Celebrating healthy hearts and love this February

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

February is American Heart Month, and with recently published research indicating blood pressure control has worsened in both men and women since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Scranton YMCA urges our community members to make their health a priority by getting a blood pressure screening.

Blood pressure guidelines from American Heart Association indicate that nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often referred to as “The Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms.

While high blood pressure and heart disease are serious conditions, the good news is a healthy heart is an achievable goal through lifestyle changes such as regularly monitoring your own blood pressure, lowering sodium intake, eating healthier, and getting more physical activity.

Getting help can be as easy as contacting the Y and taking part in YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to help reduce their chances of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke as those who do not have it.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about eating healthier, increasing their physical activity and making other behavior changes with the goal of reducing body weight by 7 percent in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. A trained Lifestyle Coach leads the program over a 12-month period. Increased physical activity and moderate weight loss not only reduce diabetes risk, but also have an impact on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

In addition to monitoring your blood pressure, reducing sodium intake is a great way to keep your heart healthy. Per the American Heart Association (AHA), too much sodium in your system puts an extra burden on your heart and blood vessels. In some people, this may lead to or raise high blood pressure. Everyone, including kids, should reduce their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (about 1 teaspoon of salt). Having less sodium in your diet may help you lower or avoid high blood pressure.“While there are many ways to keep your heart healthy, making a conscious effort to tackle your blood pressure and decrease sodium intake are two quick, effective ways to prevent heart disease,” said Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, Greater Scranton YMCA.

“No matter what your heart health goal is this year, the Y has a variety of resources to help you get started and achieve them.”

The Greater Scranton YMCA offers a community of diverse individuals who can support all people in meeting their health and well-being goals. Learn more by visiting https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/ or stopping into the YMCA.

Hart of the Issue: February 2025

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

By John M. Hart III, Esq.

As winter settles in, especially in places like Northeastern Pennsylvania, snow, ice, and frigid temperatures bring both beauty and danger. With every winter season, the threat of winter storms looms, and property owners, businesses, and drivers all face the same question: who is responsible if someone is injured due to the hazardous conditions these storms create?

In Northeastern PA, where winter weather is often harsher than in many other parts of the state, the importance of understanding liability during winter storms cannot be overstated. It’s an issue that resurfaces each year but feels especially relevant this winter, which has proven to be harsher than the recent years.

Premises Liability: Who’s Responsible for Snow and Ice?

When a winter storm strikes, property owners are required to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe. This includes clearing snow and ice from walkways, driveways, and parking lots. In Pennsylvania, a property owner has an obligation to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition to prevent injuries.

However, this doesn’t mean that property owners are always liable for injuries that occur due to snow and ice. In many cases, courts have ruled that property owners aren’t responsible for injuries caused by “natural accumulations” of snow and ice. This means if a storm is still in progress or if there hasn’t been enough time for the property owner to clear the snow or ice, they may not be held liable.

But here’s where things get tricky: once a reasonable amount of time has passed after a storm, property owners are expected to have cleared their property of hazardous conditions. The longer it takes to clear an area, the more likely it is that a property owner will be held liable for any injuries that occur.

This becomes particularly significant in a year like this one, where the severity of the winter storms has made it even harder for property owners to stay on top of the cleanup. Slippery sidewalks, ice-covered driveways, and snowdrifts are all common hazards that can lead to accidents—and when they occur, questions about liability arise.

Trust me, I know—there’s often nothing more inviting than sitting inside my warm house, in my favorite sweats by the fireplace, watching a movie, and looking out the window at the picturesque snow falling. It’s all peaceful and serene… until the realization sinks in that I’ll have to get out there and shovel it soon.

Then it becomes a waiting game. I’m watching out the window, hoping my brother-in-law, who lives next door, will beat me to it and shovel the walks. I’m pretty sure he’s watching the same thing, waiting for me to get out there first. It’s like an unspoken competition between us, one that we both secretly know will eventually end in each of us trudging out there to clear the snow.

Of course, the one who ends up shoveling may be the one most worried about liability after someone slips and falls on a poorly cleared sidewalk. Keeping those walkways clear not only prevents injuries but also keeps us from getting into trouble down the line. It’s a small task with big legal implications.

Winter Weather Accumulation and Your Home

While you’re busy shoveling the sidewalks, it’s also essential to remember that the winter weather can affect more than just the walkways. As snow accumulates and ice builds up on your roof, gutters, and foundation, it’s important to conduct periodic inspections of your home. Ice buildups and excessive snow can cause significant damage, leading to leaks, roof damage, or even structural issues in extreme cases.

What many homeowners don’t realize is that if damage occurs from snow or ice accumulation and the homeowner hasn’t properly maintained their property, their homeowner’s insurance might deny claims based on exclusions in their policy. Insurance companies often have specific clauses regarding maintenance and preventive measures, so if the damage is deemed avoidable and the property wasn’t properly maintained, claims could be denied.

So, while you’re out there shoveling, take the extra time to inspect your roof, gutters, foundation, and any other areas where winter accumulation might cause damage. A quick check could save you from costly repairs later and ensure that your property is protected.

Driver Liability During Winter Storms

The responsibilities of property owners aren’t the only ones in question during the winter months. Drivers too face liability concerns when road conditions are dangerous due to a winter storm. In Pennsylvania, drivers are expected to adjust their driving to the conditions of the road. This means slowing down, maintaining a safe following distance, and being prepared for sudden stops.

If a driver fails to adjust their driving to winter conditions and causes an accident, they may be held liable for damages. The icy roads and visibility issues caused by snowstorms can make driving more dangerous, but drivers are still expected to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

In a year with harsher-than-usual winter weather, like this one, drivers face an increased risk of accidents. The combination of snow, ice, and even freezing rain can make roads treacherous, and unfortunately, not all drivers are prepared for the severity of these conditions.

Insurance and Liability: Protection During Winter Storms

For both property owners and drivers, winter storms often lead to a rise in insurance claims. Whether it’s a slip-and-fall accident due to untreated ice on a sidewalk or a car accident caused by poor road conditions, liability can be mitigated by insurance coverage.

For property owners, having the right type of liability insurance can protect them from claims related to accidents on their property due to hazardous winter conditions. Similarly, drivers are advised to carry comprehensive and collision insurance, which can help cover damages if they’re involved in an accident caused by snow or ice.

As we’ve seen this year, with the harsher-than-usual winter conditions in Northeastern PA, it’s even more important for individuals and businesses to be prepared. Checking insurance coverage and ensuring that snow removal plans are in place are crucial steps in reducing the risk of liability.

Conclusion: A Yearly Issue That Demands Attention

Winter storms and the potential for accidents due to snow and ice are a recurring concern every year, but this winter, with its harsher conditions, brings even greater urgency to the matter. Property owners, businesses, and drivers alike must take extra precautions to avoid injuries and accidents, and in turn, minimize the potential for liability.

Winter weather is unpredictable, but the responsibility for keeping people safe during a winter storm is clear. Property owners and drivers should always be proactive in addressing the hazards posed by snow and ice. Whether through timely snow removal, careful driving, or regular home inspections, taking the right steps today can prevent accidents tomorrow.

Well Dun: February 2025

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore native J.C. Roberts at 62 writes first book of poetry

By Steve Svetovich

Most people at 62 start to think about retirement.

But not Dunmore native J.C. Roberts. He is starting a new career. And it’s his passion.

The 1980 Dunmore High School graduate recently published his first book of poetry, “The Cobblestones I Know.” The book was published by Foothills Publishing, Kanona, New York.

Roberts grew up in Dunmore and spent his youth and young to middle adult years as a “daydreamer” of sorts before dedicating his past five years to serious writing.

From his teen years, Roberts transformed his daydreams into poetry and prose.

His passion for writing led him to earning a master’s degree in creative writing from Wilkes University. He is currently pursuing his MFA at Wilkes.

Roberts recently was added to the Artists in Education Roster. He was published in other local and state anthologies and is presently a Fullbright Scholarship candidate to assist teaching English in Romania. He is currently in the process of writing another book.

Roberts previously worked as a gas contractor for UGI. He surveyed gas lines for 11 years until February of 2020.

Roberts previously attended Marywood University, but never graduated.

He began writing in 2020 after leaving UGI and applied to the Master’s creative writing program at Wilkes. He was accepted without a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree and began intensified work in creative writing earning his Master’s degree in 2022.

“I was accepted based on creative work and life experience. It was intense and involved a lot of writing, which is my passion. Now I am a Fulbright candidate at 62 to teach English in Romania.

“My friends tell me I am doing things backwards in life by pursuing my true passion and career interests in my retirement years,” Roberts reveals. “However, this is all about expression and creative healing. It’s not about the money.

“Literature is a love that moves you. It’s how you turn these feelings into an elusive observation. My purpose in writing is to bring out reading and creativity back to Lackawanna County.”

“I love Dunmore and much of my writing and poetry is based on my experiences growing up in the borough,” says Roberts.

The gas contractor turned writer said his experience at Wilkes University was the best in his life.

“I was exposed to so much creativity and great writers. We just wrote and wrote. It was so beneficial.”

Roberts currently works at Pride Mobility in Duryea. He works the 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. shift which gives him time to,pursue his writing projects and new career interests.

“I dedicated myself to writing. This job gives me the time to do that. They were very supportive of my journey.”

His book, “The Cobblestones I Know” was part of his Master’s thesis at Wilkes.

Roberts’ daughter Jessica Ehnot, Dunmore, graduated from Wilkes University with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. His son, Ian Roberts, resides in Falls. Both are Dunmore graduates.

“Ironically, I graduated from Wilkes after my daughter did,” he laughs.

Roberts said he will continue to enthusiastically pursue his passion for writing.

“It’s never too late to start doing what you love,” he said. “This is my retirement plan.”