ACKNOBELS MASK POLICY

Knoebels Amusement Resort updated their mask policy  to match the  new CDC and state guidance.”Fully vaccinated guests are no longer required to wear face coverings while outdoors at Knoebels,” the resort announced on its Facebook page today.Face coverings will still be required indoors for guests over the age of two – regardless of whether or not they’ve been vaccinated. Knoebels staff will continue to wear face coverings. At the Crystal Pool this summer, guests who aren’t fully vaccinated must wear face coverings unless they’re in the pool, on waterslides, dining or under age two. The Pool Refreshment Stand may be closed this year. Not all rides or food stations will be open this year and some food stands may have shortened hours.

2021 MAY PRIMARY

The 2021 May Primary includes borough mayors to school board directors, township supervisors, and law enforcement officials.  The specifics from the ballot include;Magesterial District Judge, County Sheriff, City Council,School Board Directors, Borough Mayor, Township Supervisor, Constable, Tax Collector, Auditor, Judges of the Commonwealth Court, Judges of the Superior Court ,Justice of the Supreme Court. And voters are being asked to approve or deny changes to the commonwealth’s constitution, addressing issues from a governor’s emergency powers, to race equality. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The voter turnout for a primary is normally lower than for a general election, in fact the past two primary elections, voter turnout has been between 41 percent and 42 percent in Lycoming County, according to the SUN Gazette.

PFIZER FOR AGES 12-15

As of May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced emergency authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15. UPMC is accepting appointments for this age group at its existing COVID-19 vaccination clinics.“Pfizer’s clinical trial of more than 2,000 adolescents found that the vaccine was 100% effective in protecting children from COVID-19,” according to Heather Stafford,  the clinical director of Infection Prevention and Control for UPMC in the North Central Pa. region. She also noted it was “extremely safe” according to northcentralpa.com.

CITY HALL ACCESSIBLE UPGRADES

City Hall, under federal law guidelines, is becoming more accessible to a wider scope of the population. With a price tag estimated to be $500,000, the building and surrounding area is modifying parking, curb ramps, adding a West Fourth Street access ramp, putting in push-button doors and modifying the interior elevator, according to Jon Sander, city engineer. According to northcentralpa.com, the interior elevator is the next project for the building and bids are due Friday.

LYCOMING COUNTY COURT

Lycoming County Court heard the final arguments Monday in the case involving the county commissioners, who decided to take legal action against county Controller Krista Rogers when she failed to hand over functions to the budget and finance department. Rogers claimed the action illegal and basically a power grab. No ruling was rendered at the conclusion of the hearing, according to an online media outlet.

SHAD RUN

Shad Run, the stainless steel sculpture from Seattle artist Joseph McDonnell has been rededicated at Pine Square Alley. Its original home was on Market Square in 2005, before the Little League statues. Graphic design students at Penn College made a new sign, which was installed on the wall near the sculpture. According to Lenore Penfield, chairperson of Public ARTWORKS, to get this piece of history together and back on display, “was a collaborative effort between college and community members to restore this remarkable piece and to put it on display for all to enjoy once again.

GOVERNOR  TOM WOLF SECOND VACCINE

Governor Tom Wolf has now received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The governor announced Monday he received his second shot of the Moderna vaccine at the Family First Health Center in downtown York. The governor thanked the staff there and continued urging anyone considering getting vaccinated to make an appointment. He says it’s the ‘only way’ to ensure everyone’s health as the commonwealth continues reopening.

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY RETAINED PHILADELPHIA LAW FIRM

Bucknell University retained a  Cozen O’ Connor, a Philadelphia law firm,  to investigate the actions of 20 male students accused of attempting to break into an LGBTQ+ housing unit and harassing residents there on Thursday. The investigation doesn’t stop there, it is also set up, by university officials, to inspect the response by officers from the university’s Department of Public Safety. Bravman and other administrators issued a statement Friday condemning the actions against Fran’s House and pledging an independent investigation both into the students’ actions and the response by officers from Bucknell’s Department of Public Safety. In the collective statement released by the residents ahead of a solidarity march that night, they thanked the extended Bucknell community for its support and expressed that they must stand up for themselves and support one another.