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Struggle ongoing for area businesses in pandemic: ‘I am about to lose everything I worked for’
Last Thursday afternoon, Debbie Sharp made a trip to the cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap, to say goodbye to a woman for whom Sharp had been cutting hair for the past 45 years. Sharp, who owns …
Middletown Home, Frey Village await guidance on coronavirus testing for residents and employees
By Dan Miller danmiller@pressandjournal.com and Laura Hayes laurahayes@pressandjournal.com Pennsylvania will test every resident and employee of nursing homes and other long-term-care …
Memorial Day festivities uncertain, but hundreds of veterans' graves get U.S. flags thanks to volunteers
Middletown might not have much of a Memorial Day tribute this year — if any at all — because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the graves of hundreds of veterans buried in the Middletown …
Total number of statewide coronavirus cases again up less than 1 percent; more Dauphin, Lancaster deaths
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed 680 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 71,415 in all 67 counties.
The state also reported 73 new deaths, …
Remote learning ends for MASD; times set to drop off iPads, get items from lockers; graduation June 3
With remote learning for Middletown Area School District students ending Friday and seniors picking up their diplomas next Wednesday, the district released a schedule for the rest of the year.
All …
'Draconian measures' such as stay-at-home order 'not an option' if coronavirus rebounds, Gov. Wolf says
Gov. Tom Wolf said returning to the “Draconian measures” such as shelter-in-place that were instituted in Pennsylvania this spring to battle the coronavirus are highly unlikely if …
Hershey Medical Center's coronavirus patient total steady as it completes more than 500 more tests
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s number of coronavirus patients stayed steady Friday after reaching its highest number yet Tuesday.
The total is 21 today, the same as …
Gov. Wolf: 'No question' Pa. schools will open in fall, but all involved must feel confident they are safe
Gov. Tom Wolf says there is “no question” Pennsylvania’s schools will open in the fall, in August or September, depending on the local districts.
“We are going to be …
Wolf says 16 more counties will move into green, with all in yellow next Friday; he says masks remain key
Gov. Tom Wolf announced today that 16 more counties will move into the green phase next Friday — Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clinton, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, …
Hershey flea market and car corral canceled for first time in its 65-year history
For the first time in its 65-year history, the flea market and car corral held in Hershey each October by the Antique Automobile Club of America is being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, …
Breakdown for Friday, May 29: 6 southcentral region deaths, including in Dauphin and Cumberland
Here is a look at the numbers by county in Pennsylvania according to numbers released today by the state Department of Health, including the number of cases and day-over-day change, negative tests …
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Local sports
Professional sports teams in Pennsylvania are allowed to practice or play with fans, Gov. Wolf says
Professional sports teams in Pennsylvania are allowed to practice or play in the yellow and green phases of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening — without on-site or venue spectators — if the …
Ocker’s pro baseball career with Cleveland Indians on hold as 2015 MAHS grad at home during pandemic
Nathan Ocker is trying to make the most of his time back in the Middletown area as he waits out the coronavirus pandemic. But the 2015 Middletown Area High School graduate would much rather be …
Sunset Golf Course opens, but with many changes; here's what you need to know so you aren't teed off
Sunset Golf Club, which is owned by Londonderry Township, is now open for play.
Golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds were allowed to reopen statewide May 1, …
First-team all-state honors for Raider basketball standout Fitzpatrick
Middletown senior guard Kate Fitzpatrick, who ended her career as the leading girls scorer in Middletown history, was named to the first team last week of the Pa. Sportswriters’ Class 4A …
Gov. Wolf: Golf courses, private campgrounds, marinas can open Friday, with restrictions
Starting Friday, May 1, golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds may reopen statewide, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday.
They are required to follow …
Kids Trout Derby canceled for this year
Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Sportsmen Limited of Middletown Inc. Board of Directors and members have decided to cancel the Kids Trout Derby on Saturday, April 18.
The board offers thanks for …
PIAA officially cancels basketball, swimming championships, wipes out all spring sports
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association on Thursday canceled all spring sports as well as the remaining championships from the winter sports that had not been completed.
That affects …
Without warning, Pennsylvania trout season opened this morning, with youth day canceled
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission abruptly opened the 2020 statewide trout season at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
It also canceled Mentored Youth Trout Day, which was scheduled for Saturday. The PFBC …
Local news
Lancaster County reports 6 more coronavirus deaths; total case increase in Pa. less than 1 percent
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed 693 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 70,735 in all 67 counties.
The state also reported 91 new deaths, …
More than $250,000 spent in race for Mehaffie's 106th House District seat; money mostly coming from PACs
The three Republicans running for the 106th House District seat in the June 2 primary have spent nearly $250,000 combined in the race, according to campaign finance reports submitted to the state May …
Sen. Casey of Pennsylvania said he likely had COVID-19 in last several months, will donate plasma today
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey likely had COVID-19 at some point over the last several months and has since developed an antibody response to the virus, he said in a statement today.
He said he …
Amtrak to resume limited train service through Middletown, with some restrictions in place
After a two-month shutdown brought on by the coronavirus, Amtrak train service returns to Middletown Monday, June 1, with some changes brought on by the virus that will affect passengers.
Amtrak …
Elizabethtown Fair canceled for 2020 by coronavirus pandemic, has plans to return next year
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board of directors for the Elizabethtown Fair has canceled the 2020 event, which was scheduled for Aug. 24-29.
“It is with great sadness that we make this …
Middletown Home confirms first 3 COVID-19 cases; 'fully prepared' to respond, says CEO Vogel
The Middletown Home learned Wednesday that two residents and one staff member have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, Home CEO Louis Vogel III told the Press & Journal.
These are the …
Hershey Medical Center's coronavirus patient total down a bit again after reaching high Tuesday
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s number of coronavirus patients edged down again Thursday after reaching its highest number yet Tuesday.
The total is 21 today, after …
Editorials
We are all in this together; let the local positive stories shine through: Editorial
Our experiences over the next weeks and months will be unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes as the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to test our strength as individuals and as a …
Columnists
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With coronavirus, Trump lies and fails to act — and Americans die: Wim Laven
Medical epidemiologists have tracked the underlying health challenges that have pushed a dangerous infection of coronavirus into fatalities for so many Americans — they term it …
Expansion of 'Buy America' rules would slow down coronavirus vaccine: Charles Boustany Jr.
Federal policymakers are considering laws that would force federal agencies to rely solely on medicines made in the United States.
Instinctively, one might take comfort in this mandate — …
Amid coronavirus pandemic, U.S. billionaires not only survive, they prosper: Lawrence Wittner
Although most Americans currently face hard times, with unemployment surging to the levels of the Great Depression and enormous numbers of people sick or dying from the …
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Letters
Ed O’Connor bashes the United States way too much: Letter to the Editor
My husband and I have been subscribers for quite a few years. I enjoy your take on the local news, both good and bad. However, I am sick and tired of Ed O'Connor constantly knocking the USA. I …
Win for Librandi is best for economy: Letter to the Editor
Faith helps through TMI meltdown, documentary: Letter to the Editor
Rep. Mehaffie key to disability legislation: Letter to the Editor
We need information about care for children at border: Letter to the Editor
