Wolf: Less-impacted areas of state may reopen soon
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf says that regions of Pennsylvania that have seen a relatively low number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus might be able to reopen “in a fairly robust” way on May 8. Wolf said Tuesday he intends to loosen restrictions on people and businesses in much the same way they were imposed: Gradually, and county by county. More than half of all people who have tested positive for the virus statewide live in Philadelphia and its four suburban counties. Many rural counties, by contrast, have been minimally impacted. More than 34,000 people statewide have tested positive, and the state reports more than 1,500 deaths.

(Center Twp., Pa.) The Center Township Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at their Board meeting on Monday April 22, 2020  for a planning module for the Giant Eagle GetGo that will be located at the former Toys “R” Us site on Route 18 by the Beaver Valley Mall.

In other business the Board authorized Engineer Ned Mitrovich  to prepare specifications so that bids can be awarded for road work.

You can hear Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano’s report by pressing the play button below:

Schumer says deal reached on $500B aid; Trump tweets support
By ANDREW TAYLOR and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says agreement has been reached on major elements of a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses, as well as additional help for hospitals and virus testing. He said he hoped the package could be voted on Tuesday afternoon in the Senate. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, says he supports the measure, tweeting Tuesday:  “I urge the Senate and House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding.” Trump said fiscal relief for state and local governments, a Democratic priority, could be discussed for a future virus relief bill.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) is providing recommendations for Pennsylvanians receiving their stimulus checks, known as an economic impact payment, in paper check form instead of direct deposit. The payments are part of the federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act). The department also is reminding licensees of limitations on fees for cashing government checks.

“It is important consumers understand check cashing fees so they keep as much of their money as possible,” said Acting Secretary Richard Vague. “We will be ensuring that check casher licensees are complying with statutory provisions related to fees on government checks during ongoing examinations.”

Economic impact payments are specifically defined as a “Government Check” in the law that regulates check cashers in Pennsylvania. For any consumer that uses a licensed check casher or a registered retail check casher (e.g. grocery store) to cash this check, a maximum fee of 1.5 percent of the value of the check may be assessed. For example, on a $1,200 check, the maximum allowed fee is $18. A consumer would receive cash in the amount of $1,182.

To be sure that the establishment is properly licensed or registered consumers can search on the NMLS Consumer Access website or call 1-800-PA-BANKS.

If an establishment cashes your Government Check and charges more than 1.5 percent, please contact DoBS immediately by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS or visiting the website at dobs.pa.gov. It is important that you retain records of the transaction including a receipt.

“Consumers should remain vigilant about various coronavirus scams,” said Vague. “No government official will call you to confirm bank account information or your Social Security number. Never give out personal information if you did not initiate the phone call.”

For more detailed information related to financial scams and tips for protecting yourself, DoBS has developed a financial scams guide.

Learn more about COVID-19 information and guidance for financial Institutions and consumers from DoBS. Anyone can contact DoBS at 1-800-PA-BANKS or 1-800-600-0007 to ask questions or file complaints about financial transactions, companies, or products.

Visit the commonwealth’s Responding to COVID-19 guide for the latest guidance and resources for Pennsylvanians or the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s dedicated coronavirus webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing $955 million in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities as communities implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The grants will fund home-delivered meals, care services in the home, respite care and other support to families and caregivers, information about and referral to supports, and more. Pennsylvania is receiving grants totaling $36,839,495.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides supplemental funding for programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. Through these programs, a network of community-based organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, senior centers, faith-based organizations, and other non-profits provide a vast array of resources and services to help older adults and people with disabilities stay healthy and live independently in their communities across the United States.

The need for these services has increased as community measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed locations where many people typically receive services and made it difficult for families to assist loved ones who live alone. In addition, the adaptations necessary to provide these services in the current environment have increased costs to service providers.

“This nearly $1 billion in new funds will help communities support older adults and people of all ages with disabilities in staying healthy, safe, and independent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “The new funding secured by President Trump from Congress is a historic boost to programs that support community living for all people, representing an increase of over 40 percent in this year’s funding for ACL’s programs. The aging and disability networks supported by these programs are delivering meals, ensuring safe transitions home following hospitalizations, and providing other essential services to older Americans and Americans with disabilities during this challenging time, and HHS will continue supporting these partners and the Americans they serve throughout this crisis.”

The CARES Act funding to Pennsylvania includes:

• $8,496,718 for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which will help greater numbers of older adults shelter in place to minimize their exposure to COVID-19. These include personal care assistance, help with household chores and grocery shopping, transportation to essential services (such as grocery stores, banks, or doctors) when necessary, and case management.
• $20,392,124 for home-delivered meals for older adults. With this funding, states can also expand “drive-through” or “grab-and-go” meals for older adults who typically would participate in meal programs at community centers and other locations that have been closed due to social distancing measures.
• $2,775,287 for Centers for Independent Living to provide direct and immediate support and services to individuals with disabilities who are experiencing disruptions to their independent, community-based living due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services will ensure individuals with disabilities have the supports they need to safely stay in their homes or return home after a hospitalization or institutionalization during (and directly after) COVID-19.
• $4,325,694 for the National Family Caregiver Support Program to expand a range of services that help family and informal caregivers provide support for their loved ones at home. These include counseling, respite care, training, and connecting people to information.

• $849,672 to support State Long-term Care Ombudsman programs in providing consumer advocacy services for residents of long-term care facilities across the country. Restrictions on visitation have significantly increased demand for ombudsman services, as families seek assistance in ensuring the well-being of their loved ones. Ombudsman programs will seek to expand their virtual presence to residents and their families, and continue to promote the health, safety welfare, and rights of residents in the context of COVID-19. This funding will give Ombudsman programs the flexibility to hire additional staff and purchase additional technology, associated hardware, and personal protective equipment once in-person visits resume.

Additionally, $50 million for Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) will be divided among and distributed to states and territories by the end of April. This allocation will fund programs that both connect people at greatest risk to COVID-19 to services needed to practice social distancing and seek to mitigate issues created by it, such as social isolation. ADRCs across the country are reporting unprecedented demand for assistance with applications for services, care coordination, services that support people in returning home following hospitalization, and the like.

“Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, and other community-based organizations are working hard to expand capacity to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities during this extraordinary time,” said ACL Administrator Lance Robertson. “These additional funds will allow for an incredible response at the state and local level to meet the needs of people who are facing some of the greatest risks during the COVID-19 emergency.”

Nationwide, $905 million is being awarded today to states, territories, and tribes for subsequent allocation to local service providers. Grant amounts are determined based on the formulas defined under the program authorizing statutes. The remaining $50 million for ADRCs will be awarded by the close of April.

Older adults who need assistance can contact the Eldercare Locator to find services available in their community. The Eldercare Locator toll-free number is 1-800-677-1116 or you can visit https://eldercare.acl.gov/.

People with disabilities can find their local Center for Independent Living at https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory. In addition, the Eldercare Locator can help people with disabilities find their local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Pennsylvania publishes data on coronavirus cases by ZIP code
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has started releasing ZIP code-level information about cases of the novel coronavirus. State health officials published an interactive map on Monday that shows the number of confirmed cases of the new virus and the number of negative virus tests. The county data also shows the number of COVID-19 deaths. Health Secretary Rachel Levine says even residents in communities with a relatively low number of confirmed cases should continue to heed social distancing rules. She says a lack of widespread testing means the actual number of people with the virus is far higher than what shows up in the statistics.

Wolf Administration Encourages Residents To Support Local Restaurants with CarryoutPA.com

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Tourism Office encouraged Pennsylvanians to support local restaurants by visiting the CarryoutPA website, which offers a comprehensive list of restaurants offering takeout, curbside, or delivery services during the state’s stay-at-home order.

“As this public health crisis continues to unfold, it is important that we practice social distancing and adhere to the stay-at-home order when possible,” said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin. “But it’s also critical to remember that we can all still do our part to support the restaurants in our communities as they work to provide safe dine-out options.”

CarryoutPA.com was developed by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) to serve as a go-to resource for dine-out options in support of the commonwealth’s restaurant industry, which accounts for 10 percent of jobs statewide. Pennsylvania restaurants that would like to be added to the registry can register here.

“Restaurants in Pennsylvania and the nation have been hit hard by the mandated closure of dine-in service due to COVID-19. As the statewide organization for the commonwealth’s restaurant industry, PRLA moved quickly to establish a website for restaurants to let the public know that they were open and ready to serve their communities,” said John Longstreet, PRLA president & CEO. “Any restaurant in Pennsylvania that is open for take out and delivery may add their listing to CarryOutPA.com, at no charge.”

According to the association, 4 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product is spent on eating out, with the restaurant industry generating around $863 billion in 2019. More than 70 percent of restaurants are single-unit operations, many of which are family owned.

“Small business is the backbone of Pennsylvania’s tourism industry, and we are committed to supporting our commonwealth’s business owners as we work through these unprecedented times together,” said DCED Deputy Secretary for Marketing, Tourism, and Film, Carrie Fischer Lepore. “By visiting the CarryoutPA website, Pennsylvanians can treat themselves to a safely-prepared dine-out meal while helping their community on the road to recovery from this pandemic.”

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should visit: Responding to COVID-19 Guide.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to inspiring travel to Pennsylvania as the state’s official destination marketing organization. Pennsylvania welcomed 204 million visitors in 2019, generating a $43 billion economic impact which supports 500,000 jobs. For more information, visit the visitPA website or sign up for our Happy Thoughts newsletter, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check out photos on Instagram, share pins on Pinterest, or watch us on Youtube.

Trump says he’ll ‘suspend immigration,’ offers no details
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’ll sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus. He is offering no details on what he is referring to and the White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump’s tweeted announcement. Trump has taken credit for his restrictions on travel to the U.S. from China and hard-hit European countries, arguing it contributed to slowing the spread of the virus in the U.S. More than 750,000 Americans have come down with COVID-19 and more than 42,000 have died.

(New Brighton,Pa.) The New Brighton Memorial Day Association announced the cancellation of the May 25 Memorial Day Parade and the service that follows. In a Facebook post they said to honor those men and women who have dedicated, and in some cases sacrificed their lives, serving the United States, the Association will be creating a digital memorial of service members from the New Brighton area who have served in peacetime and during conflict.
To be included in the digital memorial, or to have a family member included, please send a photo of the service member, name and rank, year of graduation from a New Brighton area school, time served and/or conflict served, and any awards received to the Memorial Day Association. This information can be emailed to nbmemorialday@gmail.com or by completing a Google form by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ybxk9f7v. A Google account is required to complete the form.
The New Brighton Memorial Association is looking forward to develop this project. Additional information will be posted on the organization’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NBMemorialDay.

Missing woman’s remains found; homicide charge filed earlier
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities say remains found over the weekend in western Pennsylvania have been identified as those of a woman whose disappearance led to a homicide charge against a handyman. Allegheny County police say a Plum Borough officer found human remains Sunday in a garbage bag in an area known for illegal dumping and off-road vehicle use. Police say the remains were positively identified Monday as those of 67-year-old Elizabeth Wiesenfeld, who was reported missing to Whitehall police in April 2019. The county medical examiner’s office hasn’t yet released information about the cause and manner of her death.