GOVERNOR MAKES MASKS A PRIORITY
Governor Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine had an outdoor press conference yesterday with Doug Neidig, the Chair of the Board of Directors at UPMC Pinnacle Health Care in Harrisburg to thank health care workers in attendance and throughout the Commonwealth, who have been on the front line of the pandemic. In addition, Governor Wolf said that while he was proud of Pennsylvanians in the last few weeks as we had lower case numbers than other states in the country, but with the contagious virus still uncontrolled, we are starting to see an uptick in numbers in certain pockets of the population again. Wolf emphasized how mask wearing is an important part of battling COVID-19. He said wearing a mask is not political but practical to keep everyone safe. Mask wearing continues to be required in Pennsylvania businesses.
FATAL BICYCLE ACCIDENT
State police say a 15 year old from Rebuck died after a bicycle accident on Monday. Troopers at Stonington say the unidentified minor was at the intersection of Schwaben Creek Road and Sliding Hill Road at 7 in the morning and rode in front of a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Daniel J. Ferste, of Dornsife. According to the Daily Item, Ferster, who was going about 40 miles per hour, attempted to avoid the bicyclist. Volunteers from Mahantongo Valley and Klingerstown Fire Company responded to the accident in Upper Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County. The teen was flown to Geisinger where he died as a result of his injuries.
RELOCATED TESTING SITES IN MONTOURSVILLE
UPMC will relocate their previous makeshift COVID-19 outpatient collection site at 609 Brandon Avenue in Williamsport to a new location in Montoursville next week. According to the Sun Gazette, Dr. Rutul Dalal said the climate-controlled outpatient lab at 900 Plaza Drive will help the hospital system ramp up testing abilities, giving quicker results since results can be acquired in house and help staff to be prepared in case there is a surge in testing. Those who have been referred by a physician are being scheduled to use this new site and there will be a separate entrance for specific COVID-19 testing
Knoebels Amusement Resort has announced they will attempt to preserve as much summer as possible and reopen to guests tomorrow. Owner Brian Knoebel said the hours for the first few weeks will be from noon til 8pm with individual pay-per-ride tickets for just over 30 rides and the majority of shops and food stands open. There will be new rigorous cleaning routines, hand sanitizer stations, sneeze guards in shops, and parking lot management if necessary. Additional rides could open and additional hiring could take place as the weeks progress. Details at Knoebles dot com
Chesapeake Energy, a shale drilling pioneer that led the energy boom in the United States has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company based in Oklahoma City said its debt load is nearing $9 billion and entered a plan with lenders to cut its debt and continue to operate as usual during the bankruptcy process. According to the associated Press, the oil and gas company used unconventional techniques to extract oil and gas from the ground, a method that has come under scrutiny because of its environmental impact. Chesapeake grew fast under one-time CEO Aubrey McClendon who was charged with conspiracy to rig bids and then died soon after in a vehicle accident in 2016 which was determined an accident.
The Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced that the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA), and Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) will be extending business loan deferrals by three additional calendar months. According to Davin, the deferrals will provide temporary relief allowing Pennsylvania businesses to bounce back from the economic impact of pandemic. For details about your specific load requirements go to dced.pa.gov/
A police officer in Lycoming County was on paid leave out of caution that he had possibly contracted the coronavirus, but the tests of relatives in question have come back negative and is back to work. According to the Sun Gazette, one officer on the Montoursville Police department was out for 3 days while awaiting the outcome, and no other officers have tested positive. One South Williamsport officer with underlying health issues took personal and vacation time to avoid complications during the pandemic.
Earlier this month, a man from Mill Hall and other local fishermen were recognized during Family Fishing Day at Hills Creek Lake, according to the DCNR. John Baney’s largest bluegill weighed .527 pounds. Brett Shirk of Blanchard caught the largest bass at 6.21 pounds and the largest stringer of game fish at 29.79 pounds, and Ed Hicks caught the largest Crappie and Perch at the Tioga County Tournament.
SPORTS
NBA
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association are planning to paint “Black Lives Matter” on the court inside both sidelines in all three arenas the league will use at the Walt Disney World Resort when it resumes the 2019-20 season late next month in Orlando, Florida, league sources told ESPN. The WNBA is also discussing painting “Black Lives Matter” on the court when it begins its abbreviated 2020 season at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, sources said.
Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan has tested positive for the coronavirus and opted out of next month’s Orlando, Florida, restart with his team. Jordan’s agent with Excel Sports informed management of the decision on Monday
NHL
The National Hockey league has allowed small groups of players to practice at team facilities, but now, 26 out of 250 players have tested positive for COVID-19 since June 8th. The Tampa Bay Lightning had to shut down their facilities earlier this month after 3 players tested positive, but it has since reopened.
