Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 27

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

Teamsters rally at Penn State over contractual dispute, concern over future layoffs

Jef Nelson, a Penn State employee for 30 years, doesn’t want to collect unemployment. He doesn’t want to sit at home. He just wants to work.

But like most members of Teamsters Local 8 — a union that represents nearly 3,000 Penn State workers in hospitality, maintenance, landscaping and various other support roles — Nelson still isn’t sure what comes next. Despite his desire to work, he’s worried his biggest fear of permanently losing his job could be just a month away.

“I’m stressed out; I’m not going to lie,” said Nelson, 49, who works in Media and Technology Services. “We make this campus go. Without us, this campus doesn’t look like this.”

- by Josh Moyer

Pro sports can resume in Pennsylvania, without spectators

Professional sports can resume in Pennsylvania where the governor’s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus is no longer in force, but without spectators, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Wednesday.

Those teams and competitors will be allowed to practice or play in counties where Wolf’s yellow or green designation applies in his stoplight-colored three-phase reopening plan.

To resume, a team or a league must develop a coronavirus safety plan that has been approved by Wolf’s state Department of Health and it must include testing or screening and monitoring of all “on-venue” players and personnel, the administration said.

- The Associated Press

Penn State police, FBI investigate ‘Zoom bombing’ cases involving child pornography

Penn State police and the FBI are investigating at least six “Zoom bombing” incidents where child pornography was displayed during university meetings, classes and events, the department said Wednesday in a news release.

Those who witnessed child sexual abuse broadcast during a Penn State-affliated Zoom session are urged to contact campus police or report it online. Those with information about who may have distributed or produced child pornography are urged to call 800-225-5324 or report it online.

Zoom bombing — a cyber attack where an unwanted guest joins a video call with an intention to disrupt or harass others — has become more prominent as institutions have turned to the teleconferencing software to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County adds another COVID-19 case as statewide total surpasses 69,000

Centre County added one new coronavirus case on Wednesday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 149 since the first case was reported on March 20.

Statewide, there are now 69,417 total cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, 780 of which are new. That marks the 17th straight day that single-day increases have been below 1,000 — a substantial decrease from the April 9 peak of 1,989 new cases.

The state is estimating recoveries by counting those who have survived 30 days past their first positive tests and, according to that data, 62% of patients in the state have recovered.

- by Jon Sauber

This Brothers Pizza location in Centre County is now closed

Downtown State College has one less pizzeria, following the apparent closure of Brothers Pizza.

This closure marks one of many businesses that have shut down since the coronavirus spread throughout Pennsylvania.

- by Marley Parish

Executive session or public meeting? Questions remain about Centre County’s reopening decision

After much debate, Centre County will reopen Friday, but there are still some lingering questions about how that decision was made.

The county was initially on the list to move into the green phase, which eases most restrictions of the stay-at-home order, but the commissioners asked the governor’s office last week to remain in yellow, citing concerns for residents’ safety at the June 2 primary election.

Using the weekend to consult state Department of Health officials, the board on Tuesday rescinded the initial request to delay, and Centre County will reopen Friday — as originally planned.

But, questions about the decision-making process haven’t gone away, with commissioners set to decide Thursday if minutes from last week’s last-minute meeting should be made public.

- by Marley Parish

4th Fest is off, but the fireworks part of the celebration will continue. Here’s how

Although the annual Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest is canceled, Centre County residents will still be able to celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks show.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, the festival will put on four simultaneous fireworks displays at secure locations throughout the Centre Region.

- by Marley Parish

Business updates

• Weis Markets has extended its operating hours by one hour in the evenings, and will now be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. The designated shopping hour for seniors and those with compromised immune systems remains 6-7 a.m. Tuesdays. Availability of Weis 2 Go Online Pickup or Delivery availability has also been extended from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Service delis have also reopened, with social distancing markers and signage, and the pharmacy has resumed its immunization program with additional safety precautions.

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Penn State

• As Centre County prepares to move into the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, Penn State is reminding people that social distancing guidelines still apply on campus. Face masks must be worn when inside or when close to other people, the university said in a release. Social distancing of a least 6 feet is also required between people who are not from the same household. “Our campuses and local communities have done an extraordinary job of reducing the spread of the coronavirus,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “But we must remain vigilant. The shift to a green phase signals that a county has made good progress in its efforts to minimize the spread of the virus, but it is not a green light to stop employing those safety measures, as the impacts from this pandemic are far from over.” Large gathering are still discouraged, including at Penn State landmarks such as the Nittany Lion shrine. and “We Are” statue

Pennsylvania news

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.

• The deadline for Penn State faculty and staff to submit their return-to-work surveys is Wednesday. The anonymous survey results will help university leaders make strategic decisions about how and when employees can return to campus, according to a release. Penn State is set to provide updates and information regarding future plans by June 15.

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.

Things to do

• The third annual Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest will go virtual this year, June 19-21, with a weeklong series of events leading up to the three-day festival. For more information, visit Centralpatheatre.com.

• 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

• 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 27, 2020 at 9:46 AM.