(Beaver,Pa.) In multiple press releases by the Beaver County Commissioners Tuesday afternoon, March 17, 2020 it was announced first that the Beaver County Commissioners weekly work session on Wednesday March 18, 2020 is being canceled and also certain areas of the courthouse will be restricted to the public.

The Press release said:

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and for the safety of the employees and citizens of Beaver County, the Board of Commissioners in Conjunction with the President Judge are restricting access to the Beaver County Courthouse and other County offices effective at the start of business Wednesday March 18, 2020 thru at least March 31, 2020.

Until further notice the public will no longer have physical access ti the following offices and departments: Planning/Redevelopment, Recreation/Tourism, Assessment/Tax Claim, Children and Youth Services, Coroner’s office, Bureau of Elections, Waste Management, Treasurer’s office, Controllers office, Community Development, Behavioral Health, Department of Public Works, District Attorney’s office, Office on Aging, Beaver County Jail, Commissioner’s office.

Any other office including the Sheriff’s Office (Gun permits made available by apt. only) you should contact that office first and let them know you’re coming. All public individuals who enter the Courthouse or any other County Office will be screened by Sheriff Deputies prior to obtaining entrance. The Sheriff Deputies will turn away anyone who is not adhering to the guidelines.

The County Requests that residents take advantage of the provided remote services that are available . County officials are continually monitoring the situation and further instructions will be made when available.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Election officials in Illinois scrambled to find alternate locations as nursing homes and other typical polling sites backed out amid concern over the coronavirus. There were signs of confusion about the changes on Tuesday morning. The director of communications for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Timna Axel, says voters have been calling the group’s hotline all morning to get help finding their polling places. Voting is going ahead in Arizona, Illinois and Florida despite virus fears. Joe Biden is hoping to widen his lead over Bernie Sanders in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primary.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid to help people through the financial storm of the coronavirus crisis. Sizable checks directly to Americans are part of the deal he wants. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says Trump wants the money sent to the public within two weeks. But the president has to deal with skepticism in Congress over the broad economic rescue package for businesses and taxpayers. The amount of the proposed checks hasn’t been disclosed but Mnuchin says it’s vital to get significant cash out to people quickly.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Former California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to misspending campaign funds. The ex-Marine’s attorneys had asked for home confinement. Prosecutors had asked for 14 months in prison. Hunter resigned from Congress in January after serving six terms representing one of Southern California’s last solidly Republican districts. The former Marine’s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement, citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The funds bankrolled private school tuition for his children, his wife’s shopping sprees, weekend trips with his mistress and drinking parties in Washington.

(Photos of cars lined up for COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the Central Outreach Wellness Center in Aliquippa, taken by Sandy Giordano)

UPDATE: The Central Outreach Wellness Center in Aliquippa is back open for COVID-10 testing today…after running out of tests on opening day. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there this morning…and has this update. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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Hopewell Commissioners announced Monday afternoon that the municipal building will be closed to the public until further notice. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is providing some guidance on how special events in the church will be handled amid the coronavirus spread. In a statement, Bishop David Zubik said baptisms will happen as small private family events to meet state and locally imposed crowd distance restrictions. Confirmation events set for March have been postponed while those scheduled for after April 1st will be determined in the future. Weddings and funerals will also occur, though those attending must number at or lower than the imposed crowd restrictions.

State Police in Lawrence County report an accident yesterday morning in Wilmington Township that involved an Amish Buggy. According to police, the 16 year old female who was operating the buggy traveled into the path of a vehicle operated by 48 year old Chad Roades of Grove City. The accident took place near the intersection of Route 158 and Phillips School Road. The 16 year old was taken to St.Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngtown. Rhoades was not hurt.

NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. (AP) — Distilleries are putting their spirits to work to help fill the shortage of hand sanitizers due to the coronavirus outbreak. Green Mountain Distillers is Morrisville, Vermont, is giving away a hand sanitizing solution and Durham Distillery in Durham, North Carolina, is donating one to hospitality colleagues, using high-proof alcohol and other ingredients. A Pennsylvania distillery owner grew so disgusted by the skyrocketing price of hand sanitizer online that he’s also converted his operation. And is selling it for whatever people want to pay.