Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Ambridge, Pa.)  According to sources, one Ambridge band member, and 2 members of the Ambridge Girls Soccer team tested positive for COVID-19 .

Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla ,  Ambridge Superintendent of Schools said in a press release that the district is continuing to work with families  as they receive guidance  on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The PA DOH  has been working with the district  as they prepare the safest way to implement their athletic and extra-curricular  programs  until the school board  has an opportunity to thoroughly examine the issue of COVID-19  exposure/spread  through athletic and extra-curricular programs. The board convenes on Tuesday, August 12  to  discuss   the topic at its work session..

Pennsylvania reports no virus deaths; 1st time since March
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials are reporting no new deaths attributed to COVID-19 for the first time in more than four months. The state’s death toll stood at 7,209 on Monday. The last time that neither the state Department of Health nor a county health department confirmed a new coronavirus death was on March 20, when the statewide death toll stood at one. The Health Department reported 565 new virus infections on Monday. More than 114,000 people in Pennsylvania have tested positive for the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

(File Photo)

HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), will host a two-day public hearing this week to discuss safely reopening schools this fall.

The hearings will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Wednesday, Aug. 5. Tuesday’s hearing will be a continuation of a previous hearing the committee held in June where teachers, administrators and directors from public and nonpublic schools discussed their plans and concerns for getting students back to the classroom in the fall. Wednesday’s hearing will focus on stakeholders recommended legislation to the committee designed to ensure better flexibility as school administrations navigate and adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the American Academy of Pediatrics has said, our school policies must be guided by what is best for the children, their health and well-being. So, getting our students back in the classroom this fall is a top priority,” Sonney said. “Across the board there has been a lack of communication, direction and transparency from the Wolf administration on how our schools should reopen.

“These hearings will help the public, and us as legislators, gain better insight on the concerns and struggles our schools are currently facing and help create better policy to ensure our students’ educational needs are met,” continued Sonney. “We are running out of time; we need answers and solutions. We must prioritize our students – we cannot let them fall through the cracks.”

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) also noted the importance of getting students back in the classroom this fall and the lack of clear direction from the administration.

“As the first day of school approaches, it is important that we give both parents and students predictability and confidence that there is a plan to reopen schools safely,” said Benninghoff. “As we continue to learn to live with COVID-19, students should not be deprived of the choice of having important in-classroom instruction and parents should not be forced to make the difficult choice between earning a living and being full-time, in-home educators. Unfortunately, the administration has come up short on answers and school leaders are calling for firm direction and not loose guidelines. I hope these hearings will help show the problems facing those trying to reopen schools without a concrete plan and highlight areas where more direction is needed. From there, it is our hope that the Wolf administration will see this as an opportunity to work with the people’s representatives to develop a well-thought-out plan to open schools safely for the benefit of educators, parents and our children.”

The hearings will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Wednesday, Aug. 5, in the House Majority Caucus Room, Room 140, Main Capitol. 

Those invited to testify during Tuesday’s hearing include members of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, Alliance of Approved Private Schools, PA Cyber Charter School, Agora Cyber Charter School, the ARC of PA and the Association of School Nurses and Practitioners.

Wednesday’s panel of testifiers will include representatives invited from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), PA Association of School Administrators (PASA), PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and PA State Education Association (PSEA).

Barring any technical difficulties, the hearings will be streamed live at www.RepSonney.com and www.pahousegop.com.

Fauci optimistic COVID-19 vaccine will be widely available
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci is telling lawmakers that once a coronavirus vaccine is approved as safe and effective, Americans should have widespread access within a reasonable time. Appearing before a House panel investigating the nation’s response to the pandemic, Fauci on Friday expressed “cautious” optimism that a vaccine would be available, particularly by next year. Fauci’s message in recent days has been Americans can’t afford a devil-may-care attitude toward COVID-19 and need to double down on basic measures such as wearing masks, keeping their distance from others and avoiding crowds.

Doctors try pressurized oxygen chambers in COVID fight
By MARGIE MASON and ROBIN McDOWELL Associated Press
As researchers around the world search for ways to treat the growing number of people suffering from the coronavirus, medical researchers in New York are trying hyperbaric oxygen therapy, best known for treating divers with decompression sickness. But the researchers say the use of the hyperbaric treatment is met with skepticism by the wider medical community because fringe supporters have long touted it as a virtual cure-all without scientific evidence.  The therapy is only approved for 13 types of treatment — from burns to deep wounds and carbon monoxide poisoning. Researchers as hoping to secure funding for a larger clinical trial.

US consumer spending up 5.6%, but virus could stall gains
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers increased their spending in June by a solid 5.6%, helping regain some of record plunge that occurred after the coronavirus struck hard in March and paralyzed the economy. But the virus’ resurgence in much of the country could impede further gains. Last month’s rise in consumer spending followed a seasonally adjusted 8.5% surge in May after spending had plunged the previous two months when the pandemic shuttered businesses, caused tens of millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession.

Dunkin’ to close 800 US stores as pandemic hurts sales
CANTON, Mass. (AP) — Dunkin’ Brands Inc. expects to close up to 800 underperforming U.S. stores this year as it tries to shore up its portfolio in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Around 450 of those stores are located within Speedway gas stations. Dunkin’ says closing the restaurants would allow their franchisees to reinvest in newer stores in higher-traffic areas. The 800 stores represent 8% of Dunkin’s U.S. footprint but just 2% of its sales. Dunkin’ says international franchisees may also close 350 low-volume stores abroad by the end of this year. Dunkin’s sales dropped 20% in the second quarter to $287 million.

Pennsylvania reports 860 new virus cases, 14 deaths
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials are reporting 860 additional cases of the coronavirus, and 14 new deaths. More than 111,000 people in Pennsylvania have tested positive for the virus since the beginning of the pandemic, and 7,176 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19, most of them in nursing homes. Daily case counts have risen nearly 70% since the beginning of July, prompting Gov. Tom Wolf to recently impose a new round of pandemic restrictions on bars, restaurants and larger indoor gatherings.

INDUSTRY – Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver/Butler) has canceled the shredding event scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, and the Concealed Carry Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 17.

“While I regret having to make this decision, I feel that it’s in everyone’s best interest. As always, my office is prepared to help with your state-related questions and concerns,” Marshall said.

Residents with questions about the canceled events or any other state-related issues are asked to call Marshall’s district office at 724-847-1352.

Beaver County residents who are interested in other opportunities for their sensitive documents to be shredded are welcome to attend the event hosted by the county on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 8:30-11 a.m. at Brady’s Run Recycling Center in Brighton Township.

The county’s event is free to all Beaver County residents, who are asked to remove all binder clips, plastic and metal binding. Cameras are mounted to the county shred truck to ensure document destruction. Each resident is limited to four banker boxes; additional amounts may be declined. Businesses are not permitted.

Due to COVID-19’s sweeping impacts, residents are encouraged to confirm that the event hasn’t been canceled before planning to attend.