Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 7

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

State College Area School District braces for revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19 pandemic

The sprawling economic challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic have the State College Area School District bracing for revenue shortfalls.

Three SCASD administrators projected the 2019-20 budget would need to be reduced by about $2 million and expect an about $9 million revenue shortfall for the 2020-21 budget.

To make up the shortfall in the current year’s budget, the district is planning to decrease its transfer to the capital reserve fund significantly and use the funds instead for general operations for the rest of the fiscal year, according to a release sent after Monday’s board of directors meeting.

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County sees largest single-day increase of COVID-19 cases; Pa. at 14,559 total cases

Centre County added 11 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 55, the state Department of Health reported.

The increase is the largest the county has seen in a single day since the first COVID-19 case was reported on March 20.

There are 14,559 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Tuesday, an increase of 1,579 since noon Monday.

- by Jon Sauber

Pennsylvania’s trout season is open right now, more than a week ahead of schedule. Here’s why

Even the coronavirus can’t stop Pennsylvania’s trout season.

The statewide trout season started without prior notice at 8 a.m. Tuesday — more than a week ahead of schedule — after the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission consulted with several other state organizations. The groups reached the conclusion that fishing in the commonwealth’s rivers and streams was safe, as long as anglers and boaters practice social-distancing guidelines and take other safety precautions.

The sudden move was made to avoid the usual packed gatherings on the traditional opening day — originally April 18 this year — and to minimize travel while reducing the threat of illegal poaching.

- by Josh Moyer

Who are Centre County’s essential worker heroes during the coronavirus pandemic?

From the hospital to the grocery stores, there are essential workers out in Centre County every day during the coronavirus pandemic. At the Centre Daily Times, we want to recognize these local heroes, and we’re asking for your help.

Do you know an essential worker on the front lines of COVID-19? An organization that’s going above and beyond during these unprecedented times? Email us at communityforum@centredaily.com with information about the worker or workers and what they’re doing. We’d love to see photos are videos, too.

- CDT staff reports

Politics

• State Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, is holding a telephone town hall to discuss COVID-19 at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. A panel of medical, public safety and human services experts will answer questions about the state’s efforts to protect public health and the economy. Go to www.senatorcorman.com/tele-town-hall to receive a call on your cellphone or to livestream audio.

Business changes

• Lowe’s announced it will close all its stores and distribution centers for Easter Sunday. “Our ability to support communities with essential goods and services during this pandemic is thanks to our outstanding, dedicated associates,” said Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s president and CEO. “We want to provide our teams with a much-deserved day off to spend Easter Sunday with their families and loved ones and recharge.”
• Triangle Building Supply in Bellefonte is offering free delivery. Call 814-355-5885 for delivery details.

Health care

• Mount Nittany Health is accepting donations of food, supplies and Personal Protective Equipment to help fight COVID-19. Items being accepted are: powered air-purifying respirators and filters; N95 masks in unopened containers; Surgical masks/procedural masks in unopened packaging; Tyvek suits; Clorox®/Lysol® cleaning wipes; hydrogen peroxide or bleach cleaning wipes and 7 mil clear acetate sheets (9”x12”). All gifts of food will be reviewed by executive chef Craig Hamilton. Those interested in giving can fill out an electronic form at foundation.mountnittany.org. Community members are asked not to drop off donations at any Mount Nittany Health facility on their own.

Education

• Penns Valley Area School District social worker Elizabeth Blanton is available to help all district families, whether they need help connecting to resources or just somebody to talk to. She’s available between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and has Zoom office hours from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Blanton can be reached at eblanton@ciu10.org or 814-762-6309 to talk or set up an appointment.

• State College Area School District is reminding people that all district facilities, including playgrounds, tennis courts and athletics stadiums are closed, in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order. The public is still permitted to use district grounds for exercise and fresh air, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed.

Municipal updates

• State Mayor Ron Filippelli gives a video update to residents on the borough and region’s response to COVID-19.

• Harris Township Manager Amy Farkas gave a video update on Emergency Management response.

Community outreach/appreciation

Pennsylvania news

• The state Department of Transportation reopened indoor facilities at four truck stops Monday (I-79 eastbound in Washington County, I-81 northbound in Franklin County, I-81 southbound in Susquehanna County and I-90 westbound in Erie County) and another (U.S. 15 southbound in Tioga County) on Tuesday. PennDOT’s rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation guidance, so that proper safety and sanitation protocols could be put into place. Since then, 28 of the state’s rest stops, including I-80 eastbound in Philipsburg/Kylertown and I-80 westbound in Snow Shoe, have reopened.

• The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, in consultation with the governor’s office, state Department of Health and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, opened the statewide trout season effective 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. The season was previously set to open April 18. The PFBC encourages anglers to adhere to social distancing guidelines. “The trout we have been stocking have had time to spread out, and so should you,” Executive Director Tim Schaeffer said.

• Volunteering to deliver meals and other life-sustaining services is an essential activity, even during the stay-at-home order, Pennsylvania first lady Frances Wolf said Tuesday. Wolf encouraged those who are able to help local organizations serve their communities to do so — while following safety precautions. There are several ways to find volunteer opportunities, such as: contacting an agency directly; visiting PA211; and registering at ServPa to create a volunteer profile. When prompted, choose “COVID Volunteers” as the organization, then follow the links. Volunteers should first ensure they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a cough, fever and shortness of breath.

  Groups in need of volunteers can connect with partner organizations and other local assistance and post needs at PA211. Churches can contact Kenton Hunt at Southern Baptist Disaster Relief at sbdrpj.recov@gmail.com. They are gathering information from churches across the state willing to assist with local efforts. Groups that continue to have unmet volunteer or other needs should contact their local Emergency Management Office.

• With the FBI warning of an uptick in incidents targeting members of the Asian American community regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf’s advisory commissions are calling on the public to remain vigilant against hate speech. The state police also reaffirmed its commitment to preventing and investigating hate/bias crimes. Incidents of discrimination or harassment can be reported by emailing the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at PHRC@pa.gov or to state police by calling the local troop.

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 10:56 AM.