Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 11
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
Wolf: ‘Cowardly’ counties ‘choosing to desert’ virus fight
Gov. Tom Wolf blasted local elected officials who plan to reopen in defiance of his shutdown orders, threatening Monday to yank coronavirus aid and declaring they are “choosing to desert in the face of the enemy.”
The normally mild-mannered Democrat fired back after several counties declared themselves in open rebellion against his restrictions on businesses and movement, saying local officials who pronounce themselves open for business will pay a steep price.
“To those politicians who decide to cave in to this coronavirus, they need to understand the consequences of their cowardly act,” said Wolf, threatening to withhold state and federal funding to counties “that put us all at risk by operating illegally.”
- The Associated Press
Centre County reports no new COVID-19 cases as state total exceeds 57,000
Centre County added no new coronavirus cases Monday, according to the state Department of Health. The total number of reported cases is 119.
There are now 57,154 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, with 543 new cases since Sunday at noon. The state’s death total increased by 24 to 3,731 Monday afternoon.
The DOH website lists two COVID-19 deaths in Centre County, though Centre County Scott Sayers confirmed two new deaths at a county nursing home Saturday, bringing the death toll to three.
- by Marley Parish
What does moving into the ‘yellow phase’ mean for Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests?
Pennsylvanians can expect to have more outdoor recreation options available to them as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration begins to ease some COVID-19 mitigation efforts in certain parts of the state.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources each opted for a phased reopening of facilities and services that closed in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Many of the changes were implemented only in the 24 counties, including Centre County, that moved into the yellow phase of Wolf’s reopening plan on Friday. Wolf also announced Friday that 13 additional counties, in western Pennsylvania, will enter the yellow phase on May 15.
-by Bret Pallotto
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
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 resumed 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
- 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
- Several Centre County small food businesses and farms are among 110 recipients of The Giant Co.’s emergency grant program. Giant announced in April that it would distribute $250,000 through the program with Team Pennsylvania but doubled the amount to $500,000 after seeing the response. Small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain affected by the COVID-19 pandemic received grants from $2,500 to $15,000. The program received more than 500 applications. Locally, Philly Pretzel Factory in State College, Strong Roots Organic Farm in Woodward and Tait Farm Foods in Centre Hall each received a grant.
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 11, 2020 at 8:51 AM.