Wellsboro woman scammed out of $1000….Reps. Causer and Owlett promise to continue fighting for Denton Hill State Park……More than 2000 covid cases recorded this week.
Tuesday’s high, 77; Overnight low, 67; .96” Rain
WED-RAIN, HIGH 72
WED NIGHT-RAIN TAPERING OFF, LOW 66
THU-MOSTLY CLOUDY, CHANCE OF AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH 80
THU NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 62
FRI-SUN RETURNS, HIGH 78
A 70 year old Wellsboro woman was scammed out of more than $1000 this past weekend. The victim told state police at Mansfield she received a phone call Saturday from someone claiming to be from Amazon Security and stating than an iPhone was fraudulently charged to her account and that she could get her money back if she provided some information to a particular website. The victim followed the caller’s directions and $1110.20 was siphoned out of her bank account. 
This is one of the most popular scams victimizing area residents. In fact, your editor has received a couple of such “phising” calls. Do not respond to such calls. They are an attempt to acquire personal and bank information.
Reps. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Clint Owlett (Tioga/Bradford/Potter) are promising they will continue to advocate for operating a downhill ski and four-season recreation center at Denton Hill State Park.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has been looking since April for a concessionaire to lease the property, make necessary improvements to current infrastructure to reopen downhill skiing at the park, and develop four-season recreation opportunities there. DCNR confirmed Tuesday it received no bids for its initial proposal by the deadline last month.
“This is disappointing news obviously, but it doesn’t change what we know about the immense potential that exists for skiing and other outdoor activities at Denton Hill State Park,” the lawmakers said. “Our kids and families need this. Our communities need this. Our tourism industry needs this. We are not giving up on Denton Hill and encourage DCNR to do the same.”
The lawmakers said they are encouraged by DCNR’s plan to talk with parties that had expressed some interest in the project to learn more about their reasons for not submitting a bid. The agency also indicated plans to engage in additional advertising and industry outreach, as well as a vendor forum, in advance of issuing a second solicitation for bids.
“Last week, we talked about the beauty of public-private partner relationships and the need for government to serve in a customer service role,” Owlett said. “It is incumbent upon DCNR to do all it can to facilitate a partnership that will support the state’s goals and the vendor’s goals, and most importantly to ensure this valuable recreational opportunity is realized for residents of the Northern Tier and beyond.”
Both Causer and Owlett also stressed the importance of DCNR moving as quickly as possible on the next solicitation.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed that as of 12:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17, there were 2,027 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,253,992.
CAMERON 222
ELK 1605
McKEAN 2962
POTTER 1111
TIOGA 2640
ALLEGANY (NY) 3630
CATTARAUGUS(NY) 5902
There are 1,196 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 316 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to increase again.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of Aug 6 – Aug. 12 stood at 6.0%.
As of 11:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, there were 27 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 27,993 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
According to the CDC, as of Monday, Aug. 16, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
According to the CDC, as of Monday, Aug. 16, 64.3% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Vaccine providers have administered 11,909,398 total vaccine doses as of Tuesday, Aug. 17.
5,830,892 people are fully vaccinated; with 9,476 vaccinations administered yesterday and a seven-day moving average of more than 14,800 people per day receiving vaccinations.
The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidanceOpens In A New Window for wearing a mask where required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. CDC also recommends all individuals wear a mask indoors in public if in an area of substantial or high transmission..
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 72,797 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 15,755 cases among employees, for a total of 88,552 at 1,602 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Approximately 29,742 of total cases have been among health care workers.
All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.