Governor Wolf Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Patriot Day

Harrisburg, Pa. – In remembrance of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and in honor of Patriot Day, Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all United States and Commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities throughout the state lowered to half-staff at sunrise on Friday, September 11, 2020.

“On Patriot Day, we commemorate the lives lost during the tragic events of September 11, 2001,” said Gov. Wolf. “May their bravery and sacrifice remind us to value our communities and the bonds between every American, and to seek ways to serve one another.”

The United States Flag shall fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 11, 2020. The commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Pennsylvania to Auction More Than 600 Vehicles on October 13

60 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Yamaha available
Special COVID-19 protections will be in place

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of General Services today announced that it will hold one of the largest Commonwealth Vehicle Auctions ever with more than 600 vehicles available for public purchase on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania, 488 Firehouse Road, Grantville.

A highlight of this auction is the availability of more than 60 motorcycles from manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Yamaha.

The more than 600 vehicles that will be available for public purchase includes a large selection of trucks and SUVs, all-wheel and front-wheel-drive sedans, utility trucks, police interceptors and other types of vehicles no longer used by state agencies from manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeep and others.

As part of efforts to ensure a safe auction environment, in-person access on the day of the auction will be limited to registered public buyers only, with no guests, and all registered dealers will be required to bid via simulcast. Masks and social distancing will be required for entry on preview days and the day of the auction. Masks and sanitizing products will be available for those who arrive without them. No food or beverage service will be provided at the auction site.

Pre-registration is mandatory and runs from Thursday, October 8, through Sunday, October 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day at the Grantville auction site. During that same time frame, individuals interested in personally viewing the vehicles can do so. Registration must be completed on or before Sunday, October 11, at 4:00 p.m. There will be no registration on the day of the auction.

The auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13. Buyers must purchase with certified funds in the form of money order, cashier’s check, certified check or bank check – made payable to “Manheim Keystone PA.” No cash will be accepted.

More information on this auction, payment conditions and a complete listing of vehicles is available on the DGS Auto Auction Information page.

Gov. Wolf Calls for Legislative Action to Support Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

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.

York, PA – As small businesses continue to feel an economic impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis, Governor Tom Wolf today called on the General Assembly to provide additional funding to support these businesses. The governor was joined by the York County Economic Alliance, local elected officials and business advocates.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, but it is also an economic crisis. In order to help Pennsylvania’s economy recover from the effects of COVID-19, it is vital that we continue to support businesses in Pennsylvania, especially as so many have taken on additional work and costs to keep their employees and customers safe since reopening,” Gov. Wolf said. “Small businesses have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 mitigation efforts and further support is needed to strengthen the economy, so I am calling on the General Assembly to approve additional funds to support our small businesses.”

As part of his fall legislative agenda, Governor Wolf is calling on the General Assembly to provide an additional $225 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in the form of forgivable loans and grants to small businesses in Pennsylvania through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. In addition, the governor is proposing $100 million in forgivable loans and grants for the hospitality, leisure and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons, and barber shops.

The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance funding was developed in partnership with state lawmakers and allocated through the state budget, which included $2.6 billion in federal stimulus funds through the CARES Act, of which $225 million was earmarked for relief for small businesses, including historically disadvantaged businesses. Thousands of businesses have qualified for this grant program, which continues to distribute funding.

York County is utilizing a portion of its $40.5 million in CARES Act funding that was appropriated to counties through the General Assembly and allocated by Governor Wolf to further support small businesses in the county. The county created the YoCo Strong Restart Grant Program, a competitive grant program developed and managed by the York County Economic Alliance and Community First Fund to provide $10 million to support small businesses and $4 million to support nonprofit organizations. Eligible small businesses, including historically disadvantaged businesses and vulnerable industries like restaurants, salons and barber shops, retail and more were awarded grants of up to $35,000.

“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. Our small businesses need the continued support from our commonwealth, and we are encouraged by all that has been done to date. We are optimistic of the legislative proposals set forth, and know these decisions are incredibly vital for our health and continued economic recovery,” said Kevin Schreiber, president and CEO of the York County Economic Alliance.

“The state’s allocation of $225 million in small business support and driving it out through the CDFI network was novel, and now a model other states are emulating as a best practice,” said Dan Betancourt, president and CEO of the Community First Fund. “This was adapted here in York County to ensure those most vulnerable and in most need receive access to funding in a timely and efficient manner.” 

“I am pleased that Gov. Wolf is dedicating millions of dollars to help our small businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding, in the form of forgivable loans and grants, for the hospitality, leisure, and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons, and barber shops, would provide working capital for the commonwealth’s small businesses who need it the most,” said state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York). “Now, we as legislators must put aside political differences to quickly pass much needed legislation that will help keep our small businesses afloat.”

LCRMS TRANSFER STATION IN WILLIAMSPORT WILL BE CLOSED FROM SEPTEMBER 25 – 28, 2020

Lycoming County Resource Management Services Transfer Station, located at 1475 West Third Street in Williamsport, will be closed Friday, September 25 and will reopen to the public and waste haulers on Tuesday, September 29 at 8:30am.

The temporary shutdown is for mechanical upgrades to the transfer station operations. Please make the proper adjustments for your waste. During this time, you may bring your waste and/or recyclables to the landfill location at 447 Alexander Drive, Montgomery. The landfill hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7:00am until 4:30pm and Saturday 7:00am – 12:00pm.

For more information and fee schedule, please visit our website www.lcrms.com.

Gov. Wolf Dedicates $15 Million to Connect Students to High-Speed Internet, Remote-Learning

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. – Continuing to help students learn during the pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating $15 million for schools to secure broadband, mobile hot spots, and other platforms that increase equitable access to remote learning.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced our schools to rethink and rework how to provide instruction to students who are learning completely at home or in a hybrid model,” said Gov. Wolf. “As schools reopen this fall, students need Internet connectivity, computers and other technology, and access to remote-learning platforms. This funding will help our students as we enter the new school year.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorizes governors to determine the educational use of Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds.

The initiative will employ a multi-pronged approach that includes the use of state library networks and other partnerships, including the Pennsylvania Technical Training and Assistance Network (PaTTAN).

Specifically, the funding will be used to:

  • Enable public libraries to coordinate work with the Internet Disaster Recovery Center to expand Internet connectivity in targeted county-wide geographic service areas identified as most in need. Expand the inventory of Wi-Fi hot spots and lendable technology through public libraries and addressing the technology deficit among libraries (estimated $1.4 million).
  • Strengthen and expand the existing 24/7 online homework help through the POWER Library Chat with a Librarian service and additional electronic resources (estimated $100,000).
  • Create and deploy Open Educational Resources (OER) for students and educators (estimated $500,000). OERs give students access to a wider range of instructional materials, including textbooks, videos and research, free of charge.
  • Establish a statewide datacasting initiative with Pennsylvania PBS to connect students to learning content who don’t have access to the Internet (estimated $8 million). Datacasting uses over-the-air TV signals to deliver educational content that can be used on computers without having to access the Internet. Using a datacasting antenna, students can download lesson plans, videos, and worksheets from their schools.
  • Distribute devices to be used in conjunction with datacasting technology for households without a connection to the Internet (e.g. datacasting antenna, laptops), and provide the technical supports and professional development to connect students to learning (estimated $3 million).
  • Distribute accessible/assistive technology, including but not limited to software, tablets, tablet mounts, screens, smart pens, hotspots, devices, for K-12 students with exceptionalities in collaboration with the PaTTAN system (estimated $2 million).

“In response to the pandemic, PDE and others have created new partnerships and strengthened existing ones to ensure Pennsylvania’s students continue to be served, whether that is academically, nutritionally, or socially and emotionally,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “This new initiative is another way in which communities are working together to benefit our students.”

This initiative builds on the Department of Education’s efforts to support schools’ efforts to implement continuity of education plans during the 2019-20 academic year when schools closed unexpectantly as a result of COVID-19, which included Equity Grants and a partnership with Pennsylvania’s PBS stations to air standards-aligned programming across the state.

To date, the Wolf Administration has awarded $102.5 million in GEER funding to help keep students and educators safe and meet the unique challenges of COVID-19. In addition to the $15 million for connectivity, the Wolf Administration has directed $17 million for schools designated for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act; $15 million for special education; $28 million to postsecondary institutions and adult basic education providers; $14 million to K-12 schools to support equity in continuity of education; $10.5 million to Career and Technical Education Centers; and $3 million for Preschool Early Intervention Programs.

Dept. of Agriculture, Partners Urge Pennsylvanians to Squash Spotted Lanternflies Today for Future Food Security

Lancaster, PA – Following months of hyper-focus on the availability of food, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Richard Roush and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Executive Director for Field Operations Carlos Martinez at Cherry Hill Orchards, where they urged Pennsylvanians to act now against the Spotted Lanternfly for the sake of food security.

“I’ve said time and time again throughout the COVID-19 crisis that we will not accept hunger as our next pandemic,” Redding said. “But we all need to act now to fight a small, but mighty threat to Pennsylvania’s leading agriculture industry and ensure a diverse variety of food is available tomorrow.

“If you see a Spotted Lanternfly, squash it. Report it. Check your car before traveling,” Redding said. “These small acts make all the difference for our farmers working hard to feed Pennsylvania and the nation.”

Native to Asia and first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, the Spotted Lanternfly is capable of decimating entire grape vineyards and damaging fruit orchards, hops, walnuts, hardwoods and decorative trees. These industries contribute billions annually to Pennsylvania’s economy. According to an economic impact study completed earlier this year by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, this bad bug could cost Pennsylvania up to $324 million annually in economic impact with a loss of more than 2,800 jobs if not contained.

In addition to endangering agriculture, the Spotted Lanternfly threatens our ability to enjoy the outdoors during spring and summer months. They’re known to swarm in the air, cover trees, and coat decks and play equipment with their excrement, known as honeydew. Honeydew, along with sap from weeping plant wounds that result from feeding of Spotted Lanternfly, can attract bees and other insects and also stimulate the growth of mold and other fungi.

“The key to finding strategies for sustainable, long-term management of the Spotted Lanternfly lies in understanding its biology and behavior, finding its weaknesses and exploiting them,” noted Rick Roush, dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “To that end, Penn State is working with US Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture scientists and other institutions to develop biological, chemical and physical controls, and other methods to manage the pest around forested areas, homes, parks, buildings, nurseries, vineyards and fruit farms.”

Projects include studies on disrupting the lanternfly female reproductive cycle; testing organic control methods such as a fungal-based spray and natural insect predators; investigations of the pest’s flight behavior, where it might travel and the conditions it needs to flourish; and research on its feeding preferences, including its penchant for tree of heaven and at-risk specialty crops such as grapes. Among the most novel approaches is taking advantage of the Spotted Lanternfly’s attraction to poles and other tall objects to design traps and barriers.

“Since 2014, the Spotted Lanternfly has been slowly, but steadily, eating away at the commonwealth’s economy,” Roush said. “As this destructive pest continues to put our state’s agricultural crops and recreational areas at risk, it is imperative that research and education efforts be increased and supported. Our efforts to date have yielded valuable insights, and we are sharing that information with growers, citizens and key stakeholders.”

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), universities, private industry, and other government agencies to advance effective strategies for battling the spotted lanternfly.

“We are developing new tools for long-term population control and methods to reduce impacts of this pest. This summer we deployed an improved trap for detecting spotted lanternfly populations,” said Carlos Martinez, APHIS Executive Director of Field Operations. “We will continue to work with PDA to detect and treat spotted lanternfly populations and conduct public outreach. We are committed to supporting Pennsylvania’s fight against this invasive pest.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences have worked collaboratively with the USDA over the past several years to educate the public and slow the spread of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania. With Penn State leading research and education efforts, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and USDA teams of inspectors follow up on reports of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania’s newly quarantined counties and counties outside of the quarantine zone, treating confirmed sightings as appropriate. These teams also conduct proactive surveys for the invasive insect to suppress new populations.

In early March, Pennsylvania added 12 counties to the area quarantined for Spotted Lanternfly. The 14 counties previously quarantined had widespread insect populations. The new 12 counties have isolated infestations. A detailed map of quarantined counties serves to illustrate how the insect travels – by hitchhiking with people travelling from infested areas to new areas.

It is crucial for anyone travelling in and outside the quarantined counties to be vigilant and look before they leave to prevent transporting insects to a new area. Pennsylvanians – even though inside the quarantine zone – should also report insects online or via phone at 1-888-422-3359. Spotted Lanternfly reports from the public provide valuable data for researching insect populations and slowing its spread.

For more about the Spotted Lanternfly visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly or the Penn State Extension website.

September 10, 2020 – Department of Health Report

Four (4) new cases added Wednesday in Lycoming County now at 572 cases and 23 total deaths, with 11,531 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

587 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 141,877

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 10, that there are 587 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 141,877. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 3 and September 9 is 144,379 with 5,679 positive cases. There were 20,979 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 9. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 7,820 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 15 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to saving lives and keeping our kids in school,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low.”

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning August 29, the department began publishing COVID-19 case counts using the updated standardized case definition for COVID-19 from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. This revised case definition updates criteria for case identification and case classification based on the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It updates probable case classifications and adds suspect case classifications. The definition for confirmed cases using a positive PCR test has not changed. Viral antigen tests, which identify people who are likely currently infected, will now be considered a probable case, even if the individual has no symptoms or exposure history. Persons with a positive antibody (serology) test, moving forward, will no longer be considered a probable case. However, cases previously counted as probable cases, using the prior national case definition, will remain counted as probable cases.

There are 84 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,639,349 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 4% are ages 13-18;
  • Approximately 11% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • Approximately 22% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 23% 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.

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+. The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to date in September:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 66 percent of cases so far in September;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 35 percent of cases so far in September;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 40 percent of cases so far in September;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 27 percent of cases so far in September;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 21 percent of cases so far in September; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 18 percent of cases so far in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,644 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,702 cases among employees, for a total of 26,346 at 946 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,280 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 9,968 of our total cases are among 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 green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Sept. 9:

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, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

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.

Gov. Wolf Receives Hubert H. Humphrey Award for Public Service

Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Tom Wolf received the American Political Science Association (APSA) Hubert H. Humphrey Award. This award, which was announced during a virtual ceremony at the APSA annual meeting, honors notable public service by a political scientist. Previous recipients of the award include Condoleezza Rice, Susan E. Rice, Henry G. Cisneros, Mark Hatfield, Madeline Albright, Donna E. Shalala, Brent Scowcroft and Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Tom Wolf embarked on a lifetime of public service early when he interrupted his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth to spend two years serving in the peace corps in India. He went on to earn a doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his doctoral thesis was awarded APSA’s E. E. Schattschneider Award for best dissertation in the field of American government in 1983. After completing his studies, Tom returned to his hometown in York County, PA, to begin working for the family business. As a business owner, Tom invested in his employees because he knew that it was their work that truly made the Wolf Organization successful.

Throughout his life, Tom has remained committed to volunteering in his community, and has served on the boards of numerous organizations dedicated to education, health, welfare, economic development, culture and the arts. Tom’s leadership philosophy is an extension of his lifelong investment in community development. The desire to serve his fellow Pennsylvanians drove Tom to run for governor, and continues to guide his actions every day.

During his tenure in Harrisburg, Gov. Wolf has fought for change to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians. Gov. Wolf has invested in education, improved health care, fought the opioid epidemic and advocated for government reform. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has worked tirelessly to protect the public health and help the commonwealth recover from the crisis.

“I am honored to receive the Hubert H. Humphrey Award,” said Gov. Wolf. “Though I am not a career politician, I have always felt a deep call to service, and it is a great honor to have that service recognized by such a distinguished organization. I am proud to serve my fellow Pennsylvanians as their governor.”

Pennsylvanians Can Ask Unemployment Questions Live During L&I Virtual Town Hall Today at 1:00 PM

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation (UC) experts will answer questions live from claimants during the Department of Labor & Industry’s (L&I) sixteenth virtual town hall from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM today, Thursday, September 10, 2020. UC will provide information about the unemployment benefits programs administered by L&I.

How to participate

A livestream will be online at https://access.live/PAlabor. Those without internet access can listen by calling 1-833-380-0719, however phone lines are limited so we ask that they be reserved for individuals who need them.

Participants using the phone lines can ask questions directly of our UC expert. Individuals livestreaming the town hall can submit typed questions that will be read to the UC expert by a moderator. To protect participants’ personal confidential information, detailed answers about individual claim questions cannot be answered during the town hall.

Unemployment benefits programs

In addition to the state’s regular UC program, Pennsylvania also oversees:

Improving UC Customer Service

Since March 15, L&I has paid nearly $26 billion in unemployment benefits.

The department has improved customer service by:

  • Resolving 97 percent of eligible regular unemployment compensation claims between March 15 and August 1. These claims were either paid or were not eligible for benefits. The remaining 3 percent represents 49,310 cases could not be approved automatically and are pending resolution.
  • Increasing UC service center staffing levels 124 percent (from 775 employees to the current total of 1,742) since mid-March with the hiring of new employees, onboarding of external call center support staff, and reassigning of staff from other state offices/agencies.
  • Boosting UC support with employees working more than 293,745 total overtime hours since March 15, including in the service centers and all other areas of UC.
  • Helping:
  • 1,002,660 through email;
  • 452,489 by phone;
  • 142,610 by LiveChat; and
  • 319,735 by Virtual Assistant.

L&I is continuing to focus on these customer service improvements but will not be truly satisfied until every Pennsylvanian who is eligible gets the unemployment benefits they worked hard for and deserve.

Important Resources and Links

Additional unemployment benefits information is available on L&I’s websiteFacebook or Twitter.

COVID-19 turns local rivalry football scrimmage into nightmare for teams

An innocent enough scrimmage to conclude summer work outs and prepare for the first weekend of Fridays under the lights turned into a nightmare scenario for area teams thanks to COVID-19.

Loyalsock played at Danville last Friday night in a well orchestrated and socially distanced (when possible for players) event.

According to reports all went well, until a positive COVID-19 test for an Ironmen player was confirmed on Tuesday.

Early in the day while players were in school, Lancers head coach Justin Van Fleet took to social media to let his players and staff know practice was cancelled that day and details would follow.

As first reported by NEWS TALK WMPT in the moments after players were informed of the 14-day quarantine on Tuesday,

“According to sources, Loyalsock canceled football practice today as a result of playing a scrimmage against Danville last Friday. Danville has multiple confirmed COVID-19 cases and moved to a remote learning model today. Sources are saying the Lancers may be in a 14-day quarantine scenario. The LTSD school board has scheduled an emergency meeting for tomorrow night to addrsss the situation as well as approve the plan for fans to attend games and guidance.”

 

Within an hour of the NEWS TALK WMPT report, Loyalsock School District families received the following message from Superintendent Jerry McLaughlin confirming the initial report:

“Good afternoon.

This is Jerry McLaughlin, Superintendent of Loyalsock Township School District.
We are contacting you in accordance with our Health & Safety Plan.
This message is to make you aware that the school district is actively responding to a probable case of Covid of a high school student.
The PA Department of Health has recommended that all football student athletes and football coaches be quarantined today with a return date of September 18, 2020.
Any staff member serving as a football coach will also quarantine.
The PA Department of Health will continue to contact trace as they continue with this investigation.
They have advised that any contact of a contact (such as family member or friend) does not need to quarantine unless you are contacted by the PA Department of Health or are symptomatic.
Deep cleaning of all buildings and buses will continue on a daily basis. Any student that displays any symptoms should not report to school.
If you would like more information, please contact the PA Department of Health or the Superintendent’s office.
Thank you for your understanding, and I will provide more information as necessary.”

The worst fears realized for both teams involved before the season had even begun.  A year like no other, 2020 struck again by wiping out the first two games of the season.

Mount Carmel, the Lancers Week #2 opponent already cancelled their game with Southern Columbia due to a pair of positive test results.

According to a report from NEWS TALK WMPT on Tuesday evening:

“With the 14 day quarantine of the Lancers football program, the game at Warrior Run this Friday and the home game on September 18 verses Mount Carmel have been canceled.

The next potential game for Loyalsock would be at home on September 25 against Hughesville.”

 

On Wednesday evening, the Loyalsock Township School Board in their regularly scheduled meeting addressed the situation as well as approved the plan for fans to attend games and guidance based on the current guidance issued by Governor Wolf and with the ability to adjust with the passage of House Bill 2787.

Specific details will be posted once the Loyalsock Township School Board formally publishes them.