DOH REPORTS LATEST COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR PENNSYLVANIA
According to the PA Department of Health, the latest COVID-19 case count in Lycoming County is 17, but there are 1,989 new cases in Pennsylvania bringing the statewide total to 18, 228.  Twenty-nine new deaths in the commonwealth, brings the total fatalities to 338.  Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine says the governor’s guidelines are working and staying home is the right thing to do.  She says we need to keep protecting our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and our healthcare workers and frontline responders.

TWO ALARM HOUSE FIRE IN WATSONTOWN
Several Fire companies responded to a 2 alarm house fire this morning, reportedly on Main Street in Watsontown.  According to the Union County Firewire on Facebook, the fire has been brought under control but Warrior Run, Milton,White Deer, Mifflinburg, Cameron Co, Watsontown Borough and more units were on the scene.  Watch for low visability due to the smoke from the structure and emergency crews on the scene near Main street.

WIND GUSTS BROUGHT DOWN TREES AND LIMBS
Some Lycoming County residents experienced power outages yesterday after gusty winds reached 35 miles per hour, and brought some limbs and trees down causing delays for crews out trying to restore power to customers.  Officials report Station 18 Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company worked from around noon til 2pm around 1670 Log Run Road in Loyalsock where a tree went across the road and brought down power lines.  According to the Sun Gazette, 911 communications reported wind related incidents near Balls Mills in Hepburn township, in Salladasburg, and Picture Rocks,  as well as in the east end of Williamsport near Eldred Street, on Bloominggrove Road and Northway Road.  The national weather service says there’s more wind maybe up to 40mph – in store for Saturday.

AIRPORT TAXIWAY BIDS EXPECTED NEXT MONTH
Bid openings are expected next month after the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority voted to advertise for a taxiway project that’s slated to begin later this year.  However, according to the Sun Gazette, Airport Executive director, Michael Howell, the Montour Street project to extend the street to the airport,  remains behind schedule and hopes to qualify for funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that President Trump enacted March 27^th.

LICENSE RENEWALS, WAIVERS AND EXTENSIONS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN PA
Licensed professional healthcare professionals facilities and trainees can respond more easily to the COVID-19 disaster declaration after the PA Department of State announced 30 licensing waivers since March 17^th,  available to extend some filing deadlines, renew qualifications,  and expedite temporary licenses for out-of-state health care workers.  Restrictions will also be loosened on in person requirements for notary work.  The Department of State website will be updated regularly as additional requirement waiver information becomes available at www.dos.pa.gov

CONGRESSMAN WANTS TO HALT PRISONER MOVEMENT
Congressman Fred Keller of Kreamer has called on the director of the federal bureau of prisons to stop the irresponsible movement of prisoners to USP Lewisburg in consideration of the Pandemic Act of 2020.  According to a press release on Keller’s website, By housing inmates set to be moved in the northeast region at USP Lewisburg, the federal Bureau of Prisons is endangering the community and putting at risk the staff members who work at the facility every day.  He wants director Michael Carvejal to halt all prisoner movement during this national emergency.

CITY REAL ESTATE TAX EXTENSION
The Williamsport City Treasurer said there will be extra time for paying city real estate taxes.  According to the Sun Gazette, County taxes will keep the original schedule.  Due to financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, the discounted rate for city real estate tax has been extended from April 30 to June 30, while the deadline to pay at the normal rate shifts from June 30 to August 31.  The deadline for filing business privilege and mercantile, or local earned income tax with no penalties or interest is July 15.  The taxes may be put in a secure drop-off box outside a closed City Hall, online payments or through U.S. Postal Service.  Lycoming County property owners can pay their real estate tax bills online or by mail by April 30 and receive a 2 percent discount for early payment.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR A woman in Montour county has been arrested for trespassing and defying a stay- home order and other charges after leading police on a vehicle chase last Saturday starting at the Hampton Inn at 97 Old Valley School Road near Danville.  According to North Central PA dot come, state police were called when 38 year old Taylor Eaton was discovered trespassing on the property in her Volkwagen Jetta.  She fled from police, heading east on Rt 54, took U-turns and finally tried to flee on foot.  She was caught, arrested and arraigned in Bloomsburg.  Eaton posted 10 thousand dollars bail.

GOVERNOR WOLF ANNOUNCES SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED
Governor Wolf announced yesterday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in efforts to protect students and communities, the school buildings in Pennsylvania will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  Speaking in a video message, Governor Wolf today said that just because school buildings are closed there will continue to be progress. All Department of Education early learning program classrooms will also remain closed.

Sports

NFL
The Buffalo Bill fanbase is embracing newest receiver Stefon Diggs with a 4 patty burger named “Can you Diggs it?” in his honor at a local burger place.  Diggs was traded to Buffalo on March 16 for a first, fifth and sixth-round pick in 2020, and a fourth-round pick in 2021. He spent his first five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings,

NBA
The semifinals for the NBA 2K Players Tournament are set between some of the NBA’s top video game players – Suns guard Devin Booker, Clippers Montrezl Harrell, Phoenix center Deandre Ayton and Clippers guard Patrick Beverley will play against each other Saturday at 8 pm eastern on ESPN.

The dates of the ESPN HORSE competition have been finalized for the players of Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Chicago, plus some WNBA stars, competing from their home locations.  The first round will be Sunday from 7-9 eastern.  Semi-finals and the championship will happen April 16^th from 9-11

UFC Boxing
UFC 249 will not proceed on April 18 despite UFC president Dana White’s efforts to move forward with the pay-per-view event.  All other UFC events have also been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to ESPN, Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business took a recent small sample poll of 762 Americans, and released Thursday that 72% said they would not attend a live sporting event even if they resumed without a vaccine for the coronavirus.  Only 13% said they would feel comfortable going to games the way they had in the past.

TOTAL COVID-19 CASES IN LYCOMING COUNTY GOES TO 15
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed yesterday that there are now 15 cases of COVID-19 in Lycoming County, and 1,680 additional positive cases overall, bringing the statewide total to 16,239 in all 67 counties.  Seventy new deaths were reported among positive cases, which is a statewide total to 310. Clinton County has 3 cases, Tioga 10, Sullivan 1, Northumberland 22 and Union 8 cases of the coronavirus.  There are 82,299 patients who have tested negative to date

WOLF SIGNS ORDER TO SHARE EQUIPMENT STATEWIDE
Governor Wolf signed an order yesterday to allow Pennsylvania’s healthcare system to transfer medical supplies and information between facilities in the state as we combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In a video statement yesterday Governor Wolf said the order ensures the efficient allocation and use of critical medical resources by hospitals in the state. <<<  WOLF 1 have to choose >>>/<<<WOLF 2 every Pennsylvanian>>>> Department of Health officials are working with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or PEMA to meet a potential surge of COVID -19 patients.

MOTORCYCLE AND CAR ACCIDENT NEAR 180 MONDAY
There was an accident between a motorcycle and a vehicle Monday around 5:45pm along the East Third Street Entrance to 180-West in Williamsport.  Fifty-four year old David Craig II, 54, of Montoursville, was operating the motorcycle and refused treatment at the scene also involved was Russell Lindstrom, of Williamsport who was driving a 2006 Mercedes Benz.  No word on Lindstrom’s condition.

KNOEBEL’S  WILL DELAY OPENING
Knoebel’s Amusement resort recently announced the 2020 season and all off season construction projects will be on hold there until further notice following the Covid-19 breakout.  According to their website, due to the fluidity of the situation they will be making decisions one week at a time and to contact them if you have any questions.  Reservations are being taken for June 1^st through November 1^st, but availability is based on actual opening days.  Get details Online at knoebels.com

NEW STATEWIDE EQUIPMENT DATABASE
The Department of Health has launched a new hospital preparedness dashboard that provides an overview of the capacity of the state’s entire health care system. Secretary of Health,  Dr Rachel Levine said it’s an effort to get as much data to the community as possible  9The public dashboard can be found in the COVID-19 section of health.pa.gov.

BLaST INTERMEDIATE UNIT OFFERS WEBINARS
As classrooms in our area transition to online, BLaST IU17 has released a new webinar series for teachers through their Online Learning Hub, featuring free 30 minute webinars to help teachers with content-specific approaches as teachers switch to remote learning.  BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 serves about 30 thousand students  throughout Lycoming, Tioga, Bradford and Sullivan county school districts.  Find out more about the Education Resource Guide and Online Learning at iu17.org

YOUNG BOY INJURED ON UTV IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
A 6 year old boy from Northumberland County was seriously injured when the Utility all-terrain vehicle he was operating overturned and pinned him.  According to state police in Stonington, the boy from Pittman was on Howerter’s Road in upper Mahanoy Township around 4pm, went off the road on a curve, hit a fence and was thrown.  He was flown to Geisinger Medical Center and no information has been released about his condition.  a nine year old riding on the UTV was no injured in the crash. Volunteers from the Mahantango and Klingerstown fire departments responded along with Hegins ambulance.

Sports

MLB
Heritage Auctions recently auctioned off one of the first bats used in Lou gerigs career for $1,025,000.

NCAA
Alabama football coach Nick Saban said that following his self-quarantine he has had to learn how to email and text for himself now that he lacks the people who do it for him.

NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder All Star guard Chris Pail, Atlanta Hawks All Star Guard Trae Young and Chicago Bulls guard Zack LaVine will be participating in a televised game of horse on the network

NFL
Tom Brady recently revealed that he had skipped patriots training sessions because his wife Giselle Brady felt that he was putting too much attention towards football and his business dealings.

O RECORDS SET WITH COVID-19 NUMBERS YESTERDAY
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine confirmed the number of cases of COVID-19 yesterday; 1,470 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 12,980 in 65 counties, with 12 new deaths among positive cases, bringing that total to 162.   However, Governor Wolf  gave a bit of good news during yesterday’s video press conference, saying that the current virus numbers did not set any single-day records in any category, and that the first exponential increase in cases has resulted in a flatter curve than anticipated and as people stay home, that curve can continue to stay low and the our state healthcare systems will be spared from an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 patients at once.   At this time, Lycoming County now has 10 cases, Clinton County has 3.  All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

POLICE SEEK SUSPECTS IN WILLIAMSPORT SHOOTING
A man was killed by an unknown gunman while pulling an SUV into a parking area of an apartment building at the 300 block of Bridge Street in Williamsport early Sunday.  According to the Sun Gazette, police are looking for suspects who fired multiple shots that residents heard around 3 in the morning, which killed 27 year-old Amir Nobles of Philadelphia.  Police say bullets struck and killed the man causing the vehicle to veer from his route near the Bridge Street Commons, and another nearby car was struck by the gunshots.  If you have information about this shooting please call Agent Justin Snyder.  This is the city’s first homicide of the year.

TELE-TOWN HALL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT
During Senator Gene Yaw’s tele-town hall event yesterday to address the recent response to COVID-19, members of the public asked questions about business and unemployment issues.  Senator Yaw, acknowledging that people want to get back to work,  said that state lawmakers continue to assess the exceptions between essential and non-life-sustaining business as many have applied.  Eric Kratz, executive director, State Senate Labor and Industry Committee acknowledged a backlog in unemployment claims and that self-employed people will soon be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

CITY WORKS BEGIN COLLECTING DEBRIS WHILE FOLLOWING STATE GUIDELINES
The city is practicing their social distancing requirements as crews began to pick up yard debris yesterday.  According to the Sun Gazette, Mayor Slaughter said they have reduced the crew to one operator per truck to follow state and federal guidelines when picking up the debris that residents have been asked to leave at the curb.  Officials from City Public works are discouraging use of the city brush pile at this time during the pandemic.

WOMAN IN CUSTODY AFTER ASSAULTING A STATE TROOPER
A woman from West Milton woman allegedly pushed and kicked a state trooper and is facing felony charges. Selinsgrove State Police say they were responding to a welfare check when Pamela Klinger ignored verbal commands on the scene, and pushed an officer.  Klinger was taken into custody after having to be restrained.  She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge John Reed and taken to Snyder County prison in lieu of . $25,000 bail.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO BE CLEANED WITH NEW TRUCK
Old Lycoming Township will start it to cleaning public parks and equipment this week using jet-vac truck purchased with a grant for $622,000 through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority  or PENNVEST.  According to the Sun Gazette, the truck  has a multitude of abilities, and a sanitation tank with a solution used to clean bacteria.  Matthew Aikey, township manager said the parks are closed but the solution they use is safe for the environment and will keep workers safe while cleaning out sewers, maintaining waterways and spraying down equipment.

FREE DRIVE-UP WIFI AT TIOGA COUNTY UNIVERSITY
Mansfield University is sharing its WiFi with the community To allow students and community members access to the internet while promoting social distancing, Mansfield University Campus Technologies is providing drive-up WiFI at some locations on their campus. Mansfield University president Charles Patterson said in a press release, that they want to be a source of accessibility to the community so anyone in need of access to the internet can drive-up to many of the public parking lots and connect to the Mounties Mobile Guest wireless network for free.  Residence hall parking lots are not an authorized location for Drive-up WiFi.

FIVE MORE REST STOPS OPEN STATEWIDE
PennDOT is reopening  indoor facilities at five additional rest areas statewide. PennDOT’s rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19.  Additional cleaning and maintenance will be performed at all reopened locations. Tourism services are not available at this time, but U.S. 15S in Tioga County, 7 miles south of the New York State line is reopened today along with 4 other areas on Interstate 81, I-70 and Interstate 90 in Erie County that each reopened Monday.

Sports

NBA
Officials with the NBA are exploring whether a rapid blood testing process, to find accurate results as to who has the coronavirus, would allow the league to get back to resuming play in the near future.  The Washington Post reports a 15 minute rapid response test, which is approved by the FDA was shipped from an Illinois based laboratory to some areas of the US last week, but the NBA implied that it’s important that testing is done for those who need it most right now.
NFL
The NFL Draft is still set to take place later this month but it will be fully virtual.  Commissioner Roger Goodell said all coaches, general managers and team personnel will operate from their homes.

UFC fighter Anthony Smith had to fight an intruder in his Nebraska home early Sunday this week.  Smith, who lives with his wife an 3 daughters, fought the unarmed man, who had attempted to break into other area homes, until police arrived and took him into custody.  Luke Haberman was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, according to the sheriff’s department there.

Golf
A Summer line up of PGA tournaments are solidified after the coronavirus pandemic altered the schedule of almost all sports this spring.  The PGA Championship originally to be played in May is now August 6 thru 9^th in Harding Park San Francisco, The US Open scheduled for June is now September 17^th in New York, The Masters set to start this week will be played in November and The Open at Royal St. George is cancelled.  The Ryder Cup coming up in Kohler Wisconsin in September has been unchanged.

CLINTON COUNTY REPORTS FIRST CASE OF THE VIRUS
The PA department of Health confirmed that Clinton County has reported one case of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the commonwealth to 8,420 in 63 counties now.  There are 1404 new cases as of yesterday at noon, Lycoming has reported 8 total cases in the county. There have been 102 deaths from COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

PENNSYLVANIANS ENCOURAGED TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC
Yesterday Governor Wolf asked all Pennsylvania to participate in the mitigation of COVID-19,  and  to wear a cloth or homemade mask when outside of the home.. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine added that the N95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Wolf said wearing a mask helps cut down the possibility of infecting others.   According to Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, a homemade mask isn’t fool proof as far as keeping you from catching the virus but it is one more tool or line of defense against community spread.  According to a press release, Geisinger Medical center yesterday updated their policy requiring all employees, patients and visitors to wear a mask while inside within Geisinger buildings.  The hospitals will provide the appropriate level of mask at their facilities. According to the news conference, masking is expected to be recommended by the CDC shortly. Read the PA Department of Health guidance here.

EVICTIONS IN PA SUSPENDED, AG GOING FURTHER TO HELP
The PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro said that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered courts closed to eviction proceedings due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, but that he is working with landlords and mortgage lenders urging them to extend the time  to proceed with evictions for a period of time beyond what the Supreme Court and Department of Housing and Urban Development requires,  so those affected have time to recover.  According to WNEP, if you have been wrongfully evicted or foreclosed upon, you can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General.

SPAY AND NEUTERING REQUIRED FOR PET ADOPTIONS IS TEMPORARILY WAIVED
The Department of Agriculture has suspended the requirement to spay or neuter pets before adoption , in order to conserve personal protective equipment during the pandemic.   The requirement is waived for now, with the contingency that pet owners will have 120 days from the time of adopting to spay or neuter those pets.  If you’re looking to adopt a dog or cat, the shelters are authorized to continue adopting pets out in Pennsylvania. The Lycoming County SPCA has cancelled their 2020 Paws Run and hope to hold it in 2021.  Those who have already registered can either receive a refund, or donate their entry fee to support the non-profit.
GEISINGER:  PLEASE SCHEDULE DONATION DROP-OFF
Officials in charge of the supply chain for Geisinger medical center have requested that the public wishing to make charitable donations to not drop them off at the hospital, but to schedule a time for the drop off of your gift either through the website of by calling 800-739-6882.  According to a Geisinger press release, individuals and groups are asked to hold off on making food donations since they are unable to accept foods prepared in a home kitchen. They say those wishing to help are asked instead to make a monetary donation.

Sports
NBA
Layoffs  are underway within the Utah Jazz. Including non-basketball personnel, and some employees are taking salary reductions. The Jazz are one of approximately 80 companies within the Larry H. Miller Group.

NFL
The NFL  chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, this week told the NFL that in order for the season to start on time like they would like, certain prerequisites like widespread testing for the coronavirus must be met for that to happen.

The state of Florida has levied three formal charges against Antonio Brown for an alleged January assault in South Florida against  a delivery truck driver outside of Brown’s home. He faces felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges, according to a Broward County court document.  Brown turned himself in on Jan. 23 two days after the incident.

NHL

The New York Rangers are investigating how a video chat with prospect K’Andre Miller and fans was “hijacked” by a racial attack directed toward the African American player. The 20 year old participated in a Zoom chat that was limited to 500 participants on Friday afternoon. With about 150 fans streaming the chat, the comments section for questions was overrun with the slurs.  ESPN says reports of the incident was forwarded to the FBI.

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 30^th.  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 16^th 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.