Category: News

Wolf Administration Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Update, Focuses on Getting More Doses to Pennsylvanians Amid Limited Federal Supply

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam provided an update today on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania and the many challenges that are ahead because of limited supply of doses from the federal government. They were joined at a press conference by Interim Acting Physician General Dr. Wendy Braund and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield.

“Pennsylvania has not received enough doses to vaccinate the number of Pennsylvanians who need it, and that’s frustrating to all of us,” said Gov. Wolf. “The Trump Administration asked states to give more doses to more people, but the national stockpile was depleted.

“It is incredibly disappointing that the national vaccine supply is extremely limited, because states rely on the federal government to get the vaccine. My administration is fighting to make sure Pennsylvania gets our fair share of doses. Our goal remains to ensure every Pennsylvanian who wants a vaccine can get one.”

Following the poorly planned and executed rollout of the vaccine by the Trump Administration, the Wolf Administration is hopeful the new Biden Administration will provide a fair and effective national vaccine distribution strategy. The commonwealth remains focused on working with the federal government to receive more doses and get them into arms as soon as possible.

“We know that Pennsylvanians are ready for the vaccine,” said Acting Secretary Beam. “We ask for patience as the amount of the vaccine in Pennsylvania and the nation is limited. We want to ensure that the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient, which is why we are taking a phased approach. This way we can make sure the most vulnerable residents can get vaccinated now.”

Vaccine providers have administered vaccine to a total of 605,633 people, including 473,449 people who have received their first dose and 132,184 who have received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated. Pennsylvania will receive 143,275 first doses of vaccine and 137,625 second doses of vaccine this week, bringing the total doses the commonwealth has received to more than 1.5 million total doses of vaccine.

Federal institutions and Philadelphia are receiving and administrating their own doses, which are not included in the state’s totals.

Information on the vaccine, including the state’s vaccine plan, COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, a vaccine provider map and vaccine distribution data can be found here.

“I have been impressed to see so many Pennsylvanians willing to make the sacrifices necessary to help each other get through the pandemic,” said Acting Interim Physician General Dr. Wendy Braund. “With the vaccine rollout happening across the state we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to specifically thank all of the local vaccine providers who are working hard to get the vaccine into arms as quickly as it is available.”

PEMA is working with the Department of Health and county emergency management partners to ensure that county plans will be ready to execute as vaccines become more readily available. With a state as diverse as Pennsylvania, needs for planning or vaccine event support vary widely across the state.

“Like many people, we look forward to the day that we have sufficient COVID vaccine doses for everyone who wants one,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “When that day comes, PEMA and our federal and county partners will be ready to open vaccination clinics that meet the needs of the diverse communities across the state.”

US Congressman Conor Lamb to Hold Tele-Town Hall on Monday February 1, 2021

 

(Center Twp., Pa.) US Congressman Conor Lamb who represents the 17th District is hosting a Tele-Town Hall on Monday, February 1, at 7:00pm. The Congressman is encouraging everyone to participate. He will be giving the citizens updates on what he is working on in Washington and Lamb will also answer your questions.

You must sign up for the Tele-Town hall to participate. You can register below by clicking on the link to be directed to the Congressman’s website.

CONGRESSMAN LAMB TO HOST NEXT TELE-TOWN HALL: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 7:00 PM

Dear Friend,

Please join me on Monday, February 1 at 7:00 PM for my next PA-17 Tele-Town Hall.  I look forward to giving you an update on what I’m working on and answering your questions.

Sign up to participate at lamb.house.gov/live.

As a reminder, sign up for my newsletter, and follow me on Facebook and Twitter to continue to keep updated with news from my office.

I hope you will join me for this next Tele-Town Hall event.

                                   Sincerely,
                    
                                   Conor Lamb
                                   Member of Congress

 

Pa House Republican Caucus Announces New Leadership Team

House Republican Caucus Announces New Leadership Team

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus elected members to open leadership positions Monday following a vacancy in the position of caucus chairman following the passing of Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset).

After Monday’s election, the following members comprise the leadership team for the House Republican Caucus for the remainder of the 2021-22 Legislative Session:

  • Speaker: Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster)
  •  Majority Leader: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin)
  • Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman: Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York)
  • Caucus Chairman: Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland)
  • Caucus Secretary: Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia)
  • Caucus Administrator: Rep. Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland)
  • House Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/Potter/McKean)

On the election of the new leadership team, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) made the following statement:

 

“As Pennsylvania continues to face a number of unique challenges, I am excited for the opportunities this leadership team is going to have to make Pennsylvania a better place for everyone who lives here. Looking ahead, this team will be steering a dynamic caucus that will be focusing on economic recovery, protecting families and making our state government better while standing up for taxpayers.

“This new leadership team includes a diversity of our caucus’s membership and has representation from different regions of Pennsylvania. Working collaboratively, I know we can help accomplish great things for Pennsylvania and make this Commonwealth the ‘Envy of the East.’”

State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement January 22-24: 470 Compliance Checks; 17 Notices of Violation

State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement January 22-24: 470 Compliance Checks; 17 Notices of Violation
 
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 470 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, January 22 through Sunday, January 24 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued 17 notices of violation and 30 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information release that includes details on citations issued by that office.
Compliance checks are unannounced and can occur anywhere in the commonwealth, although the focus is on areas experiencing higher coronavirus transmission rates. Among other requirements, all businesses and employees in the restaurant and retail food service industry authorized to conduct in-person activities are mandated to:
  • Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
  • Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
  • Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.
Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement | January 22-24, 2021
​TOTAL LICENSEE CHECKS
WARNINGS RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
NOTICES OF VIOLATION RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
1-Philadelphia
​70
3
1
2-Wilkes-Barre
44
8
2
3-Harrisburg
34
0
4
4-Pittsburgh
78
2
2
5-Altoona
120
1
0
6-Williamsport
60
5
1
7-Punxsutawney
11
6
2
8-Erie
9
0
0
9-Allentown
44
5
5
TOTALS
470
30
17
Violators may face administrative citation by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. Continued violations put an establishment’s liquor license at risk, either through the citation process or upon application for renewal. More information is available on the enforcement page of the state police COVID-19 portal.
Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.

Hopewell School Board moving forward during the pandemic

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell, Pa.) Hopewell Area  School District residents now have a chance to recognize  faculty and staff. Dr. Jaciee Maslyk, assistant   superintendent ,  did a presentation for the board   and she said they were inundated with  kudos, and several will be highlighted at each meeting.

The board approved hybrid learning for grades 7-12 beginning on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
Senior high school midterms were cancelled for the 2020-2021 school year
The board approved 3 proposals, one for HASD  building PA System  Replacement for $75,654, they accepted a proposal from Horizon information Services  for wireless network expansion for $32,870, Questec proposal for  wireless  access point hardware for $146,504. All 3 grants will be funded by PCCD grants There is no cost to the district, according to Darren Newberry, chairman of buildings. and grounds.
The board approved  the audit report for the year ended June 30, 2020 presented by   Hosack, Specht, muetzel and Wood, LLP, Certified Public Accountants.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Signs Writ Calling for Special Election to Fill Seat in 48th Senate District

Harrisburg, PA – Lt. Gov. John Fetterman today signed a writ calling for a special election in the 48th Senate District of Pennsylvania to fill the seat left vacant with the death of Sen. David Arnold.

The special election will be held on Primary Day, May 18, 2021, restoring representation to the people of the 48th District.

“The need for this election arises from the tragic death of a young husband and father,” Fetterman said. “There should be no political angling in determining when or how this election will be held. The people of the 48th deserve representation as soon as possible.”

Arnold, 49, died of brain cancer earlier this month. He sat in the seat for about one year, since winning a special election to replace four-term Republican Mike Folmer.

The district includes all of Lebanon County and portions of Dauphin and York Counties. In Dauphin, the district includes Conewago, Londonderry, Swatara and Lower Swatara townships and Highspire, Middletown, Paxtang, Royalton, and Steelton. In York, it includes Conewago, East Manchester, Newberry and Springettsbury townships and Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Manchester, Mount Wolf, and York Haven.

Supreme Court ends Trump emoluments lawsuits

Supreme Court ends Trump emoluments lawsuits
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has brought an end to lawsuits over whether Donald Trump illegally profited off his presidency. The justices on Monday threw out Trump’s challenge to lower court rulings that had allowed lawsuits to go forward alleging that he violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause by accepting payments from foreign and domestic officials who stay at the Trump International Hotel. The high court also ordered the lower court rulings thrown out as well and directed appeals courts in New York and Richmond, Virginia, to dismiss the suits as moot now that Trump is no longer in office.

Budweiser joins Coke, Pepsi brands in sitting out Super Bowl

Budweiser joins Coke, Pepsi brands in sitting out Super Bowl
By MAE ANDERSON and DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time since 1983, when Anheuser-Busch used all of its ad time to introduce a beer called Bud Light, the beer giant isn’t advertising its iconic Budweiser brand during the Super Bowl. Instead, it’s donating the money it would have spent on the ad to coronavirus vaccination awareness efforts. The decision to not do an anthemic Budweiser ad — which over nearly four decades have made American icons of frogs chirping “Budweiser,” guys screaming “Whassup!”, and of course the Budweiser Clydesdales — showcases the caution with which some advertisers are approaching the Super Bowl with during the pandemic.

Biden to reinstate COVID-19 travel rules, add South Africa

Biden to reinstate COVID-19 travel rules, add South Africa
By AAMER MADHANI and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two White House officials say President Joe Biden on Monday will formally reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across open borders. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the upcoming order. The officials also confirmed that South Africa would be added to the restricted list because of concerns about a variant of the virus that has spread beyond that nation. Biden is effectively reversing an order from President Donald Trump in his final days in office that called for the relaxation of the travel restrictions. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, called it “prudent.”