Aliquippa schools are on complete lockdown this afternoon…as a neighboring community steps in to help provide meals to students. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Many organizations have shut down to the coronavirus not just in Beaver County or Pennsylvania, but nationwide and worldwide as terms such as “wash your hands” and “social distancing” become as common as “hey” or “hello”. However, one organization in Beaver County hasn’t fully adopted that lingo or any reaction to the disease that prompted them, as the Shell Ethane Cracker Plant remains in operation.

This was announced as an issue at a press conference held outside the county courthouse late Wednesday morning. Heading the conference was Commissioner Chariman Dan Camp, and he made his thoughts on Shell clear:

 

Camp was joined by fellow commissioners Jack Manning and Tony Amadio, as well as fellow Beaver County state representatives Jim Marshall, Rob Matzie and Josh Kail. Camp called for Shell to follow orders from the CDC, stating that many workers are complaining about the current situation:

 

Rep. Marshall stated that the county has been calling the Governor’s office in Harrisburg and staying in touch with the state, in the hopes that more information can be known and that the state does what’s best for its citizens:

 

But the other two Commissioners seemed to be optimistic about Shell doing the right thing amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, with Commissioner Amadio saying “it’s just a matter of time.” Commissioner Manning said that he has confidence in Shell on making the right move for themselves and for the area:

 

Representative Kail did not speak at the Press Conference. The group jointly admitted that there was no timetable in regards to when–or if–Shell would directly respond to these suggestions by the CDC, state, or county. Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this story continues to develop.

The Center Township Supervisors want a meeting with Shell officials. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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Officials with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh say they are canceling all parish activities for the time being. That includes fish fry events as well as Stations of the Cross. The cancellations are effective immediately, with further guidance coming in a few weeks as the situation is reevaluated.

As of today, all state-owned liquor stores across Pennsylvania are closed. The Liquor Control Board made the decision following Governor Wolf’s declaration that all non-essential businesses be closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Before the 9 p.m. deadline last night, long lines of people were seen entering and exiting most of the stores. Grocery stores that sell wine and beer are not being made to stop. The board says the closure will be revisited at the end of the month.

Allegheny County Health Department officials say they are expecting nearly half of the community to get the coronavirus over the next few months. During a town hall conference call Tuesday, Doctor Debora Bogen estimated that number at between 40-and-60-percent of the county population, with most of those infected being fine. Bogen’s concern is for those who have a compromised immune system, with this effort focusing on decreasing the rate of the spread to that demographic.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is working to open public testing sites for the coronavirus, as more services shut down and the state sees a spike in people filing for unemployment compensation. The Department of Labor and Industry said unemployment compensation claims exceeded 50,000 on Monday, and Tuesday’s filings were on course to exceed that number. In the entire first week of March, the state received barely 12,000 claims. Meanwhile, the state’s health systems and hospitals are working to open sample-taking sites and set up testing laboratories. Amtrak is shutting down lines in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike is ending dining service at its service plazas.

A basketball referee who worked a game recently at the U-P-M-C Events Center in Moon Township is testing positive for coronavirus. In a release, officials with Robert Morris University say the official refereed the Northeast Conference championship game between R-M-U and Saint Francis March 10th. Robert Morris officials say they are notifying those who had been in close contact with the official, but they are likely to be at low risk of infection.

The superintendent of Aliquippa School District says a school employee who had contact at both school buildings is Beaver County’s positive coronavirus test. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has an update on that situation…and what changes are now being made in the district. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

WEATHER FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH, 2020

 

TODAY – BECOMING CLOUDY WITH PERIODS OF RAIN THIS
AFTERNOON. HIGH – 57.

TONIGHT – CLOUDY WITH PERIODS OF RAIN. LOW NEAR 50.

THURSDAY – CLOUDY WITH RAIN DEVELOPING LATER IN
THE DAY. HIGH – 66.