McConnell slates October revote on GOP COVID relief plan
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that he’s scheduling a procedural vote on a GOP COVID-19 relief bill for next week. He says aid to hard-hit businesses shouldn’t be held up by gridlock involving other aid proposals. The Kentucky Republican says in a statement Tuesday that the Senate will take a test vote Oct. 19 when the chamber returns on Monday. Democrats filibustered a GOP-drafted aid bill last month and recent talks on a larger deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., fell apart this past weekend, probably for good. McConnell’s announcement came as President Donald Trump continues to agitate for “stimulus,” saying that Republicans should “go big” rather than the limited approach they’ve been advocating.

PA loosens rent relief rules
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is extending the application deadline and changing the rules of a key rent and mortgage relief program in an effort to boost participation by landlords and keep more people in their homes during the pandemic. State officials say some landlords have been reluctant to apply because of a $750-per-month cap on payments. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that under the new rules, the program will allow landlords and renters to enter into repayment plans for any remaining balance.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell, Twp.) Dr. Michelle Miller sent a letter to parents/guardians of district students that the district became aware over the weekend  that an 11th grader  tested positive for COVID-19  The student was last at the high school on Tuesday, October 6,2020.   As the district continued to investigate she said  they were notified that 4 students in the same family, grades, 11, 8, 6, and 4 tested positive. The 4th grader attends Hopewell  Elementary,  the others  attend the junior and senior high school. The students were last in the buildings on Thursday, October 8, 2020..

Drive-thru dominates even as dine-in restrictions ease
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza saw stronger U.S. same-store sales in the July-September period, indicating customers’ preference for drive-thru and delivery remained strong even as lockdown restrictions eased. McDonald’s said its U.S. same-store sales _ or sales at stores open at least a year _ rose 4.6% in the third quarter. Domino’s said its U.S. same-store sales jumped 17.5% in the July-September period, better than the 16% growth it saw in the second quarter. Fast food chains have fared better throughout the pandemic than sit-down restaurants, which had to close dining rooms and were less likely to have drive-thru windows or delivery options.

Pennsylvania reports most daily virus infections since April
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania is reporting its highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in more than five months. The Department of Health said Thursday that another 1,376 people tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. It was the second consecutive day that new infections rose above 1,300. Thursday’s statewide case count was the highest since April 30, when Pennsylvania recorded 1,397 new infections. Health officials cite increased spread among college and university students. The governor is expressing concern but says the state is in a much better position now to handle the influx than it was at the beginning of the pandemic.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today urged residents to get their flu vaccine at the start of flu season as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
“Every flu season is different, but this flu season leaves a lot of unknowns,” Dr. Levine said.
“One thing we do know is the flu is serious and can be deadly, which is why it is extremely important that Pennsylvanians are receiving their flu vaccine now. In addition to getting your flu vaccine, it is essential to take other preventative measures to protect yourself from the spread of the flu. There is no better measure to protect yourself from flu than to get a flu vaccine.”

This year, both the flu shot and nasal spray are available and recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older to protect against the flu. The flu vaccine can often diminish the severity of symptoms and the duration of symptoms a person might experience should they come down with the flu.
“It is still safe to visit your doctor’s office, pharmacy, local walk-in clinic or grocery store to get your flu vaccine,” said Dr. Levine. “The vaccine process is quick, easy and helps protect not only yourself, but anyone you may come into contact with this flu season. We recommend doing so before flu activity begins in your community, ideally before the end of October.”
Seasonal influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness, caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the nose, throat and lungs and may include the following symptoms:
• Fever;
• Headache;
• Tiredness;
• Dry cough;
• Sore throat;
• Nasal congestion; and
• Body aches.
Similarly, COVID-19 symptoms include:
• Fever;
• Cough;
• Shortness of breath;
• Diarrhea;
• Chills;
• Repeated shaking with chills;
• Muscle pain;
• Headache;
• Sore throat; and
• New loss of taste or smell.
Since symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 may be similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. The best way to prevent respiratory illness at this time is to get the flu vaccine. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies from the vaccine to develop protection against infection. This small but powerful action will protect your family, friends and frontline health care workers who will be caring for sick people with respiratory illnesses this fall and winter.
In addition to getting vaccinated, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to practice healthy habits like covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, frequently washing your hands during flu season and remembering to disinfect commonly-touched objects, such as door knobs, light switches, countertops, cell phones and computers.
If you do become sick with the flu, it is important to stay home and rest. If you are at risk for developing serious complications from the flu, or feel extremely ill, you should see a medical professional immediately.
Additional information on how to stay healthy and prevent the flu can be found on the
Department of Health’s website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

(Photo from last year’s festival)

(Beaver, Pa.) The Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that “Light Up Night” in Beaver this year is being canceled due to the Coronavirus. The festival was scheduled to take place on Friday November 27, 2020. In an e-mail the Chamber stated, “As with so many events that we all enjoy and love to attend the Lite Up Night Festival has been canceled this year. “

The Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce went on to say they will be planning several small events for the holiday season and we hope that you will be able stop in and support the businesses on Third Street.

They are hoping to resume the “Light up Night Festival” in 2021.

You can get more information by going to their Facebook Page at :

https://www.facebook.com/BeaverAreaChamber/

Benninghoff: Auditor General’s Findings Show Businesses Not Treated Fairly by Wolf Administration

HARRISBURG – Today, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale provided a status update on his ongoing audit of the Wolf administration’s business waiver process that was implemented following the governor’s March 19 economic shutdown of what he deemed to be “non-life-sustaining businesses.”

According to the auditor general, the waiver program “was not a level playing field for businesses across Pennsylvania” and was operated on “shifting sands of changing guidance” that required businesses “to hit a moving target.”

As a result of this mishandled program, DePasquale said today he finds it “almost impossible” some businesses did not permanently close their doors.

In response, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) made the following statement:

“Not only did the Wolf administration devastate small businesses across Pennsylvania with his over-broad shutdown, but his administration added insult to injury by sowing confusion and angst among those seeking waivers by changing guidance and stacking the deck against mom-and-pop businesses simply looking to continue operating safely.

“The toll on lives and livelihoods from this administration’s handling of COVID-19 continues to mount. Sadly, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Wolf administration’s non-transparent, go-it-alone approach to managing this virus has done severe harm to Pennsylvania.”

Audit faults Wolf’s business shutdown waiver program
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania’s chief fiscal watchdog is criticizing a state program under which businesses could seek permission to operate under Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic shutdown. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale says waivers were granted inconsistently and with little transparency, comparing the process to a “Keystone Kops routine.”  DePasquale spoke Tuesday at a virtual news conference. The auditor general’s office has been investigating the business shutdown waiver program amid complaints it was managed unfairly. Wolf’s spokesperson referred questions to the Department of Community and Economic Development, which ran the program. The department is planning to issue a response to DePasquale’s criticism later Tuesday.

Gov. Wolf, Sec. Levine Amend Guidelines on Safe Gathering Limits

Pennsylvanians Must Wear Masks, Social Distance, Follow Established Local Restrictions

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvanians continue to do their part by adopting healthy behaviors to combat the spread of COVID-19, today Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine amended existing COVID-19 orders to allow for adjusted capacity to gathering limits while keeping in place the proven mitigation tools that include wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

“Pennsylvanians must continue to social distance and wear masks as we prepare to fight the virus through the fall and winter,” Gov. Wolf said. “Regardless of the size of an event or gathering, those things are still imperative to stopping the spread of COVID. We know everyone has sacrificed in many ways and today’s announcement reflects a gradual adjustment to our lives as we learn how we can do things safely until we have a cure, or an effective vaccine is widely available.”

“We will closely monitor cases and outbreaks and if our case investigation and contact tracing efforts determine that events or gatherings are the source of an outbreak, we can and will dial back these new limits,” Dr. Levine said. “Public health and safety are our first concern and will always remain as such.”

Starting on Friday, Oct. 9 amended orders will allow for venue occupancy limits to play a bigger role in determining the number of people permitted both inside and outside of events or gatherings. An event or gathering is defined as a temporary grouping of individuals for defined purposes that takes place over a limited timeframe, such as hours or days, including fairs, festivals, concerts, or shows and groupings that occur within larger, more permanent businesses, such as shows or performances within amusement parks, individual showings of movies, business meetings or conferences, or each party or reception within a multi-room venue.

Conversely, groups of people who share a space within a building in the ordinary course of operations, such as in an office building, classroom, production floor or similar regularly occurring operation of a business or organization, are not events or gatherings.

All businesses are required to conduct their operations remotely through individual teleworking of their employees in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which they do business unless that is not possible. In those instances, employees may conduct in-person business operations, provided that the businesses fully comply with the business safety order, the worker safety order, and the masking order.

The orders amend two sections of the July 15 mitigation orders and include a “maximum occupancy calculator” for both indoor and outdoor events. Based on a venue’s established occupancy limit as defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code, venues apply the appropriate percent of occupancy to determine how many attendees are permitted to attend an event or gathering.

Here are the calculators:

Maximum Occupancy Calculator for indoor events:

Maximum Occupancy Calculator for outdoor events:

Venues must require attendees to comply with 6-foot social distancing requirements, to wear masks or face coverings, and to implement best practices such as timed entry, multiple entry and exit points, multiple restrooms and hygiene stations. Venues and event planners can review the CDC Events and Gatherings Readiness and Planning Tool for additional information regarding best practices.

When not hosting events, occupancy restrictions outlined in the green phase of reopening continue to apply to businesses in the commonwealth.

Any gathering restrictions established by local authorities, such as the ones established in Philadelphia and State College, remain in effect.

View the governor’s amended order here.

View the secretary’s amended order here.

View FAQs about the amended orders on safe gatherings.