Jobless claims and depressed economy show damage from virus

Jobless claims and depressed economy show damage from virus
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of laid-off workers who applied for unemployment benefits fell to 1.48 million last week, the 12th straight drop and a sign that layoffs are slowing but are still at a painfully high level. The steady decline in claims suggests that the job market has begun to heal from the pandemic, which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7% in April, its highest level since the Great Depression. Yet the latest figure also coincides with a sudden resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States, especially in the South and West, that’s threatening to derail a nascent economic rebound.

JW Halls Re-opens Today After Employee Tested Positive for the COVID-19

JW Hall’s in the Hopewell Shopping Center reopens at 11:30 a.m. today.  Owners Joe and louis hall closed the restaurant for 4 days  after finding out last Saturday that an employee who travelled tested positive for COVID19. According to the information provided by the owners to customers the employee last worked on June 16  and wore a mask at all times  along with the staff.  The Hall’s contacted health officials who told them they weren’t required to close, but decided to do so out of an abundance of caution. While closed the  Hall’s  were thoroughly sanitizing  the restaurant and testing employees.   They added that  the  health  and  safety of the  customers  is always our #1 priority.

Aliquippa Council Approves 2 Property Purchases, and Handicapped Parking Permit

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council met via ZOOM  last night  and approved the purchase of 449 Franklin Avenue by Brian Cox and Olaolo Fasoranti and Zabriauer Smith  purchased 709 Dale Street on Plan 11.  The new owners of the properties that were in the county’s repository must pay all taxes from 2016  and 2017 and each year thereafter to the city , according to the resolution.

A handicapped parking permit was  approved for Verna Johnson whose address is 1817 Main Street.
The city’s planning commission meets via ZOOM  tomorrow night at  7 p.m.., to discuss Dollar General . which is currently in the Plaza Shopping Center and will be relocating  in the area where the former Miller and Sons Chevrolet dealership was.

Father and Two Others Charged in Homicide of 3 Year Old in Oakmont

Father, 2 others charged in homicide of girl, 3
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — A man and two women in a Pittsburgh suburb are charged with criminal homicide in the death of his 3-year-old daughter, who was found badly bruised and malnourished. Authorities on Wednesday announced charges in the June 9 death of  Bella Seachrist. Detectives say the child suffered “prolonged physical and mental abuse.” Authorities have charged her father, 29-year-old Jose Salazar-Ortiz; her stepmother, 27-year-old Laura Ramriez; and Ramriez’s sister, 20-year-old Alexis Herrera, with criminal homicide, aggravated assault of a child, child endangerment and other counts. Salaza-Ortiz and Ramriez are held in the Allegheny County Jail. An arrest warrant has been issued for Herrera.

 

Pennsylvania lawmakers begin passing police reform bills

Pennsylvania lawmakers begin passing police reform bills
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House and Senate have begun passing legislation spurred by widespread protests over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, including legislation designed to prevent “bad apples” from continuing to find employment in police departments. Wednesday’s votes were unanimous, although all four bills still require approval from the other chamber before going to Gov. Tom Wolf. One Senate bill requires police agencies to compile and report use of force incidents. The other bill bans police from using chokeholds. The House approved bills to train officers in how to interact with people of different racial and ethic backgrounds and require that an applicant’s former department provide information on the officer’s disciplinary history.

County Could Receive $14.8 Million, But Would Only Have 6 Months To Spend It

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

How would YOU spend $14.8 million if you only had six months to spend it?

At the Commissioners work session on Wednesday, Solicitor Garen Fedeles announced a resolution for the next public meeting that could see Beaver County receive a lot of money courtesy of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act:

 

The resolution will be one of several on the docket for the public meeting on Thursday, June 25. The meeting will begin at 10 AM.

4th Of July Fireworks Celebration Could Happen In Beaver County

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp spoke at the Wednesday Work Session about a favor he asked of his fellow Commissioners…to provide fireworks for the citizens of Beaver County for Independence Day Weekend. Camp said that started a conversation that could see a celebration that, earlier in 2020, would have been deemed impossible.

The board is in negotiations and support with PUSH Beaver County, whose Beaver County BOOM celebration was nullified, like many county events, due to the coronavirus pandemic. PUSH co-chairman Mark Kopsack spoke about the miraculous nature of what could take place:

 

County Commissioners Tony Amadio and Jack Manning were in support of this display, though they both (along with Camp) asserted that those wanting to watch the fireworks continue to practice CDC safety guidelines. Manning specifically said that he sees the pandemic as a concern with numbers rising in Pennsylvania, but feels that an event like this can be pulled off safely and smartly.

If the fireworks happen, it’ll happen on the night of July 4th over the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio rivers. Citizens will be encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks (although masks will not be required), and the usual side attractions and food trucks will be discouraged.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 06/24/20: Beaver County up 45 Cases and No New Deaths

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 495 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 83,191

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 24, that there are 495 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 83,191. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,515 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 54 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 4 cases to 634. 614 confirmed cases and 20 probables. 5465 people have tested negative and the county stands at 78.

“As we move closer to having the entire state in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

Mask wearing is required in all businesses in yellow and green phases of reopening. Consistent mask wearing, even in counties in the green phase, could have lasting benefits as a COVID-19 surge is possible this fall.

There are 632 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 608,217 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 ages 0-4;
  • 1% are ages 5-12;
  • 2% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 7% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • Nearly 25% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 28% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 17,394 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,103 cases among employees, for a total of 20,497 at 671 distinct facilities in 49 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,467 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,303 of our total cases are in health care workers.

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

Currently, all 67 counties are in the yellow or green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, June 23:

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

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Nate Wardle, Health, ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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Appeals court orders dismissal of Michael Flynn prosecution

Appeals court orders dismissal of Michael Flynn prosecution
By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has ordered the dismissal of the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said in a 2-1 ruling that the Justice Department’s decision to abandon the case against Flynn settles the matter, even though Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to prosecutors in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan had declined to immediately dismiss the case, seeking instead to evaluate on his own the department’s unusual dismissal request. Wednesday’s ruling avoids a protracted court fight that would have delved deeper into the reasoning for the Justice Department’s extraordinary decision to drop the charges.

Stocks slide lower on Wall Street as coronavirus cases surge

Stocks slide lower on Wall Street as coronavirus cases surge
By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer
Stocks are moving sharply lower on Wall Street after new coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit their highest level in two months. The S&P 500 fell 2.4% in late morning trading Wednesday, giving up its gains from earlier in the week. Markets have been rallying in recent weeks on hopes that U.S. states and regions around the world could continue to lift lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Cruise lines, which would stand to suffer greatly if travel restrictions are extended, were among the biggest losers. Energy stocks fell along with oil prices.