Some Williamsport small businesses opened over the weekend, but more good news is that Lycoming County stays on track to remain yellow phase adding only four cases of COVID-19 here since Saturday to131, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Four cases per day is the goal average number of cases per day that Lycoming county seeks in order to operate under the yellow caution phase that governor Wolf established for reopening the commonwealth.Yesterday it was confirmed statewide, there are 1,295 additional positive cases for a total of 56,611 in Pennsylvania. There are 19 new deaths, bringing the statewide total to 3,707. The state is reporting 62 resident and ten staff cases in three nursing/personal care homes in Lycoming County.
Lycoming County is reporting 131 positive cases to date, up four from Saturday with 4 deaths here. Northumberland’s case count is at 124, Clinton 41, Montour with 49, Sullivan one case with no deaths in those counties. Tioga reports 16 cases and two deaths Governor Wolf Friday added 13 southwestern counties, which includes the city of Pittsburgh, to move into the yellow phase as of May 15th. Locally in the yellow, some small business in Lycoming County opened cautiously over the weekend with some small businesses open to retail shopping during a new normal. River Valley YMCA will reopen daycare services Monday at a number of its’ facilities. Find out more at www.rvrymca.org
State police say a man discharged a shotgun in a Union County mobile home during a verbal argument last Tuesday and is now facing charges. According to the News Item, 37 year old Christopher L. Lloyd, of Mountain Road in Limestone Township aimed a shotgun at his wife shortly before 6pm, allegedly firing a round near her head while she was barricaded inside with him according to those who reported the incident to the state police. Police say Lloyd left the residents and fired another shot toward the outside the home. Lloyd was arraigned in Mifflinburg area District Court and is in Union County Jail.
It was reported over the weekend that Montgomery Mayor, Fae Herb, and Council Member, Shawn Coles have resigned as of Friday afternoon. The Sun Gazette confirmed also, that the officer in Charge of the Montgomery Police Department, Eric Winters, has been placed on administrative leave earlier this week. The vice president of the Borough Council Rocky SanDulchay will take over as mayor. Ms. Herb said it was an extremely difficult decision, and is deeply committed to the future of the borough.
Lycoming county water and sewer customers were granted relief last week after the Water and Sewer authority voted to waive penalties and shutoffs for non-payment through the month of May. According to the Authority Director, payments are coming in at a relatively normal pace, but households are being given the reprieve . Public business at the authority building returns this week with regular schedules.
The Northcentral region of Pennsylvania counties have transitioned to the yellow and will be joined this Friday May 15th by 13 more counties according to Governor Wolf’s order last Friday. Those in the red phase, including those Beaver County – due to a rash of nursing home deaths, and an investigation pending there, are under a Stay at Home Order through June 4. Beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 15, 13 counties will move from red to yellow, including: Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.
A Sugar Valley guinea pig farmer is being investigated for animal cruelty according to the State Police at Lamar. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals complained about the farm in April and police found John K. Esh, keeping hundreds of the animals in unsanitary conditions, euthanizing the animals in a way that causes distress and failed to provide adequate veterinary care. Police say the facility is also not keep adequate records According to the record online no criminal charges have been filed against Esh at this time.
A local nonprofit diabetes camp in Winfield will operate this month virtually for kids who are unable to go to the camps in person during the current pandemic environment . According to a press release by Setabaid – Diabetes spelled backwards –they are still on schedule to operate camps in July and August but the directors wanted to offer the virtual reformatted opportunities for kids who are missing the experience. The camps are offered several times in May online at setebaidservices.org
The James V. Brown Library is one of the many business’s reopening in phases. According to the Sun Gazette on May 18th expect limited operations for holds pickup only – no building access during the following hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 to 10 a.m. for vulnerable populations and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the general public.Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. for vulnerable populations and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the general public. Safeguards will be in place including closure on Sunday for rigorous cleaning. Find out more information at jvbrown.edu.] All due dates have been extended to June 8th.
SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
According to the Sun Gazette Pennsylvania Jr Wrestling chairman, Steve Hoover, has rescheduled the youth state tournament as a last ditch effort. Originally it was scheduled for March 13-14th but was canceled due to COVID-19. PJW has rescheduled the tournament for Labor day weekend but may still be in danger of cancelation depending on the continuing mitigations of the coronavirus.
NBA
The Orlando Magic have been approved a plan and administer coronavirus testing to players, prior to reopening tomorrow. The LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are also among the teams expected to be allowed to conduct coronavirus tests of all players and staff members entering facilities for individual workouts — regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms.
UFC Wrestling
The first major sporting event to be held since the pandemic shuttered most sports, UFC 249 – without fans – went off without much of a hitch on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida, besides Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, testing positive for the coronavirus before the bout. The UFC pulled Souza from the fight, matching Justin Gaethje who got the TKO overTony Ferguson in the main card event.
