Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 3

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.

Centre County adds 6 COVID-19 cases as Pennsylvania total tops 49,000

After two days of no increases, Centre County added six new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, according to the state Department of Health.

There are now 102 cases in Centre County and 49,267 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, with 962 new cases since Saturday at noon.

Centre County now has three nursing or personal care homes with COVID-19 cases. There are three cases among residents and three cases among employees, according to the state Department of Heath.

-by Jon Sauber

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

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

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

Community outreach

• To support business owners during this time, Steve Koval of B2B CFO in State College is offering local businesses access to free cash flow advice sessions. In the 30-minute remote, one-on-one phone call sessions, business owners will learn what immediate action they can take, what plans they could make for the next few months and valuable insights on how they can restart their business. For more information, call 880-8835, email stevekoval@b2bcfo.com or visit http://stevekovalcfo.com.

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. For information on schedules, fees and registration, visit www.happyvalleyimprov.com/eprova.html. 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 3, 2020 at 8:59 AM.