Monthly archive

December 2020

Pa. business leaders grateful for lifting of stricter COVID-19 mitigation orders but wonder how long it will last

Published on in Business

Come 8 a.m. Monday, restaurants and bars can reopen for indoor dining at a quarter or half of their occupancy. Bowling alleys, hair salons, museums and casinos can open their doors up to 50% capacity. And other in-person businesses can operate up to 75% capacity.

Hearing that Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Wednesday he is lifting these stricter time-limited COVID-19 mitigation orders he first imposed on Dec. 12 is a relief to hard-hit businesses across the commonwealth.

Wolf said his decision to not extend those orders and returning to the ones in place as of Dec. 11 is based on a plateauing of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and death rates in the state coupled with the arrival of vaccines and optimism that the three-week mitigation efforts encouraged people to stay home and avoid social gatherings over the holidays.
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South Central PA New Year’s Eve celebrations will look, feel much different during COVID-19

Published on in Holidays

South Central Pennsylvania is home to some of the most unique New Year’s Eve celebrations on the planet. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, none will look the same as we’re used to this year.

Thanks again, 2020.

Whether it’s a pickle in Dillsburg, a ‘Kiss’ in Hershey, or a massive bologna in Lebanon, local communities are choosing to forego their traditional New Year’s Eve festivities in favor of scaled down, virtual events, or in some cases, nothing at all.

Below are the list of different communities in the region, and what their plans are for New Year’s Eve.

HARRISBURG
The capital city’s New Year’s Eve celebration will take place entirely virtually. According to organizers, there will be a virtual countdown to midnight featuring iconic City of Harrisburg locations and organizations followed by a fireworks compilation from previous years. There will be no in-person strawberry drop or fireworks.

LANCASTER
Unlike previous years, there is no Red Rose Countdown or live concert in Binns Park. However, the city says there will be two mobile DJs — DJ Pritty & DJ Watts — driving around Southwest Lancaster City from 6-8 p.m., and there will be two fireworks displays in Lancaster’s northern and southeast quadrants at 8 p.m. to mark the new year.

LEBANON
According to the city’s website, there will be no in-person New Year’s Eve events. However, the city plans to hold its annual bologna drop from an undisclosed location, and livestream it online beginning at 11:50 p.m.

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New Year's Eve celebration on Second Street in Harrisburg .Dec. 31, 2019. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Central Pa. cities make plans for a subdued New Year’s Eve as COVID-19 pandemic surges

Published on in People

There is, perhaps, no year that people are more excited to say goodbye to than 2020.

But festivities will be sparse, due to continuing safety efforts because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In central Pennsylvania, New Year’s Eve is a time to let its culture’s quirkier side shine. Giant roses and pickles are dropped, humongous Hershey Kisses are raised and strawberries descend — but this year, all of that is canceled.

COVID-19 has meant it isn’t safe for people to gather in large numbers. So towns have had to make tough decisions. Some, like Dillsburg, have canceled their events. Others have modified them. Hershey, for example, will only set off fireworks. Lancaster will have two firework displays in two locations in the city, and a roving group of DJs playing on trucks to entertain people in different neighborhoods. Harrisburg has made its entire New Year’s Eve celebration virtual.

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16 Central PA restaurants were closed by state inspectors between Dec. 21-27 for offering dine-in service in defiance of COVID-19 mitigation orders

Published on in Business

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Editor’s Note: The video is from Dec. 28.

Of the 33 Pennsylvania restaurants that were closed by inspectors with the state Department of Agriculture between Dec. 21-27 for offering dine-in service in defiance of state COVID-19 mitigation orders, 16 were located in Central Pennsylvania, according to numbers the department released Tuesday.

The department’s enforcement bureau performed 381 inspections over that six-day span, 54 of which were complaint-driven, the department said. Of that number, 50 were COVID-19 related complaints, and 20 were referred by local and county health jurisdictions, according to the department.

The enforcement bureau inspectors were enforcing COVID-19 mitigation requirements including masking of employees offering carry-out, delivery and curbside pick-up services and compliance to the temporary order prohibiting dine-in service from December 12, 2020 until January 4, 2021, the department said.

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Penn State football forward: Impact of Central York’s Beau Pribula as No. 1 in the state?

Published on in Sports

Central York’s Beau Pribula will use this honor as one more piece of motivation going forward.

The junior already led his Panthers to the title game in the state’s highest classification — the first time any football team from the county went so far.

He is set to become Penn State’s first in-state scholarship quarterback in a decade — maybe the first ever from York County.

And he’s the leader of a 2022 Nittany Lion recruiting class ranked among the best in the nation.

Now, he’s also this: Pennsylvania Football News Class 6A Player of the Year, as picked by the state’s coaches.

Continue Reading on York Daily Record

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Central PA Food Bank receives $10K donation from PSECU to fight hunger

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank was virtually presented a $10,000 check by Pennsylvania’s anytime, anywhere digital credit union, PSECU to support its efforts to fight hunger this holiday season.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has seen demand for its services increase more than 40% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, they report. The Food Bank is now serving more than 200,000 individuals per month through its network of more than 1,000 local food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food providers in 27 central Pennsylvania counties.

“We’re so grateful for the work that the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank does to help end hunger throughout our community, and we hope that this donation will aid them in making holidays a little easier for those in need,” said PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph.

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Pennsylvania State Police seeks horse donations

Published on in Animals

Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is asking the community for donations of horses to support its mounted patrol unit.

The department maintains a stable at its training academy in Hershey and relies on donations to fill a complement of 28 horses. The animals are deployed statewide for searches, crowd control, security, and patrol of remote areas. They also participate in parades, demonstrations, and other community events.

Donated horses must be geldings between the ages of five and 15 and stand between 16 hands (5 foot 4 inches at the shoulder) and 18 hands tall. Draft and draft-crosses are the preferred breed. Thoroughbreds and other “hot bloods” are less desirable.

Animals must have quiet, sound dispositions and be free of serious stable vices. Horses will be accepted on a 120-day trial basis to determine their suitability. A veterinary examination will also be performed.

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York County restaurants band together to survive off takeout business

Published on in Business

YORK, Pa. — Small restaurants in York County, still struggling under operating restrictions in Pennsylvania, started a social media page to support and promote each other.

Many restaurants battered by this year’s capacity restrictions were hit again by the state’s indoor dining ban from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4.

Some Central Pennsylvania restaurants decided to open indoor dining rooms in violation of the state’s order.

Still, most complied.
“We’re all trying to band together and do what we need to do to keep everyone safe,” said Jesi Hamberger, co-owner of Brickyard Tavern in York City. “We don’t want a packed bar. I just lost my grandmother two weeks ago to COVID.”

Restaurants following the mitigation measures are now relying solely on income from takeout orders.

Continue Reading on The News Station ABC WNEP 16

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BOATERS, ANGLERS, AND HUNTERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINS AND SNOW MELT

Published on in weather

HARRISBURG, Pa (December 23) – With a combination of heavy rain, warmer temperatures, and accelerated snowmelt forecasted throughout central and eastern portions of Pennsylvania over the next several days, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) encourages boaters, anglers, and hunters using boats to use added caution on and around the water.

“Water levels can rise rapidly under these conditions and become extremely dangerous,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director.  “Heavy rains and snow melt can lead to ice jams and immediate flash flooding, and water levels can remain at unsafe levels for several days.  Check the forecast, and if there is any question about the safety of your boating or fishing trip due to weather, please don’t go.”

Boaters and anglers should be aware that the impact of rain and accelerated snow melt can also carry downstream to waterways that did not experience large amounts precipitation.  Individuals should be aware of slippery streambank conditions and refrain from entering high, fast-moving, and muddy water that offers low visibility and can conceal submerged obstacles like large rocks and downed tree limbs.

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Philadelphia can refuse to issue parade permits during a pandemic, a federal judge has ruled

Published on in Government

A veterans group with backing from the region’s top federal prosecutor can’t force Philadelphia to permit parades during a pandemic, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

In an 11-page decision, U.S. District Judge Nitza Quiñones-Alejandro denied a request for preliminary injunction filed in October by the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society, noting “this pandemic has wreaked havoc worldwide, prompting national and local governments to enforce lockdowns and impose strict restrictions on interpersonal gatherings in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The veterans group, which participates in parades with an honor guard and rifle teams, said Mayor Jim Kenney’s ban on large-scale events like the Mummers Parade and Thanksgiving Day Parade violated its right to free speech and assembly under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Kenney announced the ban in mid-July in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Continue Reading on Inquirer

Did you see a jet flying low over Lancaster County Wednesday? Don’t be alarmed

Published on in People

Social media was full of photos and videos of what appeared to be a low-flying F/A-18 jet circling around the northern part of Lancaster County Wednesday afternoon.

If you noticed the aircraft soaring across the sky, there’s no need to be alarmed, according to Harrisburg International Airport spokesperson Scott Miller.

“They come in from time to time,” he said of F/A-18s, commonly referred to as F-18s. “It’s probably just a training exercise.”

Miller said that central Pennsylvanian airspace is a desired spot for military aircraft to do training because of the location — close enough to Washington D.C. and Maryland, but not as congested.

In the “Mount Joy PA(17552)” Facebook group, members posted photos and videos of the aircraft flying overhead. Most sightings were seen a little before 1 p.m.

Continue Reading on Lancaster Online

CBS 21 Days of Caring | Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania

Published on in Health

Our CBS 21 Days of Caring initiative continues as we put the spotlight on Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania.

We were there as the group worked to help those with visual impairments in our region.

They’re goal is to help them gain independence and raise awareness about issues the community deals with, and this year the group is celebrating a special milestone.

“We are very proud to say that we have been servicing our four-county area for a hundred years. We are going to be celebrating that in 2021 and we’re looking forward to getting the community involved and how we can, how our services, help everybody in the community,” said Danette Black, Executive Director of Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania

Continue Reading on CBS 21

Lancaster County churches grapple with worship, safety in COVID pandemic

Published on in People

As COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County surged unabated into December, a number of church leaders persisted with in-person gatherings — some publicizing mask-less services — despite public health warnings.

While Pennsylvania health officials have put limits on gatherings, required masks and imposed 14-day quarantines on travelers to stem the rapid spread of COVID-19, church leaders have straddled the fine line between shepherding those in their flock who scoff at the mitigation strategies and the vulnerable who need protection.

State health department limits on gatherings have never applied to houses of worship. Instead, Gov. Tom Wolf has relied on religious leaders to voluntarily “embrace alternative forms of worship.”

Many Lancaster County churches have done this — to varying degrees — while others have created separate services to cater to parishioners less concerned with mask wearing.
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Midstate families receive holiday meals from Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Penn National

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank teamed up with Penn National to provide holiday meals to Midstate families.

Instead of having a holiday party, Penn National donated more than $13,000 to the food bankhelping more than 800 families.

“It’s rewarding to see everybody we’re able to help, but it also is really sobering and understanding that there are lots of people right now who are facing hunger in Central Pennsylvania,” said Amy Hill.

The food was handed out at John Harris High, Ben Franklin, and Foose Elementary Schools.

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Holiday food distribution to be held in Harrisburg

Published on in Holidays

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A food distribution Tuesday afternoon in Harrisburg will feed people for the holidays.

The event is expected to help 800 families and individuals.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Harrisburg Police Department will distribute food boxes from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at three locations in the Harrisburg School District: John Harris High School, Ben Franklin Elementary School and Foose Elementary School.

The boxes will include fresh produce, milk, eggs and meat.

Recipients do not have to pre-register, and the event is open to families in the area.

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Central Pennsylvania Food Bank sees sizable jump in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published on in People

(Harrisburg) — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has increased its distribution by 40 percent this year as the pandemic left hundreds of thousands jobless in the midstate.

In April, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate jumped to 15 percent after the state put in place widespread COVID-19 closures. The Department of Labor and Industry reported that number fell to 6.6 percent in November.

The food bank has passed out 15 million extra pounds of food this year to over 200,000 people.

That distribution was in large part made possible by a surge of volunteers, according to Joe Arthur, the food bank’s executive director.

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Salvation Army Lock Haven volunteers distribute toys to 255 families in need

Published on in People

Lock Haven, Pa. – Officers and volunteers of The Salvation Army Lock Haven Corps safely distributed toys to 255 families in need today, Dec. 18, and Dec. 15, at its headquarters. With the help of donations from the community, the corps purchased those toys to give to children in need for Christmas and are able to continue serving the community into the new year.

“Many people think we use Red Kettle donations just to buy children gifts,” said Capt. Holly Johnson, Corps Officer. “The reality is those funds also pay for our programming throughout the year. It’s year-round assistance.”

With the decline in Red Kettles and bell-ringing volunteers this year because of the pandemic, as well as in-person kettle donations being cut in half this year over last year, The Salvation Army has worried their funds will not be sufficient to serve the growing number of people who are struggling. However, thanks to innovative efforts like the virtual Red Kettle at pendel.salvationarmy.org, donors have still been able to support the cause thus far—even in a near blizzard.

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Central PA food bank sees rise in volunteers during holidays, pandemic

Published on in People

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — With the pandemic and holidays around, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank saw an increase in volunteers.

Food distribution grew more than 40% over the same time last year, according to Amy Hill, Director of Community Engagement at Central PA Food Bank.

People from several companies volunteered to pack food boxes for those who need some extra help keeping food on the table.

Hill said the rise in volunteers shows how many people adapted to the pandemic for the holidays and the common good.
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Area businesses donate canceled holiday party funds to fight hunger

Published on in People

Williamsport, Pa. – Celebrating the holidays is different in 2020 than other years, but some companies and generous individuals are spreading holiday cheer regardless. Many companies have canceled their normal holiday office parties to keep their employees safe, but in the spirit of the holidays they have chosen to donate their holiday party funds to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

“For us, the Mifflinburg Lumber Christmas Party has been a tradition. Families would gather at a local restaurant where we took over an entire room, had appetizers and dinner and shared ridiculous games and gifts. It has been a wonderful event that made our work team more like family,” recalled Nate Seigel, General Manager for Mifflinburg Lumber and Building Supply.

“This year with COVID concerns, we were disappointed to be forced to cancel but saw a new opportunity to give. Since our beginning, giving back in our community has been a fundamental attribute of our organization so it was natural to find a new home for our Christmas funds, especially given the extraordinary need.”

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DIGITAL ORIGINAL: Wednesday’s snow makes for good sledding in Central Pennsylvania

Published on in weather

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — This afternoon a steady stream of children came to sled down the hills at Lower Allen Park, where about half a foot of snow covered the ground.

Brett Cook, general manager of Roundtop Mountain Resort, says dry snow is typically better for sledding. He recommends making a track by continuously sledding down the same path — this will make the sled move more quickly.

Cook says the snow that fell yesterday is decent for sledding, but once temperatures start to hang around 40 degrees, it will begin to melt. Wetter snow means slower sledding.

While sledding can be exhilarating, it’s important to do it safely. The National Safety Council recommends sledding on paths that are free of hazards or obstructions, such as holes or trees. They also recommend finding hills that level off at the bottom, so sleds can come to a gradual stop.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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