Police: At least 10 killed in shooting rampage in Canada
ENFIELD, Nova Scotia (AP) — Canadian police say at least 10 people are dead after a shooting rampage across the province of Nova Scotia. The suspect died after the rampage. The suspect in the active shooter investigation was arrested Sunday at a gas station after the rampage victims including a dead police officer. Another officer was injured. A man identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman was found by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the Enfield, Nova Scotia, northwest of downtown Halifax. Police have not provided a motive for the attack. By late morning, there were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene.

Coronavirus deaths rise with addition of probable deaths
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State health officials in Pennsylvania say their statewide total of coronavirus-associated deaths now stands at 1,112 with the addition of 276 new deaths because electronic and probable-cause deaths are now being reported. Dr. Rachel Levine, the commonwealth’s health secretary, said Sunday there have been at least 1,200 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total above 32,200. Levine said the majority of the deaths “did not occur overnight.” Levine emphasized that the department was basing decisions on trends in the data indicating the effectiveness of mitigation efforts.  The department says more than 460 of the total deaths have happened in residents of nursing homes or personal care facilities. Levine said seniors at those facilities are most at risk.

Evolving aid package offers billions for hospitals, testing
By HOPE YEN and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and Congress are nearing an agreement as early as Sunday on an aid package of up to $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money and add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says he is hopeful of a deal later Sunday that could pass Congress quickly and get the program back up by midweek. The proposed deal would add roughly $300 billion for the government’s Paycheck Protection Program. The program has been swamped by businesses applying for loans and reached its appropriations limit last Thursday, leaving thousands of small companies in limbo. An additional $50 billion would be appropriated for disaster loans.

Texas police officer killed, 2 others wounded in shooting
SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) — Authorities in Texas say one police officer is dead and two others were wounded after a gunman “ambushed” them with a rifle at an apartment complex. Saturday’s shooting happened in San Marcos, a fast-growing city between San Antonio and Austin. The city said in a statement that the suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The two wounded officers were transported to a hospital but their condition wasn’t immediately known. A news conference was scheduled for Sunday.

Pennsylvania to start curbside pickup at liquor stores
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is starting curbside pickup at liquor stores around the state a month after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered them closed as part of a broader shutdown of businesses deemed nonessential. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced on its website Saturday that stores will begin taking orders by phone Monday, with each customer limited to no more than six bottles. Curbside pickup will be available at more than 175 of the state’s 600 stores. The closure of the state-owned liquor stores had been widely unpopular, especially with the state’s online ordering system largely unable to keep up with overwhelming consumer deman

Veterans Benefits Continue to be Available During COVID-19

ANNVILLE, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants to assure veterans that state and federal benefits processing are still on-going. The DMVA and the Federal VA both continue to work remotely to provide veterans’ information, enroll for benefits, and serve other veterans’ needs throughout this difficult pandemic emergency.

“The COVID-19 life restrictions and family impacts are unlike anything that has happened in our history and has created more hardship and need throughout the Pennsylvania veterans’ community,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “Our Office of Veterans Affairs has reset to comply with the CDC guidelines and is working to make sure our veterans continue to receive the benefits they have earned.”

The DMVA administers an array of programs and services to meet the needs of veterans. They include:

• Veterans Temporary Assistance/Military Family Relief Assistance programs: These programs provide financial assistance to service members, veterans and families who experience unforeseen financial challenges. For questions email: Ra-vta@pa.gov

• Records Request Program: Provides assistance in requesting military service records to include DD Form 214, DD Form 215, NGB Form 22, NGB Form 23, and other service-related documents. For questions email: Ra-req@pa.gov.

• Amputee, Paralyzed and Blind Veterans Pension programs: These programs provide a monthly pension to eligible veterans who incurred a service-connected disability. For questions about the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension email: Ra-pvp@pa.gov. For questions about the Blind Veterans Pension email: Ra-bvp@pa.gov.

• Educational Gratuity Program: The Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. For questions email: Ra-eg@pa.gov.

• Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption Program: Provides real estate tax exemption for any honorably discharged veteran who is 100 percent disabled, a resident of the commonwealth and has a financial need. For questions email: Ra-retx@pa.gov.

Applications for these programs are traditionally initiated with the county director for veterans affairs (CDVA) staff and their contact information can be found here. If a CDVA is not available due to county office closure, the veteran may contact DMVA’s Office of Veterans Affairs directly at 800-547-2838.

For more information and updates on all of DMVA’s programs and services, visit https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

Veterans, family members and people who work with veterans can connect with DMVA to request information related to the valuable state benefits, programs and services offered by also signing up on the Veteran’s Registry at www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

 

Wolf Administration Announces First Round of COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program Funding

More than $10 million awarded to Pennsylvania Businesses 

Harrisburg, PA – Today, on behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced that 126 companies in 30 counties have received approved funding through a new program developed under the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority’s (PIDA) Small Business First Fund, the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA), totaling more than $10 million.

“These loans will help businesses in the commonwealth quickly access capital to address their critical needs while we continue to follow the governor and health secretary’s orders,” said Sec. Davin. “Small businesses are the fabric of our commonwealth, and the Wolf Administration is committed to supporting them to the fullest extent during this unprecedented time.”

On March 25, 2020, Governor Wolf announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) authorized the transfer of $40 million to the Small Business First Fund for CWCA. PIDA authorized making $60 million available to provide loans of $100,000 or less to for-profit businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

A list of approved projects can be found here.

PIDA staff continue to review submitted applications for approval and are actively working with DCED’s Certified Economic Development Organizations (CEDOs) to disburse CWCA loan funds at the time of approval. Information on future awardees will be released as it becomes available.

DCED continues to update its website with financial and other resources.

Businesses seeking further guidance and clarification from DCED can also contact its customer service resource account at ra-dcedcs@pa.gov. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Pennsylvanians should follow www.governor.pa.gov and www.doh.pa.gov.

 

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,628 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 31,069

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 18, that there are 1,628 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 31,069. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 80 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 836. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

“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.”

Locally in Beaver County our numbers have increased significantly. Positive Cases are up 100 to 278. Deaths have more than doubled in one day at 31. On Friday the health department reported only 15 deaths.

Nursing Home numbers as reported by the health department state that there are cases at three nursing homes with 166 positive cases, 10 of which are employees. Deaths in the three nursing homes are being reported at 26.

There are 122,896 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;
• 6% are aged 19-24;
• 39% are aged 25-49;
• 28% are aged 50-64; and
• Nearly 24% 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 4,185 resident cases of COVID-19, and 462 cases among employees, for a total of 4,647 at 347 distinct facilities in 35 counties. Out of our total deaths, 462 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.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 17:

• Unveiled a plan for the state’s COVID-19 recovery.
• Announced statewide support for Health Disparity Task Force.

 

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.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

 

Harrisburg, PA – Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today announced Pennsylvania’s self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation (UC) can begin filing claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. PUA is included in the new federal expansion to unemployment benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Pennsylvanians who meet PUA eligibility requirements can apply online. L&I anticipates a high volume of applications over the next few days which may temporarily slow the system. The department is continuing to add improvements to make it easier to use. L&I expects to begin making payments to approved claimants within two to four weeks after they submit their initial claim.

Who Should File for PUA 

Eligible individuals who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 include:

• Self-employed;
• Independent contractors;
• Gig workers;
• Clergy and those working for religious organizations; and
• People without sufficient work history to qualify for regular UC.

PUA Benefits 

In general, PUA:

• Provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits;
• May not be more than the state’s maximum weekly benefit rate for regular UC of $572;
• May not be less than half of the state’s average weekly benefit amount of $195.
• Payments will be backdated to January 27, 2020 or the first week you were unable to work due to COVID-19 (whichever of the two dates is later); and
• Benefits will not be payable for weeks of unemployment after December 31, 2020. 

Information Needed for COVID-19-related Employment Disruptions 

Acceptable documentation to verify COVID-19 reasons for being unable to work can include, but is not limited to:

• Documentation from medical professionals regarding diagnosis or isolation instructions for you or a person in your home;
• Notices or emails from school or childcare providers;
• Notices or emails from county or state government regarding closure of businesses or stay at home orders;
• Notices or emails from entities for which you were contracting stating that your services are not needed due to COVID-19 related shutdowns; and/or
• Documentation from a prospective employer that includes start date, hours, and pay of a job offer that was cancelled or delayed.

Information Needed for Proof of Employment or Self-employment 

Acceptable documentation can include, but is not limited to:

• Copies of recent paycheck stubs;
• Bank receipts showing deposits;
• 1099s;
• Billing notices provided to your customers;
• Recent advertisements for your business or services;
• Statements from recent customers;
• Current business licenses, ledgers, contracts, invoices; and/or
• Building leases.

Information Needed to Show Previous Income 

Acceptable documentation of wages can include, but is not limited to:

• Tax returns;
• Paycheck stubs;
• Bank receipts;
• Ledgers;
• Contracts;
• Invoices; and/or
• Billing statements.

Additional $600 Per Week  

Anyone collecting PUA benefits is also eligible for the extra $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program:

• Effective from the week ending April 4, 2020 through the week ending July 25, 2020;
• Payments will be backdated and paid in a lump sum; and
• You don’t need to do anything to receive the extra $600 – it will be paid automatically.

The new PUA system is web-based and operates differently than the state’s regular UC mainframe system. This means PUA applicants will receive login information to file their continued claims and do not need a Personal Identification Number (PIN). After opening their initial PUA claim and filing for any retroactive weeks, individuals will file continuing claims on a weekly basis with a one-week grace period if they miss filing for any week.

A new PUA phone line will soon be available for individuals without internet access or for those who require a translator. In the meantime, please direct questions to UCPUA@pa.gov. This email address is for PUA questions only. 

Learn More  

Additional COVID-19 information from L&I:

• PUA frequently asked questions
• L&I COVID-19 Info for Workers and Businesses
• Unemployment compensation
• Frequently asked questions

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.