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

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






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84 Lumber is sponsoring the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree for the third year in a row.

Thanks to 84 Lumber

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Doctor Douglas Lee

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Doctor Rodney Jamil
















84 Lumber has undertaken countless projects in its 68 years of existence. Building a holiday tradition is one of them.

It’s certainly a sparkling project. The North Strabane-based company, the nation’s largest privately owned supplier of building materials, has announced that it will sponsor the US Capitol Christmas Tree for the third year in a row.

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

Since 1970, the U.S. Forest Service, in conjunction with the Office of the U.S. Architect of the Capitol, has selected a tree each year 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 much more ground and reach even more communities on its way to the Capitol.”

Gaming revenue

Tax revenue generated at gambling sites across the state during the 2023-2024 fiscal year reached a record $2.54 billion, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently reported.

That figure is the result of a record generation of more than $5.89 billion in combined revenue from casino slots and table games, iGaming, sports betting, video game terminals and fantasy sports competitions.

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

Tax revenues from the various forms of gambling regulated by the PGCB are returned to Pennsylvania residents in a variety of ways. These include, but are not limited to:

Property tax reduction for schools on the owner’s primary residence;

Economic development, safety and recreation projects at the state, provincial and local levels;

Supporting the agricultural sector through support of horse racing;

Income goes to the General Fund of the Commonwealth.

Waynesburg U.

Waynesburg University has once again been recognized as a College of Distinction and its president, Dr. Douglas G. Lee, will take a significant step forward.

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

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

Colleges of Distinction said the selection process “involves detailed interviews and research with institutions that 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 achieving those goals.”

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

Lee will take on a new role at the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, which represents 85 schools in the state. He will serve as vice chair of the board of directors for 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 secretary/treasurer of the board.

Centerville Clinics

Benjamin E. Neil is the new Chief Operating Officer of the Centerville clinic network.

Neil will work with administrative and medical leaders to manage initiatives focused on improving patient services, satisfaction and safety, according to a press release from the organization. He will also lead the organization’s long-term planning.

Neil has nearly two decades of experience in leadership positions with a number of healthcare organizations. He will be responsible for all operational activities at Centerville Clinics, working with the clinic’s administrative and medical leadership to manage initiatives focused on improving patient care, satisfaction and safety. In addition to his other responsibilities, he will lead the organization’s long-range planning.

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

Neil earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in organizational leadership from Waynesburg University and serves on the California Area School District Board of Trustees.

Penn Highlands

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

He will join 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.