Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 10

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

Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19; Pennsylvania up to 56,611 total cases

Centre County is now up to 119 cases of coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health, two more than were reported Saturday.

There are now 56,611 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, with 1,295 new cases since Saturday at noon. The state’s death total increased by 19 to 3,707 Sunday afternoon.

The DOH website lists Centre County at two COVID-19 deaths, though Centre County Scott Sayers confirmed Saturday that there were two new deaths at a county nursing home, bringing the death toll to three.

- by Jon Sauber

‘We just do it.’ Centre County teacher balances working from home with being a mom

For Teresia Pimental, some days are better than others when it comes to balancing being a mom, wife and teacher.

The Centre County Christian Academy educator has been working from home for months during the COVID-19 pandemic — teaching a combination of junior and senior high school subjects while making sure her own four kids are getting their schoolwork done.

“Some days, I am overwhelmed by the amount of emails I have to answer and grading I have to do while still meeting the needs of my children during the day,” she said.

- by Marley Parish

Here’s how Penn State students celebrated during virtual commencement ceremonies

The Bryce Jordan Center was quiet Saturday, but that didn’t stop Penn State students from decorating mortarboards, turning tassels and celebrating milestones while watching virtual commencement ceremonies.

According to a tweet from the university, the virtual commencement — scheduled in response to the coronavirus pandemic — had more than 90,000 views from 121 different countries. The livestream recognized all undergraduate students at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses, and all graduate students in the graduate school. It featured special appearances from former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, “Good Morning America’s” Lara Spencer, Joe Jonas and others.

- by CDT staff reports

Here’s how Penn State students will move out of the dorms amid the global pandemic

With Penn State’s spring semester officially finished, the university has turned its attention to moving students out of the dorms — and it let students know Saturday what to expect.

Only students currently in areas not under stay-at-home orders will be allowed to return to their on-campus housing, for two-hour windows between Monday and at least June 7. Eligible students — those who live in “yellow phase” counties in Pennsylvania, which have partially reopened, for example — will receive a personal email from the university asking them to sign up for a move-out time and date.

Those who are not eligible, such as those living in New York City, will not receive a personal email just yet.

-by Josh Moyer

‘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

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

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

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

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.
  
  

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.

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 10, 2020 at 8:49 AM.