Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl. Airport Sees Increase In Revenue From Marcellus Shale Industry

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PITTSTON TWP. – Delta Air Lines Inc. is adding a flight and upgrading another at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport next year, officials said Monday.

On Jan. 4, Delta plans to upgrade its daily flight to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from a 50-seat aircraft to a 65-seat aircraft, airport Director Barry Centini said Monday at a regularly scheduled airport board meeting during which projects and plans for an authority were discussed. He also said Delta on March 3 will add a fourth flight to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

The additional flight will bring Delta’s total departures to five, with four to Detroit and one to Atlanta.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/delta-adding-flight-next-year-from-local-airport-1.1238229#ixzz1f9Z8Zn5M

Carbondale Losing Hospital And Largest Employer

Carbondale, PA‘s largest employer and the last remaining Catholic-affiliated hospital in the region will close by Feb. 28, a move officials said was unavoidable as the number of patients dwindled and financial struggles multiplied.

Marian Community Hospital will have an operating loss of $2.6 million this year and projected an operating loss of more than $4 million in 2012, according to Mary Theresa Vautrinot, president and CEO of parent company Maxis Health System.

The hospital is licensed for 70 beds but scaled back to 35 in January 2010, according to hospital officials. For the past six months, the hospital has had an average daily census of 20 patients.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/marian-community-hospital-to-close-1.1238179#ixzz1f9WtkRfP

Lack Of Competition On Nonstop Flights Between Philly And Pittsburgh Will Skyrocket Ticket Prices

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This is a classic example of why competition is necessary in an economy.  Southwest Airlines is ending their Philadelphia to Pittsburgh nonstop service on January 8th.  Starting January 9th, US Airways will be the only carrier with nonstop flights between Pennsylvania‘s two largest cities. 

Today, a nonrefundable round-trip ticket will set you back $118.00 before taxes.  After Southwest ends their nonstop service, the same ticket, for the same flight, will cost you $698.00 on US Airways.

Taking a flight with one connecting stop makes flying almost equivalent to driving across the state.  Amtrak and Megabus are also not options for business travelers who need to make same-day round-trips.

Just another example of corporate greed.

Pittsburgh’s Port Authority Transit Facing 35 Percent Cuts In Service And Major Layoffs

The Port Authority has begun preparing for service cuts that are more than twice the size of the reductions that took effect in March, when thousands of riders were stranded and others jammed into overcrowded buses.

CEO Steve Bland told the authority board last week that planning has begun for a 35 percent reduction in service hours that will come next fall if Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature fail to act on a statewide transportation funding shortfall.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11333/1193283-53.stm#ixzz1f949DohH

Conrad Murray Gets Four Years For Michael Jackson Death

Michael Jackson’ s physician Conrad Murray received a sentence of four years after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter for his role in death of the King of Pop.

With good behavior Murray could serve less time as the sentence is for a maximum of four years.

 

Christmas Nativity Cedarville United Methodist Church — Pottstown, PA

We’re all familiar with the songs of the Season . . . “Away in the Manger”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, to name a few, but is Christ’s story alive to your family and a part of your Holiday celebrations?

On December 18^th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., as a gift to the community, we invite you and your family to join us, free of charge, under the blanket of the night sky for a journey back in time.  You will walk with a Shepherd Guide, following the star of Bethlehem and visit five live scenes that tell the story of Jesus’ birth. 

You will visit the manger–see the live animals; hear how the angels and shepherds joyously spread the word about Jesus’ birth;  see the delight of the Wise Men presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and, share in the joy of the Christmas Story as told by our Grandparents.

Finally, the Family Life Center will be filled with familiar sounds of the Christmas music we all love and enjoy, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies; free craft activities for the children and an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas with your friends and family.

The Live Nativity will be from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Cedarville UMC, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown, PA.  This is an outside event, so please dress accordingly.  Parking is free and the event is handicapped accessible.  For directions or more information you may go to our website at www.cedarvilleumc.org or call the church office at (610) 326-4173.