Mail-in, absentee ballot applications surge for June primary
By MARK SCOLFORO and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania counties have processed about 283,000 applications for mail-in and absentee ballots, and nearly three times more applicants are from Democrats compared to Republicans. The state’s primary has been moved back to June 2, so the numbers are likely to continue to climb. Four years ago, before mail-in balloting was allowed in the state, about 84,000 Pennsylvanians cast primary votes by absentee ballot. Officials say concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak are driving interest in remote voting. The Health Department said Tuesday that 60 new deaths from the coronavirus were reported over the past day, raising the total to 584.

Obama endorses Biden, says former VP has ‘qualities we need’
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE, JULIE PACE and BILL BARROW Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Joe Biden in a video saying Biden has “all the qualities we need in a president right now.” That gives Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, a boost from the party’s biggest fundraiser and one of its most popular figures. Obama and Biden are known to be close friends from their two terms in the White House, and Biden leaned heavily on his affiliation with Obama throughout the Democratic primary. Obama released a 12-minute video on Tuesday endorsing his former vice president. Obama is eager to take a more active public role in the campaign, aides say.

(HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa.)  Sharon Powell, of North Huntingdon, is accused of intentionally coughing on a drive-thru worker at a McDonald’s on Route 30 in Hempfield Township and telling the worker “l hope you get COVID-19 and die”.  Powell was allegedly upset because about her drink. She tried to hand it back through the window when she was told food items are not allowed to re-enter the restaurant and that the to-go cup holders were being used to avoid contact during the coronavirus pandemic. A license plate number was used by police to determine the vehicle was registered to Powell. The worker identified her by her photo of her driver’s license.

Powell is charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and disorderly conduct.

(Monaca,Pa) Two of Community College of Beaver County’s students have been honored by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges for their academic excellence as part of its 26th Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. They will receive a scholarship for their transfer to state schools to continue their education. The award provides two years of tuition at any Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university. You can read a short Bio of both students below:

 

Kayleigh Burke is studying engineering and is preparing to transfer to Slippery Rock University to study Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. A member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the current PTK Chapter President, she carries a 4.0 GPA, has been named to the CCBC President’s List, and is actively involved in many on and off-campus extracurriculars, including Breast Cancer Awareness fundraisers, Science Club, Fresh Check Awareness Day, Honors in Action Project, Beaver County Humane Society, and Club Fair. A first-generation college student, she works as a caregiver and tutor and resides in Rochester, Pa.

Alexis Halvin is studying biological and biomedical sciences and is preparing to transfer to Clarion University to earn her Doctorate in dentistry. A member of PTK and current PTK Secretary/Treasurer, she carries a 4.0 GPA, has been named to the Dean’s and President’s List, and participated in many activities on campus: Breast Cancer Awareness and Mental Health Awareness fundraisers, cards for Veterans Salute Breakfast, Club Fair, and new student orientation. She also volunteers at local science fairs, the North American Hawk Migration Foundation, Will of the Warrior, and the Beaver County Humane Society. She works as a caregiver and resides in Industry, Pa.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,146 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 25,345

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 14, that there are 1,146 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 25,345. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 60 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 584. 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 3 cases from yesterday to 156 and the County now also has one additional confirmed death putting the total at 14 deaths in the county from the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

“COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Pennsylvania, and even though the daily increases are not exponential, now is not the time to become complacent,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families, our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

There are 108,286 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Less than 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 7% are aged 19-24;
• 40% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 29% are aged 50-64; and
• 22% 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.

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.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 13:

• Provided an update from Pennsylvania State Police on business closure enforcement actions.
• Thanked Pennsylvanians for sacrifices made during COVID-19.
• Announced participation in multi-state council to plan for re-opening state.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Authorities: Mom in coma after daughter repeatedly stabs her
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A woman repeatedly stabbed her mother during a dispute inside their home, leaving the mother in a medically induced coma. Authorities say 30-year-old Alexis Wilson was arrested Sunday at the Downingtown home where the two women live. She’s charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other counts, and it wasn’t known Tuesday if she’s retained an attorney. When police arrived at the home, they found Wilson holding a large knife, but she apparently wasn’t injured. Her mother was face down in the living room and had suffered at least 10 stab wounds to her neck, back and cheek. Authorities haven’t disclosed a motive for the stabbing.

Cuomo says Trump is not a king, can’t force states to reopen
By KAREN MATTHEWS and MICHAEL R. SISAK undefined
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s claim of “total” authority to reopen the nation’s virus-stalled economy. Cuomo said on NBC’s “Today” on Tuesday that “We don’t have a king. We have a president.” He said on CNN that if Trump ordered him to reopen New York’s economy prematurely, he wouldn’t do it. Trump said Monday that for the president of the United States, “the authority is total.” He was reacting to moves by governors on both coasts to form multi-state compacts to coordinate reopening society amid the global pandemic.

AAA: Pennsylvania Gas Prices Keep Dropping; National Demand Hits 52-Year Low
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is four cents cheaper this week at $2.147 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states are seeing gas prices decrease, but at a slower rate as compared to neighbors in the South and Mid-West. On the week, these states saw the largest declines in the region: Washington, D.C (-8 cents), Vermont (-6 cents), Connecticut (-6 cents), Rhode Island (-6 cents) and West Virginia (-6 cents). Gas prices now range from as cheap as $1.71 in North Carolina to as expensive as $2.25 in New York.

Gasoline stocks continue to build in the region according to the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. This week, inventory is up by 4.6 million barrels to 70.5 million – which is the highest level recorded by the EIA for the region in decades. With motorists homebound, the region can expect to see pump prices push cheaper as stocks increase and demand drops.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                 $2.147
Average price during the week of April 6, 2020                                        $2.183
Average price during the week of April 15, 2019                                      $3.042

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

$2.090      Altoona
$2.233      Beaver
$2.198      Bradford
$2.099      Brookville
$2.145      Butler
$2.103      Clarion
$2.108      Du Bois
$2.105      Erie
$2.139      Greensburg
$2.199      Indiana
$2.248      Jeannette
$2.163      Kittanning
$2.199      Latrobe
$1.957      Meadville
$2.268      Mercer
$1.805      New Castle
$2.229      New Kensington
$2.199      Oil City
$2.241      Pittsburgh
$1.949      Sharon
$2.267      Uniontown
$2.202      Warren
$2.225      Washington

On the National Front
The national gas price average has steadily declined for seven weeks, pushing the average cheaper by 61-cents to $1.86 today. In the same timeframe (since late February), U.S. demand for gasoline has decreased 44% to 5 million b/d as gasoline inventories build across the country. The latest data reveals demand levels not seen since spring of 1968, and every U.S. region is seeing builds in gasoline inventories and crude storage.

On Sunday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus (OPEC+) announced historic global crude productions cuts – nearly 10 million b/d in May and June. Effective May 1, the production cuts are expected to ease in June, but some restrictions will remain in place through April 2022. The production cut hasn’t had an immediate impact on pump prices given the ongoing impact the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crude prices will likely remain volatile this week, as the market assesses if the production cuts are sufficient to hold back growing global crude inventories as COVID-19 continues to push down demand. Today (Monday, April 13), West Texas Intermediate is hovering in the low to mid $20/barrel range.

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