Kutztown University Women\’s Lacrosse Roster Includes Players from New Jersey

KUTZTOWN, PA (02/21/2020)– Kutztown University will have 22 student-athletes representing its women\’s lacrosse program for the 2020 season.

Read the full season preview.

Every season under third-year head coach Jackie Stezzi, the Kutztown University women\’s lacrosse team has had its win total increase. Now in its third season in the regime, the KU program looks to continue to build upon the success and reach even bigger heights during the 2020 campaign.

The Golden Bears finished the 2019 season with a 7-9 overall record, with five of those victories coming in conference play. The five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victories are the second most in a season in KU history. KU looks to match the program record of six league wins this year.

Kutztown opens its regular season Saturday, Feb. 22, at the University of Bridgeport at 1 p.m. The home-opener for KU is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m., against Caldwell University at Keystone Field.

Brittany Dieterle of Somerdale (08083)

Devon Fitzpatrick of Marlton (08053)

Marissa Giancola of Cape May (08204)

Allison Mccormick of West Deptford (08096)

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Shuttered Bucks County Addiction Rehab Center Executive Pleads Guilty to Fraud

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Branden Coluccio, 32, of Doylestown, PA entered a guilty plea to a one-count Information, charging him with conspiracy to commit health care

fraud. The charges against the defendant stem from federal and state investigations into elaborate insurance fraud schemes involving a Bucks and Montgomery County-based addiction treatment center, Liberation Way.

The investigations exposed an array of health care fraud schemes committed by individuals associated with Liberation Way, including an over-billing scheme connected with the facility’s medical director, as well as an elaborate kick-back scheme involving thousands of medically-unnecessary urine tests which were sent to Florida-based laboratories for analysis. Coluccio, a co-founder of Liberation Way, participated in yet another scheme by fraudulently purchasing premium insurance policies for prospective patients on their behalf, which then allowed Liberation Way to bill insurance companies for expensive “treatment” purportedly provided to these patients. Liberation Way represented that the patients were buying and paying for these policies themselves, when in reality Liberation Way was paying the premiums, which is illegal.

The defendant pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone today, pursuant to a plea agreement which recommends that the Court impose a 37-month sentence. The agreement also requires payment of over $3 million in restitution, as well as additional forfeiture, by the time of sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for May 22, 2020.

This case was investigated in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and is the fifth federal Information that has been filed against defendants associated with Liberation Way. The four other defendants — Dr. Dominick Braccia, Dr. Ramesh Sarvaiya, Jesse Peters, and Jason Gerner – have all pleaded guilty. The latter three have yet to be sentenced. Dr. Braccia was sentenced by Judge Beetlestone in September 2019 to a term of 37 months in prison.

“Liberation Way was essentially a front for several multi-layered, years-long schemes that crossed state lines and victimized hundreds of people who needed help,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The convictions coming out of this case send a clear message to those attempting to profit from fraud and the despair of individuals battling addiction: if you behave in this manner, you will be held accountable. We have been proud to work with the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General and our federal agency partners to bring all of the defendants in this case to justice.”

“The defendant took advantage of vulnerable people and their families for profit,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “I’m proud of the hard work done by The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of Attorney General to hold these individuals accountable.”

“Coluccio admitted to defrauding federal health care programs and compounded his crime by seizing on the plight of drug-addicted patients,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, of the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to work with our State and Federal law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of all HHS Programs.”

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Labor. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Beam Winter and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Kristy Christ and Robert Labar, both of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 JENNIFER CRANDALL Media Contact 215-861-8300 If you have not done so already, follow @USAO_EDPA and @USAttyMcSwain on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information about big cases and community news.

Visit Philadelphia & Megabus Offer $2.29 Fare to Philly on Leap Day

Visitors Can See The Flower Show, Celebrate Black History Month & More on February 29 & March 1, 2020

Saturday, February 29, 2020 is Leap Day, and to celebrate the once-every-four-years occasion, VISIT PHILADELPHIA

has partnered with Megabus to

offer $2.29 fares from New York and Washington, DC to Philadelphia. A limited number of $2.29 fares will also be available for departures from Philadelphia on Sunday, March 1, 2020. The deal is bookable

here

Those who take advantage of the offer can partake in the expected (Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks, Rocky steps) and the unexpected (public art, breweries galore, tax-free clothing shopping) fun in Philadelphia. They can:

Celebrate the last day of

Black History Month

at the African American Museum in Philadelphia at Belmont Mansion, Johnson House Historic Site, Mother Bethel A.M.E. and National Marian Anderson Museum, to name a few.

Enjoy the first day of

PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

See

Hello Dolly!

at the Academy of Music.

Experience the Selma and suffrage exhibits at the

Brandywine Museum of Art

Spend the night in Philadelphia by booking the perks-packed

Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package

More trip ideas for Leap Day and every day are available at

visitphilly.com

and

uwishunu.com

VISIT PHILADELPHIA

is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog,

visitphilly.com

and

uwishunu.com

, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

CNB BUSINESS NEWS

FBI Seeks Information on Disappearance, 15 Years Ago Today, of Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone, Jr.

PHILADELPHIA PA (February 19, 2020)–The FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Mount Laurel Police Department, and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance as we continue to investigate the disappearance, 15 years ago today, of Danielle (Ottobre) Imbo and Richard Petrone, Jr.

Imbo and Petrone were last seen in the late evening hours of Saturday, February 19, 2005, leaving a bar on Philadelphia’s South Street for Petrone’s black 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. An extensive investigation to date has generated some promising leads; however, neither they nor the vehicle have ever been located.

This investigation into Danielle and Rich’s disappearance remains open and active, and there is still a $50,000 reward for information on the couple’s whereabouts or for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for their disappearance. The reward is being administered by the Philadelphia Citizens Crime Commission.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to call the Citizens Crime Commission tip line at 215-546-TIPS (215-546-8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Resources

DANIELLE IMBO

RICHARD PETRONE

CNB Business News: 20 Digits Establishes Executive Team in Preparation for National Expansion

GLOUCESTER CITY, NEW JERSEY—February 24, 2020—20 Digits, a start-up developing innovative solutions for the integrated facilities management (IFM) industry, has named Scott Dickson as Chief Technology Officer amid a

year of strategic expansion. 20 Digits is a subsidiary of

NEST

, the

Scott Dickson to guide the start-up’s growth as Chief Technology Officer

integrated facilities management consultant and analytics solution serving enterprises in the United States and Canada.

“As an organization, we recognized just how important technology is for an IFM program,” said Rob Almond, Chief Executive Officer of NEST. “Though 20 Digits was originally established to fill that need and develop solutions for IFM, it quickly exceeded our expectations. Now, with Scott leading the group, I have full confidence 20 Digits will expand as a company just as it grew its initial offering.”

In his new role, Dickson will be responsible for overseeing the continued expansion of 20 Digits, as well as development, product management, infrastructure and security for the existing platform offering.

Dickson joined 20 Digits from multinational retailer David’s Bridal after 15 years. During his tenure, Dickson was responsible for introducing DevOps practices built upon Amazon Web Services in order to deliver cloud-native services into a complex ecosystem with aging technologies.

“I’m thrilled to be helping 20 Digits on the next leg of its journey,” said Dickson. “IFM is an industry that’s ripe for tech innovation. We have the opportunity to save clients a lot of money and solve issues they haven’t even identified yet.”

###

About 20 Digits

20 Digits Technology is a provider of technology solutions for the integrated facilities management (IFM) industry. Comprised of a team of technology veterans but maintaining the agility of a start-up, 20 Digits is developing cost-saving solutions for enterprises with multiple large-scale brick and mortar locations, including those with robust digital experiences. A subsidiary of NEST, the leading IFM solutions provider, 20 Digits is driven to provide next-generation solutions that are both innovative and secure. For more information, visit

http://20digitstechnology.com/

CNB BUSINESS NEWS

Coming This Sunday, March 1, Saint Mary\’s Parish/Gloucester City Irish Parade

Monsignor Bill Hodge performing the Mummers Strut in front of St. Mary\’s Church, 426 Monmouth Street.

(2018 photo by Gus Danks)

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ –Monsignor William Hodge, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Gloucester City, along with Charlie Kain, President of the New Jersey Irish Society, and Mayor Dan Spencer remind residents that the Fifth Annual St. Mary Parish St. Patrick’s Parade will be held this coming Sunday, March 1, at 1:00 PM sharp.

THERE IS NO RAIN/SNOW DATE.

Registration is now open for all organizations, clubs, Irish groups, dancers, churches, businesses, and all who would like to march and participate in this festive parade and day of events. We welcome all towns and groups from all over the Delaware Valley to participate, so spread the word! Registration forms are available at the St. Mary Rectory office from 9-3 pm, Monday to Friday or by calling 856.456.0052. The registration fee is $25.

The parade will take the same route as last year, forming and staging at the Martin’s Lake area, marching on Johnson Blvd. to Monmouth Street, up Monmouth Street to King, and dispersing at the former Coast Guard Base parking lot.

The parade includes the award-winning Champions of the 2020 Mummers Parade the South Philadelphia String Band along with their First Prize Champion Captain Denny Palandro. Also the Quaker City, Fralinger, Woodland, Avalon, Duffy, Durning String Bands, along with the Gloucester City String Band. Pipes and Drum Bands include the Camden County Emerald Society, the Second Street Emerald Society, and the Atlantic City Sandpipers Band. The Broken Shillelaghs, The Misty Dewers, Irish Dance Groups, and don’t forget the Two Street Stompers and many, many more…………

Fox29 TV News Celebrity Grand Marshall Bob Kelly will be here to march in the parade and do some MC duties and participate in some Irish shenanigans! Look for a JAMO with Bob Kelly.

Ed Beckett, a longtime educator, and Principal at Gloucester Catholic High School is this year’s Grand Marshall of our parade. Congratulations Ed and well deserved. We look forward to a big showing from the Gloucester Catholic Family and Alumni marching with Mr. Beckett in the parade.

Gloucester City’s own radio disc jockey Kathy Townsend Suckiel from the B101.1 radio station will be here along with the B101 mascot; Buzzbee!

The parade is the brainchild of Monsignor Bill Hodge (photo above) with Grand Marshal Bishop Dennis Sullivan at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2016. The Monsignor and Bishop are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year along the parade route. (image courtesy of South Jersey Observer)

For further information please contact Dan Spencer at 856.456.0052

The Perfect Combo –

Gloucester City Irish Parade 2018 Photo Album

published Gloucestercitynews.net

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (VIDEO)…Thank a Veteran Today for their Service

SOURCE:

The American Legion Burn Pit

First, from Yahoo News:

This month marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting of World War Two take place on a small Japanese island 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Tokyo.

Iwo Jima was the first native Japanese soil to be invaded during the Allied advance. Located halfway between Tokyo and Guam, it was regarded as a strategic outpost. Close to 7,000 U.S. Marines and nearly all of the 21,000 Japanese defenders of the island died during the 36-day battle.

The Japanese troops held the heavily fortified island for more than a month, supported by a network of bunkers and tunnels and hidden artillery positions.

From Feb. 19, 1945, over 500 warships and 1,000 warplanes from the U.S. navy and army pounded Iwo Jima so heavily that the shelling and bombing changed the shape of the island\’s highest point, Mount Suribachi, located at its southern tip.

The Washington Post has a story on Woody Williams

, who as you know is one of my favorite people:

The Japanese soldiers came out of their concrete “pill box” with bayonets fixed, determined to get the Marine who had been killing them all afternoon with a flamethrower.

Their target was Hershel Williams. He was 5-foot-6, the youngest of the 11 children of a dairy farmer from Quiet Dell, W.Va. He had a nice smile, and a girl back home named Ruby whom he planned to marry when the war was over.

He was 21, and known as “Woody.”

But 75 years ago this month, on a Godforsaken volcanic island in the Pacific called Iwo Jima, he was a terrifying destroyer of the Japanese, incinerating men in their hideouts with jets of blazing diesel fuel and high octane gasoline.

They had to stop him.

Not to ruin the ending, but yeah, they didn\’t stop him.

CONTINUE TO READ

Tips to Minimize Fire When Using Generators In Your Home

(NAPSI)—The fall and winter seasons bring cooler temperatures, holidays, and images of cozy nights by the fireplace. Yet the change in seasons also comes with the chance of severe weather and an increase in fire risks. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more home fires occur in winter than in any other season.

“Holiday decorations, space heaters, generators, and fireplaces all present fire hazards if not properly used and maintained,” said Steve Hirsch, chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “Residents should be aware of the dangers and take the steps to make sure their families and homes are protected.”

Follow these tips to minimize home fire and safety risks:

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test monthly to ensure they work.

• Install carbon monoxide alarms and test them at least once a month.

• Know where the gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.

• Place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, and living room, and make sure all household members know how to use them.

• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.

• Keep portable generators outside and away from the home.

• Install a screen in front of each fireplace or wood stove. Store cooled ashes in a metal container outside the home.

• Have chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned every year.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, or other heat source.

• Never leave lit candles unattended, and keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

• If using a live Christmas tree, keep it adequately watered and get rid of it after Christmas or when it gets dry.

Residents can also take an active role in protecting their communities from hazards such as fires, medical emergencies, and much more. Fire departments across the country are looking for volunteers to serve as firefighters, EMS providers, and auxiliary members.

“The majority of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers—neighbors helping neighbors in an incredible and rewarding way,” said Hirsch. “We need more people to answer the call to serve.”

Training is provided by the department, and volunteers can serve in a variety of roles, from providing life-saving emergency response services to conducting fire prevention programs and disaster preparedness planning.

Learn more and find a volunteer fire service opportunity by going to

www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org

*APPLY NOW! The Philadelphia City Scholarship Program

Attention Philadelphia high school seniors! Each year the Philadelphia City Scholarship Program awards approximately 50 scholarships to high school seniors. Selected students receive $1,000 each academic year for four consecutive years of full-time enrollment in

accredited, four-year, bachelor degree programs.

Applications for 2020-2021 City Scholarships are now open and must be submitted online by March 1.

Applicants must be enrolling at a school in Chester County, Delaware County, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, or Bucks County. The Philadelphia City Scholarship Review Committee will consider factors including high school grades, extracurricular activities, leadership potential, writing ability, and financial need (from FAFSA Student Aid Report).

NOTE: Students who receive the

Mayor’s Scholarship

(a different scholarship program) to the University of Pennsylvania are not eligible to receive the Philadelphia City Scholarship.

Follow the link below to complete your City Scholarship application. Your guidance counselor should be able to assist you if you have questions about compiling this information.

For general questions about the Philadelphia City Scholarship Program, email

PhiladelphiaCityScholarship@phila.gov

or call (215) 686-0333.

Apply to the 2020-2021 Philadelphia City Scholarship

Click here to learn more and fill out the 2020-2021 Philadelphia City Scholarship. This year’s applications are due by March 1.

Lawmakers Put Pennsylvania State Police On \”The Hot Seat\”

By Christen Smith |

The Center Square

House lawmakers grilled the Pennsylvania State Police on Thursday over the governor’s proposal to raise $136 million for the agency via municipality service fees that some see as akin to a tax increase.

“We were told this is a no tax increase budget, but in order to afford this, municipalities will have to probably raise property taxes,” said Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Fayette, during a House Appropriations Committee meeting.

“I think it’s up to the municipalities whether they want to raise taxes or find another way to fund it,” PSP Col. Robert Evanchick said.

Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed that the Legislature adopt a weighted formula that would charge municipalities for the state police services they use, rather than borrowing from the Motor License Fund to cover the bill each year. About two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s 2,560 municipalities rely on state police coverage instead of a local department.

Critics argue the service fee disproportionately shifts the burden onto taxpayers in poorer rural districts who would pay more per person than those in wealthier, more populated areas.

Prior proposals from Wolf’s administration used sliding scales and flat fees to generate additional funds, but never gained traction within the Legislature. The latest version is “predicated on station coverage costs based on incidents and coverage area and considers other factors like population and income,” according to the administration’s budget summary.

In Tioga County’s Delmar Township, for example, PSP would collect $32.92 per resident to fund the $92,000 it spends annually to maintain full-time coverage. Philadelphia residents, by comparison, would pay just 97 cents per person to cover the $1.5 million in PSP expenditures incurred there each year.

“Is this the best way?” Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, asked. “We all want to make sure you have the funding you need, but is this the best way to fill that $136 million gap?”

“To add one more fee or tax or whatever you want to call it is a big ask for me,” said Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Tioga.

Evanchick defended the formula as a fair representation of expenditures at each of its stations and said the department tried to limit the impact on the municipalities with more needs.

“We are concerned about the rural communities because that’s where we should be doing our greater work,” he said. “We understand that these communities don’t have resources out there.”

Rep. John Lawrence, R-Chester, pressed PSP on the amount of free police coverage it provides at public events. In 2019, Evanchick said the agency staffed more than 111,000 events for free– including protests and little league baseball games. PSP also received $1.5 million in reimbursements for covering professional and college sporting events, he said, such as Eagles games at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

“We looted the Motor License Fund to pay the state police while the Eagles, Penn State and the Farm Show are getting a free ride on behalf of the Pennsylvania taxpayers?” Lawrence said. “We should really be taking a look at that.”

Evanchick again clarified that Lawrence’s statements weren’t “entirely true,” noting that the department had been paid for covering certain events.

Wolf’s budget also proposes a $13 million appropriation to fund four cadet classes to replace the 200 troopers expected to retire next year. Evanchick said PSP staffing levels are at a 10-year high, reaching 4,719 in 2019.

Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Lawrence, said despite the record amount of troopers currently employed, the numbers alone highlight the limitations of the agency.

“I think there’s room for both local and state police in Pennsylvania,” he said. “With your complement, you can’t do everything. It’s impossible, with your numbers, to solve everything out there.”

published here by The Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square