The union representing Beaver County employees is at odds with county officials over how the commissioners are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Representatives with S-E-I-U Local 668 criticized the commissioners in a statement this week for the actions they’ve taken to protect county employees. Union officials say they are receiving several calls daily from employees who are concerned about working in close quarters with other people. The county’s solicitor says the board feels as if it has gone above and beyond in their response.

Lawrence County Health officials are confirming their first positive coronavirus test. Commissioners Chairman Morgan Boyd said P-E-M-A officials let them know about the first confirmed case this week. Boyd says it was only a matter of time and that we are all in this together.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2020

 

 

TODAY – PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 67.

TONIGHT – PERIODS OF RAIN. LOW NEAR 50.

FRIDAY – OVERCAST. HIGH – 63.

SATURDAY – REMAINING CLOUDY. THUNDERSTORMS
DEVELOPING IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH – 67.

SUNDAY – SOME MORNING LIGHT RAIN. HIGH – 67.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration reported four more coronavirus-related deaths in Pennsylvania on Wednesday and ordered residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties to stay home, with few exceptions. Before Wednesday, Wolf’s orders covered eight counties, including Philadelphia, Allegheny County and Philadelphia’s four heavily populated suburban counties. The 10 counties account for half of Pennsylvania’s 12.8 million residents and 80% of its more than 1,120 coronavirus cases. Lawmakers also passed a measure to delay Pennsylvania’s primary election by five weeks, potentially past the spike of the state’s spreading coronavirus cases. Wolf plans to sign it.

$2 trillion virus rescue bill hits late snags in Senate
By ANDREW TAYLOR and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leaders are racing to unravel last-minute snags in a $2 trillion economic rescue package to ease the financial pain of the coronavirus epidemic. The measure is the largest economic relief bill in history. Both parties’ leaders are pushing for quick passage so they can get the legislation to the House and freed up for the country. But several conservative Republican senators want late changes. They say the bill as written could provide an incentive for companies to lay off workers. They want the bill altered to ensure that employees don’t earn more money if they’re laid off than if they’re working.

Pennsylvania lawmakers delay primary to June 2 over COVID-19 outbreak

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers delay primary to June 2 over COVID-19 outbreak.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elton John is hosting a “living room” concert aimed at bolstering American spirits during the coronavirus crisis and saluting those countering it. The event was announced Wednesday by iHeartMedia and Fox. Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw and Billie Joe Armstrong are scheduled to take part in the concert airing at 9-10 p.m. Eastern Sunday on Fox TV and on iHeartMedia radio stations.  The artists will be filmed with cell phones, cameras and audio equipment for safety reasons. Viewers will be asked to support the charitable organizations Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation.

UNDATED (AP) — Italy has added 683 more dead and 5,210 infections to its coronavirus toll, but its initial steep rise in cases has continued to level off two weeks into a nationwide lockdown. The new figures brought the number of infections to 74,386 and placed Italy on track to overtake China in the next day or two in having the most reported cases in the world. Italy last week reported more dead than China and on Wednesday registered a total of 7,503 dead with the virus, confirming its place as the European epicenter of the pandemic.

The city of Aliquippa has declared a disaster emergency. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…