FOOD SUPPLY CONCERNS ADDRESSED BY GOVERNOR
Governor Wolf yesterday addressed food production efforts during his daily press conference, reassuring Pennsylvanians that food production is a top priority and life sustaining business. Governor Wolf said the state department of agriculture has asked the federal government and PEMA for food production funding through the Federal Families First Act with an additional 16 million is coming through the Federal Cares Act. You can find a list of resources for families at the Pennsylvania department of Health website, here.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE THANKS GOVERNOR FOR MAKING FOOD SUPPLY PRIORITY
Russel Redding was included during the daily video conference with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf yesterday, addressing the food insecurities many Pennsylvanians now face due to the coronavirus. Redding says that many people never expected to see themselves needing this kind of help and wants to provide the community with resources. He also thanked Governor Wolf for keeping food production as a top priority. For a list of resources you can go to the Pennsylvania department of health, here.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATE
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed yesterday that there are 1,102 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 44,366. There are 2,195 total confirmed deaths in the state adding 479 new deaths as of yesterday. Lycoming County has gone up 3 to 61 positive cases, Northumberland has 92, Clinton has 30, Montour County has 47, Sullivan one, and Tioga County reports 14 cases and one confirmed death,
JERSEY SHORE GIVES ELEMENTARY PARENTS CHOICES
Jersey Shore School District voted Monday to allow parents of students in the elementary grades to either stay in the school they were in during the current school year or to return to their home school for the 2020-21 school year. According to the Sun Gazette, Dr. Ken Dady, assistant superintendent said the school choice policy was instituted by the district several years ago, but no guidelines were ever put in place to establish such things as class sizes at the elementary buildings. The district recently decided that elementary schools at Avis and Salladasburg would not be closed.
PLAYHOUSE SHIFTS SHOWS TO NEXT YEAR
Three musicals planned by the Millbrook Playhouse for the summer as well as four summer stock Downstairs Cabaret productions for 2020 have been all shifted to the 2021 season due to the concern and safety of the theater-going community during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Sun Gazette, artistic director David Leidholdt said a one man show called “Grand Legends” is still booked for August 27 to August 30th and a summer and fall children’s musical and adult fall show will be announced during the upcoming “Fall in Mill Hall” event. Millbrook has tickets available for September and October shows with details at ,illbrokk playhouse .org
MASKING WILL CONTINUE EVEN WHEN THE STATE IS AT YELLOW
During the daily Department of Health Press briefing yesterday, in a forwarded question they addressed community members not wearing masks as is mandated by the state department of health and that it is a concern for state officials. Press Secretary of the Department says it is a concern and that some Pennsylvanians are being dishonest saying they have a medical condition to not wear the masks when it is often not the case. As Lycoming county may be included in the north-central region that can transition from red to yellow in the Wolf administration’s reopening plan for the state, Secretary of Health Dr Rachel Levine says wearing masks will still be required in this time of transitional caution expected after May 8th.
ROTARY CLUB DONATES TO COVID-19 NON-PROFITS
The Milton Rotary Club has donated a total of $1400 to seven organizations helping people with the coronavirus. The funds came from the overage after the inability to hold the clubs luncheon happened due to Covid-19. The beneficiaries of the money were the Evangelical Community Hospital, Hand-Up foundation, Ronald McDonald house, Milton Panther Pantry, Greater Susquehanna YMCA, The Salvation Army of Milton and Panther Packs.
BUCKNELL KEEPS TUITION AS IS
An announced tuition increase has been cancelled at Bucknell University to help relieve students during challenging times according to President John Bravman in an announcement Sunday. According to PennLive, tuition will remain unchanged for the 2020-21 academic year because they are committed to helping students complete their education.The roll back does not apply to room and board fees, which will remain at their announced levels, he said.
SPORTS
NFL
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other league employees will take pay cuts or furloughs throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Goodell voluntarily reducedhis o salary from over 30 million a year to zero yesterday. The league is also implementing reductions in base salaries for workers, vice presidents, and directors.
Ex-Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith has been charged with unlawful sexual activity with minor. A law enforcement source told ESPN that Smith is accused of being involved with a 17-year-old girl last August and September.
HS Wrestling
According to the Sun Gazette, the PIAA Wrestling Steering Committee approved a recommendation Wednesday to reduce the number of weight classes from 14 to 13. The decision won’t be made until May 20th when the board of directors meet, but wrestling chairmen David Campbell expects it to pass.
The NCAA is closer to allowing college athletes to make money from endorsements. The Board of Governors yesterday approved recommendations that will allow athletes to earn income through social media and endorsements that will go into effect for the 2122 academic year,
TENNIS
Tennis legends Serena Williams will join Maria Sharapova playing video game tennis for charity. Sunday’s event will feature top tennis players teamed with celebrities playing the “Stay at Home Slam”. The competitors will each play in their homes for $25,000 that they can donate to the charity of their choice, but the winning team will receive an additional $1 million to donate.
MLB
Major league baseball says that Derek Jeter’s induction ceremony into the baseball Hall of Fame will wait until 2021 since the class ceremony inductees from 2020 will be combined in 2021 next year. The event was scheduled for July 26 but next year will be on July 25th.
Minor league baseball has issued a statement in conjunction with Major Legue Baseball that there is no truth to the rumor that minor-league baseball season has been canceled. No official decision has been made as to when Minor League teams will begin their 2020 season.
