The Times Newspaper

Benninghoff to Gov. Wolf: Do Not Cancel Christmas HARRISBURG In anticipation of several new COVID-19 mitigation mandates expected to be announced by Gov. Tom ...Wolf, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) made the following statement: Gov. Wolf, do not cancel Christmas. Do not use your executive order pen to devastate lives and livelihoods. Government mandates will not cure COVID-19 and unilateral shutdowns will not create personal responsibility. Nine months into this pandemic, we know overbroad government orders do more long-term harm than good, economically, emotionally and mentally. Pennsylvanians are smart and compassionate. By now, they know how to keep themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors safe. They are capable, and deserving, of celebrating Christmas safely. I recognize we are facing a serious resurgence of COVID-19 and our health care systems are struggling to keep up with the increased demand; however, job-crushing, harmful government mandates are not the answer. Canceling Christmas is not the answer. Instead, I appeal to each person in this Commonwealth to follow common sense and listen to the advice of health care professionals to protect friends, loved ones, those in our communities who are most vulnerable, and those on the front lines of this pandemic. ###

Department of Agriculture: 2021 Farm Show Butter Sculpture Cancelled Amid COVID-19 Resurgence Harrisburg, PA The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced the cancellation of the annual butter sculpture, scheduled to among virtual features in the 2021 Farm Show. Pennsylvania is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases with higher daily case counts than we saw in the spring, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. While we are heartbroken to have to c...ancel popular features of our annual Farm Show, we simply cannot afford to compromise the health and safety of our staff, the sculptors who would have to travel to Harrisburg, and those involved in recording and broadcasting virtual events. The 2021 virtual show will go on. Our focus will continue to be providing educational, engaging, 100 percent virtual stories, pre-recorded video tours, and lively, issue-oriented conversations that invite Pennsylvanians, wherever they are, to encounter agriculture for the first time or to see it from a whole new perspective from the safety of their homes. We will continue to adjust plans for Farm Show and release further details as the pandemic unfolds. The annual butter sculpture, which highlights the goodness of dairy and the industry’s importance to Pennsylvania’s economy, is sponsored by the American Dairy Association North East, or ADANE. While we are disappointed that the butter sculpture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show is cancelled, the safety of our neighbors and the community is of utmost concern of our dairy farmers, explained ADANE CEO Rick Naczi. Everyone will miss viewing the butter sculpture in 2021 because it is a creative way to highlight the state’s hardworking dairy farmers. However, we will explore other opportunities to highlight the importance of dairy to the state’s economy and the real enjoyment by consumers during the Virtual PA Farm Show. We will look beyond next year and forward to working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to bring a butter sculpture to consumers in 2022. Find more information about the 2021 Virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show at farmshow.pa.gov. See more

Gov. Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19 Harrisburg, PA -- Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and is in isolation at home. The governor released the following statement: During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me. I am continuing ...to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic. As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe. See more

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To protect you and our staff, we are switching to contactless service on Thursday, December 10th. *What is contactless service?* Our main lobby will be closed ...to the public and we will not be offering curbside service. You can now pick up your hold requests out front of the library and return your materials in our book drop. *Why did you decide to move to contactless service?* COVID-19 case counts are spiking in Juniata county, our local hospital has reached capacity, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. The flu season will start soon and many people will spend time in-person with friends and family for the holidays. All it takes is one cold or slip-up for a patron or library employee to become sick, exposed, or test positive. We can (and will) still offer outstanding service while limiting contact and the potential to spread or contract COVID-19. *How do I get books?* The easiest way is to use our online card catalog and request items. You can also call us at 717-436-6378. *What else is changing when you start contactless service?* Office services (copying, printing, faxing) will be unavailable as well as public computer use. *How long will this go on for?* We will issue an update in mid-January 2021 and detail what we plan on doing next. You can follow all of our COVID-19 related updates on our website by clicking here: https://www.juniatalibrary.org/using-library/covid-19