WOLF ANNOUNCES STAY AT HOME FOR ALL OF THE STATE
Governor Tom Wolf yesterday announced that he has extended his stay at home order across the state for all 67 counties in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Calling it our most prudent option to save lives, no one who lives in Pennsylvania should leave their home unless absolutely necessary. With new numbers coming in at 962 new cases in the commonwealth, bringing a statewide total to 5, 805 and 74 deaths Wolf says it’s imperative to follow the order and stay home until at least April 30th. Wolf recommends families stay calm and stay safe, avoiding buying more than needed at the grocery stores Grocery shopping is on the Governor’s list of allowable travel and the list is available here.
PA CORONERS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT STATE FACILITIES CAPACITY
In Lycoming County there are 7 official cases of the coronavirus according to the PA Department of Health, but as patients are tested and the numbers start to rise, the reality of what the coroners in the state may face is becoming clearer. According to a report by the Sun Gazette, Lycoming County Coroner and president of the PA State Coroner’s Association, Charles E. Kiessling Jr communicates with part time coroners in 64 counties of the commonwealth, and discovered there is a concern about space available for patients’ bodies if the numbers of fatalities rise quicker than hoped, and that there is also an uptick of suicides at this unprecedented time. Kiessling said if there is a chance people are feeling depressed, they can use a local 24-hour crisis help line 570-326-7895. He says people should use all the technology and resources to continue to communicate with each another and help one another out.
WILLIAMSPORT RECEIVES BLOCK GRANT FOR VIRUS RELIEF
In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Mayor Derek Slaughter has been informed Williamsport is getting more than $600,000 in unexpected federal Block Grant funds to be used toward the pandemic recovery through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development developed by state lawmakers. Slaughter said they are awaiting news on how the federal government wants us to use the money. According to the Sun Gazette the block grants, play a role in advancing locally-driven projects and create jobs and contribute to economic growth. Pennsylvania was recipient of $170 million in new funding from block grants and other HUD programs as a result of the latest coronavirus relief legislation.
SUNBURY NON-PROFIT CAN’T PICK UP DONATIONS
The Community Aid donation bins are filling u p due to many residents in Sunbury spring cleaning while staying home, but the non-profit says they are unable to pick up the donations. According to the Daily Item, a Community Aid spokesperson said they have not received a waiver from Gov. Tom Wolf for trucks to go out and pick up the donations. The public is being asked by Sunbury city officials to wait to drop off donations so that no items will be ruined from the elements.
FIREFIGHTER SELF-QUARANTINES AFTER A CALL
A city firefighter going door to door Tuesday inside an apartment building seeking the source of a fire alarm, is in quarantine for 2 weeks after a resident who tested positive for COVID 19 announced her condition as he came in close proximity at the open door. According to the Sun Gazette, city fire chief Mark Killian said there was no physical contact whatsoever between the firefighter and the tenant but they were within six-feet of one another. As a precaution, the firefighter drove himself alone back to the station in a fire truck and went through a decontamination process including being in contact with his doctor. He showed, clothed and has been in quarantine ever since. Killian says the city and the county have additional precautionary measures in place to further protect the safety of all first responders in the city
PSP LIMITING CERTAIN TYPES OF IN-PERSON RESPONSES
The PA State Police will limit the kinds of calls to which troopers will respond , as the agency tries to limit contact with the public and slow the spread of the coronavirus. State Police Commissioner Col. Robert Evanchick says police will continue responding to critical calls, but the new policy which began this week, limits calls that can be resolved with “limited or no-scene response,” such as for lost and found, littering, identity theft and general requests to speak to a trooper. State police barracks remain open to the public, though the agency has asked that if you display any symptoms for COVID-19 to stay away and call instead.
PENNDOT TO CONTINUE EMERGENCY WORK
PennDOT has announced that 61 emergency and critical highway and bridge projects will be active statewide this week even while the normal highway and bridge construction program has paused. Urgent emergency work will ensure a reliable transportation system as circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continue to unfold. The emergency work addresses specific safety need criteria, like landslide repairs, or critical bridge, tunnel and drainage repairs, as well as eliminating roadway restrictions that could impact the movement of life sustaining goods and services.
COUNTY INMATES RELEASED FROM WESTERN PA PRISON
More than 600 inmates were released from the Allegheny County jail throughout the month of March. A spokesperson from Allegheny County said that in collaboration with judges and presecutors in oprder to thin the imate polulation, the jail released 622 inmates between March 16th and the beginning of April to reduce the spread of the virus. According to the Sun Gazette, that decreased the population there by 25%. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association said prosecutors and local courts are considering individualized cases in response to COVID-19 and jail populations
SPORTS
NFL
The asking price for free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has dropped per season, from what he had been seeking – 20 million – to closer to 17million. ESPN said, the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans remain “interested” in signing the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
The Dallas Cowboys are signing defensive end Aldon Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million giving him a chance to resurrect his playing career. Thirty year old Smith, has not played in a game since he was suspended in 2015 because of drug and legal issues. ESPN says Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has a history of taking chances on players with difficult pasts.
GOLF
Golf digest says The 2020 Open Championship scheduled for Royal St. George’s in July will be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament will be canceled and not postponed so the Royal &Ancient can collect an insurance premium. The Masters, scheduled for next week, and the PGA Championship, scheduled for next month, have announced postponements, but no future dates.
TENNIS
The All England Club announced the Wimbledon Championships have been canceled for the first time since World War II in 1945, and it’s the first time since its inception in 1877 that it will not be played during peacetime. In addition, the ATP and WTA made a joint announcement that all events at all levels of both professional tours have been canceled through July 13, covering the entire grass-court season.
