Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 23-24

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

Centre County commissioners change course, now support earlier entry into ‘green phase’

After asking to keep Centre County in the “yellow phase” until after the primary election, the board of commissioners intends to request approval to move into the “green phase” on May 29, as Gov. Tom Wolf’s office originally planned.

Commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins announced Sunday afternoon that they reconsidered their decision to keep the county in the yellow phase, which they made to prevent a potential “super-spreader event” at the June 2 primary election.

-by Marley Parish

Centre County adds 3 new COVID-19 cases as total in Pennsylvania tops 67,000

Centre County added three cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing the overall total to 146 cases since March 20.

The state DOH reports six deaths of Centre County residents, with the most recent reported Saturday, though Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers told the Centre Daily Times that he has not been notified about new deaths.

-by Jessica McAllister

Unfinished business: Spring sports cancellation robs SJCA senior Maggie Mangene of her only softball season

Maggie Mangene spent years trying to form, and play for, a softball team at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy. She began her endeavor her freshman year and trudged forward for three years, even when her efforts were fruitless.

In November, her dream became a reality.

Five months later, it was gone.

The spring sports season, and Mangene’s only season with the Saint Joe’s softball team, was canceled by the PIAA to help halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

-by Jon Sauber

Idle school buses during pandemic find new use after State College steps up to ‘Stuff the Bus’

State College residents donated enough food Wednesday to fill three school buses — turning what was meant to be a one-day event into a weeklong effort to feed those in need.

As many turn to local anti-hunger programs for support amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Centre County, along with communities across the nation, has experienced an increased need for food assistance. Recognizing this need, State College Area School District Director of Transportation Van Swauger saw an opportunity to use his fleet of buses, which has sat idle since March while schools have been closed.

-by Marley Parish

Ready, set, go: Centre County moving to ‘green phase’ on June 5. Here’s what that means for you

Gov. Tom Wolf confirmed Friday night via Twitter that Centre County will move June 5 to the “green phase,” the least-restrictive phase of Pennsylvania’s reopening plan that allows for restaurants, bars, gyms and salons to open at a reduced capacity.

Wolf’s announcement came hours after he said he wanted to move Centre County to the green phase a week ahead of time, on May 29. But two county commissioners requested the county stay in yellow to help prevent a potential “super-spreader event” at primary Election Day on June 2.

Regardless, the green phase is an important step for the county in its gradual return to “normalcy” — and there are plenty of changes ahead for both residents and businesses.

-by Josh Moyer

How to celebrate Memorial Day in Centre County virtually and with social distancing

For the first time since the Memorial Day tradition started in 1864, Boalsburg is unable to have its large celebration to honor the lives of the fallen, but there are still ways to participate amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Known as the “birthplace of Memorial Day,” Boalsburg has adapted, inviting the community to take part in activities virtually and through social distancing.

-by Megan Swift

Furloughs, delayed projects: How will COVID-19 affect Centre County municipalities?

The coronavirus has created financial uncertainty for national, state and local officials, but many in Centre County are still trying to navigate the unknowns while preparing for budget deficits.

Centre County government officials and municipal boards have implemented cost-cutting measures over the past three months due to COVID-19. But with the start of fiscal year approaching, local leaders are anticipating even greater losses in revenue, with Penn State’s fall semester return as the biggest question mark for government officials, business owners and residents.

-by Marley Parish

Centre County will not move to the ‘green phase’ next week. Here’s why — and who will

Seventeen Pennsylvania counties are poised to move to the “green phase,” the least-restrictive phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, on May 29 — but Centre County is not among them.

And that’s not because the county’s coronavirus numbers are increasing.

Gov. Tom Wolf intimated that his office was prepared to move the county into the green phase. But he told reporters Friday afternoon that county officials requested the county be kept in the yellow phase.

- by Josh Moyer

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

Sports

• The Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has decided to cancel its golf tournament and induction banquet scheduled for early October. “With the uncertainly we may face in the fall, we felt this was our most prudent choice. As one board member said, ‘we’re taking a red shirt year,’” board president Bucky Quici said.

Health care

Pennsylvania news

• The Wolf administration released guidance about summer camps and child care programs Friday. The document covers topics such as the types of summer programs that can operate during the state’s reopening, additional requirements beyond federal guidelines for youth programs, rules on face coverings and the status of playgrounds and team sports.

• The Department of Corrections will reopen state prisons starting Tuesday, Secretary John Wetzel said. The system will use a phased approach that ties into the statewide reopening plan. As counties move from red to yellow to green, prisons there will lift more restrictions, with level 5 being the most restrictive and level 1 the least. “While we may never return to pre-COVID operations, we do expect to return to near normal operations that includes social distancing and continued monitoring of staff and inmates for symptoms,” Wetzel said in a statement Friday. “We believe in acting quickly and aggressively when responding to this virus, while affording more out-of-cell time and allowing inmates to return to work, education, programming and activities.” Staff and inmates will be required to wear masks, while contact visits are suspended at all levels until the entire state is green. Benner Township and Rockview state prisons will move to level 3 on Tuesday, the DOC said.
• License to carry firearm permits have been extended a second time, state police said Thursday. Permits that expired March 19 or later have been extended to July 31. The previous extension was set to expire May 30. The extension was made because some county courthouses and sheriff’s offices have been closed, along with other COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
• 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.

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

• In a project called “Tying Us Together,” Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts organizers are calling for people to make friendship bracelets between now and July, sharing some with their friends and donating the remainder to the festival. Festival organizers will sell them at local retailers to support this year’s virtual Arts Festival, according to a news release.

A limited number of kits of embroidery floss and instructions are available at:

• Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A, State College
• The Makery, 209 W. Calder Way, State College
• State College Framing Company & Gallery, 160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College
• Art a la Carte, 107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte

For more information, visit https://arts-festival.com/2020/05/tying-us-together/.

• Ridgelines Language Arts is launching a new program, “Being Heard Poetry Pen Pals,” to replace its in-person programs at Centre Crest. Volunteer pen pals will be matched with a Centre Crest resident who has signed up for the program and pen pals will exchange regular notes and share favorite poems. To get involved or learn more, email RidgelinesLanguageArts@gmail.com.
• 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 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 23, 2020 at 9:07 AM.