Monthly archive

August 2020

How a Harrisburg filmmaker documented our summer of unrest is the topic for today’s “Live on With Joyce Davis”

Published on in People

Josiah Farnsworth knows he’s living through historic times. As a digital film maker, he’s documented how people in Central Pennsylvania have survived the summer of 2020 and how they have responded to the challenges of police shootings, racial unrest and COVID-19.

Farnsworth, a Harrisburg film producer, will talk about his project “The Unscripted Series” at 2 p.m. Thursday during “Live On with Joyce Davis” on PennLive’s Facebook page.

Hank Johnson, pastor at Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church and Kimeka Campbell, PhD, co-founder of Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, will talk about their role in the project and the reactions they shared with Farnsworth as part of his efforts to document the experiences of people in our region during this summer of unrest.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Central PA emergency crews ready to mobilize after Hurricane Laura hits land

Published on in Government

LANCASTER COUNTY — Crews from around Central Pennsylvania are already on the gulf coast this afternoon responding to the damage from Laura, in Texas and Louisiana.

The Mennonite Disaster Service in Lancaster County says they are contact with emergency organizations and is ready to mobilize. Currently, the group is waiting for more information from crews on the ground in the affected areas. A warehouse in Lititz is stocked with plenty of tools and supplies. They also have equipment stored in Mississippi and hundreds of volunteers around the world.

The Director of Operations Ron Guenther says they are re-establishing connections that were created during the 2016 flood response. He added their crews will move once they get the green light from emergency personnel on the ground down south, with their first priority being damage assessment.

Continue Reading on Local 21 News

2,512 acres of land added to Pennsylvania’s agricultural land preservation program

Published on in People

Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board has added 2,512 acres, spread across 33 farms and 16 counties, to the nation’s leading farmland preservation program to ensure that the farms will remain in production. The addition comes with a $9.4 million investment, which purchases development rights to the properties.

“Pennsylvania farmers sacrifice to put food on our tables in good times and bad,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding said. “Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation program is a covenant between farmers and government to protect our priceless land resources. It is the foundation of food security and a joint investment in feeding our future.”

The $9,429,743 total investment includes nearly $8.9 million in state money, more than $540,000 in county dollars, and $15,000 invested by townships. Since the program began in 1988, federal, state, county and local governments have purchased permanent easements on 5,756 Pennsylvania farms totaling 586,884 acres in 59 counties, investing more than $1.6 billion to ensure that Pennsylvania will continue agricultural production into the future.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, here’s what schools will do and what parents should know

Published on in School

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: a positive case of COVID-19 at their child’s school.

Most central Pa. schools are opening their doors, either full or part-time, in the next few weeks, leaving many parents uncertain of how long the doors will really stay open.

As schools are reopening across the country, stories are rolling in of Coronavirus spreading. Georgia reported nearly 2,500 students had to quarantine after schools opened in the Cherokee County School District, according to the New York Times, and a school in Indiana had a positive case reported on the first day that school reopened.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Dr. Levine to unveil Pennsylvania’s first COVID-19 mobile testing unit

Published on in Health

Harrisburg, PA — Today Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine is expected to unveil that state’s first COVID-19 mobile testing unit.

It’s an RV equipped to conduct on-site testing while educating the public on how to stay healthy and safe.

Right now, drive thru testing is being offered around Central PA.

The unveiling is scheduled to take place today at 1:30 p.m.

Continue Reading on Local 21 News

Gov Wolf: Congress Must Extend $600 Federal Unemployment

Published on in Government

Harrisburg, Pa. — Governor Tom Wolf is again urging Congress to act quickly and continue this lifeline for out of work Pennsylvanians. Gov. Wolf joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey earlier this week to call for an extension to the $600 federal unemployment benefit which ended on July 25.

“COVID-19 has brought about an unprecedented situation where hardworking Pennsylvanians, some of whom have been steadily employed since they were teenagers, lost their jobs or are unable to find work,” said Gov. Wolf.

“This federal unemployment program is helping thousands of Pennsylvania families to pay their bills and put food on the table. These are people who work hard and want a job, so an abrupt loss of this financial support will be devastating to them and harm our economy.”

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COVID has video visits booming at Lebanon’s VA Medical Center

Published on in Growth

A nationwide program launched three years ago to benefit veterans with travel restrictions or limited access to VA hospitals is unexpectedly paying off for all south-central Pennsylvania vets needing medical care.

COVID-19 was unheard of in 2017 when the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs launched VA Video Connect to let Veterans and their caregivers use computers and internet connected devices to remotely video link to VA health care providers.

But when the novel coronavirus made in-person interactions unsafe this spring, use of the video service exploded, at the Lebanon Veterans Administration Medical Center and nationwide.

The local VA hospital has announced that Video Connect visits were up 782% between March 1 and June 30. According to a recent press release, “During the 4-month period, over 6,000 telehealth appointments were conducted to help our Veterans stay safe!”

Continue Reading on LebTown

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Pa. education secretary will step down in October to lead Lancaster technical college

Published on in Government

Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s top education official will leave his post this fall, just weeks into what promises to be an extraordinarily challenging school year for districts statewide as they grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

Education Secretary Pedro Rivera will become the next president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology on Oct. 1, the Lancaster-based school announced Tuesday. He will serve in his current position until then.

“As we all prepare for the upcoming school year during unprecedented times, I am reminded every day of the exceptional leadership we have in the education community, that even under challenging conditions, these leaders and educators continue to serve students and communities equitably and with understanding,” Rivera said in a statement.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

GEISINGER HEALTH ‘DISAPPOINTED’ IN DOJ’S MOVE TO BLOCK PA HOSPITAL ACQUISITION

Published on in Uncategorized

The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health to block a partial acquisition of Evangelical Community Hospital on the grounds of antitrust laws.

The DOJ’s complaint alleges that the agreement between Geisinger Health and Evangelical Community Hospital “alters the relationship between the parties,” and reduces competition in the state.

According to a statement released on Wednesday from the DOJ, “the transaction is likely to lead to higher prices, lower quality, and reduced access to high-quality inpatient hospital services for patients in central Pennsylvania.”

Continue Reading on Health Leaders Media

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York County happenings: PennDOT project; free pain management class; blood drive

Published on in Government

Dillsburg

Pavement project begins Thursday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced a pavement preservation project for a 3.8-mile section of Route 15 in Carroll Township near Dillsburg beginning Thursday.

Left turns will be prohibited from southbound Route 15 onto southbound Route 74 (North Baltimore Street) so the contractor can do inlet work in the left lane. This work is expected to be completed no later than Aug. 16.

Motorists can access Route 74 by continuing on to the traffic light at Harrisburg Street, turning left and taking Harrisburg Street to Route 74.

Continue Reading on York Dispatch

Showers, storms possible in central Pa. through end of week

Published on in weather

Central Pennsylvania only got a one-day break from Tropical Storm Isaias’ rain before more returned to the forecast to round out a considerably wet week.

Both showers and thunderstorms are possible Thursday starting after 11 a.m. There is a chance of rain through the evening, and showers are likely overnight, the National Weather Service said.

Highs are expected to reach the low 80s — a noticeable drop from last week, when some days in central Pennsylvania were still climbing into the 90s.

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Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board appoints new Executive Director

Published on in Government

Harrisburg, Pa. –The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) appointed Michael Demko PLCB Executive Director, effective Aug. 8, following the retirement of Charlie Mooney after more than 39 years of service to the PLCB.
“On behalf of the PLCB, we sincerely thank Charlie for his tireless dedication and commitment to the agency for four decades, including his key leadership during one of the most transformative periods in our agency’s history following the passage of Act 39 of 2016,” said Chairman of the Board Tim Holden. “Charlie’s unparalleled experience with our business and the respect he’s earned over his career from colleagues throughout the beverage alcohol industry will certainly be missed. We wish Charlie the best in retirement and look forward to the new leadership Michael will provide.”
Mr. Demko currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the PLCB, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency and directing core business functions related to finance, procurement, wholesale and retail operations, marketing and merchandising, and supply chain.
Continue Reading on North Central PA

Tropical Storm Isaias: How much rain fell in central Pa., Philadelphia?

Published on in weather

As Tropical Storm Isaias passed through Pennsylvania on Tuesday, more than 400,00 people were reported without power at one point.

As of 6:22 p.m., the National Weather service reported major flooding was being reported in the lower Schuylkill River. Graterford, on the Perkiomen Creek in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, reached 18.45 ft, breaking a record set in 1935.

Norristown is expected to have major flooding tonight, and Philadelphia is expected to crest close to a major flood stage, the weather service said. As of 1:31 p.m., Graterford had recorded 5.46 inches of rain, and Norristown at more than six inches in at least one location at 2 p.m.

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Pa. GOP lawmakers urge Gov. Wolf, PIAA to allow parents to attend high school sports events

Published on in Sports

More than 60 Republican state lawmakers are urging Gov. Tom Wolf to allow parents to attend high school sports events.

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, and 62 other Republican lawmakers said in a letter to Wolf Monday that parents should be able to watch their kids compete. They argue that with social distancing, parents can safely attend games despite the coronavirus pandemic.

They also sent a separate letter to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body overseeing high school sports.

Last week, the PIAA said high school sports in the fall would move forward but without spectators, a concession to the pandemic. The lawmakers contend that parents, who pay taxes to support their schools, shouldn’t be barred from watching their children play.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Central Pennsylvania QB picks Penn State in early commitment

Published on in Sports

He still has two years left of high school football and he already has the attention of a bunch of major college football coaches.

Beau Pribula is entering his junior season as a quarterback at Central York High School. He has scholarship offers to play at Nebraska, Rutgers, Northwestern, Temple, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He had 13 Division I scholarship offers in total.

Pribula committed to Penn State Monday via social media.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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When is the first day of classes for central Pa. schools?

Published on in School

Central Pa. school districts are busy planning for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year after abrupt closings in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The plans follow guidance set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Education, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continue Reading on Pennlive

Tropical Storm Isaias has central Pa. counties under flash flood warning

Published on in weather

Central Pa. counties including Dauphin and Cumberland counties are under a flash flood warning starting late Monday night as Tropical Storm Isaias reaches the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Other counties included in the warning are Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill and York.

In the Harrisburg area, rain and thunderstorms from Tropical Storm Isaias are expected to come to the area starting in the mid-afternoon and continue throughout the rest of the day into Tuesday, according to the NWS. Rain is not expected to subside until Tuesday evening.

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