GOVERNOR WOLF ASKS PUBLIC TO AVOID LARGE CROWDS
In a statement yesterday at a press conference concerning the spread of COVID-19 Governor Tom Wolf urged citizens across the state to cancel large gatherings of over 250 people and avoid public areas for two weeks. He says more than half of the 22 coronavirus cases now reported are in Montgomery County and one person from Pike County who has been diagnosed, is in isolation at home. Wolf asked for the two week break from recreational activities where the public gathers and for religious leaders to use discretion to prevent illness through their congregations and communities. Dr. Rachel Levine, state Secretary of Health said 81 other cases are being tested at this time. According to Levine there are no cases of community spread, or people catching COVID-19 from unknown individuals.
MIDD-WEST CLOSES OUT OF ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION
Even though there is no official confirmation and there are no cases of the corona virus in the Midd-West School District they have posted on their Facebook page that they will be closed today after a district employee came in contact with a person in Snyder county who is now quarantined for the virus. In the statement, school officials say the closure is in abundance of caution as the health and safety of students and school families is the top priority. Officials should know the results of these first tests in 48-72 hours which could allow schools to reopen Monday.
STABBING AT RESTAURANT IN LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP
Police say a man is in custody and another is being treated at an area hospital after a stabbing in Loyalsock township Wednesday. According to the Sun Gazette, Richard Weaver a customer at the Denny’s on East Third Street in Williamsport allegedly stabbed another man, Chad Confer, in the back at about 11:40pm collapsing his lung. Police say it is unknown if the two men knew each other but the suspect fled the scene after the incident and was later apprehended at a bar in the city and charged with aggravated assault and other charges including reckless endangerment.
RAISE THE REGION 2020 SUCCESS
Raise the region concluded last night at midnight – the 30 hour online fund raiser for self-assigned non-profit groups, collected 1, 386, 584 dollars through the First Community Foundation Partnership and Blaise alexander family of dealerships, 5, 152 served 284 local non profits in 6 counties. find the full results at raise the region dot org.
PLATELET DONATION NEEDED
The American Red Cross is asking healthy and eligible locals to donate blood platelets to help in maintaining the current blood supply and to help prevent shortages during the rising outbreak of COVID-19 according to a press release. The 5-day blood supply hospitals like to maintain is threatened by the cold and flu season and the red cross urges you to donate as soon as possible. According to the red cross, the donation process is very safe and there is no evidence that COVID-19 or any respiratory illness can be transmissible by blood transfusions. Call 1-800 red cross to schedule a donation today.
ELM PARK FUNDING APPROVED
The Lycoming County Softball Association has been approved to use 50 thousand dollars in funding from the Legacy Fund of the County’s Act 13 Natural Gas Allocation for improvements to Elm Park by the Lycoming County Commissioners yesterday. The city recently agreed to lease the park to the association for five years and under that agreement, the association will maintain the fields. According to the Sun Gazette, the fields are already being prepared by the group for heavy use this year by softball teams for games and tournament play.
PSU BASKETBALL PLAYER SUSPENDED AFTER DUI
A Penn State basketball player has been suspended after being charged for DUI last Friday in Centre County. According to the Altoona Mirror it’s been decided that PSU Senior Mike Watkins is suspended for the regular season finale after being stopped for speeding. Watkins missed the game Saturday with Northwestern. He was scheduled to play Thursday in the Big Ten tournament -however those games canceled due to coronavirus concerns. He has likely played his last games for the Nittany Lions.
BLUES AUDITION CONCERT CANCELLED
The Billtown Blues Association has announced that they will be postponing their annual Audition Concert this Saturday due to the potential health consequences of their patrons. The concert was to take place at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport March 14th, but now the event will be rescheduled when conditions are more appropriate.
Sports
Local sports has been affected by the coronavirus fall out as the PIAA announced that they are postponing all HS Boys and Girls Basketball State Tournaments for 2 weeks because of the pandemic. Some PIAA Swimming championships are also on hold – Postponing Class AA Championships and allowing the class AAA Preliminary times to stand as finals times. According to the Sun Gazette there may be upcoming talks to reschedule the Class AAA finals.
The Loyalsock Lancers will continue to practice preparing to play Newman Goretti in the Elite 8 – however no word from the PIAA when or if that game will be played.
HS Boys Tennis
North Penn Liberty defeated Cowanesque Valley 5-Love
College Softball Doubleheader
Lycoming college over Lancaster Bible 9 to 1 in Game 1 and beating Greenville 4 to 3 in Game 2
MLB has announced the delay of the start of it season by at least two weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak and the NHL is following the NBA’s lead and suspending it season because of COVID-19 as well.
College Sports The NCAA has canceled the March Madness Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments in an unprecedented move;
Penn State has canceled all sports for the remainder of the academic school year including the Blue-White game – originally to be held April 18. Ohio State and Michigan will also cancel their spring games
