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84 Lumber sponsoring this year’s ‘People’s Tree’ at U.S. Capitol

By Rick Shrum 4 min read
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84 Lumber is sponsoring the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the third consecutive year.
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Dr. Douglas Lee
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Dr. Rodney Jamil

84 Lumber has undertaken innumerable projects during its 68-year existence. Building a holiday tradition is among them.

It is a sparkling project, to be sure. The North Strabane-based company, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, has announced it is sponsoring the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the third year in a row.

The 2024 “People’s Tree” will be transported more than 4,200 miles from Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the country’s largest national forest, to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the holiday season. The tree will make stops in communities enroute.

Each year since 1970, the U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Architect of the Capitol’s Office, has selected a tree from one of the 154 forests it manages.

Maggie Hardy, owner and CEO of 84 Lumber, said in a statement: “With this year’s tree coming from Alaska, it will cover a lot more ground and reach even more communities as it makes its way to the Capitol.”

Gaming revenue

Tax revenue generated during the 2023-24 fiscal year hit a record $2.54 billion at gaming sites statewide, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported recently.

That figure is the result of a record generation of more than $5.89 billion in combined revenue from casino slot machines and table games, iGaming, sports wagering, video gaming terminals and fantasy sports contests.

The previous high for gaming revenue and tax revenue in a fiscal year occurred during 2022-23 – $5.5 billion and $2.36 billion, respectively. Estimated amounts for revenue and taxes being reported came before possible adjustments by the state Department of Revenue.

Tax revenue from the various forms of gaming regulated by the PGCB is returned to Pennsylvanians in several ways. They include, but are not limited to:

School property tax reduction on an owner’s primary residence;

State, county and local economic development, safety and recreational projects;

Support of the agricultural industry through support of horse racing;

Revenue toward the Commonwealth’s General Fund.

Waynesburg U.

Waynesburg University again has been recognized as a College of Distinction, and its president, Dr. Douglas G. Lee, will be making a distinctive move.

For the ninth year in a row, the Colleges of Distinction organization has selected Waynesburg among colleges that, according to its website, “are well equipped to provide a personalized education catered to students’ interests” for 2024-25.

The university also was named a Pennsylvania College of Distinction and a Christian College of Distinction.

Colleges of Distinction said its selection process “involves detailed interviews and research with institutions which evaluate their adherence to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes. The College of Distinction award reflects an institution’s commitment to satisfying those goals.

Waynesburg’s programs in business, education and nursing also received specialized recognition.

Lee will be assuming a new role with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, which represents 85 schools statewide. He will become vice chair of the board of directors of AICUP, which according to its website, “is committed to supporting the advancement of Pennsylvania’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities and their

students.” He is currently the board’s secretary/treasurer.

Centerville Clinics

Benjamin E. Neil is the new chief operating officer of the Centerville clinics network.

Neil, according to a news release from the organization, will work with administrative and medical leadership to manage initiatives aimed at improving patient services, satisfaction and safety. He also will lead the organization’s long-range planning.

Neil has nearly two decades of experience in leadership positions at a number of health care-related organizations. He will be responsible for all operating activities at Centerville Clinics, working with the Clinic’s administrative and medical leadership to manage initiatives aimed at improving patient services, satisfaction, and safety. Among his other responsibilities, he leads the organization’s long-range planning.

Barry R. Nicolai, CEO of Centerville Clinics, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to bring Ben Neil into our organization. “We know he will bring incredible expertise and personal commitment to this role.”

Neil earned a master’s in business administration in organizational leadership at Waynesburg University and is a school board member with the California Area School District.

Penn Highlands

Dr. Rodney Jamil, triple-board-certified oncologist and hematologist, has joined the Penn Highlands Healthcare medical staff.

He will serve with the oncology/hematology team at Penn Highlands Mon Valley at 1163 Country Club Road, Monongahela.

Jamil is a fellowship-trained specialist with nearly 15 years of experience. Common treatments and procedures include cancer care, chemotherapy, hematology, immunotherapy and medical oncology.

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