Tennessee family finds dog 54 days after deadly tornadoes
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF-TV) — A Tennessee family has been reunited with their dog nearly two months after she went missing when tornadoes ripped through their home in early March. WTVF-TV reports Bella, the Australian shepherd who was missing for 54 days, was found on Sunday. She alerted Eric and Faith Johnson to a tornado that ravaged Putnam County moments before it flattened the Johnson’s family home. Eric Johnson says finding Bella now completes the family. Friends and neighbors assisted the Johnsons in finding the dog. The family told WTVF-TV earlier this month that they plan to rebuild their home.

Wolf Administration Extends Volunteer Loan Assistance Program Maturity Dates, Deferments

HARRISBURG, PA – The Wolf Administration announced today that it will extend the maturity dates of loans offered to volunteer fire departments under the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program (VLAP) and temporarily defer payments for the months of April, May, and June.

“As the effects of the coronavirus and the necessary government response ripple their way through our state, it should be no surprise that our volunteer fire departments are feeling the pain,” said State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego. “Our office is here to help our commonwealth’s fire fighters, and that hasn’t changed as we telework during Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order. We’re committed to working very hard with departments to assist them with the resources they need to ensure they can meet their financial obligations during these difficult times.”

The Volunteer Loan Assistance Program (VLAP) provides loans to volunteer fire companies, ambulance services and rescue squads for the purpose of purchasing and modernizing apparatus, facilities and equipment. There will be no interest or penalties assessed for borrowers who accept this deferment.

Since its inception, the program has approved more than $500 million in loans for the commonwealth’s volunteer emergency services community.

Office of State Fire Commissioner (OFSC) staff provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance to applicants; receives, analyzes and approves loan applications; supplies loan closing services; maintains financial and historical files and services all accounts until they are closed.  For those borrowers who wish to decline deferment and continue to make payments, please notify OSFC staff.

For more information regarding VLAP loans, including forms and informational materials, visit the OSFC web site: www.osfc.pa.gov

AAA: Moderate Drop at the Pump in Pennsylvania; Oil Prices Remain Volatile
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is four cents cheaper this week at $2.082 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Most states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region saw weekly decreases of two to four cents. Washington, D.C. ($2.19), New York ($2.17) and Pennsylvania ($2.04) land on the top 10 list for largest state averages in the country. At $1.65, Virginia carries the cheapest average in the region.

Gasoline stocks in the region have been steadily increasing for a month now. The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report shows a weekly build of 2 million barrels, pushing regional stock levels to a very healthy 73.8 million barrels. Since February, regional refinery utilization has been on the decline. However, for the week ending April 17, utilization increased nearly 5% to 44%. Motorists in the region will likely see gas prices to continue to decrease in the coming weeks.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                 $2.082
Average price during the week of April 20, 2020                                      $2.122
Average price during the week of April 29, 2019                                      $3.099

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.053      Altoona
$2.238      Beaver
$2.160      Bradford
$2.099      Brookville
$2.008      Butler
$1.979      Clarion
$2.100      Du Bois
$2.069      Erie
$2.101      Greensburg
$2.101      Indiana
$2.166      Jeannette
$2.047      Kittanning
$2.129      Latrobe
$1.942      Meadville
$2.040      Mercer
$1.760      New Castle
$2.200      New Kensington
$2.109      Oil City
$2.190      Pittsburgh
$1.873      Sharon
$2.224      Uniontown
$2.159      Warren
$2.144      Washington

On the National Front
As gas prices continue to push cheaper across the country, a dozen states carry an average of $2/gallon or more. Today’s national average is $1.77, which is four cents less than last week, 28 cents cheaper than last month and $1.11 less than a year ago. Some states could see minimal fluctuation at the pump in coming weeks if demand jumps as business are given the green light to re-open. However, this will not have a large impact for most of the nation’s motorists.

Crude oil prices were extremely volatile last week, pushing negative for the first time ever, but they did make significant gains to end the week in the positive. At the end of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 44 cents to settle at $16.94 per barrel. This increase was in response to reports of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries reducing crude output before the May 1 start date of its 9.7 million b/d production reduction agreement for May and June 2020. Crude prices will likely remain volatile this week, as the market continues to assess how much crude demand will continue to fall during the ongoing pandemic.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Guide Rail Repairs Continue Tuesday in Beaver County

Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 is announcing guide rail repair work on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Beaver County will occur Tuesday, April 28 weather permitting.

Single-lane restrictions will occur in both directions on I-376 in various locations between the Hopewell (Exit 48) and the Chippewa (Exit 32) interchanges from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.  Crews from Penn Line Services, Inc. will conduct guide rail repair work.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Governor Announces May 1 Statewide Reopening of Limited Outdoor Recreational Activities to Help Pennsylvanians Maintain Positive Physical, Mental Health

Harrisburg, PA – To ensure that Pennsylvanians have opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation as a way to maintain positive physical and mental health, and in keeping with the commonwealth’s stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Wolf Administration is lifting some restrictions on businesses related to certain outdoor activities.

Starting Friday, May 1, golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds may reopen statewide and are required to follow updated life-sustaining business guidance and FAQ issued by the Wolf Administration to include specifics for how these outdoor recreational industries can resume activities while prioritizing public health and safety. Campgrounds in state parks will remain closed through Thursday, May 14.

“Pennsylvanians have remained resilient throughout this COVID-19 crisis, and as we successfully continue to flatten the curve to protect our physical health, it is critical that we also focus on our physical and mental health during these extraordinary times. As the weather warms and daylight lengthens, enjoying time outdoors is an important way to manage stress,” Wolf said. “As we start to take measured, limited steps to reopen our commonwealth, reopening these industries will help to rebuild our economy and strengthen our mental health.”

According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly half (45 percent) of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over COVID-19 with the burden likely to continue even as the pandemic’s threat diminishes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities. These guidelines must be followed statewide by businesses and when engaging in outdoor activity while the state disaster declaration remains in effect. The guidelines will ensure the safety of individuals and families engaging in outdoor activities and adherence will help slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Stay close to home: Pennsylvanians are encouraged to enjoy permitted outdoor recreational activities within their community and avoid crowding popular destinations.
• Practice social distancing: Maintain the recommended minimum 6 feet apart from fellow recreationists. Pennsylvanians are also encouraged to wear a mask or protective garment that covers the nose and mouth any time they go outside. If a parking lot at a park is full or there are too many people on the same trail, find an alternate place to recreate. Cross the street to avoid running directly past another runner or wait longer at a golf hole for a fellow golfer to move forward.

• Minimize risk to others: Individuals should only go out if they feel healthy and have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and handrails.
• Have a plan: Create a safety plan before heading outdoors. Explain to children the need to keep their distance from others, even if they happen to see a friend while outside. Discuss with partners, social distancing while on the golf course. Think through how to avoid other runners when waiting to safely cross a street at the same time.

“Practicing social distancing takes a little planning and patience but it is necessary if we want to continue to flatten the curve while ensuring that Pennsylvanians have opportunities to de-stress and get exercise,” Wolf said. “Finding the balance between enjoying the outdoors and staying safe is only possible when all Pennsylvanians are abiding by the same precautions. It’s critical that all Pennsylvanians adhere to the safety guidelines to allow for these outdoor activities to remain available to the public.”

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit on.pa.gov/coronavirus.

(Beaver Pa.) In a Press release received by Beaver County Radio Beaver County President Judge Richard Mancini signed an Administrative Order on Monday April 27, 2020, extending the closing of the Beaver County Courthouse to the public, except for certain functions, until May 8, 2020. The President Judge said this Order is conjunction with Gov. Wolf extending the “Stay at Home Order”.

Below are the exceptions as outlined in President Judge Mancini’s order:

Members of the public can enter the Courthouse to file or participate in, if essential to the case, the following types of cases:

1. Emergency Custody or Emergency Divorce motions seeking equitable relief;

2. Emergency Guardianship motions.

3. Protection From Abuse actions;

4. Juvenile detention hearings if the parent or guardian of the juvenile; 5. Emergency Civil motions seeking equitable relief.

If you are a victim or witness in a criminal case, contact the District Attorney’s Office to be advised if your appearance is necessary. Most criminal proceedings have been or will be continued.

Individuals under the supervision of Adult Probation who have been instructed to report will be granted access to the courthouse.

The public should not attempt to enter the building for any hearing, conference, or proceeding whether criminal, civil, family, or Orphan’s Court that is not specified above.

The Court, along with county officials, have created “drop boxes” at the front entrance of the courthouse to submit any necessary filings for the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, and Driver’s License Suspension Appeals. Submission by mail is also appropriate.

Please review the County’s website – www.beavercountypa.gov – for any changes to the courthouse’s operations.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 885 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 42,050

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 27, that there are 885 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 42,050. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

Today, the state is reporting 1,597 deaths in Pennsylvania. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 21 cases since Sunday to 387 cases. 1898 people have tested negative and the county remains at 46 deaths

In the 3 Nursing homes in the county that are reporting positive cases there is 247 positive cases an increase of 18 from Sunday. 19 employees have now tested positive and the deaths remain at 39

“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

There are 161,372 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;
• 38% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 28% are aged 50-64; and
• Nearly 26% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 7,037 resident cases of COVID-19, and 862 cases among employees, for a total of 7,899 at 441 distinct facilities in 40 counties. Out of our total deaths, 990 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide through the remainder of the academic year. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.

Pelosi, top House progressive give Biden twin endorsements
By BILL BARROW Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has received endorsements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House progressive leader Pramila Jayapal. The pair of announcements Monday underscores Biden’s effort to unify disparate factions of the Democratic Party as he takes on President Donald Trump. In video remarks, Pelosi said Biden would be a “voice of reason and resilience” amid the coronavirus pandemic, and she cited the former vice president’s past experience in key legislative deals on Capitol Hill. Jayapal had previously backed Biden’s last remaining rival, Bernie Sanders, but she and Pelosi both said a Biden presidency could advance liberal policies.

Stocks rally as governments plan to ease virus lockdowns
By STAN CHOE, DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers
Stocks are rising around the world as governments prepare to gradually lift restrictions they imposed on businesses to slow the sweep of the coronavirus pandemic. The S&P 500 added 1.2% in afternoon trading Monday at the start of a week chockablock with market-moving events. Several major central banks are meeting, including the Bank of Japan, which announced its latest stimulus measures to prop up markets. A slew of the biggest U.S. companies are also scheduled to report how much profit they made in the first three months of 2020. Bond yields rose and the price of oil fell.