March 18, 2020 2:11 am
Washington County has declared a state of emergency amid Coronavirus fears. Commission Chairperson Diana Irey-Vaughan says the declaration was made after finding out that a second case of the virus was confirmed today in the county. Irey-Vaughan says the declaration will allow them freedom to purchase necessary items, among other items, should more cases be discovered.
March 17, 2020 12:28 pm
Local police and fire departments have announced strategic plans as the Coronavirus threat looms. The plans mainly involve the implementation of “social distancing” measures to limit the spread of the virus. In Washington, Canonsburg and Chartiers Township, police are now refraining from taking any in-person reports for non-emergency situations and the Washington Fire Department says it is no longer performing non-emergency functions. Officials say that includes station tours, fire prevention and fire inspections.” In the event of an emergency, residents are asked to call 911.
March 17, 2020 9:58 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s state television has issued its most drastic warning so far about the new coronavirus, saying the outbreak could kill “millions” in the Islamic Republic if the public keeps traveling and ignoring health guidance. The warning came in a bulletin broadcast on Tuesday afternoon. Roughly nine out of 10 of the over 18,000 cases of the new virus confirmed across the Middle East come from Iran, where authorities denied for days the risk the outbreak posed. Iran’s supreme leader also on Tuesday issued a religious order prohibiting “unnecessary” travel in the country.
March 17, 2020 9:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid to help people through the financial storm of the coronavirus crisis. Sizable checks directly to Americans are part of the deal he wants. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says Trump wants the money sent to the public within two weeks. But the president has to deal with skepticism in Congress over the broad economic rescue package for businesses and taxpayers. The amount of the proposed checks hasn’t been disclosed but Mnuchin says it’s vital to get significant cash out to people quickly.
March 17, 2020 9:53 am
All Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers in Pennsylvania will be closed for two weeks effective close of business on Monday, March 16. Additionally, expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations, and safety and emission inspections will be extended: Driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020, the expiration date is now extended until April 30, 2020. All PennDOT District and County Maintenance offices are closed. Additionally, construction projects have been suspended in all counties until further notice, however crews are available to perform critical functions and emergency maintenance as needed. All PennDOT rest areas and welcome centers statewide are now closed.
March 17, 2020 4:05 am
NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. (AP) – Distilleries are putting their spirits to work to help fill the shortage of hand sanitizers due to the coronavirus outbreak. Green Mountain Distillers is Morrisville, Vermont, is giving away a hand sanitizing solution and Durham Distillery in Durham, North Carolina, is donating one to hospitality colleagues, using high-proof alcohol and other ingredients. A Pennsylvania distillery owner grew so disgusted by the skyrocketing price of hand sanitizer online that he’s also converted his operation. And is selling it for whatever people want to pay.
March 17, 2020 4:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Democratic presidential primary is consumed with uncertainty after leaders in Ohio called off Tuesday’s election just hours before polls were set to open to combat the new coronavirus. Not since New York City postponed its mayoral primary on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has an election been pushed off in such a high profile, far-reaching way. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said late Monday that the state’s health director will declare a health emergency and order the polls closed. Elections officials in Arizona, Illinois and Florida said they were moving forward with plans to vote.
March 17, 2020 4:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is urging all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants for at least the next few weeks as officials forecast a surge in the coronavirus outbreak. For the first time Trump acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and went on to suggest that Americans may be dealing with the virus until “July or August.” Trump’s warnings came Monday as the White House released sweeping guidelines for the next 15 days. People are advised not to gather in groups of more than 10, and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided.
March 17, 2020 2:18 am
The Wolf Administration is clarifying efforts announced Monday afternoon to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Pennsylvania. The governor ‘strongly urged’ non-essential businesses to close for at least 14 days. The governor’s request is to protect employees, customers and suppliers. Previously, the governor designated Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Allegheny Counties to launch their own mitigation efforts. Non-essential businesses include entertainment, hospitality, and recreation facilities, including but not limited to community and recreation centers, gyms, hair salons and barber shops. Also, spas, casinos, concert venues ,theaters, sporting event venues and golf courses. Shopping malls are also included except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations.
March 17, 2020 2:16 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania will shut down all of its roughly 600 state-owned wine and liquor stores as part of the state’s expanding shutdown to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board said all wine and liquor stores and licensee service centers will close 9 p.m. Tuesday. Online sales ended Monday. Wolf already ordered the stores to close after Monday in four southeastern Pennsylvania counties where he had said there was “confirmed evidence of risk.” Stores in those four counties first drew large crowds over the weekend, and the liquor control board said it saw unusually high online order volume.
