Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 21

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

Governor eyes lifting of many more pandemic restrictions

Some counties in Pennsylvania could see practically all of the state’s pandemic restrictions on business activity and gatherings lifted in the coming days, other than social-distancing and health-monitoring guidelines that are in place to help stop the spread of the coronarivus.

Thursday’s announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf – that some counties could get to move to the least-restrictive “green” phase of his three-color traffic-signal reopening plan stages – could become official on Friday.

“So I’ll be announcing a whole range of counties tomorrow moving from red to yellow and the hope is that we’ll also be making some counties that might even be moving from yellow to green tomorrow,” Wolf told reporters on a conference call.

- The Associated Press

Nursing home testing a massive challenge for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania would have to boost its testing numbers several times over to meet Gov. Tom Wolf’s goal of administering a weekly coronavirus test to well over 100,000 people in nearly 2,000 long-term care facilities across the state.

It’s unclear who would administer the tests, who would supply them – and who would pay.

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have struggled for months to contain the virus, with many lacking the trained staff, testing supplies and personal protective equipment, according to public health experts.

- The Associated Press

Could funding for long-awaited Centre County road projects be affected by COVID-19?

Two long-awaited roadway projects are expected to move forward this summer, but COVID-19 could limit the progress of future projects.

In a virtual public hearing, members of the Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization and county planning officials discussed the proposed 2021-24 Transportation Improvement Program — a plan that outlines priorities for how federal and state funds will be used for local road, bridge and transit projects in the coming years.

-by Marley Parish

Centre County reports 3 new cases of COVID-19, as Pennsylvania tops 65,000 overall cases

The state Department of Health reported three new coronavirus cases in Centre County on Thursday — bringing its total to 136.

Statewide, the numbers continue to rise — but the rate of confirmed positive cases has slowed. As of noon Thursday, there are now 65,392 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 980 cases are new. That marks the 11th straight day that single-day increases have been below 1,000.

-by Marley Parish

Notice more people in State College? What to know about social distancing violations

Eased COVID-19 mitigation efforts, warmer weather and an upcoming federal holiday has led people to steadily and gradually return to Happy Valley.

The State College Police Department and the borough’s Ordinance Enforcement Department each reported increased activity the past two weeks throughout the borough, interim Mayor Ron Filippelli said Monday in his video address.

-by Bret Pallotto

Centre County’s Grange Fair canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

The 146th iteration of the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair was canceled, the festival’s president announced Wednesday.

An inability to comply with public health protocols brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic was the reason for the cancellation, Grange Fair President Ben Haagen wrote.

“It is with great sadness that the Centre County Grange Fair Committee announces the cancellation of the 2020 Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Haagen wrote. “The health and safety of our tenting and RV families, fairgoers, staff, concessionaires, sponsors and entertainers is of utmost importance.”

- by Bret Pallotto

State College community comes together to ‘Light Up the Night’ for seniors, COVID-19 heroes

State College came together as a community Wednesday to “Light up the Night” in honor of the 2020 graduating class, and to support the nurses, doctors, medical providers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State College Area School District lit up some of its athletic fields and facilities 8:20 p.m., 20:20 hours in military time, and the scoreboard showed 20-20 in honor of the graduating class. The down-and-distance was listed as 4th-and-19 to represent the ongoing work of medical providers and first responders to stem the “drive” of COVID-19.

-by Jon Sauber

Centre County libraries resume operations with ‘limited services’ to accept returns

After being closed for more than two months, Centre County libraries are gearing up to reopen, but patrons still aren’t allowed inside.

Instead, library branches are preparing to process tens of thousands of returns.

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries granted Schlow Centre Region Library, located at 211 S. Allen St. in State College, permission to resume operations with “limited services.” Earlier this month, staff members worked to deep clean facilities in preparation for the partial reopening, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

-by Marley Parish

How to participate in Penn State’s virtual ‘family dinner’ as part of Helping Happy Valley week

Penn State Athletics and football coach James Franklin are encouraging Nittany Lions fans to participate in the Penn State Family Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, as part of Helping Happy Valley Week to raise awareness about different ways people can support the State College-area community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video posted on Penn State football’s Twitter, Franklin encouraged Nittany Lions fans to have a family dinner where participants wear blue and white, decorate their homes and order takeout from local restaurants.

Franklin also encouraged shopping at local stores.

“Just find ways to support our local community in a time of need,” Franklin said in the video.

- by Acacia Aster Broder

Education

Jobs

Community feedback

• A new survey is asking State College businesses about their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. The responses will guide the borough and Redevelopment Authority as they develop programs to help local businesses. The survey will close at 11:59 p.m. May 31 and can be found here.

• Penn State has teamed up with local leaders for the Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project (Data 4 Action). The first initiative of the project is an anonymous survey, which will document how the pandemic is impacting Centre County residents’ lives and their experiences they as return to work and school. The survey launched Monday at Data4Action.psu.edu and can also be taken by phone from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 753-4799. All adult Centre County residents are asked to complete the survey by June 12. For every 100 individuals who complete the survey, Penn State will make a $100 donation to the Centre County Food Pantries (serving residents throughout the county) and will donate up to $10,000.

Municipal updates

Recreation

Health care

Pennsylvania news

• Two Centre County organizations will receive thousands of dollars in grants to fight hunger and prevent food waste, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. CommonFood Inc. will receive $99,633 while FaithCentre will receive $73,850 through the Department of Environmental Protection’s expanded food recovery infrastructure grant. The grants will allow food banks to cover the costs of equipment purchases needed to transport and store food from retailers, farms and processors. “Our goal when expanding the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant was to quickly get money to the people that could do the most to help, and the charitable organizations of Pennsylvania responded,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said in a statement. “These grants will help guarantee food security to our residents that need it.” Central Pennsylvania Community Action Inc. in Clearfield County — which serves Centre County residents — was also among the 145 food banks, soup kitchens and churches from across the state to receive a grant.
• A new law allows the temporary sale of to-go cocktails at bars, restaurants and hotels with a liquor license. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the legislation Thursday. “This new temporary rule creates more business for bars and restaurants when they need it, helps to meet customer demand and supports social distancing,” Wolf said in a statement. “As we approach the holiday weekend, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to remember to drink responsibly.” The beverages can be sold in quantities between 4 and 64 ounces before 11 p.m.
• The state will distribute $51 million to child care providers through CARES Act funding, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday. Centre County is in line to receive $502,800. Pennsylvania received a total of $106 million to support child care providers through the coronavirus aid bill and will deliver the funding in two phases. The first wave of $51 million is meant to help providers preparing to reopen in counties that are in the yellow phase.

• Gov. Tom Wolf and Treasurer Joe Torsella announced Tuesday that eligible older homeowners and renters and people with disabilities will begin receiving property tax and rent rebates on Wednesday, more than six weeks ahead of schedule. “This commonsense solution gives thousands of our older and vulnerable residents their rebates early when they need it,” Wolf said in a release. “I thank members of the General Assembly and Treasurer Torsella for working quickly on this issue so that we can provide this needed financial support.” The deadline to submit applications has also been extended to Dec. 31.

Community outreach/appreciation

• The Centre County United Way’s Hamer Foundation Community Disaster Fund will provide financial assistance to county residents who are struggling due to COVID-19. Those in need must contact Centre Helps to be eligible for help from the fund. Centre Helps will decide whether to apply for funding on that person’s behalf or refer him or her to an organization that will seek out all available support before applying for funds. Requests for funding, which will be $150,000 in the first phase, can be for items such as rent, mortgage payments, food, utility bills, medication costs and child care. Nonprofits interesting in applying on behalf of a client can find out more at www.ccunitedway.org/hamer-foundation-community-disaster-fund.

• Discovery Space’s makerspace, The Rivet, has manufactured and distributed more than 1,000 face shields free of charge to more than 30 local organizations, according to a news release. Beneficiaries include senior housing facilities, local government organizations and a variety of nonprofits. The biggest recipient was Centre County Board of Elections, which recently received 400 face shields to use for both the upcoming primary and the November elections. Other notable recipients include CATA, The Village at Penn State, Centre Crest and Lifelink. The Rivet is also acting as a collection and distribution point for donated PPE in the area. To make requests or donations, email The Rivet at TheRivet@DiscoverySpace.org.

Things to do

• With Boalsburg’s annual Memorial Day celebration canceled, Harris Township will post a new Memorial Day moment on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/harristownship, each day leading up to May 25. At 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, the 156th Walk to the Cemetery will be held virtually.

• The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State moved its program online during the pandemic. The group offers courses, trips and activities for those 50 and older. OLLI’s summer course catalog is available online and registration begins June 1. The summer semester begins June 15.

• Penn State released a list of virtual things to do from May 14-21, including online lectures, exhibits and more.
• 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 21, 2020 at 8:34 AM.