Reopening updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on Sept. 15
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news. Check back for updates.
Bald Eagle Area School District to close elementary building, following rise in COVID-19 cases
Two days after identifying its first documented COVID-19 case, the Bald Eagle Area School District has confirmed a second and identified a potential third in Wingate Elementary.
Superintendent Scott Graham announced that an adult tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, and after being notified of additional cases Tuesday, Wingate Elementary will be closed for at least two weeks, beginning Wednesday. The closure will last until Sept. 30, and Graham hopes to reopen Oct. 1.
- by Marley Parish
Centre County again reports record number of COVID-19 cases
Centre County added 212 cases of the new coronavirus Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health, a single-day record.
The county has reported 963 cases of COVID-19 in September, more than in March, April, May, June, July and August combined. Of the county’s 1,449 total cases, about two-thirds have been reported in September.
The sharp increase in cases has not led to a surge in hospitalizations, Mount Nittany Health spokesperson Anissa Ilie said Tuesday. Two patients are being treated for COVID-19 at Mount Nittany Medical Center as of Tuesday.
- by Bret Pallotto
Wolf hits back after judge rules against virus restrictions
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vowed Tuesday he wouldn’t heed the “irresponsible demands” of President Donald Trump and Republicans in the state legislature concerning the coronavirus response, hitting back hard after a federal judge appointed by Trump ruled many of Wolf’s pandemic shutdown orders were unconstitutional.
In unusually sharp language, the Democratic governor accused Trump and Republicans who control the legislature of promoting conspiracy theories and spreading misinformation about the virus and the status of the Pennsylvania economy, which he said is reopened despite the mitigation measures he has imposed.
- The Associated Press
State College Area School District reports 3 COVID-19 cases among students
Now in its second week of districtwide remote learning, the State College Area School District has confirmed three COVID-19 cases among students, and officials believe more are likely to come.
Superintendent Bob O’Donnell notified district families of the coronavirus cases in an email sent Monday, saying that the school is now dealing with the virus “on a more personal level.” Due to privacy laws, SCASD is unable to release further information about the individuals who have contracted the coronavirus but said district nurses are working with their families.
- by Marley Parish
College Township levied more than $10,000 in fines related to weekend wrestling tournament
More than $10,000 in fines were handed out to the organizers and the facility that welcomed more than 2,700 people to Happy Valley for a three-day wrestling tournament, College Township said Monday.
The township also lambasted Gov. Tom Wolf’s office and the state Health Department in a press release for placing the community’s health in “jeopardy” and their perceived inaction to stop the Olympic Club Duals at C3 Sports.
- by Bret Pallotto
Mailed ballots can’t be discarded over signature, state says
With concerns rising in Pennsylvania that tens of thousands of mail-in ballots will be discarded in the presidential election over technicalities, state officials told counties that they cannot reject a ballot solely because an election official believes a signature doesn’t match the signature in the voter’s file.
The new guidance from Pennsylvania’s Department of State prompted the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh to drop a lawsuit in federal court Monday.
- The Associated Press
Judge: Pennsylvania’s pandemic restrictions unconstitutional
Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic restrictions that required people to stay at home, placed size limits on gatherings and ordered “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shut down are unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Monday.
The Wolf administration said it will appeal.
U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, sided with plaintiffs that included hair salons, drive-in movie theaters, a farmer’s market vendor, a horse trainer and several Republican officeholders in their lawsuit against Wolf, a Democrat, and his health secretary.
- The Associated Press
Centre County nonprofits can apply for local COVID-19 relief funding. Here’s how
To help support agencies struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Centre County government is set to allocate a portion of CARES Act funding to area nonprofits.
The application to receive funding from the Centre County COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant program launched Monday morning. The Board of Commissioners was awarded $14,664,804 in June to help address challenges created by the pandemic, statewide shutdown and mitigation efforts.
- by Marley Parish
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This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 9:56 AM.