The state health department has ordered 61 restaurants across Pennsylvania to stop indoor dining immediately. Health inspectors say they were defying COVID-19 mitigation orders that were set in place by Governor Wolf on December 12 lasting until January 4. The Department of Agriculture issued 180 written warnings to restaurants reported to be violating the temporary dine-in restriction. Of those 180 warnings, 61 restaurants were closed by order after they were confirmed to be open for dine-in service and refused to comply with the order. 17 of the 61 restaurants cited are in the Midstate. They can still operate with take-out and delivery services. The Department of Agriculture has stated if the restaurant continues to operate in any manner following closure order, they will be referred to the Department of Health for further legal action.

A Shade Gap man was arrested for making terrorist threats on Christmas. Huntingdon State Police arrested 34 year old Joshua Try on the 25th. After an investigation, officers discovered Try had been making threatening statements towards his 78 year old grandmother. Try was taken to the Huntingdon County Jail and will be charged through District Court for the incident.

Researchers are taking the guess-work out of when to replace your mask. A British company has developed smart labels for masks. They contain a pigment that changes color when it has been exposed to maximum levels of carbon dioxide. That’s around six hours of use. The masks are designed for people who use them everyday and lose track of time. Similar smart labels are currently used in the food industry to aid in the process of monitoring food freshness.

Most people wanted a white Christmas, but a lot of the Midstate got a wet one. In Millerstown Community Park, the holiday trail looked more like a riverboat tour. Lights, inflatables and decorations were under water the one day they were really meant to shine. Millerstown Community Park board member Will Benner said even after the volunteers cleared the mud and debris off the trails, there’s just no way they can bring the lights back this holiday season. The display was supposed to stay up until January 3. The cost of the lost decorations will have to be determined. It’s fitting for 2020, but Benner said they’ll just have to come back better and brighter next year. If you want to make a donation to the park, mark it for the light trail and send it to Millerstown Community Park (PO Box 197 Millerstown, PA 17062). They will also accept donations in the form of decorations.