LEWISBURG- Evangelical Community Hospital will host its 34^th Annual Golf Classic Event on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club in Selinsgrove. The scramble format event has morning and afternoon shotgun starts available at 8 am and 1:30 pm. Entry fee for each golfer is $125 and includes green fees, golf cart, refreshments on the course, and meals. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, some aspects of this event are subject to change.

The Golf Classic event raises funds for life-sustaining treatments performed by the trained paramedics and emergency medical technicians of Evangelical Regional Mobile Medical Services. These emergency responders also provide vital patient information to Emergency Department (ED) personnel before the patient arrives at the ED doors.

This year’s event features on-the-course contests and a chance to win 2020 Ford Escape from Selinsgrove Ford with a hole-in-one on the course. Quandel Construction is the main Golf Classic Event Sponsor. Other sponsorship opportunities are available for those looking to support ERMMS.

Awards to the top three teams in the morning and afternoon will be announced after all golfers have returned their score cards.

“Over the years, this annual event has raised nearly $1,037,000,” said Donna Schuck, Associate Vice President/Chief Development Officer at Evangelical. “We are extremely grateful to the sponsors, participants, and donors whose contributions make the tournament a great success; this event is about more than just a day on the golf course, it’s about providing necessary funds to support lifesaving services.”

ERMMS staff answer over 12,000 calls per year with 50 percent of those being medical emergencies, 40 percent being trauma, and 10 percent classified as other. All ERMMS paramedics are nationally registered and cover territories in Lewisburg, Watsontown, Mifflinburg, White Deer Township, Milton, Middleburg, New Columbia, and the surrounding areas.

2020 has proven even more challenging for emergency response staff who are activated to assist in triaging and caring for patients before arriving to the Hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increased amount of calls, with higher sensitivity to the spread of infectious disease. Even greater precautions were in place for each and every call and the need for personal protective and specialized equipment to keep both staff and patients safe increased at an alarming rate.

Nick Klose, Clinical Director of ERMMS said, “I couldn’t be prouder of how the ERMMS staff have stepped up to provide the best possible care of patients during the COVID-19 response. They continue to serve with the greatest amount of compassion during very difficult times. Dollars at this event enable the Hospital to provide the equipment and medical supply tools our EMTs and Paramedics need to save lives.”

For more information on registration, sponsorships, and to be part of the 34th Annual Evangelical Golf Classic, call 570-522-4850 or email fundraising@evanhospital.com.

ABOUT ERMMS:

Evangelical Regional Mobile Medical Services (ERMMS) is a non-profit organization that works with community ambulance agencies to supplement their needs in a meaningful way. ERMMS provides the equipment and experts needed to either fully administer or supplement existing emergency response programs so that communities of the area have mobile medical services available to them in time of a healthcare emergency.

Harrisburg, PA — In response to and in recognition of Governor Wolf’s Executive Order on Vulnerable Populations, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging has created a free, online Mandatory Abuse Reporting training module to help aging and human services providers recognize and report elder abuse.

The training is being publicly launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), which is commemorated on June 15 each year. WEAAD is an opportunity for people and organizations to take action to protect older adults by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what can be done to stop it. Learn more about WEAAD activities and resources here.

“The Wolf Administration is committed to empowering individuals to take action to end elder abuse on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and every day,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “We’re marking this important day by launching a new training tool to empower those who work with older adults to recognize the signs of elder abuse, understand their reporting responsibilities, and take action.”

The training will be available, but not limited, to providers, employees and administrators of long-term care facilities; personal care homes, home health care agencies; adult day centers, domiciliary care residences and collaborative partners. Although the training is intended for mandated reporters, anyone who is interested in protecting older adults from abuse can take the training. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) leadership provided input and feedback on the module’s content and design.

“Mandated reporters play a critical role in keeping vulnerable Pennsylvanians safe, and we must equip them with the tools they need to carry out this duty effectively,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “I hope this training will be a valuable resource that empowers mandated reporters around Pennsylvania to speak up when necessary and keep they people they serve safe from abuse and neglect.”

The module was developed to reach a broad audience from entry-level to seasoned professionals. The training takes about 30 minutes to complete and includes knowledge checks throughout to ensure that participants understand the information. A printable certificate recognizing the successful completion of the training module is available. This training module will also help to ensure that facilities are compliant with licensure requirements.

The training is available on the PDA Learning Management System (LMS).  Anyone with an existing account may access the Mandatory Abuse Reporting Training Course by clicking here to login. Individuals who do not have an established PDA LMS training account, and are not associated with a AAA can click here to request an account.

The following are relevant facts about elder abuse and its investigation in Pennsylvania, as reported by the Department of Aging’s Protective Services Office: 

• The total number of reports of alleged abuse received by the AAAs during fiscal year 2018 -19 was 49,909, a 12% increase from fiscal year 2017-18.
• The most frequent alleged/reported type of abuse was caregiver neglect (29.7%) followed by exploitation (27.1%). The most frequent substantiated types of abuse were neglect (self-neglect, 38.2% and caregiver neglect, 21.3%) followed by physical abuse (19.2%).
• The age group most reported to be in need of protective services during fiscal year 2018-19 was between the ages of 71 and 80 (32.4%). The majority were Caucasian (79.7%) and female (64%). Many alleged victims resided in their own homes (45%), were widowed (37%), or were living alone (42%). The data also reveals that 42.5% of substantiated perpetrators were between the ages of 30-59 and 54% were female. Of all designated perpetrators, 13% were identified as family members and 7% were identified as a female caretaker.

Sec. Torres also noted that the Older Adult Protective Services Program continues to protect older adults through the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone suspecting elder abuse should call the statewide reporting hotline at 1-800-490-8505, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage here for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 323 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,121

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 15, that there are 323 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,121. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,243 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 28 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

“With more than half of the state now in the green phase of the process to reopen, it is essential that we continue to take precautions to protect against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The commonwealth’s careful, measured approach to reopening is working as we see case counts continue to decline even as many other states see increases. But 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.”

There are 630 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 513,909 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;
• Nearly 1% are ages 5-12;
• Nearly 2% are ages 13-18;
• 6% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
• Nearly 25% are ages 50-64; and
• 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 16,612 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,936 cases among employees, for a total of 19,548 at 642 distinct facilities in 47 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,268 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 5,996 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 14:

• Provided an update from Pennsylvania State Police on business closure enforcement actions.
• Condemned Trump Administration rule that strips health care from LGBTQ community.

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

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

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.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today that beginning Wednesday, June 17, nine more COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites will open in Walmart parking lots across the state, bringing the total to 19 sites at Walmart locations. Quest Diagnostics and Walmart are working with the department to provide no-cost testing for residents living in areas where there are fewer testing sites. Another testing site has also been added in Venango County, which previously had only one site, bringing the total of new testing sites to 10.

“We continue to add testing sites in locations that are convenient for Pennsylvanians and increase the state’s testing capabilities,” Gov. Wolf said. “We do not want any Pennsylvanian in need of a test to have difficulty finding a location close to home for a free test.”

“We appreciate the hard work done by health systems, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), medical clinics and other entities that are providing testing for COVID-19 across Pennsylvania,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “When we established our testing strategy, we wanted testing to be accessible, available and adaptable and we are working to meet that challenge. Anyone who believes they have symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested today in Pennsylvania.”

Beginning June 17 these sites will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to test up to 50 registered patients daily. Registration is required one day in advance. There is no COVID-19 testing inside Walmart stores or Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers.

The testing sites that will open on Wednesday include:

• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 1887 Elmira St, Sayre, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 1665 N Atherton St, State College, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 108 Washington Towne Blvd N, Edinboro, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 2501 W State St, New Castle, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 1566 W Main Street Ext, Grove City, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 9300 State Route 61, Coal Township, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 980 N Susquehanna Trail, Selinsgrove, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 120 AJK Blvd, Lewisburg, PA
• Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 1169 South Main St, Mansfield, PA

“After testing, you are required to return home and self-isolate,” Dr. Levine said. “If symptoms develop or worsen while you are waiting for your test results, talk to your doctor. If you experience a medical emergency, please seek immediate care.”

Registrants will be notified of a testing location within a 50-mile radius of them with available appointment times. Patients schedule an appointment time, print a voucher and bring the voucher to the location with them to their appointment. Patients will receive an email with their test results within 24-48 hours, and physicians will call any patient who has a positive test result.

In addition to these testing sites, UPMC Northwest opened a COVID-19 testing site in Venango County, where there is currently only one other testing site. The new site is located at 1671 Allegheny Blvd, Reno, PA, and is open each week, Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by appointment only. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 1-833-559-7680.

Through the work of a number of entities, testing is accessible for Pennsylvanians. As Rite Aid, CVS, Patient First, Walmart and others offer testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, it has further allowed for Pennsylvanians to get tested close to home. Adding these locations to those already offered by hospitals, health systems, FQHCs, health clinics and other locations significantly expands the testing network in the state.

More information about these testing sites and others, including a map of the sites available in Pennsylvania, are listed on the department’s website.

The department’s testing plan has remained adaptable. This includes the efforts to ensure everyone in a long-term care facility can be tested, work to ensure counties that currently do not have testing locations can receive them, and other efforts based on the latest data and science surrounding COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Repeating shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.

As of 12:00 a.m., June 14, there were 78,798 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 6,215 confirmed deaths. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. More data is available here.

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

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

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

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.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced a partnership with General Healthcare Resources to assist with the COVID-19 response.

“We are so pleased to have this level of collaboration and assistance from General Healthcare Resources,” Dr. Levine said. “COVID-19 is a particularly challenging situation for congregate settings, particularly our long-term care facilities. These teams are assisting us in our response in the hardest-hit areas as we work to protect the public health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

General Healthcare Resources will be deploying onsite assessment teams to assist with infection control practices, staffing and PPE training needs. The team will also assist with specimen collection and urgent staffing needs. The Department of Health will be funding the 41 individuals that will be deployed for one year.

“We’re honored to be supporting this program and are committed to providing the state of Pennsylvania with the professional, qualified staff they need to meet this challenge within the senior community,” said Laura Magner, President and COO of General Healthcare Resources. “If you’re an experienced RN, LPN, Medical Assistant, CNA, EMT or other healthcare professional interested in joining this effort, please contact us at 800-879-4471.”

In addition to General Healthcare Resource’s support, the department has also been working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since May 20, HHS assessment and action teams have been providing onsite support and training to long-term care facilities in the commonwealth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Repeating shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.

As of 12:00 a.m., June 14, there were 78,798 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 6,215­ confirmed deaths. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. More data is available here.

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

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

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

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.

The following is the result of a more than 18-month long investigation
by Talk Williamsport into the Williamsport Area High School Baseball Team trip
to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the spring of 2018.

This topic was covered in PART VIII of this series. The similarities in the alleged behaviors engaged in by the fraternity brothers in the aftermath of the unfortunate incidents that unfortunately claimed the life of Timothy Piazza have a striking resemblance to this case.

Piazza was a fraternity pledge at Penn State and those involved in the hazing case were criminally charged, subsequently sentenced and have also been sued in federal court.

Penn State was also named as a defendant in civil litigation and swiftly reached an out of court settlement with the Piazza family as Pulitzer Prize winning author and current CNN correspondent Sara Ganim filed in this report on February 2, 2019.

Tom Kline, founding partner of Kline & Specter represents the Piazza family and obtained the undisclosed monetary settlement with Penn State.

From the Ganim report on CNN, “The university also pledged $2 million and help raising money to help it become a national Greek life research center, according to a university statement.”

Attorney David Inscho of the firm Kline & Specter represents JOHN DOE #1 and his family in the case chronicled in this series.

Inscho was reached for this story and offered the following, “We understand the criminal investigation into the assault against our client has been referred to the state attorney general’s office.  We hope that this will result in the full and complete investigation warranted by the assault. We have been willing to and will continue to assist in any investigation that seeks to uncover the facts and hold the perpetrators responsible.”

Since the e-mail disclosure by WASD Solicitor Fred Holland of “indecent and inappropriate behavior” in response to a question posed by FSW in 2018, none of the facts in this case elicited from this report has changed.

What continues to change on a nearly daily basis is the response from the WASD.

So the fundamental question remains posed in the series A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball; if nothing happened in Myrtle Beach, why won’t the WASD tell us the story?

LACK OF PROBITY

The credibility of the radio show caller referenced in PART XVI reaffirmed the assertions in this series that nearly everyone on the trip in Myrtle Beach knew what happened to JOHN DOE #1 in the immediate moments, hours and days remaining on the trip.

To believe otherwise as the WASD has tried to make the public do, reason and disbelief must be suspended.

The lack of transparency and forthrightness in the WASD RTK responses is devastating to our community in how the public trust was violated.

Dr. Timothy Bowers, WASD Superintendent (bottom left), as the Talk Williamsport story began to develop in 2018 silenced Fred Holland, as noted in PART III.

No citation of federal laws, no student privacy concerns were ever cited as Holland was muted.

Just stop talking to Talk Williamsport was the edict from Dr. Bowers.

This in and of itself is grounds for Dr. Bowers to be removed from his position as Superintendent.

To date, the WASD School Board has failed to take any action in this matter beyond burying its collective head in the sand, hoping this too will just go away.

Remember, the WASD wants the general public to believe former Lycoming County Chief Detective Willie Weber brought this case to their attention after a Child Line call was placed on May 18, 2018.

Then Weber waited five months to file an actual report; at the request of the Myrtle Beach Police Department whom he and Brandon Pardoe never called.

The same Myrtle Beach Police Department that holds jurisdiction of the assault case in question.

Wanda Erb, WASD Right to Know Officer (bottom middle), provided the written responses to Talk Williamsport on behalf of the district.

The story she attempted to piece together was so woefully incompetent, she placed former WASD administrator Randy Zangara in Myrtle Beach at the time of the trip, in writing.

Does that amount to perjury?

Zangara was so willing to clear his name of any wrong doing he refused comment for previous installments of this series.

As this series has also outlined, he was present at a WAHS game at Bowman Field that he and Miller showed up to intoxicated.

With Erb placing him physically in Myrtle Beach, it appears he was talking to those on the trip regularly from Williamsport based on records obtained by Talk Williamsport through the RTK Law requests.

Were those conversations about baseball or something else?

In the aftermath of WAHS Baseball Coach Ryan Miller stepping down for family reasons, then WAHS Baseball Assistant Coach Kyle Schneider (bottom right) was named as the interim coach.

Schneider was later promoted to WAHS Head Baseball Coach; a position he holds today even though the 2020 season was not played due to coronavirus concerns.

Was Schneider promoted in order to keep the WAHS baseball team secret intact?

Former head coach Ryan Miller and Schneider as previously noted were roommates in Myrtle Beach.

Was Schneider comfortable with no room list?

Was Schneider comfortable with no adult chaperones?

Where did he go as Miller and Worthington went to the aide of the unknown female on the beach?

So many unanswered questions.

Rhetorically speaking, what is more contagious in the WAHS Baseball program, spreading of a false narrative to protect a brand or coronavirus?

“As for Ryan Miller, Alicia Carnevale, David Heller, Kyle Schneider and Nick Caringi, I reviewed the text messages then existing on their phones, with their assistance. The only message responsive to the request was found on Mr. Heller’s phone and was disclosed in the Agency’s repsonse.

Tariq Moore did not respond to efforts to contact him until after the Agency sent its response. His phone is neither owned nor paid for by the district and was not reviewed. Joel Worthington never responded to my efforts to contact him. His phone is neither owned nor paid for by the district and was not reviewed.

FSW is curious to this particular phraseology, “then existing on their phones, with their assistance”, so Erb did not ask Verizon to produce the unedited or deleted messages, just the parties involved while they watched.

Would those phones, texts and photos be of any interest to Attorney General Josh Shapiro who may now be investigating this matter as his office investigated the Piazza matter?

It will be fascinating if he finds any messages or information beyond the one and only text Erb noted as: “responsive to the request”.

Apparently, no one communicated what bar or restaurant they would be eating at in Myrtle Beach the entirety of the trip.

Just that one text between two assistant coaches in mid-June 2018.

This community may never know since Wanda Erb did not really seem to care if any answers were provided, other than, well at least I tried.

This is they same type of nonsense the WASD wants the general public to believe in how it ran an investigation on itself.

In cases like this, the investigators who work for Attorney General Josh Shapiro live for ineptitude of this magnitude.

To further illustrate the disconnect Miller has with the fact that “criminal sexual misconduct” occurred; Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner referred this matter to PA Attorney General Shapiro for consideration.

BACK TO ERB AND HER LACK OF PROBITY

TIME ON THE SIDE OF JOHN DOE#1 AS A SEX CRIME VICTIM IN CRIMINAL & CIVIL FILINGS

According to the criminal victim advocate web site; “Sexual violence.” Rape, indecent contact as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. §3101 (relating to definitions), incest or using, causing, permitting, persuading or coercing the child to engage in a prohibited sexual act as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. §6312(a) (relating to sexual abuse of children) or a simulation of a prohibited sexual act for the purpose of photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming involving the child.

According to an online search of the Pennsylvania Statutes of Limitations in both Criminal cases and Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse; in regard to filing in either instance time is on the side of the victim.

A civil lawsuit may be filed against the abuser or an organization (such as a church, school, or workplace) that allowed the abuse to occur. A victim of sexual abuse can demand compensation for his or her economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.

In Pennsylvania, the filing of a civil claim dealing with sexual abuse must be commenced at any time within:

• Two years of the abuse, if the victim is an adult, or
• 12 years from the victim’s 18th birthday (if the victim was a minor at the time of the sexual abuse).

Again, proposed legislation would dramatically change these statutes of limitations and could even re-open time-barred child abuse claims.

Criminal Cases for Sexual Abuse

In order to prosecute a sexual abuser, you must file a report with law enforcement. Criminal sexual abuse cases are filed by the State of Pennsylvania on behalf of a victim. A suspect may face jail time, sex offender registration, and other penalties, if guilty. 

In Pennsylvania criminal cases, a prosecutor may file charges of child sexual abuse anytime before the victim’s 50th birthday. All other sexual assault and abuse charges involve a 12-year statute of limitations.

Additionally, there is a DNA evidence exception to the SOL. If a perpetrator is identified by DNA evidence after the statute of limitations has expired, a prosecutor may still file criminal charges within a year of a suspect’s identification.

Is this why Detective Weber waited five months to file a formal report once the MBPD asked for one?

Is this why Detective Weber characterized the incident as a “prank”.

TALK WILLIAMSPORT REPORTING HAS BEEN PROVEN CORRECT – TIME & TIME AGAIN

Talk Williamsport was the first to report the family of JOHN DOE#1 was seeking legal counsel.

Kline and Specter now represent JOHN DOE#1 and have sent letters to parties involved including the WASD in a potential civil case.

As first reported by Talk Williamsport, a criminal act occurred in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

How did Talk Williamsport know?

WASD Solicitor Fred Holland said so when he called it “indecent and inappropriate behavior.”

As the bombshell report in PART XV of this series outlined, Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner referred the case to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro for consideration.

Prior to receiving the referral Talk Williamsport contacted the press office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro for comment on the referral and received the following response.

“We have not yet received a referral. If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed.”

Shapiro subsequently confirmed receipt of the referral and declined further comment.

PART XVIII is forthcoming.

LINKS TO 17-PART SERIES PUBLISHED BY Talk Williamsport

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVII

BREAKING NEWS: PA AG Press Office confirms receipt of Criminal Sexual Misconduct referral from DA Gardner

UPDATE: Charges filed in Greater Latrobe Junior High hazing case cited in “A Baseball Story”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART X

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART V

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART III

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART II

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART I

Fans often ask me, what if?

Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach

Governor Tom Wolf speaks during a press conference addressing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania, inside PEMA headquarters on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania continues to implement Governor Tom Wolf’s Process to Reopen PA, the state is also among a select few with a steady decline in cases, a positive indicator that the state’s phased, measured reopening plan is working to balance public health with economic recovery.

According to data analysis from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center data, Pennsylvania’s steady decline in cases since a peak in mid-April is particularly important as more counties reopen. The latest report indicates Pennsylvania is among the states with a sustained decline in cases over the past two weeks, an important indicator that reopening plans are measured and thoughtful.

In an Associated Press analysis, more than half the states in the U.S. are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases as reopening begins. Pennsylvania is not among them. Many other states are experiencing significant case increases tied to reopening too soon or too much.

“Pennsylvania’s measured, phased process to reopen is successful because of its cautious approach that includes factors relying on science, the advice of health experts and that asks everyone to do something as simple as wearing a mask when inside or around others outside the home,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “We will continue to move forward cautiously.”

A Tableau Public analysis of states using four primary factors: daily tests, daily positive tests, current hospitalizations, and daily deaths shows Pennsylvania with a significant increase in tests accompanied by steep declines in positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths since a peak in mid-April. And while the country as a whole is seeing declines in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, many states are seeing increases that are cause for concern as reopening widens.

Mask-wearing has proven to be an important deterrent to the spread of the virus.

A recent study from Cambridge and Greenwich universities in the United Kingdom found that cloth masks, “even homemade masks with limited effectiveness can dramatically reduce transmission rates if worn by enough people, regardless of whether they show symptoms.”

The study also notes that mask-wearing will be especially important as a possible second wave of the virus could occur in the fall.

Pennsylvania has urged mask-wearing throughout its response to the pandemic and even as counties reach the green phase of reopening, masks are still required when entering businesses and encouraged for use in any space where social distancing is difficult to maintain. The state’s business guidance outlines mask-wearing for both employees and customers.

“Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has said it countless times, ‘My mask protects you and your mask protects me,’ and that is important for all Pennsylvanians to remember as we continue a successful and safe reopening of the state,” Gov. Wolf said.

For more information on COVID-19 cases, visit the data dashboard here.

“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the start of the 2020 New York-Penn League™ season is being delayed indefinitely. The League and its clubs will continue to monitor the situation and work with our Major League Baseball™ affiliates, while following the recommendations of public health officials and adhering to local reopening guidelines.  As always, the health and safety of the New York-Penn League™ fans, players and staff members are our top priorities. Additionally, the New York-Penn League™ All-Star Game has been canceled.”

Proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Williamsport

At this time, Mayor Derek Slaughter deems it necessary to resume enforcement of the City’s open-container restrictions upon streets, sidewalks, alleys, or public ways of the City, or upon the parking areas of private shopping centers under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Police (Article 745.04 and 747.01 of the City’s Ordinances).

This will go into effect at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020.As of that date and time, all of the City’s open container laws and restrictions will again be enforced, and the suspension proclamation issued on May 28, 2020 is fully withdrawn.

Mayor Slaughter will continue to review future possibilities to enhance business throughout Williamsport including possible future events pertaining to this restriction.

Open-Container Proclamation 06.11.2020

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today signed amended green phase orders for the 12 counties moving to green at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, June 12. The counties include Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Union, Wayne, Wyoming and York.

With these orders effective at 12:01 a.m., tomorrow there will be 46 counties in green and 21 counties in yellow.

Gov. Wolf’s Process to Reopen Pennsylvania includes details of each phase of reopening.

Yellow Phase
As regions or counties move into the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction will ease while others, such as closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place.

The purpose of this phase is to begin to power back up the economy while keeping a close eye on the public health data to ensure the spread of disease remains contained to the greatest extent possible.

Work and Congregate Setting Restrictions

• Telework Must Continue Where Feasible
• Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Business and Building Safety Orders
• Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance
• Congregate Care and Prison Restrictions in Place
• Schools may provide in-person instruction only in accordance with Department of Education guidance

Social Restrictions

• Stay-at-Home Order Lifted for Aggressive Mitigation
• Large Gatherings of More than 25 Prohibited
• Masks Are Required When Entering a Business
• In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable
• Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed
• Restaurants and Bars May Open Outdoor Dining, in Addition to Carry-Out and Delivery

Green Phase
After a county transitions to the yellow phase, we closely monitor for increased risk, such as significant outbreaks. If overall risk remains mitigated for 14 days, we transition the county to the green phase.

The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health.

While this phase facilitates a return to a “new normal,” it is equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum.

Work and Congregate Settings Restrictions

• Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged
• Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building Safety Requirements
• All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May Increase to 75% Occupancy
• Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance
• Congregate Care Restrictions in Place
• Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities
• Schools Subject to CDC and Commonwealth Guidance

Social Restrictions

• Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited
• Masks Are Required When Entering a Business
• Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy
• Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only
• Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged
• All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy
• Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols

The latest business guidance, including outdoor recreation guidance, can be found here.

Preliminary sports guidance can be found here.

Summer camp guidance can be found here.

The Governor’s amended green phase order can be found here.

The Secretary of Health’s amended green phase order can be found here.