DEATH COUNT IN LYCOMING COUNTY CHANGES
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine explained why the death count in Pennsylvania decreased yesterday and also how collecting data on probable and confirmed cases can change the COVID-19 numbers, like it did yesterday in Lycoming County, from two to zero deaths. According to Dr Levine, out of the 37, 053 total cases of COVID-19 in the state 388 are now considered probable. According to the Sun Gazette, Lycoming County Coroner, Charles E Kiessling Jr. remains concerned about how the numbers are being recorded in such unprecedented times.  The total number of deaths decreased to 1,421 from 1,622 due to the change in the count of probable cases, but there were still 69 death cases reported confirmed by positive tests for COVID-19.

A THIRD BUSINESS PORTAL CREATED TO CONNECT BUSINESSES TO COVID-19 SUPPLIES
A business to business interchange directory has been created by the State Department of Community and Economic Development to provide Pennsylvanians access to critical supplies quickly without a middleman.  There are two other web applications available thru the state as well a Critical Medical Supplies Portal and the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal.  The information made available from this new application is from those entities who voluntarily gave information to the previous websites all to connect organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers producing COVID-19-related products and supplies.  TO be included in these protals contact the DCED – (info on our websites.)  [email protected].  For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should visit: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/.

URGENT CARE FACILITY TO OFFER COVID-19 TESTING
If residents meet CDC-based COVID-19 screening criteria, a local urgent care will provide testing in Lycoming County.  According to a press release, Med Express Urgent Care will screen patients at designated locations – from their cars if necessary. MedExpress centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Officials ask that you call a local center to determine next steps if the CDC criteria applied to you, you can review those details online at medexpress.com/covid19tests

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR THE HELPERS IN WILLIAMSPORT
“Help the Helpers,” a joint initiative of UPMC, City of Williamsport, Lycoming County United Way, and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce encourages the community to recognize and look for ways to support “the helpers” and each other, such as running simples errands or providing helpful supplies to our neighbors, health care workers,  first responders grocery clerks, custodians and other essential workers you know.  Community members are asked to show their signs of support with window signs, social media frames, or share their “help the helpers” stories with the hashtag #HELPTHEHELPERS. Window signs and social frames can be downloaded at UPMCSusquehanna.org/HelptheHelpers.

GIRL FLEES ABDUCTION ATTEMPT
State police in Montoursville say a juvenile girl was approached earlier this month in an abduction attempt in Woodward Township.  According to the Sun Gazette, a suspect in a red Subaru sedan came to the Harvest Moon Park trailer court on April 10thj around 7pm and offered a young girl candy to come with them.  Police say the girl did not get in the vehicle and instead fled the sceen and called police.  If you have any information about this incident, please call Pennsylvania State police  at 570-368-5700.

PENN STATE TO FREEZE TUITION
Due to the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation, Penn State administrators said yesterday they will freeze tuition rates for all students University-wide for the 2020-21 academic year. The plan will need the University’s Board of Trustees final approval in July.  This is the third consecutive year that Penn State has held tuition rates flat for Pennsylvania resident students. The school will also adjust tuition rates for the upcoming summer 2020 semester, using a pre-existing tuition structure and also subject to Board of Trustees approval at is regularly scheduled May meeting.

LOCAL GROCERY TO START FOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN
Weis Markets is working with their local communities starting next week and will launch their Fight Hunger campaign on April 30^th.  Each Weis store will partner with a local food pantry, and when customers generously donate or round up their grocery order, the proceeds will go to those local recipients.  Weis customers can also place a anon-perishable food donation in barrels provided by the stores starting next Thursday.

COVID-19 COUNT NOW DETERMINED BY CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE CASES
The Pa Department of Health has reported a total of 34, 528 total coronavirus cases in the state with 1,296 new positive cases.  Health Department Secretary Dr Rachel Levine has reported in recent days they are reconciling data from various sources to get accurate numbers, and announced yesterday how they define cases of the virus; as confirmed or probable.  “Confirmed”, being those who have had a positive test result and “probable” being those who have been in contact with those infected and who have symptoms.  There are 360 new deaths reported bringing that total to 1,564.  Deaths are also being counted as confirmed and probable. Statewide there are now 1,264 confirmed covid-19 deaths and 300 probable, with coronavirus as a secondary cause of death.

LYCOMING COUNTY CORONER UNSATISFIED WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTING
As the Pennsylvania Department of Health reconciles data from various state sources and reports deaths of COVID-19, the Lycoming County Coroner told the Sun Gazette that he, along with other coroners in the commonwealth are frustrated with the way the Pennsylvania Health Department has been compiling data and not involving area coroners at all.  County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr., who is head of the state’s PA State Coroners Association, says it’s flawed to classify the death of person on where they lived, not where they died.  According to a coroners law in place since 1933, a county coroner or medical examiner has jurisdiction and must be notified of deaths in their county.  Kiessling said that the health department did not notify him of the two deaths now reported in Lycoming County.

HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT INJURES WOMAN AND CHILD ON A BIKE
A woman riding a bike with an 11 month old child in a carrier on the back was struck in a hit and run Tuesday morning in Mifflinburg.  According to North Central PA dot com, 23 year old Abigail Martin  was operating the bike heading west on the 1100 block of Red Limestone Ridge Road.  Police report a person driving a white sport utility vehicle hit Martin and the baby and fled the scene on Red Ridge Road.  Life Flight responded to the scene.  Police are asking if you have information about the incident or know of a white Ford Explorer model year between 2005 and 2010 with front end damage, call state police at Milton.  Officials at Geisinger said Martin was in fair condition but no word on the condition of the child.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS TO OPEN IN COUNTY
Lycoming County Commissioners said in their meeting yesterday that they are preparing for two recycling locations to open in the county.  According to the Sun Gazette, Lycoming County Resource Management Services will collect recycling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday until Saturday. At the  Pennsylvania College of Technology parking lot on W. Third St., next to the Transfer Station), and the Kmart parking lot, on E. Third St. in Loyalsock Township. Residents are asked to wear masks while being at these sites.

LOW COVID NUMBERS MAKE ELECTIVE SURGERY POSSIBLE AT UPMC
UPMC announced yesterday they will resume some elective surgeries amid the absence of a predicted surge of COVID-19 patients in Central and Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC’s chair of emergency medicine, said during a virtual press conference that coronavirus cases are on the decline in the communities the system serves. And that UPMC, has what they need as far as needed basic supplies. According to the Sun Gazette, the decision goes against the current recommendation of the Department of Health Secretary who said the state has begun talking to hospitals about resuming some surgeries but “we’re not there yet. Dr Yealy said The COVID-19 caseload remains at levels that are low, consistent and manageable at the UPMC  facilities.

LOCYALSOCK SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET VIRTUALLY OVER BUDGET
The Loyalsock Township School board will meet tonight to go over the tentative 2020-21 school year budget.  The district will meet virtually and invite the public to attend.  Details on how to join the meeting on your computer will be posted at the districts website before the meeting at 7pm.  www.ltsd.k12.pa.us

COMMS WANT ALL RESIDENTS TO HAVE FOOD DURING EMERGENCY
At the Lycoming County Commissioners meeting yesterday, they discussed working with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank so that families stay fed as unemployment claims in the state surge.  According to the Sun Gazette, Commissioner Rick Mirabito is seeking to hear from any other agencies or groups who can make sure community members have food.  Anyone who is facing food insecurities at this time is encouraged to call 211 and get help and advice from the Lycoming County United Way.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANCELLED FOR 2020
Special Olympics of Pennsylvania and Penn State University have announced that the 2020 Summer Games in State College that was to be in June, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.  The “Be a Fan” Torch Run is also cancelled according to the news release, but they say a “Virtual Summer Games” is being planned so that the spirit of the athletes and volunteers can still be felt.  Organizers at Penn State, where they’ve been holding the Special Olympics for 33 years say they are committed to a Summer Games in 2021.

SOIL REMEDIATION TODAY ON ROUTE 15 SOUTH
PennDOT will   be working on Route 15 southbound in Lewis Township, Lycoming County to replace soil and fix the shoulder after a tractor trailer accident from the weekend.  The wreck occurred at around 2am and blocked traffic and causing a detour through steam valley to trout run last Saturday morning.  Crews will be at  mile marker 144, today between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, weather permitting. Motorists should expect the left lane to be closed while the work is being completed.

Sports

NFL
The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski’s agent, said yesterday on SportsCenter that the five-time Pro Bowler has been feeling great physically since he retired from football nearly 13 months ago.

The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday became the latest NFL team to reveal new uniforms this offseason. The look includes a signature powder blue, gold and white color scheme. The design features a simplified bolt on the jersey and pants, and numbers have been added to helmets

NBA
Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill says his wife’s 85-year-old grandmother recently battled the coronavirus and beat it. Hill has been in San Antonio during the NBA’s pandemic-imposed hiatus.

Without any enforceable restrictions against large gatherings in place in the state over the coronavirus pandemic, Park Jefferson International Speedway — a dirt track in North Sioux City, South Dakota — is planning to hold the Open Wheel Nationals on Saturday with ticket sales capped at 700 for a track with a seating capacity of 4,000.

COVID-19 DEATHS INCREASE AS PRIOR WEEK DATA IS COLLECTED
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced that as of yesterday as of midnight there are 1, 215 new cases of COVID-19 in the state bringing a statewide total of cases of 32, 284. According to the numbers that have just come in, there has been a significant increase in deaths reported, but these did not occur in the last 24 hours. Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine announced 356 new deaths for the commonwealth, bringing a statewide total to 1, 112, but the data about 148 of those cases represents the last 7 days. Lycoming county has 37 cases and no deaths at this time. Details about the positive cases and number of negative tests in Pennsylvania can be found at health.pa.gov

In order to keep the workforce in food production sites healthy from outbreaks of COVID-19, state agencies have made procedure recommendations for facilities to maintain operations as life-sustaining businesses. According to the Agriculture Secretary, Russell Redding, management and employees at food processing facilities should undergo daily wellness screening, and have protective equipment like masks and gloves provided, increase cleaning regimens, enforcing social distancing, staggering shifts and other mitigations. The complete list is available at agriculture.pa.gov/COVID

Curbside pickup may be available from some Fine Wine & Good Spirit stores in Pennsylvania starting today. The locations in the Loyal Plaza on E Third Street, on Hepburn Street in Williamsport, and E. Penn Street in Muncy. will take a limited number of orders by phone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m and allow one order per call per day, with a limit of 6 bottles. A complete list of locations is listed online at www.lcb.pa.gov
After the announced last week that last night that wearing masks mandatory for public places including grocery stores, markets and pharmacies, some places will have free masks available for residents today. According to the Sun Gazette, Lilyana’s Clothing Store, at 428 Pine St., in downtown Williamsport will be distributing masks today beginning at 11 a.m. The owner of the store, Joseph Lyles bought 600 masks to distribute out of his store today to help residents comply with the order issued by the Governor.

There will be a drive-thru corona-virus testing site available starting today at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre for emergency and health workers and older commonwealth residents with symptoms, state officials announced Saturday. According to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency of PEMA, registration will be required, but patients won’t need a doctor’s prescription. In response to an increase of cases of coronavirus in Luzerne County, the PA Department of Health, will begin testing first responders and health care workers who have symptoms of COVID-19, and Tuesday, the site will test northeastern Pennsylvania residents over age 65 with symptoms. They say results should be available in two to three business days, and patients will receive an email to log on to the registration site and access their results. Registration information here.

Keystone Central School District Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, in an email released yesterday, announced that commencement ceremonies for seniors at Central Mountain and Bucktail High Schools, are postponed until August. The decision was made after much deliberation, plus out of an abundance of caution to protect the safety of students and families during the pandemic.

Knoebels Amusement Park won top honors in the 34th annual National Amusement Park Historical Association’s Amusement Park (NAPHA) and Attractions Survey. The Phoenix was named NAPHA members’ favorite wooden coaster for the 9th consecutive year and the park’s Hallo-Fun fest in October,was named NAPHA’s favorite post-summer season event. The park is delaying its opening for its 94th season indefinitely due to the COVID-19 crisis. NAPHA members are typically experienced riders who have visited countless amusement parks and have ridden a diverse assortment of roller coasters and other rides.The National Amusement Park Historical Association, founded in 1978 .

LYCOMING COUNTY COVID-19 CASES STAYS LOW
There have been no coronavirus deaths reported in Lycoming County as of yesterday with 30 positive cases and 657 negative tests in the county. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, statewide – we’re at 27, 735 with 1, 245 new cases reported.  Sixty new deaths in the commonwealth brings that statewide total to 707.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SEE THE CURVE FLATTENING
Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine announced yesterday during the daily video press conference, that the department has compiled and analyzed more detailed data about the positive and negative cases of COVID-19 by county and gender as well as working to gather a more complete picture of race and ethnicity. She says the results are positive and Pennsylvanian’s sacrifice is working to flatten the curve. Find more break out data regarding Pennsylvania cases of the coronavirus at health.pa.gov.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE REPORTED AFTER GUN FIRED IN HOME
A man surrendered to police without incident Thursday morning after a domestic disturbance at his Hepburn Township home where he allegedly fired a gun in the residence twice with his wife and children inside.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 48 year old Matthew Zeigler was upset, displayed a handgun and fired it indoors, after which his wife, Christine Ziegler called 911.  Old Lycoming Township Police responded and Ziegler was arrested, later arraigned on charges or reckless endangerment and released on $15,000 bail.

SOME LIQUOR STORES TO OPEN TO HELP MEET DEMAND
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has been given the OK by the Wolf Administration to open 106 closed liquor stores to process the overload of online orders – but they will not be open to the public.  According to the Sun Gazette, employees are getting call backs to train, and to prepare and clean the physical stores.  Before the COVID-19 crisis, online sales had been a small part of the state liquor system’s $2.7 billion in annual sales; but from April 1-8^th, through online fulfillment centers in Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia suburbs, the agency was able to fill only about 9,600 orders worth $2.1 million.  Producers, breweries, wineries and distilleries, and privately owned beer distributorships, have been permitted to sell during the shutdown of nonessential businesses.

LOCAL SCHOOL JOINS NATIONAL TRIBUTE FOR STUDENTS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL
The Williamsport area school district is participating in the “Be the Light” campaign.  They will honor the class of 2020 and also support the nurses, doctors, and first responders on the front line of COVID-19 by lighting up the high school stadium tonight at 8:20 PM for 20 minutes.  Residents are urged to remain at home and not travel to stadium grounds but post pictures on social media sites like Twitter or on Facebook searching for “Williamsport Area High School”.  The stadium scoreboard will display 2020 in honor of the graduating class, with fourth down and 19 yards to go signifying COVID-19’s final down.  Schools across the nation are taking part in the “Be the Light” campaign

GEISINGER LEADERSHIP DONATES A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR SALARIES TO HELP EMPLOYEES FACING HARDSHIP
The CEO and President Dr. Ryu and his leadership team at Geisinger Medical Center have all taken a temporary reduction in their salaries to donate to a newly created employee emergency assistance fund.  According to a press release from the hospital system, 250 thousand dollars will be given a month to help employees facing financial hardship.  Information about access to the funds will be forthcoming.

Sports
NBA
Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley won the NBA’s first HORSE competition beating Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine for the title last night. National Basketball Players Association and ESPN teamed up to create the single-elimination NBA HORSE Challenge to provide fans with entertainment. State Farm, the sponsor, donated more than $200,000 in support of coronavirus response efforts.

NFL
Denver Broncos Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday.  Miller who has asthma,  is the second active NFL player known to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sources in the NFL say they are planning a plan B in case they can’t play a full season in full stadiums. A contingency plan could include a shortened season, and playing in empty stadiums.  The league is working to restructure the season with as much flexibility as possible.

NASCAR
Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace, the lone African American competing in one of NASCAR’s national series, said Kyle Larson was wrong to have used a racial slur during a virtual race, adding that he has spoken with Larson and believes he deserves a second chance.Larson issued an apology Monday.  His three primary sponsors in the Cup Series ended their relationships with Larson later Monday and, on Tuesday, Chip Ganassi Racing announced it had fired Larson, leaving him without a team to drive for.

GOLF

The 150^th Lycoming County Fair has been postponed until 2021, President of the Lycoming County Fair, Rocky Reed, says it’s a tough decision – and they are less than 3 months out , the fair will have to face the likelihood of having to follow  state and federal guidelines .  Reed says he can’t predict  how any social distancing guidelines will be this summer so it’s better to keep the community safe.  Stay up to date with Lycoming County Fair plans for 2021 at the Lycoming County Fair Facebook page.

PA Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine reported new numbers of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania.  As of yesterday at midnight there are 1,146 New cases of the coronavirus, bringing a statewide total to 25, 345.  There are 60 new deaths reported bringing that total in the commonwealth to 584.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported yesterday only one new case of COVID-19 was reported in Lycoming county for a total of 29 cases  and there are no deaths here. Dr Levine says that 108,286 PA patients have tested negative for the virus and that 40 percent of those testing positive are still in the 25-49 year old age group.  She says the Department is struggling to get an accurate picture of who is testing positive in the state for the virus because they find that data about race and ethnicity is missing from 60 percent of the reports submitted.  So they have enacted a requirement so they can collect the data from labs and medical providers.   All the numbers are compiled on the PA Department of Health website at health.pa.gov.

The Williamsport Regional Airport will receive help through the Corona Virus Aid, Relief and Economic Security – or CARES Act Airport Grant Program to replace lost revenue from a decline in airport business.  According to the Sun Gazette, Airport Executive Director Richard Howell said that $17.9 million in federal money is part of a large sum shared between 63 airports.  Howell said there will a discussion with the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority on how to use the approved funding.

There will be more buses weekdays on the River Valley Transit Route to reduce overcrowding.  According to a news release by the transportation company, 2 more buses will be added between 10am and 2pm and that Additional timepoints have been added going both East and West departing from the Trade & Transit Center.  Bus operators have been given masks, gloves and cleaning agents Riders are asked to only use bus service to go to work, medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential trips. Passengers are not required to purchase fare or passes to ride River Valley Transit buses Get details at rideRVT.com

A Limestone Township man has been charged with terroristic threats after threatening to kill his girlfriend in their 430 Shadle Road home on April 9^th.  According to the Sun Gazette, court papers say state troopers arrived on the scene after 34 year old Christopher Ungard allegedly punched the woman in the forehead causing a laceration that required stitches.  UNgard who now lives in Linden  was arraigned and released on 15 thousand dollars bail.

The current State police training class of about 100 cadets will continue their education at home after an enlisted staff member at the Hershey facility tested positive for COVID-19 and the facility will be closed for two weeks.  All activities and classes  at the facility have been suspended since March.  The Bureau of Training and Education for the state police is working to adjust instruction so that the current class can graduate by July 24 as scheduled.  Get details at psp.pa.gov.

Sports
NHL
The NHL won’t start back up this month, extending its self quarantine recommendation for players and staff and coaches through April 30.

MLB
Hank Steinbrenner the co-owner of the New York Yankees, has died after a long battle with an undisclosed illness. He was 63 Hank and Hal Steinbrenner were the two sons of the late George Steinbrenner who was with the team in the late 90s and 2000s

MLS
The major league soccer season is being delayed even longer and the season will likely have to be shortened. Official say starting back up in mid-May is unlikely