Well. here’s some good news to kick off 2021.  The state of Pennsylvania has eased restrictions and have announced some re-openings effective today.

Self-certified restaurants can reopen for indoor dining at 50% of their normal capacity.  Non-certified restaurants can re-open for indoor dining at 25% capacity.  Buffets and self-serve options are still not allowed.  Customers may only drink alcoholic beverages at a bar or restaurant with a meal.  Alcohol service must stop by 11pm.

Movie theaters, museums and and casinos may reopen today.  Movie theaters, not including Philadelphia, must limit attendance to 50% of capacity and maintain at least six feet between each group or person seated in the audience.  No food or beverage self-service is allowed.  Live-performance theaters still remain closed for now.  Casinos may re-open at 50% capacity. 

Museums, aquariums and zoos must take “reasonable measures” to socially distance employees and attendees. 

Fitness centers, health clubs and gyms are now able to re-open at 50% capacity.  All equipment must be spaced at least six feet apart. Group activities must be limited to 10 people or fewer.  

Salons and barbershops must operate by appointment only and limit the number of customers to 50% capacity.  All customers must be at least six feet apart from each other.  

Image by Alan Robb from Pixabay.

The Pennsylvania State Police force is looking for a few good horses.  Can you help?

The department maintains a stable at its training facility in Hershey and relies on donations to fill a complement of 28 horses.  The animals are deployed statewide for searches, crowd control, security, and patrol of remote areas.  The horses also participate in parades, demonstrations and other community events.  For more information or to arrange a donation, contact Sergeant Carrie A Neidigh at 717-533-3463 or at cneidigh@pa.gov.

Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay .

Pocono 96.7 Storm Preparation Tips:

Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand.

Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy.  Use extra care when burning a candle.  Open flames can be a fire hazard.

Have extra blankets on hand or a sleeping bag for each person in your household.  Do not use gas stoves, grills or open-flame appliances as a heat source.  Deadly carbon monoxide gas could build up in your home.

If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water.

Emergency Phone Numbers if you should lose power:

PPL customers

If you are a customer of PPL Electric Utilities, report your outage here.

The PPL outage map is here.

Report downed power lines by calling 1-800-342-5775

Pike County Light and Power customers

Pike County Light and Power customers can report an outage here.

The Pike County Light and Power outage map is here. 

Pike County Electric Emergency: 1-855-855-2433

Met Ed customers 

Met Ed customers can report their power outages here.

The Met Ed power outage map is here. 

Here’s a list of Covid-19 testing sites provided to Pocono 96.7 from the Pike County Commissioners: 

Pike County, PA

Dingmans Medical Center
1592 Route 739, Suite 1
Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

Appointment required

Referral not required

Testing for all patients

Drive-through

If you are a current patient, call 570-828-8000 to schedule your televisit. If you are a new patient to the practice, please pre-register at https://mycw26.eclinicalweb.com/portal2373/jsp/jspnew/preRegistration_new.jsp

More information at https://dingmansmedical.com/

Lakota Healthcare Family Practice
2489 Route 6
Hawley, PA 18428

$100 per test, patient can contact insurance provider regarding reimbursement/coverage

Appointment required

Testing in office

Call in advance 570-226-2200, press 0 for receptionist

Walmart
220 Route 6 & 209
Milford, PA 18337

Schedule an appointment at myquestcovidtest.com to receive a test that can be administered at home. Park in Row 6 near the Pharmacy sign for curbside pick-up of your test kit.

Weis Markets
112 Atlantic Avenue
Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

Appointment required

https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/DingmansFerry_PA_2625.html

Monroe County, PA

Lehigh Valley Health Network COVID-19 Assess and Test

Multiple locations

Appointment required

Referral required

Complete an E-Visit questionnaire at MyLVHN.org or the MyLVHN app. Call the MyLVHN Nurse Information line at 1-888-402-LVHN.

Orange County, NY

Bon Secours
160 East Main Street
Port Jervis, NY 12771

845.858.7000

Testing is available for current and former patients whose physicians are affiliated with Bon Secours Medical Group, Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Anthony Community Hospital and Bon Secours Community Hospital. Please call your primary care provider for a referral.

Appointment required

Testing will be held on an intermittent schedule.

The self-pay cost for an individual seeking a COVID-19 diagnostic test is $75.

Wayne County, PA

Wayne Memorial Hospital
Stourbridge Complex
Maple Avenue and Route 6
Honesdale, PA 18431

Prescription required for all tests. Orders may be faxed to 570-253-8209.

Drive-through

Open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Symptoms-Testing.aspx for more information and a map of testing sites in Pennsylvania.

The Snowmen have descended upon Stroudsburg, PA!   These are 30 life-sized snowman-sculptures, designed by local artists, placed all over the downtown Stroudsburg area.  This is the third year that the Snowmen have made an appearance, and they’ll stick around until February 28, 2021.

“The Snowmen of Stroudsburg are beloved among locals and visitors alike,” says Go Collaborative President Jim Evanisko, head of the organization responsible for the display.  “The snowmen create exposure for our talented artists, bring businesses together, and showcase all Main Street has to offer during a beautiful time of year in the Pocono mountains.”

The snowman on the porch of 530 Main Street, home of Pocono 96.7, is modeled after Jerry Garcia, singer/guitarist for the Grateful Dead.   Morning man Gary Cee is pictured above with Jerry.