Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 21
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
Significant amount of ‘Zoom bombing’ cases under investigation in Centre County, DA says
The Centre County district attorney’s office plans to aggressively prosecute anyone who engages in a cyber attack known as “Zoom bombing,” the county’s top prosecutor said Tuesday.
Zoom bombing, which is when an unwanted guest joins a video call with an intention to disrupt and harass others, began to happen when institutions turned to the teleconferencing software to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic.
“These times are challenging enough with the restrictions we have to work under, without having to deal with someone disrupting a 400-person classroom or a community meeting,” Cantorna said. “We are all in this together and we don’t need this kind of conduct. It is not funny, it is criminal.”
- by Bret Pallotto
A new loan program is available for Centre County businesses. Here’s what to know
A new loan program, launched by SEDA-COG, will provide $400,000 in new loans for local businesses in its 11-county region.
Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins announced the revolving loan fund program during Tuesday’s board meeting. To assist small businesses in Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder and Union counties, the program is available to for-profit companies.
“We encourage Centre County businesses to apply as soon as possible. If the revolving loan fund is over-subscribed, this demonstrates the need for more small business assistance programs at the regional, state and federal levels,” Higgins said.
- by Marley Parish
Centre County reports 2nd COVID-19 related death, as Pennsylvania tops 34,000 positive cases
After four straight days without a new positive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Centre County added another coronavirus-related death Tuesday in addition to four new confirmed cases, according to the state Department of Health.
That means there are now two total coronavirus-related deaths for the county and 77 total positive cases.
On its website, the state Department of Health reported the first case and death within a Centre County nursing home or personal care home. The name of the facility has not been released.
- by Josh Moyer
Wolf: Less-impacted areas may see ‘fairly robust’ reopening
Regions of Pennsylvania that have seen a relatively low number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus might be able to reopen “in a fairly robust” way on May 8, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.
Wolf, in a conference call with reporters, said he intends to loosen restrictions on people and businesses in much the same way they were imposed: Gradually, and county by county.
“There is not one size that fits all. We can start to reopen the state in, I think, some areas (in) a fairly robust way, in other areas less so,” Wolf said. “If I were in Philadelphia, I probably would not want my government to be saying, ‘OK, everything seems to be just perfect right now.’ ”
- The Associated Press
Hundreds of YMCA volunteers turn feeding thousands of Centre County residents into reality
When the Centre County YMCA summer lunch program had to start three months early, Mel Curtis didn’t think the anti-hunger program had the resources to feed every child in need.
But after hundreds volunteered to help in a matter of days, the executive director of the Moshannon Valley branch knows one thing for sure — he will never run out of food.
“The community, the volunteers, they want to be part of something,” Curtis said. “Nobody is looking for sainthood; they just want to help.”
- by Marley Parish
Closings/cancellations
- The Centre County Public Safety Training Center canceled all certification tests for May.
- The 33rd Bellefonte Cruise has been canceled.
- All state police spring and summer youth camps have been canceled, including Camp Cadet.
Law enforcement
- State College police are warning the public of fraudulent letters threatening to suspend Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. SSA will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed. The SSA will not suspend or decrease Social Security benefit payments or Supplemental Security Income payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any communication, whether by letter, text, email or phone call, that says the SSA will do so is a scam. Anyone who receives a suspicious communication should hang up or not respond and call police at 234-7150.
Health care
- Mount Nittany Health will hold a question and answer session about COVID-19 with Dr. Nirmal Joshi at 1 p.m. Wednesday via Facebook Live. To submit a question, message Mount Nittany Health on Facebook or email communications@mountnittany.org.
- While its offices are closed during the pandemic, AIDS Resource will mail free condoms to community members in order to encourage safer sex. Those interested can email condoms@aidsresource.com with their name, address and if they have a latex allergy, or fill out an online form. Visit aidsresource.com for more information.
Things to do
- Relay For Life of Penn State will host its annual event virtually on its website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Participants are encouraged to sign up to walk in 30-minute shifts and take photos. To register for the event, buy raffle tickets or sponsor a luminaria bag, go to psurelay.org. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
- In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month, Stewards of Children is holding virtual training sessions through the YMCA of Centre County to help people prevent, recognize and react to abuse. Training sessions are 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and 2-4 p.m Thursday. Register for the training sessions at the YMCA’s website.
Penn State’s Student Programming Association will host a virtual lecture by astronaut Eileen Collins at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Registration is required.
The YMCA of Centre County is holding its Run for Our Heroes virtual 5K run/walk anytime on Saturday. Participants can run or walk the 3.1 miles, then log their workout on Strava or email their time, along with their name, gender and age, to jcone@ymcaocc.org. Results will be posted at www.ymcaocc.org. While the event is free, a donation of food or money to the YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Program is encourages.
Community outreach
- First Commonwealth Bank will match up to $75,000 in employee or community member donations or pledges to nonprofits and food banks in Pennsylvania and Ohio through its “Be a Part” community campaign. Visit www.fcbanking.com/beapart before April 30 to participate in the program, which benefits 23 groups across the bank’s service area including the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
Free meal options
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 10:07 AM.