Small biz rescue off to spotty start; some banks not ready
By KEN SWEET, JOYCE ROSENBERG and RYAN J. FOLEY The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government’s relief program for small businesses is off to a bumpy start, with few businesses able to apply and some big banks saying they’re not ready to process applications. Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Some large lenders like Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank and Bank of America said Friday that they are ready to go. Others like JPMorgan Chase said they wouldn’t accept applications, citing lack of guidance from the Treasury Department.

Child dies, several people hurt when fire roars through home
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A fast-moving fire has roared through an Ohio home, killing a child and injuring several other people. The fire in Zanesville was reported around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. A witness reported hearing an explosion moments before the two-story home was engulfed in flames. But authorities say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Some children in the home reportedly escaped the flames by climbing out a second-story window. Authorities say some of those who escaped and two Muskingum County sheriff deputies were treated at hospitals for undisclosed injuries. The body of the child who died was found after the flames were extinguished.

‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer
Singer Bill Withers has died. He wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”  According to a statement released from his family to The Associated Press, the 81-year-old died in Los Angeles from heart complications. “Lean On Me,” was performed at the presidential inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Lately, people have posted videos of their versions of the song as inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Commissioners Chairman Dan Camp said that the Beaver County’s court ordered reassessment is not being affected by the current events of the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Camp updated the listeners of 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM during his monthly appearance on “Ask the Commissioners” during Teleforum with Frank Sparks.

The question of if the reassessment will be affected by the Coronavirus was submitted via e-mail by a listener. You can hear Commissioner Camps comments below by pressing the play button:

White House moves toward promoting face masks to fight virus
By ZEKE MILLER and MIKE STOBBE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Social distancing, closed businesses, now face coverings? The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The recommendations are still being finalized and are expected to apply at least to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus. A person familiar with the discussion says officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home.

Dr. Fauci’s face will soon be on a bobblehead
By CARRIE ANTLFINGER Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The United States’ top infectious disease specialist is getting his own bobblehead. The creation from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum features Dr. Anthony Fauci wearing a suit as he discusses the coronavirus pandemic. Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar says Fauci was picked because many people see the plain-speaking expert on the coronavirus as a hero right now. Sklar said the Milwaukee museum will donate $5 from every $25 Fauci bobblehead that’s sold to the American Hospital Association. The funds will go toward getting masks and other protective equipment for health care workers.

Deadline looms for Pennsylvania virus-shutdown waivers
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
Pennsylvania businesses are running out of time if they want an exemption from Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown order. Wolf has ordered all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shutter their physical locations to help slow the spread of the coronavirus but established a waiver process for companies that believe they should be exempt. The deadline to apply is Friday. The state has received more than 34,000 waiver requests through Wednesday, approving about 5,600 and denying more than 8,600. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Thursday that over 1,200 additional people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to over 7,000. There were 16 new deaths for a statewide toll of 90.

Pennsylvania Waives Spay/Neuter Requirement for Adoptions, Conserves PPE for Human Healthcare Professionals

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced today that in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for human healthcare workers, the Pennsylvania Dog Law that requires shelters and rescues to spay/neuter dogs and cats prior to adoption would be waived for pets adopted during active COVID-19 mitigation efforts in Pennsylvania.

“This waiver is not something we take lightly; but it’s a matter of weighing the costs,” said Agriculture Secretary Redding. “Waiving the requirement to spay or neuter prior to adoption allows us to conserve critical PPE supplies and also limit the risk of exposure for veterinarians.”

The waiver comes with a contingency: shelters must keep a list of adopters to follow up with post-pandemic and provide a copy of all contracts to the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. Once the pandemic is in the past, shelters would be required to follow up on all pets adopted during COVID-19 mitigation. Adoptive pet owners will have up to 120 days from the time of adoption – timeframe to be re-evaluated as necessary – to have the procedure completed and come into compliance.

With approval from the department, shelters and rescues can continue adopting pets out to Pennsylvanians even during Stay at Home orders. This is essential in order to ensure that shelters are not overly full of animals with short staff numbers. Shelters and rescues continuing to operate and adopt pets are advised to follow guidance for virtual, limited contact adoptions from the Humane Society of the United States. Rescues and shelters should also follow guidance issued from the department to protect their workforce and continue operations.

“The Humane Society of the United States has been monitoring state laws that impact the ability for shelters and rescues to adjust to COVID-19 and provide services to pet and their families,” said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We thank the Department of Agriculture for extending the timeframe to comply with spay/neuter laws to maximize social distancing and decrease the risks to animal shelter and veterinary staff, while reducing the use of PPE in non-essential procedures.”

Before adopting, Pennsylvanians should consider if they’re able to provide for all the pets’ needs during COVID-19 mitigation and follow the department’s Guidance to Pet Owners.

For information as it relates to agriculture during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania visit agriculture.pa.gov/COVID. For the most accurate, timely information related to Health in Pennsylvania, visit on.pa.gov/coronavirus.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn reminded Pennsylvanians that being outdoors is good health care and self care, but recommendations for social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus still apply.

“During this time of significant changes to our daily routines it’s clear that our need for and appreciation of nature is greater than ever,” Dunn said. “Outdoor activities are a great idea to relieve stress and as immunity boosters, but they should not include exposure to high-touch surfaces or other groups of people — we need to spread out.”

Dunn noted the best advice to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stay at home. Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running is allowed if social distancing is maintained.

Some tips for avoiding groups of people outdoors include:

• If you have a yard, spend time there outdoors every day.
• If possible, take a walk around your neighborhood with the people in your family, as long as you can stay six feet away from neighbors.
• If you decide to leave your neighborhood, plan for several alternate locations, so if you arrive at your first one and there are crowds, you can move on.
• Choose a less busy time of day, such as early morning.
• Find a local park or trail that offers enough space for social distancing. Pennsylvania has more than 6,000 local parks that are identified on an interactive map.
• Some municipalities have closed local parks to protect visitors and employees, so check the status of the park before you go. If the park is open, bathrooms and water fountains likely will not be, so plan ahead.
• There also are more than 12,000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, most of which remain accessible during this period. Find a nearby trail at trails.dcnr.pa.gov.

State and local parks, state forests, and trails are seeing record numbers of visitors, with more anticipated as the weather turns warmer and fishing season begins.

From March 17 to 25, Presque Isle State Park in Erie saw an average 165 percent increase in visitation from the same dates last year.

State park and forest facilities such as restrooms, playgrounds, and all overnight accomodations are closed, and staff is limited. The public can access lands and trails.

Be respectful of natural places by practicing Leave No Trace ethics:

• Avoid crowded parking lots and trailheads – find a different spot.
• Use the bathroom before you visit.
• Bring a bag and carry out your trash.
• Take your trash home with you, as there is limited staff emptying trash cans.
• Clean up after pets and carry out the bags.

Pennsylvania has 121 state parks, and 20 forest districts.