Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 12
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news as Centre County continues to reopen. Check back for updates.
Though ‘not the ideal graduation,’ one Centre County school district plans in-person ceremony
Members of the Penns Valley class of 2020 will be honored in person, as the school district announced plans Tuesday for a socially-distant commencement.
The Penns Valley Area School District will host a combined in-person and virtual graduation on June 5 at 9 a.m. in front of the high school to honor graduating seniors and their families.
“We understand that this is not the ideal graduation ceremony, but we are thankful that we will have the opportunity to congratulate the class of 2020 in person,” Dustin Dalton, director of data and instruction, said in a Facebook post announcing the plans.
- by Marley Parish
Pennsylvania AG opens criminal probes into nursing homes
Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor has opened criminal investigations into several nursing homes amid a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 2,600 residents of nursing homes and other facilities that care for older adults, more than two-thirds of the state’s death toll, his office announced Tuesday.
The attorney general’s office did not say how many facilities it is investigating, or reveal their names or provide any other details about the specific allegations. In general, the attorney general’s office has jurisdiction in manners of criminal neglect.
“We will hold nursing facilities and caretakers criminally accountable if they fail to properly provide care to our loved ones,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a written statement. “While we salute and appreciate nursing home staff on the front lines during this pandemic, we will not tolerate those who mistreat our seniors and break the law.”
- Associated Press
Centre County child care centers adjust to new guidelines, sharp decline in enrollment
Child care centers in Centre County were permitted to reopen Friday, but many families were not in a rush Monday to send their kids back for the first time in about seven weeks.
Attendance at Step by Step School for Early Learning was down about 87% Monday, while Dall’Inizio DaySchool’s attendance was down about 63%, respective owners Rachel Johnson and Carrie Pase said.
Both Ferguson Township day cares were concerned with complying with state and federal guidance, but otherwise had little to no hesitation in reopening.
- by Bret Pallotto
Centre County adds 3 new COVID-19 cases as Pennsylvania’s total nears 58,000
Centre County added three new coronavirus cases Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. The total number of reported cases since the pandemic began is 122.
There are now 57,991 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, with 837 new cases since Monday’s update. The state’s death total increased by 75 to 3,806 in Tuesday’s noon update.
The DOH website lists two COVID-19 deaths in Centre County, though Centre County Scott Sayers confirmed two new deaths from a county nursing home Saturday, bringing the total to three after an 89-year-old man was the county’s first death on April 16.
- by Jon Sauber
As Centre County reopens into ‘yellow’ phase, some local government services resume
As Centre County reopens and Gov. Tom Wolf eases COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the “yellow” phase, some local government and state services will resume.
Public access to county and municipal buildings is still restricted as remote work continues in the yellow phase of reopening, but some agencies will resume services while taking precaution to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
- by Marley Parish
Students expected to return to school in fall, ed chief says
Gov. Tom Wolf’s education secretary told lawmakers on Monday that he expects students to go back to school in the fall, and the Department of Education will provide guidance in the coming weeks to prepare teachers and staff to return to school buildings.
Schools have been closed since March under Wolf’s orders to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus, keeping more than 1.7 million public school children home and exposing big differences in the ability of wealthier and poorer districts to educate children online.
Education Secretary Pedro Rivera, testifying in a Senate committee hearing, acknowledged that schools will need additional aid to respond to various challenges posed by school closures and the need to contain the virus.
- Associated Press
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
Business updates
- The Penn State Berkey Creamery reopened on Monday for same-day, curbside pickup of prepackaged items. “We are beyond excited to be offering creamery curbside pickup,” assistant manager Jim Brown said in a release. “However, our top concern is the health and safety of our staff and customers. As a food-service facility, we follow strict guidelines for sanitization and safety, but we are taking extra precautions in the wake of COVID-19.” Curbside service is being offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday through Friday in the East Parking Deck. Customers must call between 10 and 11 a.m. to reserve a same-day pickup time, and they must prepay using a credit or debit card. There will be designates parking spots for pickup, but they will be limited. In anticipation of high volume of calls, customers are encouraged to check the creamery’s website for availability of flavors prior to placing an order. Call 863-4760 to reserve a spot.
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.
Education
Pennsylvania news
- The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that it will use existing photos on file for for customers who renew their driver’s license and identification cards to help limit the number of people in its driver and photo license centers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. All customers who renew their driver’s license or photo ID card online or through the mail will receive a new product using the most recent photo of that individual that exists in PennDOT’s system. Anyone who renewed their product on or before Sunday will receive a camera card in the mail and will need to visit a PennDOT Photo License Center to obtain an updated photo. The Rockview center at 812 W. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap is now 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.
- In further effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, PennDOT announced Tuesday that expiration dates for vehicle registrations and safety and emission inspections will be extended. Vehicle registrations, safety inspections and emissions inspections and persons with disabilities parking placards scheduled to expire from March 16 through May 31 have now been extended through June 30. The same extensions were announced for driver’s licenses on May 1.
Centre County services
- The Centre County Correctional Facility has released 127 inmates since March 23 in effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to the facility’s online dashboard, which was updated Monday. The facility’s population is now at 146. The CCCF has had six inmates test positive for the virus. No employees have so far received a positive test.
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.
Penn State President Eric Barron will host a virtual town hall at 3:30 p.m. on May 19 to answer questions regarding how the university continue to manage the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including the work being done to return students and staff to campus. The hourlong event will be livestreamed at https://liveevents.psu.edu/, and also feature Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones and other key faculty and administrative leaders.
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.
Community outreach
- Penn State College of Medicine students are supporting health care workers and local restaurants through Feed the Fight - State College. The group is providing donated meals to medical facilities in the county, including Mount Nittany Medical Center’s emergency department and several Penn State Health clinics. To make a donation to sponsor a meal, contact Shara Chopra at Schopra1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Free meal options
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 12:17 PM.