate that the township will lose the landmark furniture store.

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2115, @CVallabaugh

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“It is unfortunate to lose any business during this unprecedented time but one like Noble Furniture after 73 years in business is particularly disheartening,” Guesto said.

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

Business Sunday, OctOber 25, 2020

A20

With care, attention at forefront, the firetruck business flourishes BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE StaFF WrIter

LAKE ARIEL — When the fire alarms blare, the trucks need to be ready to respond. Sutphen East, a familyowned fire apparatus manufacturer based in Lake Ariel cHrIStOPHer dOLan / StaFF PHOtOGraPHer since 2017, makes sure many Workers install electrical wiring on a new truck at the of them stay on the road. In addition to building Sutphen East firetruck manufacturing facility in new vehicles, the company Sterling Twp. on Wednesday.

also repairs, services and rebuilds firetrucks. General Manager Darryl Rhyne said the facility completes 300 to 400 service jobs each year. Since the first day of operations in the Sterling Business & Technology Park on Jan. 2, 2017, the company has manufactured more than 100 firetrucks — for many local departments and others as

far away as Thailand. “Every year it’s been a little bit more,” Rhyne said. Rhyne said it takes about 12 to 14 months to complete each new manufacturing job, including about six weeks of production. The Sutphen Corp., established in 1890, is the oldest family-owned fire apparatus manufacturing company in

the world. The business is currently into the fourth generation of leadership. The corporation also has five facilities in Ohio. “We’re confident it will continue into the fifth generation, hopefully longer,” coowner Julie Sutphen said. “It’s very rare to see that Please see TRUCKS, Page A21

PHOtO SubMItted by cOrneLLcOOKSOn

Associates at CornellCookson like Ed Burman and Tony Spezzla, above, have seen high demand for security doors.

SOME BUSINESSES THRIVE DURING PANDEMIC, UNREST While everyone agrees the coronavirus has been brutal on many sectors of the economy, some businesses have found ways to succeed and help others survive as well. BY DENISE ALLABAUGH StaFF WrIter

While some area businesses are hurting during the pandemic and civil unrest, others are thriving. Wilkes-Bar re-based InterMetro Industries is seeing success in the strange, new landscape. InterMetro has seen high demand for medical carts and storage products it manufactures for the

Business Buzz Colleges sign agreement Johnson college and Kutztown university signed a dual-admission transfer agreement Sept. 30 to facilitate the transfer of Johnson college graduates to Kutztown university. under this dual-admissions agreement, Johnson college students will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor of Science in information technology degree program with third-year status at Kutztown university. Students must graduate from Johnson college with an associate in applied Science in computer information technology with a minimum cumulative GPa of 2.0 and satisfy all other Kutztown university transfer requirements. Full-time students admit-

health care sector as well as storage and transport products it produces for the food industry, said President and CEO John Nackley. The business supplies hospitals throughout the U.S. and internationally with products to help support patients with COVID-19. Many customers have requested sanitary dispensing stands, he said. “For numerous custom-

ted with third-year status to Kutztown university will be able to complete a bachelor of Science in information technology at Kutztown within four regular semesters, provided that the student completes the appropriate associate degree program at Johnson college and completes and appropriately sequences their remaining course work at Kutztown university, while maintaining fulltime status.

Business marks 35th anniversary In december, action Lift Inc. will reach a milestone — 35 years of doing business in the material handling industry. under President William F. Medico and veteran managers bernie thoma, chet Williams and Joe Mikiewicz, the company has enjoyed success and grown from four employees to over 80. today, action Lift

ers, we made specialty stands that you see when you walk into a store or any type of business,” he said. “We quickly were able to develop products that help hold up shields to separate employees as they were working in distribution centers and factories.” W h e n p e o p l e we r e restricted from going into restaurants, Nackley said it created a significant uptick in the grab-and-go

is the largest locally owned material-handling equipment supplier in northeast Pennsylvania, providing top-notch equipment with the region’s best service. the company is the authorized forklift dealer for crown equipment corp. and unicarriers americas corp. in northeast Pennsylvania. also, Kelley, SkyJack, JLG, Genie, taylor dunn and cushman are other leading brands that are carried by the company.

Wireless internet network expands Verizon is expanding its wireless home broadband internet service — Lte Home Internet — to rural areas of the Scranton/Wilkes-barre market. the coverage footprint include parts of elysburg, coal twp., Shamokin, Minersville, barnesville, coaldale, Jim thorpe, Lansford, nesquehoning, Jermyn, Lake

and takeout markets, which also led to increased demand for InterMetro’s products. “We are one of the largest suppliers to the major restaurant chains in the U.S. and abroad and the restaurant chains are very busy. Restaurants that have takeout and grab-andgo are big sectors,” he said. “Supermarket takeouts also have been a growing marketplace.”

Harmony, bethel and other nearby towns.

Health system opens clinics existing Geisinger convenient care locations in danville, Lewistown, Scranton and Wilkes-barre are now convenient care cold & Flu centers. they offer dedicated care for cold, ﬂu and respiratory virus symptoms, like a cough, fever, runny nose or sore throat, to anyone over age 1. the centers are equipped with rapid respiratory panel testing capabilities. this includes testing for inﬂuenza strains a and b; respiratory syncytial virus (rSV); streptococcus (strep); and cOVId-19. While testing for cOVId-19 is part of the respiratory panel, these locations are not cOVId-19 testing centers. to learn more about Geisinger convenient care cold

ular market segment.”

CornellCookson sees demand Rolling doors and security closures manufactured at Cor nellCookson in Wright Twp. also have been in high demand, said Lauretta O’Hara, vice president of human resources. Many of CornellCookson’s products are designed to keep people and buildings safe and secure from criminal activity, civil unrest, fire, smoke, hurricanes and tornadoes, O’Hara said. As several areas of the country have been hit by hurricanes and tornadoes, she said CornellCookson has been supplying hurricane-rated and tornadorated doors for rebuilding efforts.

InterMetro, which has its corporate office, a manufacturing facility and a research and design center in Wilkes-Barre and a distribution center in Plains Twp., has been hiring additional employees to meet the high demand in certain sectors, Nackley said. “We’re still very strong in certain sectors of our business,” he said. “One of the advantages we have is we aren’t focused on one partic- Please see BUSINESSES, Page A21

& Flu centers, visit geisinger.org/coldandflu. to learn where to get a flu shot, visit geisinger.org/flunews.

Hard seltzer aims to restore rivers coors Seltzer is providing an easy way for consumers to make a positive impact and support an important issue through something drinkers are already doing: consuming hard seltzer. For every case purchased, coors Seltzer and Lt Verrastro Inc. will donate $1 to the Lackawanna river conservation association to restore the Lackawanna river, including modernizing irrigation, enhancing stream ﬂows, removing barriers, reducing pollution and restoring ﬁsh and wildlife habitat. While coors Seltzer has committed to restoring 16 iconic river basin systems in 14 states in partnership with change the course, this dona-

tion from coors Seltzer and Lt Verrastro Inc. is in addition to that original commitment.

Dental office relocating dr. ann b. diPietro has announced the relocation of her dental practice. diPietro is moving from Main Street in Plymouth to nataupsky Family dentistry at 575 Pierce St. in Kingston. after 37 years of practice in Plymouth, she will now be working with the team including drs. Gary and Jason nataupsky and dr. christa Musto. the ofﬁce has ﬁnished brand new renovations including the most updated, state-of-the-art digital equipment necessary for the best care in northeast Pennsylvania. nataupsky Family dentistry will now be scheduling appointments, with most insurances accepted to meet all your oral health care needs.

Sunday, OctOber 25, 2020

BUSINESS

tHe cItIZenS' VOIce A21

People on the Move

Lefler received his bachelor’s degree from the university of chicago, his master’s degree from yale divinity Lackawanna College School and his doctorate Dr. Dan LaMagna, asfrom the catholic university sociate vice president for of america. He has worked LaMAGNA SPEGAR BRENNAN COHEN DATTI MUNLEY MARMO AULISIO student engagement, has for the university since Lawrence university university university Munley Law Pa. university recently been named a mem- Lackawanna 2008. ber of the President’s cabicollege a.J. Spegar of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton Manetti received her bachadvocates of Scranton net at the college. In his elor’s and master’s degrees role, LaMagna provides guidfrom the university of Scranance to create and maintain ton and her doctorate from services, programs, policies Widener university. She has and procedures to advance worked for the university the college’s commitment since 2011. to creating an inclusive and Mohammed received his compassionate atmosphere bachelor’s degree from Jai KNIES MOHAMMED NOLAN PETSAS WITEK ZANZANA FISHER LEFLER for students. Hind college, his Mba deuniversity university university university university university university university LaMagna joined the colgrees from rizvi Institute of of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton Management Studies and of Scranton lege in 2008, where he previ- of Scranton ously served as the dean of research and the rochesstudents, assistant dean of ter Institute of technology, students and as a diversity and his doctorate from texmanagement coordinator. He as tech university. He has holds a doctorate from caworked for the university pella university, a Master of since 2008. Science and a bachelor’s denicoteri received her bachgree from east Stroudsburg elor’s degree from the uniMANETTI CAI ISIL NICOTERI ORR SERNA SIZEMORE GOMAA university. versity of Pennsylvania, her university university university university university university university university master’s degree from the of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton of Scranton Lawrence State university of new york A.J. Spegar She earned a master’s de- becca bartuska, Will beekvictims of insurance compa- dame. He has worked for at binghamton and her docgree in rehabilitation counman, brent berger, James ny bad faith conduct. the university since 2009. torate from the university of attorney Lawrence A.J. seling in 2017 and a bachbrozena, nancy eckert, cai received his bachelor’s Maryland. She has worked Spegar of Jessup has been University elor of arts degree in 2014, Samuel elias, Paul Falzone, degree from renmin univer- for the university since 1985. selected as one of the top of Scranton both from the university of amy Feldman, John Glushsity of china, his doctorate nolan received her bache100 civil Plaintiff Lawyers in Scranton. efski, david Hoffman, Jefdegrees from the city univer- lor’s degree from cornell unieleven faculty members Pennsylvania. Only a select frey Homza, robert Katulka, have been promoted to prosity of Hong Kong and bosversity, her master’s degree few of the most qualified at- Penn State Michael Kostrobala, Megan ton college. He has worked from california State univerfessor: George Aulisio, litorneys from each state are Millo, Geraldine nesbitt, sity and her doctorate from brary; Sean Brennan, Ph.d., for the university since selected by the national trial Wilkes-Barre Frank nocito, Kenneth Pol2014. the university of arkansas. Rachel Wiernusz and Jahistory; Will Cohen, Ph.d., Lawyers Organization. Plainlock II, James reino, Kady cohen received his bache- She has worked for the unison Harlen are new memtheology and religious studtiff lawyers represent the lor’s degree from brown university since 2008. bers of the 2020-2021 cam- Schwartz, Joseph Simkuies; Paul Datti, Ph.d., couninjured and disabled in mullak, Mark Sobeck, richard versity, his master’s degree Orr received his bachelor’s pus advisory board. each seling and human services; tiple types of civil matters. Struthers, robert tamburro, from St. Vladmir’s Orthodox degree from the university will serve a three-year term. Michael Knies, library; NaSpegar has been actively richard Williams, amanda theological Seminary and of Scranton, and his masWiernusz is a mortgage than Lefler, Ph.d., theology representing and helping inyakus and Jeffrey yelen. ex his doctorate from the cath- ter’s degrees and his doctorloan consultant at commuand religious studies; Sufyan jured and disabled clients for Officio: Lawrence corridoni, Mohammed, Ph.d., comolic university of america. ate from yale university. He more than 30 years. He has nity bank na. She graduatStudent Government assoHe has worked for the unihas worked for the university ed from Penn State in 2003 munication; Jessica Nolan, a multicounty practice with ciation president; Florence versity since 2009. since 2015. Ph.d., psychology; Iordanis offices in Jessup and Pocono with a bachelor’s degree in dougherty, Wyoming Valley datti received his bachePetsas, chair of the ecoadvertising and public relaPetsas, Ph.d., economics Summit. chapter of the Penn State lor’s degree from the Pennnomics and Finance departtions and is a graduate of and finance; Donna Witek, Munley Law the Leadership Wilkes-barre alumni association; albert library; and Habib Zanzana, sylvania State university, his ment, received his bachelor’s Lozano, Penn State Wilkesmaster’s degree from the degree from the university Senior partner Marion 2018 core class. Wiernusz Ph.d., world languages and barre Faculty Senate chair; university of Scranton and of thessaloniki and his Mba Munley has been elected by also serves on the Leadercultures. the members of the ameriship Wilkes-barre board and tim McGinley, Luzerne counHoward Fisher, Ph.d., com- his doctorate from the Penn- degree and his doctorate ty council chair; robert can association for Justice’s is the fund development munication, and Wendy Ma- sylvania State university. He from Indiana university. He rohner, Lehman twp. super- netti, Ph.d., nursing, were has worked for the university has worked for the university board of Governors to serve coordinator co-chair for the visor; and Jonathan Sinclair, named associate professince 2009. since 2002. on the association’s execuGreater Wilkes-barre Junior Penn State Wilkes-barre Fisher, chair of the departSerna received his bachtive committee. League. She is a tunkhansors. alumni Society president. ment of communication and elor’s degree from univerthe american associanock native and currently Six faculty members were emeritus: christopher borMedia, received his bachsidad de antioquia and his tion for Justice is a nationlives in Forty Fort. named associate professor ton, Jonathan dougherty, Mi- and granted tenure: Jinghan elor’s degree from the Minmaster’s degree and his docwide network of trial lawyers Harlen is the chief execuchael Hudacek Sr., William nesota State university, his torate from the university of whose mission is to promote tive officer for Wyoming ValCai, Ph.d., economics and Leandri, Joseph Perugino, master’s degree from texas arkansas. He has worked for a fair and effective justice ley alcohol & drug Services finance; Ozgur Isil, Ph.d., robert reynolds, Joseph ry- operations and information tech university and his docthe university since 2015. system and to ensure that Inc. He received his bachetorate from Ohio university. Sizemore received his people who suffer injury due lor’s degree in administration mar and carol Sabatini. management; Jo Ann NicoHe has worked for the unibachelor’s degree from case to negligence or misconduct of justice from Penn State teri, Ph.d., nursing; Patrick Rosenn Jenkins Western reserve university can obtain justice in ameriWilkes-barre in 2001 and a Orr, Ph.d., psychology; Juan versity since 2009. & Greenwald Gomaa received his bachand his doctorate from the ca’s courtrooms, even when master’s degree in organiSerna, Ph.d., physics and elor’s degree and master’s university of california. He up against powerful interests. zational management from Partner Richard A. Russo electrical engineering; and degree from the university has worked for the university a long-standing member of ashford university in 2010. was recently selected by his Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.d., of alexandria in egypt, and since 2015. aaJ, she currently serves on Harlen is a graduate of the peers for inclusion in the chemistry. a Mba and doctorate from Witek received her bachits board of governors, the Leadership Wilkes-barre 27th edition of the best LawAhmed Gomaa, Ph.d., oprutgers university. He has elor’s degree from the tisch board of trustees for the na- 2012 core class. He serves yers in america in the area erations and information worked for the university School of the arts and her tional college of advocacy, as president of the Luzerne of Personal Injury Litigation – management, was granted since 2016. master’s degree from Long and on a number of commit- Wyoming counties Provider Plaintiffs. tenure. Isil received his bachelor’s Island university. She has tees. association and is a memrusso is the chairman of aulisio, chair of the library, degree from the universiworked for the university of the Luzerne-Wyoming the firm’s personal injury received his bachelor’s dePa. Advocates Inc. ber ty of texas, austin, and his since 2008. counties System of care. He practice, where he repregree from bloomsburg uniMba and doctorate from the Forensic vocational exZanzana received his bachlives in the back Mountain. sents people injured in a versity and his master’s depert Dana Marmo has been elor’s degree, master’s deIn addition to its newwide variety of matters, ingrees from drexel university university of Wisconsin. He has worked for the university gree and his doctorate from awarded licensure by the est members, the advisory cluding tractor-trailer, bus, and the university of Pennsince 2009. commonwealth of PennsylIndiana university. He has board comprises the follow- automobile or motorcycle sylvania. He has worked for Knies received his bachvania. worked for the university ing: Jill Schwartz, chair; dacrashes, accidents caused the university since 2009. Marmo is a certified vocavid reese, first vice chair; by drunken drivers, and inbrennan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees since 1995. from the Pennsylvania State tional expert specializing in david Payne, second vice juries caused by landowner elor’s degree from rockSUBMIT PEOPLE ON THE civil litigation, workers’ com- chair; Michael Hudacek Jr., negligence. russo also rephurst university, his master’s university and his master’s MOVE items to business@ degree from rutgers univer- timesshamrock.com or the pensation, family law and secretary; James regan, resents people who are indegree from the Villanova sity. He has worked for the Social Security disability extreasurer; Zachary aciukevolved in disputes with insur- university and his doctorate times-tribune, 149 Penn ave., university since 1996. pert testimony. wicz, bernard banks Jr., reance companies or who are from the university of notre Scranton, Pa 18503.

BUSINESSES: Success in new landscape TRUCKS: Family business Job openings also are available for supervisors, sales, maintenance “We are seeing demand from all and technical support. Anyone types of businesses from small interested should go to www.cor local businesses to large corpora- nellcookson.com/careers. tions to local, state and federal Chewy hiring hundreds government building managers,” she said. “It only makes sense that As pet parents began to stay business owners want to protect home earlier this year during the their people and their property.” pandemic, online pet food retailer O’Hara credited associates at Cor- Chewy has been seeing an increase nellCookson who had the “discipline in demand as well, said Gregg and diligence” to show up to work Walsh, vice president of fulfillment every day to meet the high demand center human resources. while adhering to safety standards. Chewy is looking to hire more Among the safety standards, the than 500 employees for its distribuoperations team created more dis- tion centers in Hanover Twp., Archtance between workstations at the bald and the Harrisburg area by the Wright Twp. facility and added end of the year, he said. plexiglass barriers where that Walsh said Chewy has implementwasn’t possible. Associates wear ed a number of innovations across face masks and their temperatures the company to help meet the are checked before entering. Pro- increased demand from pet parents, duction areas are sanitized and including expanding its fulfillment almost all meetings happen virtual- network to include the new and first ly, O’Hara said. automated facility in Archbald. “During the pandemic, our associChewy has been advertising that ates answered the call and helped new employees have the potential communities across the nation by to earn up to $20.50 an hour. An addbuilding great products used to con- ed temporary incentive for team struct COVID test facilities, tempo- members is a $400 sign-on bonus rary hospitals to help states increase and up to an extra $4 per hour hospitalization capacity, food process- depending on the role, Walsh said. ing plants, grocery stores and many The online retailer is looking to more,” O’Hara said. “We are very hire for a variety of roles across its proud of this accomplishment.” three Pennsylvania locations To support the growth that Cor- including fulfillment specialists, nellCookson has been experiencing operations team members and in production areas, the business is team leaders. Open positions are hiring across all shifts. The starting listed at chewy.com/jobs. pay for production workers is $14 to Procter & Gamble $18 an hour depending on the type sees sales bounty of position and prior experience, O’Hara said. Procter & Gamble, which has a FrOM PaGe a20

plant in Mehoopany, has seen booming sales during the pandemic as people overflowed their shopping carts with the products it manufactures, such as Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels. Loren Fanroy, spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble’s family care business, said sales of Charmin toilet paper were particularly high at the beginning of the pandemic in March when people were quarantining at home. More consumers also have been purchasing Bounty paper towels to keep things clean, she said. As demand kicked into high gear, so did production. Procter & Gamble has been manufacturing and shipping its products around the clock, Fanroy said. “We still continue to produce and ship at the same level of intensity,” she said. “Our employees have been amazing.” While employees work tirelessly to keep consumers stocked with necessities, Procter & Gamble also began filling another need during the pandemic and began producing masks. The manufacturer also has been donating masks to support health care systems and front-line workers. That included a donation of 8,000 masks to Geisinger in May. Like other companies seeing high demand, Procter & Gamble also has been hiring and advertising available jobs online. Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2115, @cVallabaugh

FrOM PaGe a20

easier to get into this facility because we’re right off a main highway.” Rhyne also credited county officials for helping to make the transaction seamless. “We really developed a very close relationship with the folks at the Wayne Economic Development Corporation and the commissioners,” he said. “We felt very much at home.” The company has flourished at the new location, more than doubling its employee base since moving to Pennsylvania from around 20 to more than 50, Sutphen said. Rhyne feels the company’s ability to customize each truck to specific requests from departments sets it apart from many competitors. “There are a million colors of trucks,” Rhyne said. “Everybody assumes firetrucks are red, but people are constantly surprised with how many different colors are available.” Sutphen East started out as a repair facility and now also manufactures pumpers, tankers and rescue trucks. The Scranton Fire Department purchased a custom pumper from the company last year. Assistant Chief Jeff White raved about the quality and durability of the vehicles. “They’ve always been a true value,” he said. “They are good, solid workhorses with longevity.”

today in any industry, let alone our industry.” Sutphen believes the extra care and attention given to each client has paid dividends over the years. “Our name is on the trucks and we know they have to be up and running 24/7,” she said. “Every person that comes through gets my business card and has access to us all the time. That’s not really common with most big companies.” The company has stayed busy throughout the pandemic despite negative trends in the industry. “The market is down about 26% this year due to COVID-19, but we’re not anything close to that,” Rhyne said. “We’re actually adding orders at a fast and furious pace.” He feels the company’s competitive pricing, willingness to customize trucks, level of quality and family-friendly environment have all contributed to its continued stability. “In the world that we’re in right now, where it’s very uncertain, it’s refreshing to know that we’re manufacturing consistently and looking to hire people,” Rhyne said. Sutphen said the company was drawn to the Wayne County business park due to its proximity to major roads and an international airport, a few things they lacked at their previous location in Monticello, New York. Contact the writer: “We were kind of out in the rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com boonies,” she said. “It’s much 570-348-9131, @rtomkavage

voice

the citizens’ CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

How pediatricians are fending off virus myths. B5 Office parties canceled, companies get creative. C1

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

NEWSSTAND 50¢

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Geisinger receives first doses of vaccine The initial doses will be given to frontline staff members.

STORM WATCH

SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

What you need to know about first major snowstorm of season BY STEVE MOCARSKY AND BROOKE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITERS

Residents of the Wyoming Valley are preparing for the first significant snowfall of the season and the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday. Here’s everything you need to know. Snowfall accumulations: 12 to 18 inches Temperatures: Wednesday’s high is 31 degrees and the overnight low is 22 degrees. Wind: East to northeast winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph may cause blowing snow and isolated power outages. To report a power outage: PPL customers can text “outage” to “TXTPPL” and UGI customers can call 800-276-2722.

to wear layers of clothing and to take frequent breaks when shoveling snow. In addition, check on elderly neighbors.

READ MORE How to handle a snow squall. Page A5 Safe practices: Clear snow or ice accumulation from the outside vents of your appliances to prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide in your home, UGI spokesman Joseph Swope said. Snow should be cleared around natural gas meters to provide a path for professionals who may require access. Power outages will affect blowers and electronic ignition systems on natural gas appliances. If your gas heater does not relight when the power returns, turn the unit off for a moment, then back on. If it still does not light, call a heating professional for service. Red Cross reminds people

Treacherous travel Driving conditions will deteriorate quickly after the snow begins with temperatures below freezing. The stor m will impact the Wednesday night and Thursday morning commutes. “If you don’t have to go out, stay home,” said PennDOT spokesman Mike Taluto. If it’s necessary to drive during the storm, stay alert for sudden snow squalls which can strike with little or no warning and cover roads quickly, even causing whiteout conditions, he said. The state Department of Transportation and the state Turnpike Commission are advising motorists to avoid all unnecessary travel

SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Above: Employee Josh Shook grabs a bag of Qik Joe Ice Melt for a customer in Main Hardware True Value in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. Top: A PennDOT employee puts salt brine on Wyoming Avenue in Kingston on Tuesday. during the storm and are anticipating that restrictions on trucks and other vehicles will be imposed on roadways across the state. E f f e c t ive 1 p. m . Wednesday, PennDOT and PTC anticipate phasing in Level 1 vehicle restrictions on

most interstates and sections of turnpike in the northeast region. Under Level 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not per mitted on affected roadways: Please see STORM, Page A5

BY JAMES HALPIN STAFF WRITER

Geisinger Wyoming Medical Center in Plains Twp. is among seven Pennsylvania hospitals that received doses of the PfizerBioNtech COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. The doses received at Geisinger are part of an initial 97,500 doses Pfizer is delivering to 87 READ Pennsylvania MORE hospitals by Poorer counnext Monday. tries face “Geisinger long wait for plans to begin COVID-19 providing vacvaccines. cinations at Page A10 these facilities to eligible employees within 24 hours,” said Giesinger spokesman Matt Mattei, in a press release. The first doses of the vaccine will be administered to staff members working on the front lines of COVID-19. “In alignment with Pennsylvania Department of Health and federal guidelines, during this initial phase, we will be providing vaccines to front-line staff whose daily work involves significant interactions with COVID-19 patients and other staff in critical departments,” said Mattei. In addition to Geisinger, hospitals that received doses of the vaccine Tuesday include: Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown, Bucks County; Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, Union County; Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown, Mifflin County; Titusville Area Hospital, Titusville, Crawford County; UPMCPresbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, Lebanon County. Please see VACCINE, Page A6

Igloos, cubes become a cool outdoor dining trend in NEPA

Inside today

Business . . . . C1 Horoscope . . C3 Classified C4-10 Lottery . . . . . . A2 Crossword. . . C2 Obits . . A7, 10-12 Editorial . . . . . A9 Sports . . . . . B1-6

Area restaurants move outdoors due to indoor dining ban.

Health. . . . . . . B5 World/Nation A8

High 31º Low 25º

Snowstorm

BY DENISE ALLABAUGH STAFF WRITER

SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dining igloos are featured outside The Down Pour in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

With Gov. Tom Wolf banning indoor dining until Jan. 4, people can still have options to eat at some of their favorite restaurants.

Igloos have become a cool trend in socially-distanced dining throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and The Down Pour is the latest place to offer them. Three igloos with heaters that seat up to eight people were recently added to the restaurant on South Main Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Josh Popple, owner of The

Down Pour, said he waited more than three months to get the trendy igloos after ordering them online because so many people have been trying to purchase them for outdoor dining. “It’s the only option we have right now to still bring customers in the door,” Popple said. Please see DINING, Page A5

ADVE RTISE M E NT

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LOCAL

Wednesday, december 16, 2020

THe cITIZens' VOIce A5

STORM: NEPA getting ready for major snowfall FrOm PaGe a1

passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers; recreational vehicles/motorhomes; school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; motorcycles; tractors without trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers; tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers; and enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways. Commercial vehicles must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions. Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for alerts on www.511pa.com by clicking on “Personal Alerts” in the left-hand menu. Call 511 or visit 511pa.com to find the latest road conditions. And if you must travel, keep a small snow shovel, bag of material such sand or salt for traction, ice scraper, jumper cables, flare or bright triangle for visibility, first-aid kit,

blankets, flashlight, food and because the brunt of the storm water in your vehicle. is expected to occur overnight Report a power outage makes it more challenging, but Department of Public Works If your home experiences crews have their assignments a power outage, PPL Electric and are ready to go. Utilities Regional Affairs Eighteen plow trucks will be Director Alana Roberts said out on the 137 miles of city it’s fast and easy to report. streets, and 38 active DPW Report it online at pplelec- employees will be working doutric.com/outage, text “Out- ble shifts — 16 hours on, 16 age” to 898775 or call 1-800- hours off, McCormick said. 342-5775. Still, if the snow falls at 2 to 3 In the event of a prolonged inches per hour as expected, outage, PPL recommends residents can expect to see preparing a storm kit includsnow-covered streets during ing a flashlight, batteries, most of the storm. canned food, bottled water, ButchFrati,deputyadminisfirst aid kit and anything else trator and director of operayou may need. Charge your tions, asked that everyone “stay cell phone and other devices off the streets” so crews can in advance. safely and effectively plow Roberts said PPL is prethem. pared to respond during the Mayor George Brown’s incoming storm and expects Office announced that the city some outages across its serwillsuspendcurbsiderecycling vice territory in central and pickup Wednesday for resieastern Pennsylvania. Heavy dents in the Mayflower, Rolling snowfall could limit access Mill Hill, Iron Triangle and for repair crews. She reminded to stay clear Goose Island neighborhoods. of any downed power lines Recycling pickup for these and always assume they’re neighborhoods is rescheduled to Dec. 21. energized. Recycling also will be susIf using a portable generator, never operate it in an pended on Thursday for resienclosed area like a garage dents in South Wilkes-Barre 2; because of the risk of carbon pick up there is rescheduled to monoxide fumes, she added. Dec. 22. Garbage collection will conWilkes-Barre tinue as scheduled, but delays Wilkes-Barre City Adminis- are possible. trator Charlie McCormick said The city also will suspend

yard waste drop-off at the DPW headquarters as well as leaf vacuum truck leaf collection for the remainder of this week.

Forty Fort

HOW TO HANDLE A SNOW SQUALL Heavy winds and blowing/drifting snow is expected with this storm, and motorists should be alert for sudden squalls that can strike with little or no warning and quickly cause roads to become snow covered. Heavy squalls also can cause whiteout conditions, virtually eliminating a driver’s visibility. If motorists encounter snow squalls while traveling, PenndOT offers this advice: n slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions. n Turn on your headlights. n stay in your lane and increase your following distance. n stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient. n do not drive distracted; your full attention is required. n Use your defroster and wipers. n Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice. n during whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway. n do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision. n do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely. n always buckle up and never drive impaired.

A parking ban will be in effect 7 p.m. Wednesday until 5 p.m. Thursday. Vehicles not removed from the affected roadways during the parking ban may be subject to ticketing and towing, Mayor Andy Tuzinski said in a news release. Residents are also asked to clear a three-foot circle around any fire hydrants near their home. Residents are also reminded that shoveling or blowing snow into the roadway is prohibited. Residents are also asked to make every effort not to deposit snow onto tree lawns as it is prohibited by task, it’s best to go out for mulordinance and has the potentiple sessions, shoveling a few tial to cause roadway passage inches of snow at a time while restrictions. dressed properly for the weathDon’t strain yourself er. It’s also important to stretch Dr. Paul Mackarey P.T., D.H.Sc., O.C.S., said everyone frequently while shoveling, should consider factors like Mackarey added. Instead of their weight, physical fitness making a repeated twisting and health history before try- motion that’s harmful to your ing to shovel more than 4 inch- spine, he said to completely es of snow. step to the side while throwing People with high blood pres- snow from your shovel. sure or a history of heart disRed Cross prepared ease should be cautious, he to respond said. For those capable of the A.J. Suero, spokesman

for American Red Cross G r e a t e r Pe n n s y l v a n i a region, said the organization has been coordinating w i t h s t at e o f f i c i a l s t o make plans to assist people in the storm. The organization is prepared to mobilize volunteers if needed, he said. He reminded that anyone affected by a house fire can call 1-800-REDCROSS. Contact the writer: smocarsky@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2110; @mocarskycV

DINING: Restaurants utilizing outdoor igloos FrOm PaGe a1

With COVID-19 safety guidelines in place, he said most people prefer to dine outdoors in igloos which have vents and are sanitized every half hour between sittings. “It’s a pretty cool experience because in rain, snow or shine, you can still sit in an igloo and it could be coming down on top of you and you just get a view of everything around you,” he said. The Down Pour joins other restaurants throughout Northeast Pennsylvania that also offer igloo dining including Cork Bar & Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre, The Beaumont Inn in Dallas, Grico’s Restaurant in Exeter and State Street Grill in Clarks Summit. Wildflowers New York Bistro at the Holiday Inn in Plains Twp. was the first in Luzerne County to offer igloo dining last year before the coronavirus shutdown. Three igloos with heaters and bluetooth speakers are located on its back patio and

sean mcKeaG / sTaFF PHOTOGraPHer

Patrons dine in an enlosure outside of The Down Pour in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. they can be reserved for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Two are near a fire pit. “You could look over at the fire pit and the sunsets from the igloos are beautiful. It’s nice to come before sunset and watch the sunset because it is just breathtaking,” said Patti James, bartender at Wildflowers New York Bistro. “It’s a nice experience. A lot of it is for special occasions

The cubes are 12 feet high, made of clear plexiglass and constantly washed with fresh air,saidRobertWilliams,general manager and chief operating officer at the Westmoreland Club. The Westmoreland Club is renting them from Mountain Productions in Wilkes-Barre. “They are cozy, safe and roomy,” Williams said. “Each one has a different look and theme.” One cube is formal and includes a Christmas chandelier and others are more casual and geared toward families and include a foosball table and games. Williams said the cubes are very popular especially since the governor shut down indoor dining again. Members reserve them by calling the Westmoreland Club. “With the restrictions on indoor dining, they are definitely in demand and on weekends, they are pretty much booked through the end of the year,” he said.

but the social distancing made them boom.” The Westmoreland Club on South Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre has found another cool way to offer outdoor dining for lunch and dinner: in six heated cubes on its courtyard. Four cubes are 20 feet long and could hold up to 16 people Contact the writer: and two are 12 feet long and dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115, @cVallabaugh can hold up to six people.

cOUrTesy OF WILKes-barre TWP. POLIce

These individuals are wanted in connection with thefts from Famous Footwear in Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Police seek help identifying suspected shoplifters BY STEVE MOCARSKY sTaFF WrITer

of athletic apparel. She fled the area in a black Nissan Sentra, police said. Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of any of these individuals is asked to message the department’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/WBTPD or email kaskey@twp.wilkesbarre.pa.us or call 570-606-4791. All information will be kept in confidence, police said.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Township police are seeking help from the public to identify several people wanted in connection with various retail thefts. Police on Tuesday released photos of five women they suspect took items from at least three different stores. Two of the individuals are involved in multiple thefts from Contact the writer: Famous Footwear on Dec. 06 smocarsky@citizensvoice.com and Dec. 09. Two others were involved in the theft of Carhartt back- ALL JUNK CARS & packs, hoodies and hats from TRUCKS WANTED Dick’s Sporting Goods, accord- Highest Prices Paid In Cash! ing to police. A fifth woman was involved FREE Local Pickup! in the theft of multiple articles

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