Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 2
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
With the World Series canceled, local Little Leagues are preparing for altered seasons
Sadness was the common thread that tied together the thoughts of local Little League Baseball presidents when the league’s World Series was canceled Thursday afternoon due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m incredibly sad,” Bellefonte Little League President Bill Carey told the Centre Daily Times. “It’s an institution, particularly here in Pennsylvania. I immediately thought of our 12-year-olds, who have spent their entire Little League careers with the dream of someday playing in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. That’s a lofty dream, but every kid has it and it was just yanked out from under them.”
Little League President Stephen Keener announced the cancellation of the World Series, as well as the championships in six other Little League divisions, in a Facebook Live broadcast Thursday. Little League International followed that up with a press release on its website.
- by Jon Sauber
As COVID-19 cases in Pa. nursing homes increase, so does frustration with reporting process
The state Department of Health has yet to identify which nursing or personal care homes have a confirmed case of the coronavirus, even as cases and deaths in long-term care facilities mount.
Of the 2,418 Pennsylvanians who have died from COVID-19 as of noon Saturday, 66.7% were nursing or personal care home residents, according to the state’s data.
Nearly 21% of total cases in the Keystone State involve a long-term care resident or employee. Three residents and two employees have tested positive across two facilities in Centre County as of noon Saturday, according to the DOH.
- by Bret Pallotto
Centre County reports no new COVID-19 cases for 2nd straight day as Pennsylvania total tops 48,000
For the second straight day, Centre County added no new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as the total number of cases in the county remained steady Saturday at 96, according to the state Department of Health.
That means the county has had about 14 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks — which remains well within the state’s target goal of having 50 such cases or fewer.
Statewide, the numbers continue to rise — but the rate of confirmed positive cases has slowed. As of noon Saturday, there are now 48,305 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 1,334 cases are new. That marks the 23rd straight day that single-day increases have been at or below 10%, after 34 consecutive days of the rate bouncing between 12% and 100%.
- by Josh Moyer
Pa. releases plans for reopening state parks, forests
State officials have announced plans to reopen some state park and forest facilities in Pennsylvania.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Saturday that public golf courses at Caledonia and Evansburg state parks and Michaux State Forest were authorized to reopen as of Friday.
All nine marinas in state parks will be open to the public next Friday or on their usual opening date. At least one restroom in day use areas and in marinas at state parks and forests statewide will be open to the public as of next Friday.
On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf lifted some pandemic restrictions on 24 largely rural counties in the northwest and north-central regions of Pennsylvania, moving them from red to yellow in the state’s color-coded reopening plan. The most heavily populated areas, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, will remain locked down, Wolf said.
In counties in the yellow phase, state park and forest facilities including offices, campgrounds, and the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle will be open to the public on May 15, state officials said. Cabins in those areas won’t be open until June and campgrounds and cabins in all other state parks will remain closed.
- Associated Press
‘This problem isn’t just happening somewhere else’: Dozens rally in State College for rent fairness
They came in rusted Volvos and black BMWs, with makeshift cardboard signs and professionally printed ones, in surgical masks and homemade face coverings.
Several dozen protesters — county residents, workers and students — gathered in downtown State College on Friday night to promote awareness of local rent and housing issues, as similar events took place around the country. With their vehicles plastered in signs like “Pay over profits” and “Be fair to renters,” they honked while slowly driving in circles as part of a “Rent Fairness Car Rally.”
Others pitched tents outside realty offices and clapped as the cars drove by. They chanted slogans such as, “Hey hey, ho ho, slumlords have got to go!” and “1-2-3-4, we can’t pay our rent no more!”
- by Josh Moyer
Bells to ring in solidarity across Pennsylvania on Sunday. Here’s how to participate
As political tensions have increased amid coronavirus shutdowns and reopenings, a statewide initiative is calling for solidarity Sunday night.
Bells Across Pennsylvania, an initiative of the Pennsylvania State Mayor’s Association, encourages residents, places of worship and other institutions with bell towers to ring bells for three minutes starting at 7 p.m. Sunday to show support for health care workers, first responders, grocery workers and all people on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to show solidarity and demonstrate a collective resolve as Pennsylvanians navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
In Centre County, State College Mayor Ron Filippelli proclaimed Sunday as Bells Across Pennsylvania Day in the borough, and Penn State announced Thursday that the Old Main bell tower will also ring out in solidarity.
- CDT news staff
Community outreach
Municipal services
- Brush and leaf collection will resume Monday in Ferguson Township, with a second collection scheduled for May 18. Brush and leaves should be placed curbside by 7 a.m.
- The Centre Region Code Administration will resume operations, while observing safety precautions, on Monday. The administration office will remain closed to the public for at least four to six weeks, during which time field staff will work out of their vehicles to reduce in-office contact with other staff. CRCA will begin accepting email requests for inspections starting Monday, as well as resume its normal inspection schedule.
Things to do
- Happy Valley Improv will perform virtually at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday starting next week on the streaming platform Mixer. The show is free but donations will be accepted; 25% will go to The State Theatre with another 25% to a local business or nonprofit each week. The group will also hold a monthly late night show, with this month’s set for 9:30 p.m. May 28. All shows will be streamed at www.mixer.com/happyvalleyimprov. Additionally, the group will offer virtual improv classes starting next week. Visit www.happyvalleyimprov.com/eprova.html for more information on schedules, fees and registration. Happy Valley Improv also hosts a free practice group at 7 p.m. Sundays. For more, or to join the group’s mailing list, email RichD.HVI@gmail.com.
Happy Valley’s Got Talent will be held virtually this year. The show, which benefits Tides, will be presented on Facebook at 7 p.m. May 12 and will feature performers from previous years. There will also be discussions about grief and loss during the pandemic.
Free meal options
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 10:43 AM.