Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 15

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

DelGrosso’s Park cancels summer season in response to coronavirus pandemic

One of the area’s summer staples is the latest to fall victim to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash in nearby Blair County announced Friday “with deep regret” that it has canceled the 2020 summer season and will not open amid the pandemic. With social-distancing protocols, capacity restrictions and supply-chain interruptions, the park would’ve faced an uphill battle in creating the same atmosphere this season that its customers have come to expect.

- by Josh Moyer

‘It’s a good time to start.’ New downtown Bellefonte cafe opens amid COVID-19 pandemic

Despite opening last week in the middle of a pandemic, business is brewing at a new cafe in Bellefonte, and its owner hopes it’ll serve something customers won’t forget.

While many business owners were adjusting to a new normal amid the statewide shutdown, Heather Lingle was gearing up to open My Cafe Buzz, located at 325 W. High St. in Bellefonte. With a new paint job and revamped menu, the former home of Bella Vino Wine Bar is now serving baked goods, coffee, ice cream and more.

“It’s starting out slow, but I think because we’re new at this, it’s a good time to start,” Lingle said. “Then, we can perfect everything before we fully open up.”

- by Marley Parish

Pa. court rejects lawsuit to delay mail-in ballot deadline

The state Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force Pennsylvania elections officials to accept absentee or mail-in ballots as long as they are received within a week after the primary or general elections during the pandemic.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania, the Senior Law Center and several other parties filed the suit in late April, arguing that postal delays from the pandemic could cause ballots to be received too late to count.

However, the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf had argued against it, saying among other things that it would be unconstitutional because it would give different voters different deadlines.

- The Associated Press

NASCAR has yet to receive green light to race in Pa.

Gov. Tom Wolf says he spoke to NASCAR officials about the status of the June 27 and 28 races at Pocono Raceway. The stock car series announced this week it will stick to Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Florida and Alabama for June races – all of them without fans.

NASCAR has now set plans for 20 races – including nine in the elite Cup Series – as it returns to the tracks after being shut down for more than two months by concerns about the coronavirus. The revised schedule didn’t address the scheduled doubleheader weekend at Pocono and the rest of season.

“We actually had conversations with NASCAR and I told them Pennsylvania is not ready to make a decision,” Wolf said Friday. “The area that they want to have this gathering in is actually in the red right now, red zone, red phase, so I told them Pennsylvania is not ready to make a decision.”

- The Associated Press

Centre County reports 1 new COVID-19 case as Pennsylvania’s total exceeds 60,000

Centre County added one new COVID-19 case Friday — bringing its total to 129 since the pandemic began.

The state Department of Health reported 60,622 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Friday, an increase of 986 since Thursday.

According to the state’s data, the new case was not associated with a nursing or personal care home. Centre County has had 16 residents test positive for the virus and 11 employees over three different facilities, per the DOH.

Of Centre County’s six COVID-19, the DOH says four have been associated with nursing or personal care homes.

- by Marley Parish

Pandemic restrictions to ease in 12 Pennsylvania counties

Another 2.6 million people across western Pennsylvania began to emerge from pandemic restrictions Friday as Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 12 more counties soon will join them in a partial easing.

Wolf said that Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Wayne and York will be the next batch of counties moving to the “yellow” phase of his reopening plan, effective May 22. They are primarily in the south-central and northeast regions of the state.

They’ll join residents of 13 lightly impacted counties – including the cities of Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Altoona – where Wolf lifted his stay-at-home orders on Friday and gave permission for retailers and other types of businesses to reopen. Twenty-four counties across a vast swath of primarily rural northern Pennsylvania were the first to see a partial reopening last week.

- The Associated Press

Pennsylvania nurse union alleges continued rationing of PPE

Pennsylvania state health officials are “being misinformed” about the availability of personal protective equipment inside hospitals, one of the state’s largest nurses’ unions alleges in a letter that says hospitals have “resorted to severe rationing” even as they resume elective surgeries.

The 8,400-member Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals said in a letter to the state health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, that working conditions inside hospitals remain unsafe because of lax COVID-19 guidance issued by the Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

- The Associated Press

As elective services resume, here’s what to expect when you visit the doctor in Centre County

Appointments, elective surgeries and other health care services that were scaled back in mid-March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus are gradually resuming in Centre County.

Following is a look at what to expect at three of the biggest health care networks that operate in Centre County.

- by Bret Pallotto

A parade-style procession is among ways BEA will honor the class of 2020. Here’s what else is planned

From an all-night party to a way for seniors to receive diplomas in person, Bald Eagle Area School District officials are doing what they can to make sure the class of 2020 doesn’t miss out on staple events.

Despite challenges caused by COVID-19, high school Principal Jack Tobias announced plans for a virtual celebration and in-person graduation ceremony. The virtual celebration will take place via livestream at 6 p.m. June 5. Commencement — a parade-style procession — will begin at 5 p.m. June 6, with a scheduled rain date of June 8, Tobias said during Thursday’s board of education meeting.

- by Marley Parish

Wolf to ease restrictions elsewhere, but still has concerns

Gov. Tom Wolf will announce Friday that more counties can see some of his tightest pandemic restrictions lifted, as counties and lawmakers kept up pressure on him to ease up on his orders.

In a telephone news conference Thursday with reporters, Wolf said he will make his decision on Friday morning. However, he has not changed his criteria for deciding which counties can emerge from his stay-at-home order and his order for non-life-sustaining businesses to close, he said.

On Thursday, the state House passed legislation to force Wolf to allow barbers, hair salons, real estate agents, car dealers, garden centers, animal grooming services, manufacturers and messenger services to reopen.

Wolf will veto the bills, his office said.

Around the state, a growing number of gyms, barbers, hair salons and restaurants have defied Wolf’s orders to stay closed, despite the threat of losing a business license or certificate.

Asked about it, Wolf said the state has an obligation to certify to customers that those businesses are operating safely.

“How can the state be relied upon to do that or be trusted to do that if we’re going to turn a blind eye to that kind of thing?” Wolf said.

- The Associated Press

Why 25,000 PSU students will receive cash grants of up to $1K to cover coronavirus-related expenses

Nearly 1 in 3 Penn State students — about 25,000 in all — are set to receive cash grants of up to $1,000 apiece from the university’s share of a federal relief fund to cover expenses related to the global pandemic, the university announced Wednesday.

About 23,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate, law and medical students will receive the grants “soon after the funding is made available” by the U.S. Department of Education. A second round of funding, which has the potential to help an additional 2,000-plus students, will take place some time afterward.

“Knowing that a significant number of our students have experienced financial hardship, we want to make as deep of an impact as possible with this funding to reach as many students as we can who have incurred expenses as a result of the necessary shift to remote instruction,” Penn State President Eric Barron said in a news release.

- by Josh Moyer

Centre County weighs best use of federal COVID-19 relief funding

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Centre County plans to use federal development funds to address gaps in health and human services — a shift from how the funds have been traditionally used.

As part of the county’s response to COVID-19, small businesses, nonprofits and emergency services affected by the pandemic could receive relief as Centre County administers Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding. But during a public hearing held Thursday, officials said that improving local human services and resources are top priorities.

During the public hearing, the board of commissioners and Bellefonte Borough Council members discussed how to help those most in need of emergency Community Development Block Grant monies. The funds were received through the CARES Act, which provided $5 billion in block grants to communities as they respond to COVID-19.

- by Marley Parish

Downtown State College business cites COVID-19 as the main factor in decision to close

A downtown State College brunch restaurant and bakery closed after about six years in business.

Sadie’s Gourmet Waffles, 118 S. Pugh St., joined Mike’s Wood Grill and Bar as at least the second Centre Region restaurant to close and cite the COVID-19 mitigation efforts as a main factor.

“We are saddened to tell our incredible, loyal customers that Sadie’s Waffles has closed permanently,” the business wrote Thursday in a Facebook post. “We appreciate all the fantastic people we have met and hope that you can remember the joy our incredible waffles and baked goods with great memories. The COVID-19 dilemma has forced us to close since we are a downtown business and no one is here for us to serve.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Catholic churches around Centre County to reopen for private prayer; 4-phase reopening plan released

Catholic churches in Centre County won’t reopen for “regular” Mass just yet, but the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown — which includes eight counties, including Centre — announced Wednesday afternoon they’re finalizing a four-phase plan that will go into effect Saturday.

Come Saturday, Catholic churches will open only for private prayer and for those wearing masks, with seating restrictions to promote social-distancing amid the global pandemic. Other acts — such as communion, confession, Mass, etc. — will come in future phases.

“Although much still needs to happen before truly returning to the normal life of the Church, today’s announcement that parishes may reopen their doors and the faithful may return for private prayer is a great first step,” Secretary for Communications Tony DeGol said in a written statement. “As we continue to move forward, we ask for everyone’s patience and understanding.”

- by Josh Moyer

Reopening

Closings/cancellations

Recreation

Business updates

Jobs

Municipal updates

• Ferguson Township is asking residents to take a six-question survey about how COVID-19 updates can be communicated. The survey closes on Monday and can be found here.

• The State College Borough Public Works Department will resume normal bulk and brush collections. Bulk items and brush are collected throughout the week beginning on Monday, unless there is a legal holiday during that week. To schedule bulk collection, visit http://www.statecollegepa.us/forms.aspx?fid=152.

Pennsylvania news

• The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said Friday that all state-owned historic sites and museums, including the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, will be closed to the public until their counties enter the green phase of the state’s reopening plan. Thirty-seven counties, including Centre, Clinton, Clearfield and Blair, are in the yellow phase, and another 12 are set to join next Friday. The remaining counties are in the red phase.

Community outreach/appreciation

• Mount Nittany Health is holding a Heroes Parade at noon Friday to honor the area’s first responders. Police cars, fire trucks and ambulances will travel up Hospital Drive, go around the medical center then exit. Attendees are encouraged to make signs of support for the first responders in the parade. The event will be broadcast live on Mount Nittany Health’s Facebook page.
• The State College Area School District is holding a “Stuff the Bus” food collection drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to benefit the State College Food Bank. Nonperishable food items, including those on the food bank’s “greatest needs” list, can be dropped off at Corl Street, Easterly Parkway, Ferguson Township, Gray’s Woods, Mount Nittany, Park Forest, Radio Park and Spring Creek elementary schools, and Mount Nittany Middle and Park Forest middle schools. The district’s school buses will then pick up the food and deliver the donations to the food bank the next day.

Things to do

• Penn State released a list of virtual things to do from May 14-21, including online lectures, exhibits and more.
• Penn State President Eric Barron will host a virtual town hall at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday 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 liveevents.psu.edu, and also feature Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones and other key faculty and administrative leaders.
• Penn State University Police and Public Safety is holding four public safety Zoom sessions each week through May 27. Two sessions each week will cover Penn State’s Active Attacker Response Program, and the other two will be open question and answer sessions with Penn State police officers. Participants should register with a Penn State email in advance; space is limited. Register here for the Active Attacker Response Program. Register here for the open public safety Q&A session.

Free meal options

This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 10:44 AM.