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COVID-19

UPMC officials talk changes surrounding COVID-19

“The masks absolutely matter,” Donald Yealy, UPMC chair of emergency medicine and senior medical director, said. “(COVID-19) is not going away. We are learning while we have delivered care and we have learned fast. Death rates are far lower now than they were earlier on in the pandemic...it isn’t a victory declaration though.” Yealy alongside Derek Angus, UPMC chief health care innovation officer and Oscar Marroquin, UPMC chief health care data and analytics officer, all spoke on behalf of UPMC’s data about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how its affect has been changing ...

Loyalsock school board voices concerns with 250-cap at athletic events

Following a lengthy discussion on permitting spectators at sports events, the Loyalsock Township School board made no decision other than to continue to follow the governor’s orders, which now allow spectators but limit the number to a total of 250 people. The discussion came at the board’s meeting held virtually Wednesday. One of the issues cited by the board, particularly with football games, was that by the time all the essential people, such as teams, coaches, officials and possibly cheerleaders and members of the bands were in the stadium, the total would be at or exceed ...

Lycoming County Water and Sewer customers get relief on billing, shutoffs

The Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority once again agreed to waive monthly bills and forgo shutoffs for customers who can’t make payments. Each month since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Authority has agreed not to penalize customers unable to pay their bills. But that policy revisited each month could possibly come to an end after September, Authority Executive Director Christine Weigle told board members at their meeting Wednesday. “We may consider discontinuing it in October,” she said. She noted that COVID-19 has posed many financial challenges, ...

Balloonfest to go on with BMX performances, more

HUGHESVILLE — “What started as a hot air balloon festival to raise Rotary awareness and membership has grown into an event that includes committee members from other organizations who choose to be a part of something that brings enjoyment,” Sandy Spencer, festival event chairperson, ...

WASD, Camp Susque partner on learning sites

Students in the Williamsport Area School District will have learning sites in the area where they can go on remote learning days through a collaborative effort with Camp Susque, according to Superintendent Timothy S. Bowers. Bowers made the announcement at a virtual board meeting held earlier this week. He noted that the sites had launched Tuesday as schools reopened in a hybrid plan for the fall. “That was a big collaborative effort. Lots of people in the community jumped in to help,” Bowers said. He explained that if a hybrid student has in-person classes on Monday and ...

Business owners learn information on COVID funding

Local business owners tuned in to virtual Zoom meetings held Wednesday to learn about applying for COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant funding. “There was a lot of interest,” Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Jason Fink said. A total of $1 million is being offered through the program, part of the county’s $10.2 million grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19 are eligible to receive grants of ...