Monthly archive

June 2020

Hershey begins production on disposable facemasks

Published on in Business

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Company announced Monday that it has begun production of disposable facemasks, some of which are available for donation to nonprofit community organizations, health care and assisted living facilities, and schools.

The company said it has committed $1 million to installing and staffing the new mask production line to ensure a consistent supply for Hershey employees and their families.

The mask production line also helps provide economic stability for Hershey employees who have now been temporarily reassigned due to the limited operations of Chocolate World, the company said.

“Our primary concern throughout the pandemic has been protecting the physical, emotional and economic well-being of our employees and their families,” said Jason Reiman, Chief Supply Chain Officer. “Extending our capabilities to assist our friends and neighbors in the community is an important part of our culture and a role that we take great pride in serving.”

Continue Reading on Fox 43

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Rutter’s reopens multiple video gaming rooms throughout central Pa. as state goes green

Published on in Business

Mobile gaming is back at Rutter’s this week.

On Monday, June 29, Rutter’s announced the reopening of 14 video gaming rooms at locations throughout central Pennsylvania.

“We are excited to be providing entertainment for our customers once again. However, the health and safety of everyone in our stores continue to be our top priority,”  Rutter’s CEO Scott Hartman said in a news release.

As the state moves back into the green phase, Rutter’s has outfitted gaming rooms with plexiglass barriers between each machine and designated waiting areas for customers waiting to play, in accordance with PA Gaming Commission and CDC guidelines. Each gaming room has five machines.

Continue Reading on York Daily Record

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Firework Safety & 4th Fest

Published on in People

Independence Day festivities are still on in a lot of places, and so too are plans for more personal fireworks shows.

Thus, officials are reminding residents of the dangers of fireworks as the upcoming holiday nears.

Although Independence Day this year will look a bit different, a lot of people will still enjoy setting off their own fireworks display, and pandemic or not, the danger is still there.

“It is a dangerous thing that you need to use caution with.”

The annual Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest in Centre County is canceled, but the firework displays are still on this year, at different locations around the area.

Organizers say the firework displays will take place on the 4th of July, in four different locations.

Recommended viewing locations include, the Nittany Mall, Hills Plaza, the Colonnade shopping center, and Science Park Road.

Continue Reading on Fox 8

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Daily PA COVID-19 cases over 85,000, 14 new in Central region

Published on in Health

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed 500 new cases of COVID-19 in the state bringing totals over 85,000.

As of Sunday, there are 505 new cases from the day before, bringing the state total to 85,496. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have confirmed at least one case of COVID-19.

Currently, 657,486 people have tested negative.

There are 6,606 COVID-19 related deaths, up 3 from yesterday.

Of the 85,496 cases across the state, the PA Department of Health estimates that 78%, or roughly 67,000 Pennsylvanians, have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 844 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our Central Pennsylvania region, 14 more than yesterday.

Continue Reading on We are Central PA

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Food Banks a Part of Stabilizing Dairy Sector

Published on in Food & Dining

MERCER, Pa. — Rick Koller had cheese that needed a home and farmers who were facing milk dumping. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank had people who needed something to eat.

Their story of rapidly shifting supply chains highlights the role food banks may play in driving dairy consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, a role that will be facilitated by millions in federal funding.

Koller, president of Fairview Swiss Cheese in Fredonia, has a mix of on-site and leased off-site cold-storage space for his cheese.

But earlier in the pandemic, when supply chains were severely disrupted, all of that storage filled up.

“I knew when I told the milk processors that we could no longer accept their milk, local dairy farmers would have no choice but to dump milk,” Koller said.

So Koller got on the phone to find a solution.

Continue Reading on Lancaster Farming

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As the Saharan dust plume blows into US, how will it impact Central Pennsylvania

Published on in Environment

The Saharan Air Layer is a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert. Activity typically builds in mid-June and peaks from late June to mid-August.

During the peak period, it is common for this layer to travel thousands of miles away from its African origins, impacting many areas. New outbreaks occur every three to five days, according to NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division (HRD).

The dust plume began its 5,000 mile journey from western Africa last weekend and traveled across the Atlantic and Caribbean, into the Gulf of Mexico. You can see where the dust is located right now in the figure below.

Continue Reading on We are Central PA

$2 million awarded in 2019-20 senior community center grants

Published on in People

Governor Tom Wolf announced that 60 senior community centers throughout the commonwealth will be the recipients of Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s 2019-20 Senior Community Center grants – totaling $2 million in funding appropriated by the General Assembly from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

“Senior community centers play an immense role for older Pennsylvanians by assisting them with aging in place,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “The grants will empower these centers to make their desired changes to further benefit regular attendees while attracting a new generation of participants.”

The grants will help senior centers fund projects based on their applications, such as updating and modernizing facilities, providing new health and entertainment programs, upgrading technology, and enhancing marketing opportunities.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

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When will the only Apple store in central Pa. reopen?

Published on in Business

Central Pennsylvania’s only Apple store will reopen to the public this week.

The store at the Park City Center in Lancaster will reopen on Friday, according to Rachel Gallagher, senior general manager of Park City Center.

The mall itself is reopening on Friday when Lancaster County moves into the green phase.

The store will follow the mall’s modified hours — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Learn to cook a central Pennsylvania staple

Published on in Food & Dining

Although my mother was Italian, she learned to cook my father’s favorite dishes from her mother-in-law. Shoofly pie, red beet eggs, boiled pot pie, dandelion salad — these were ordinary dishes when I was growing up. Not until I moved away from home did I learn that this was traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare.

As all locals know, the term Dutch is a corruption of Deutsch, or German. The first settlers emigrated from the German-speaking areas of Europe before 1800 to escape religious persecution. Lured by William Penn’s promise of religious freedom, they settled in Pennsylvania.

Along with their language, the settlers brought their cuisine. Heavy on meat and starches, it was meant to fill stomachs for a long day of work on the farm.

It also showcased the frugality of the immigrants. Nothing was wasted. Hogmaw is a typical example. A pig’s stomach was used as a vehicle to be filled with a mix of potatoes and other savory ingredients. Scrapple is a mixture of leftover pork parts cooked with cornmeal.

Continue Reading on York Dispatch

UPMC Pinnacle Foundation donates $100,000 to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank COVID-19 relief efforts

Published on in Food & Dining

HARRISBURG, Pa. WHTM) – UPMC Pinnacle Foundation announced a $100,000 donation to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.

The donation helped the Food Bank meet the 43% increase in community needs during the pandemic.

“At UPMC, it is our mission to serve our community. We realize that access to food and good nutrition are integral components of good health,” said Philip Guarneschelli, president, UPMC Pinnacle. “This donation will go directly toward alleviating the increasing food insecurity in our community.”

A portion of UPMC’s donation funded the increased meal distribution in Harrisburg. That effort, coordinated by the Harrisburg City Police, supplied approximately 400,000 pounds of food throughout the shutdown.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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How Harry Connick Jr. surprised Harrisburg’s community policing coordinator for TV special

Published on in People

Harry Connick Jr. drove an RV to Harrisburg last month to meet Blake Lynch as part of a television special celebrating unsung heroes.

The two-hour show called “United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute” aired on CBS Sunday night and featured a series of frontline workers, including Lynch, who works as the community policing coordinator for the Harrisburg Police Department.

But when three large RVs pulled up to 13th and Derry streets on May 11, Lynch didn’t know who was inside the main vehicle. He was simply told by producers that a “Grammy award-winning celebrity” wanted to meet him.

When the vehicle door opened, Lynch immediately recognized Connick Jr., a New Orleans native singer and actor, even though he was wearing a face mask because of the novel coronavirus. Connick Jr. was traveling with his daughter, a filmmaker, across the country to document the work of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Big 33 hosts livestream to honor players, cheerleaders and buddies who would’ve been part of high school football game

Published on in Sports

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in cancellations of sporting events across the country, including the Big 33, an all-star football game between high school players from Pennsylvania and Maryland.

But while the 2020 game, which had been scheduled for May 25 at Central Dauphin’s Landis Field at Speed Ebersole Stadium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was called off to protect all involved, the participants were still honored.

That took place Thursday on a live YouTube stream hosted by the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association.

Host Jimmy Jones, a Harrisburg native and former USC quarterback, and PSFCA executive director Gary Cathell announced the name of each player, cheerleader and buddy.

Continue Reading on The Baltimore Sun

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Harrisburg community leader reflects on being featured in national CBS special program

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. — One of Harrisburg’s local community leaders was part of a national program on CBS called “United We Sing: A Tribute to Unsung Heroes.” It focused on the impact of the coronavirus and was hosted by Harry Connick Jr.

Blake Lynch, the community liaison with the Harrisburg Police Department was a part of the special.

“We are out here today at the Central PA Food Bank getting everything ready for our feeding our families program,” said Lynch on a Facebook Live.

Fifteen weeks of feeding Harrisburg families: that’s what brought Harry Connick Jr. to the Commonwealth’s Capital.

“Since we began about fifteen weeks ago, we’ve distributed over a half a million pounds of food through our partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, as well as the Harrisburg School District,” said Lynch. He coordinates the efforts to get the food drives to the community.

Continue Reading on Local 21 News

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United Way and local food banks observe Hunger Awareness Month

Published on in People

Throughout the month of June, the Lycoming County United Way is working with partners including the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, American Rescue Workers, Sojourner Truth Ministries, and the Wellsboro Food Pantry to raise awareness and try to change that grim statistic by sharing resources and connecting people with help.

According to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, one in ten people in Central Pennsylvania struggle with hunger, including one in six children.

Here are some ways these organizations can provide aid:

The American Rescue Workers Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) provides financial assistance to over 6,500 individuals and 700 families (in the form of monthly groceries) each year. Due to COVID-19, the CEAP program was utilized by many who have never needed their services before.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

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418 new COVID-19 cases push state totals over 80,000, 76% estimated recovery

Published on in Health

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed slightly more than 400 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, pushing totals over 80,000 since the first case was discovered in Pennsylvania.

As of Thursday, there are 418 new cases from yesterday, bringing the state total to 80,236. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania confirm at least one case of COVID-19.

Currently, 543,832 people have tested negative.

There are 6,361 COVID-19 related deaths.

Of the nearly 80,000 cases across the state, the PA Department of Health estimates that 76%, or roughly 61,000 Pennsylvanians, have recovered from COVID-19.

Continue Reading on We are Central PA

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Celebrating Juneteenth? Here are some events to mark the holiday in central Pa.

Published on in Government

Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This year’s observance takes on special significance amid protests across the country demanding racial equality and justice following the death of George Floyd while in police custody.

Observance of the holiday is also growing with some governments — among them, Philadelphia and Montgomery County, and state driver license and photo centers — closing their offices for the day. Gov. Tom Wolf has declared the day a holiday for more than 70,000 state workers under his jurisdiction. Some businesses, including such institutions as PNC Bank, Google and the National Football League, will be closed.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

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Court to weigh state’s request to close Spring Carlisle auto show

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state Health Department’s effort to shut down a large auto show in central Pennsylvania over claims it represents a risk to the public will be the subject of an emergency hearing, a state court said late Wednesday.

The order from Commonwealth Court scheduled a Thursday morning hearing at the judicial center in Harrisburg, with social distancing rules because of the pandemic.

The unsigned order also declined to immediately shut down Spring Carlisle over the state’s claim the event runs afoul of a 250-person limit for gatherings in Cumberland County.

Attendees streamed into the fairgrounds Wednesday, the first day of the event put on by defendant Carlisle Productions Inc., also known as Carlisle Events. It is scheduled to run through Saturday.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Central PA Blood Bank faces crisis-level shortage

Published on in Health

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank is experiencing a record-breaking crisis, stating that supplies are at their lowest point in 30 years.

Coronavirus forced the bank to cancel more than 600 local blood drives since March, which rounds to almost 11,000 donations that never happened.

The Central PA Blood Bank says it needs to collect 200 units every week to meet demand. On average, it’s seeing less than half of that.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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Pennsylvania Department of Health asks court to shut down Carlisle auto show

Published on in Business

A large auto show in central Pennsylvania poses a risk to the public due to coronavirus concerns and should be shut down, the state Health Department argued in an emergency court filing made Wednesday.

The agency told Commonwealth Court in a request for an injunction that the Spring Carlisle auto show did not respond to a letter that directed it to comply with the 250-person limit on gatherings that is currently imposed on Cumberland County.

The event is scheduled to begin Wednesday and run through Saturday.

Business closures and social distancing have saved lives, lawyers for the Health Department said.

Continue Reading on York Daily Record

Central Pennsylvania facing lowest blood supplies in 30 years

Published on in Health

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Central Pennsylvania is facing its lowest blood supplies over the past 30 years.

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank says over 600 blood drives have been canceled resulting in a loss of over 11,000 blood donations since March. This same scenario is playing out across the country as the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic.

It is increasingly important to encourage all healthy and eligible blood donors to make and keep
appointments. “We need people to start turning out in force to give blood.” That urgent call-to-action coming from Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for BiologicsEvaluation and Research, as fear about the coronavirus is keeping people from wanting to donate blood.

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank says the lack of blood is causing extreme stress on local hospitals, as patient needs continue to remain at high levels.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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