125006478_web1_emergency-school-grants

Local school districts get $12 million in emergency federal money

Under 1% of MLB employees test positive for virus antibodies

Law enforcement authorities are taking an educational approach before enforcement if faced with non-essential businesses opting to reopen in defiance of Gov. Tom Wolf&rsquo;s orders to stay closed.
				As patience begins to wear thin, several non-essential businesses have opened or are planning to reopen, taking the chance of being cited by authorities.
				Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis in an open letter issued Tuesday stated enforcement falls upon local municipal police departments, noting violations are summary offenses.
				During a media conference call Wednesday, state police Lt. Col. Scott Price said troopers are taking an educational approach and would only issue citations if there is repeated offenses that endanger the public.
				&ldquo;In those areas where we have primary jurisdiction and there are violations of the governor&rsquo;s orders, it will be continued encouragement and education. Ultimately, we do have the power to enforce and we will take the appropriate enforcement action,&rdquo; Price said.
				Price noted education will first be offered about the state&rsquo;s orders to stay closed. If a business then displays willful and egregious conduct that endangers the public, Peters said enforcement will likely be taken.
				Statewide, state police have issued 329 warnings and issued one citation to businesses, and issued 34 warnings and seven citations for violation of the governor&rsquo;s stay-at-home order, Price noted.
				In Wilkes-Barre Township with a large commercial district of retail outlets and restaurants that have remained open or forced to closed, Police Chief Will Clark said there has not been one citation.
				&ldquo;We have a large commercial district, retail district, and we have had zero problems,&rdquo; Clark said. &ldquo;Even for those businesses that are life sustaining businesses that have remained open, they have enforced capacity reductions, social distancing and requiring the wearing of masks.&rdquo;
				Clark echoed Price in saying if police are faced with a non-essential business opting to reopen, education would be key.
				&ldquo;From a law enforcement perspective, we&rsquo;re not looking to go out there and issue citations,&rdquo; Clark said. &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t necessarily the best interest for anyone. We have a relationship with all of our businesses and we would make recommendations and work toward a collective agreement.&rdquo;

Police to ‘educate’ first when dealing with non-compliant businesses