Pivoting from its previous plan to offer a “hybrid” of online and in-person instruction, the School District of Lancaster now plans to begin the school year with 100% online classes. The school board voted Tuesday evening to authorize the change in strategy, in response over the health risks posed by in-person classes during the coronavirus…
Information About Covid-19 Coronavirus in Lancaster County, PA
United Way urges Congress to act for America’s recovery
By local and national United Way staff: In Lancaster County and nationwide, the coronavirus has had a devastating impact on workers, families and businesses. Communities are hurting, and without immediate action from Congress, even more people will lose the federal supports that are keeping them from economic disaster. Since the outbreak began, the United Way…
Update: Rep. Sturla’s back-to-school giveaway now multi-day, by appointment
In this undated photo, state Rep. Mike Sturla poses with School District of Lancaster students during the annual Back to School Giveaway at Clipper Magazine Stadium. State Rep. Mike Sturla’s office has announced new arrangements for the Democratic legislator’s annual Back-to-School Giveaway. Previously scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, the giveaway will instead be spread over…
News: Tuesday, August 4
Probability of high-speed wind gusts from Tropical Storm Isaias. (Source: National Weather Service) Headlines for Tuesday, August 4, 2020: • Hersheypark closes due to Isaias: The storm is tracking through southeast Pennsylvania and up the Atlantic coast today, bringing heavy rain and high winds. (Source: CBS 21) • Pennsylvania to hire 1,000 contact tracers: Experts…
News: Monday, August 3
The Hurtigruten cruise line’s Roald Amundsen. (Source: Hurtigruten) Headlines for Monday, August 3, 2020: • Nursing homes bear pandemic’s brunt: Four nursing homes in Lancaster County lost 22% to 27% of patients to Covid-19. Nursing homes account for 83% of county fatalities. (Source: LNP) • Decisions on in-person schooling affect child care choices: Child care…
News: Friday, July 31
Gov. Tom Wolf speaks at the Millersville branch of Lancaster EMS on Thursday, July 30, 2020. (Source: Office of the Governor) Headlines for Friday, July 31, 2020: • Gov. Wolf salutes first responders: Emergency responders have risen to the challenge of Covid-19, the governor said during his visit Thursday to Lancaster EMS’ Millersville location. (Source:…
Commissioners optimistic on schools, economic recovery
Lancaster County commissioners Ray D’Agostino, left, and Josh Parsons speak at a media briefing at the county Public Safety Training Center on Thursday, July 30, 2020. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher) Two Lancaster County commissioners said Thursday they have no qualms about sending their children back to in-person school or college classes this fall. “Science is on…
County’s Covid-19 patients are trending younger
Dr. Michael Ripchinski, chief clinical officer, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, speaks at a media briefing at the county Public Safety Training Center on Thursday, July 30, 2020. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher) The demographics of Covid-19 in Lancaster County are changing, Dr. Michael Ripchinski, chief clinical officer for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, said during the…
News: Thursday, July 30
NASA launches an Atlas V rocket carrying the Mars rover Perseverance on Thursday, July 30, 2020. (Source: NASA) Headlines for Thursday, July 30, 2020: • High school sports adopt Covid-19 plan: The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association adopted a detailed plan for resuming competition this fall. (Source: LNP) • County Covid-19 testing expanded: An amendment to…
Local contact tracing: Compliance is up, but slow test results aren’t helping
Dr. Jeffrey Martin, inset, testifies during a Pa. House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on contact tracing hosted by state Rep. Tim Briggs, main photo, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (Source: Pa. House Democratic Caucus) Lancaster County residents are increasingly doing their part and cooperating with the county’s Covid-19 contact tracing program, according to medical professionals…
Nonprofits promote Rental Relief initiative
Logos of organizations involved in implementing Rental Relief in Lancaster County. (Source: Eviction Prevention Network) Representatives of Lancaster County nonprofits urged landlords Tuesday to take full advantage of Pennsylvania’s Rental Relief Program. For property owners and tenants who need financial relief due to the Covid-19 pandemic, “this is the best opportunity that I’ve seen,” said…
News: Wednesday, July 29
The former Hand Middle School, now Southeast Middle School. Headlines for Wednesday, July 29, 2020: • County to consider asymptomatic Covid-19 testing: Authorizing an expanded testing protocol would require amending Lancaster County’s contract with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. (Source: LNP) • Businesses want state to enforce mask rule: It shouldn’t be up to them…
Aaron’s Acres keeps children engaged with online videos
Aaron’s Acres participant Julia watches musician Phredd perform online. (Source: Aaron’s Acres) “As soon as everything started to close down … we were thinking about our kids,” Risa Paskoff of Aaron’s Acres said. Paskoff is executive director of the nonprofit, which provides therapeutically based recreational programs to youngsters aged 5 to 21 who have disabilities,…
News: Tuesday, July 28
U.S. Attorney General William Barr (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Headlines for Tuesday, July 28, 2020: • State lawmakers consider plight of bars, restaurants: Operators say they can’t survive under current rules. The House Majority Policy Committee is hearing testimony today (Source: CBS 21), while state Democrats say they have a package of relief bills. (Source: CBS…
News: Monday, July 27
Headlines for Monday, July 27, 2020: • Lancaster County police are overwhelmingly white: Police chiefs and other officials say they’re making efforts to diversify hiring, but significant obstacles remain. (Source: LNP) • Gov. Wolf allows Right-to-Know bill to become law: Though he didn’t issue a veto, Wolf criticized the “ill-conceived and poorly drafted” legislation and…
Gov. Wolf: Districts face tough choices on school openings
In this image taken from online video, Gov. Tom Wolf speaks about Pennsylvania’s Covid-19 response at the Lancaster Health Center on Friday, July 24, 2020. Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday acknowledged the difficulties of reopening schools during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying his administration is doing its best to balance the imperative of providing solid education…
News: Friday, July 24
(Source: PennDOT) Headlines for Friday, July 24, 2020: • Pa. Health Secretary: Restricting bars now will help schools to open this fall: “It’s critical to drive down the case counts” and avoid an exponential spread of Covid-19 like those seen in Florida, Dr. Rachel Levine said. (Source: ABC 27) • Pa. Education Secretary unsure if…
Daily Policy Update
Each day a summary of news and information that has been gathered from community partners and credible news sites will be posted. Governor: “Gov. Wolf Signs First Responders Bill, Other Legislation” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-signs-first-responders-bill-other-legislation/ “PENNVEST Announces Contract Awards for Lead Testing and Center for Water Quality Excellence” : https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/pennvest-announces-contract-awards-for-lead-testing-and-center-for-water-quality-excellence/ State Government: General CoVid resources:…