Live coronavirus updates: What to know about Centre County’s reopening

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news as Centre County, along with 23 other Pennsylvania counties, enters the yellow phase of Gov. Tom’s Wolf’s reopening plan.

‘I’m excited, but nervous.’ Business owners have mixed emotions as Centre County begins to reopen

Centre County’s subdued emergence from about six weeks of aggressive COVID-19 mitigation efforts featured smatterings of small crowds and some still-shuttered storefronts.

Centre was one of 24 counties that moved Friday into the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, which lifted the stay-at-home order, permitted gatherings of up to 25 people and allowed retail stores to reopen.

The reopening could be a financial boon for some business owners and their employees, but the marketing challenge isn’t lost on Nittany Quill owner Joy Mernin.

Convincing would-be customers to visit businesses after weeks of urging people to remain at home except for essential purchases is “a weird thing,” Mernin said.

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County has 1 new COVID-19 case as Pennsylvania added 1,323 new cases

Centre County added one new case of the coronavirus Friday, bringing the county’s total to 117 since a case of COVID-19 was first reported March 20, according to the state Department of Health.

The county has had about 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks, which remains below the state’s target goal of fewer than 50 new cases per 100,000.

- by Bret Pallotto

Western Pennsylvania to escape lockdown amid growing anger

Thirteen western Pennsylvania counties, including the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, will see relief from Gov. Tom Wolf’s most restrictive pandemic orders on movement and businesses next week, joining much of northern Pennsylvania that began emerging Friday.

But frustration among counties that remain locked down grew into something of a rebellion, with some Republican officials saying Friday that they would take it upon themselves to reopen in defiance of the Democratic governor. And some district attorneys declared their refusal to prosecute businesses that opened their doors in violation of Wolf’s shutdown.

The counties that will be permitted to gradually reopen next week are Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland, Wolf said.

The only western county held back, Beaver County, is home to a severe nursing home outbreak where dozens have died and a congressman is calling for an investigation.

In Lebanon County – where residents are still contracting the virus at a rate more than three times above the state’s threshold to be considered for shutdown relief – GOP state lawmakers notified Wolf on Friday of the county’s intention to lift pandemic restrictions on its own beginning next week.

In Dauphin County, home of the state Capitol, the Republican chairman of the Board of Commissioners called Wolf a “dictator” in an online message savaging the governor’s handling of the pandemic. The county made plans to reopen on its own next week – without the governor’s blessing.

Most of Pennsylvania, including the heavily populated Philadelphia area and hard-hit eastern Pennsylvania, remains under Wolf’s strictest shutdown orders, with no timeline to emerge. There, Wolf’s stay-at-home orders extend until June 4.

- The Associated Press

State College McDonald’s locations look to hire 150 new positions

As part of a new initiative, McDonald’s restaurants throughout State College are looking to hire at least 150 new employees immediately.

The quick-hire program launched Friday with all five local fast food restaurants hiring for full- and part-time employment.

“We are in a very difficult and uncertain time,” Joe Nyanko, owner and operator, said in a release.

- by Marley Parish

Pa. state liquor stores, including 6 in Centre County, to partially reopen for in-person sales

As parts of Pennsylvania move from the red to “yellow” phase, state liquor stores are gearing up for partial reopening.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Wednesday that 77 Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations will resume limited in-person sales, beginning Friday. Six of those stores are located in Centre County:

• 15 W. Olive St., Snow Shoe
• Hamilton Square Shopping Center, 230 Hamilton Square, State College
• 1682 N. Atherton St., State College
• The Benner Pike Shops, 323 Benner Pike, State College
• Weis Markets Shopping Center, 178 Buckaroo Lane, Bellefonte

• 127 Southridge Plaza, State College

- by Marley Parish

What does Centre County’s upcoming ‘yellow’ phase mean for Centre Region parks?

As Centre County prepares for a partial reopening, the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority has altered its COVID-19 response plan to ensure the health and safety of park visitors.

While the county is in its “yellow” status as outlined by Gov. Tom Wolf, CRPR programs and events remain canceled through June 30. But some park facilities — restrooms and athletic courts — will open next week, the authority announced Monday.

Under Wolf’s plan, counties moving to the yellow phase starting Friday will operate under new guidelines until moving to the green phase. Wolf said there is no date when an area could move to a green designation.

Beginning Monday, restrooms will open at CRPR parks, but all water fountains will remain closed until Centre County achieves green status. Until further notice, all fountains will be bagged and marked as closed.

- by Marley Parish

Ready to get back to the movies? Here’s how a central Pa. drive-in is preparing to open

Seventy years after it first began, the Super 322 Drive-In is still going strong — and even the novel coronavirus hasn’t stopped it.

While the global pandemic has shut down movie theaters across the state, a disappointment for many movie lovers, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office clarified earlier this week that drive-ins — such as the one in Clearfield County, between Clearfield and Philipsburg — will still be allowed to operate. Of course, that currently only goes for drive-ins in “yellow” phase counties, but Super 322 is one of the few drive-ins located in an area set to partially reopen Friday.

It’s also the closest drive-in to Centre County, about a 10-minute drive from Philipsburg and a 45-minute drive from State College. It’s currently the only nearby spot that Centre County residents will be able to watch movies, outside of personal computers and TVs.

- by Josh Moyer

A ‘soft launch’? Centre County businesses approach partial reopening with caution

Days ahead of Centre County’s partial reopening, some businesses and organizations are reviewing state recommendations while others plan to open doors that have been closed for about six weeks.

Several COVID-19 restrictions are set to be lifted or eased Friday in Centre County and 23 other counties, Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week.

Stay-at-home orders are scheduled to be removed, gatherings of up to 25 people are expected to be permitted and retail stores and some other businesses can start to reopen.

- by Bret Pallotto

Real estate activities to resume in yellow areas

Starting Friday, real estate activity can resume in areas designated as yellow under the governor’s reopening plan, albeit with limitations. That includes no more than two people in a property at one time for in-person inspections, showings or walk-throughs, and social distancing precautions must be taken as well, including masks.

Hank Lerner, director of law and policy for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, said social distancing guidelines mean that open houses are pretty much off the table. But, he said, the Wolf administration should have allowed three people to go into houses together to accommodate both spouses and their agent. Otherwise, two such tours might be necessary, thus potentially increasing exposure to the virus, Lerner said.

- The Associated Press

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.

- The Associated Press

Centre County has more COVID-19 cases than nearby ‘red’ phase counties. Why will it reopen sooner?

As 24 Pennsylvania counties prepare for a partial reopening, some are questioning the state’s plan, but Gov. Tom Wolf’s office says the deciding factor includes more than just COVID-19 case numbers.

After meeting key metrics for coronavirus mitigation, including averaging fewer than 50 new positive cases of the virus per 100,000 residents for 14 days, Centre County will move into the “yellow” phase of reopening on Friday. Grouped with rural, northern counties, Centre County has more total cases than neighboring counties including Blair and Mifflin — areas that will still be in the red phase of reopening.

Additional reopening criteria includes having enough testing for individuals with symptoms and target populations, robust case investigation, contact tracing and safeguards for high-risk facilities.

- by Marley Parish

Pennsylvania news

• Dental providers can perform some elective procedures under revised guidance issued Friday by the state Department of Health. Cleanings and other routine dental care are still off-limits, The Associated Press reported. “We want to make sure that dental practices are operating in a way that protects everyone working in the dental office, patients, and community,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “If a practice does not have the proper personal protective equipment to perform procedures, then they simply cannot operate. However, we also realize that we do not want to create additional public health needs after the pandemic related to dental issues. By taking appropriate precautions, dentists across Pennsylvania can provide necessary public health treatments in a safe and effective way.” Patients should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving and social distancing guidelines should be followed.
  
  

Business updates

Health care

Child care

Mass transit

• The Centre Area Transportation Authority will resume service Monday on the XB (Bellefonte) and XG (Pleasant Gap) routes. Riders must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth. CATA encourages travel only to essential locations, such as medical facilities, supermarkets and workplaces. Fares are not being collected and passengers are asked to board from the rear door, if possible. CATA continues to operate the HM (Nittany Mall/Toftrees), P (Tussey Mountain), NV (Havershire/Martin/Vairo/Toftrees), RP (Waupelani Drive/downtown) and W (Valley Vista) routes, and the Blue Loop and Red Link. Service runs on a modified schedule from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit www.catabus.com for special route timetables.

Pets

Recreation

• Shooting ranges will reopen Friday in counties that move to the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said Tuesday. Rifle, shotgun, pistol and archery ranges on state game lands will reopen, including those on State Game Lands 176 in Centre County, State Game Lands 77 in Clearfield County, State Game Lands 24 in Forest County, State Game Lands 72 in Clarion County and State Game Lands 109 in Erie County. The commission’s regional offices in Jersey Shore and Franklin will also reopen to the public Friday. Shooting ranges on state game lands in red counties will remain closed. Shooting range permits will be considered valid for an additional two months to make up for the time the ranges were closed. Permits are set to expire June 30 but will be considered valid through Aug. 31. “The Game Commission wants to be fair to those who pay to use ranges on state game lands, and making 2019-20 shooting range permits, as well as 2019-20 hunting and furtaker licenses, valid to use shooting ranges through Aug. 31 will enable shooters to make up for lost time,” Executive Director Bryan Burhans said in a release.

Government services

• State Department of Transportation driver license centers will reopen in a limited capacity Friday in Erie, Selinsgrove and Williamsport. Additional Driver License and Photo License Centers in yellow phase counties are expected to reopen in the next few days. Once reopened, centers can provide CDL transactions, out-of-state transfers and ID card issuance, photo license services, driver license restoration services that can’t be completed online or via mail, medical-related testing and non-U.S. citizen transaction processing. The state extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16 through May 31 to June 30.
• PennDOT announced Friday evening that several more Driver and Photo License Centers will open with limited services Saturday, including the Rockview center at 812 W. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap. The center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday will be designated for customers 60 and older. Customers will be asked about potential COVID-19 symptoms and will be required to wear masks inside the facility. Seating has been reduced and floor markings added to help visitors practice social distancing.
  
  

Jobs

• Starting Friday, all five State College-area McDonald’s locations will begin a quick-hire initiative to provide immediate crew and manager positions for local residents who are facing financial hardship. McDonald’s is looking to fill at least 150 news positions. To apply, go to www.mcdonalds.com/careers or text “APPLY” to #36453. “We are in a very difficult and uncertain time,” said owner/operator Joe Nyanko. “The local economy has taken a major hit with the loss of many annual events and the university’s pause in operations. I am announcing this initiative to immediately provide work for those who need it most.”

Closings/cancellations

• Millheim Pool at Soldier and Sailors Park will not be opening this summer due to COVID-19, according to a statement on its Facebook page. “This was an extremely difficult decision for the PVPRA (Penns Valley Parks and Recreation Association) board. Many factors played a role, including uncertainty as to when the commonwealth will permit public pools to open. Most of our summer staff cannot be trained since certification authorities have postponed classes until as late as July. Of highest concern is the safety of the public and our staff, and we could not ensure both to a degree with which we were satisfied,” the statement read.

Pennsylvania news

• While Centre and 23 other counties move into the yellow phase on Friday, the Wolf administration extended the the stay-at-home order for the counties in the red phase until June 4. An announcement about additional counties moving into the yellow phase is expected Friday.
• Under the new order for the 24 counties moving into the yellow phase, the non-life-sustaining business closure has been suspended. The prohibition of dine-in facilities remains in effect, but carryout, delivery and drive-thru services can continue as long as proper social distancing is observed. There will be a limited lifting of the stay-at-home order, but gatherings must be kept to no more than 25 people. Enforcement of the order begins Friday.

Community outreach/appreciation

Things to do

• 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. Tuesday and will feature performers from previous years. There will also be discussions about grief and loss during the pandemic.

• Happy Valley Improv will perform virtually at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday 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 this 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.

• A community rock garden has been set up in Greenbriar Saybrook Park, 1386 N. Foxpointe Drive, State College, and is open to anyone who wants to paint a rock and share it in the garden. The rock garden started in March, with people leaving rocks that have messages of encouragement or art for others to enjoy. The garden is located in the middle of the park, with rocks placed in the barked/natural areas (not grass) around the trees.

Free meal options

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 9:57 AM.