Both Pennsylvania senators offered their thoughts following President Biden's inauguration Wednesday. Democrat Bob Casey said, "During his address, President Biden laid out a vision to heal our Nation, contain the COVID-19 pandemic and build our economy back better. It’s now time for us to get things done on behalf of working families." Republican Pat Toomey said “I commend President Biden for his call for national unity, and his assurance to those who did not support him that he will nevertheless be president for all Americans. I urge the president to follow through on this commitment by working with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to pursue policies that will lead to peace and prosperity for all Americans."
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 5984 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday, pushing the statewide total to 783,170 since the pandemic began. 401 new coronavirus-related deaths were also reported, leaving Pennsylvania's death toll at 19,868. 4593 people are currently hospitalized with coronavirus, 918 of whom are in the intensive care unit.
New Jersey's hospitalizations have increased for the second day in a row. The state's hospitals reported 3547 hospitalizations due to COVID-19, which is up by 41 patients. Meantime, 4582 people tested positive for coronavirus while the state confirmed an additional 122 deaths. So far, the state has confirmed a total of 18,543 residents have died from the coronavirus during the pandemic.
Lehigh Valley Health Network will begin COVID-19 mass vaccinations at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom on January 27. LVHN will vaccinate those age 75 and older, and only those with an appointment. The free drive-through clinic will be held from 8am to 4pm. LVHN said those age 75 and older are urged to use www.mylvhn.org to self-schedule a vaccination appointment. People can also call 833-LVHN-CVD.
An Allentown woman who survived a serial killer's attack has now died. Denise Cali passed away last week at the age of 65. Back in 1993, Cali was raped and left for dead by Harvey Robinson at her Allentown home. A little more than a month after that attack Robinson returned to the home, but police were waiting and he was eventually arrested and convicted of trying to kill Cali. He was also convicted of raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl, a 29-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman. Robinson was also convicted of raping a five-year-old East Allentown girl. He remains in prison.
Child care workers in Pennsylvania are going to be rewarded by the state for their services during the pandemic. Gov. Tom Wolf says employees of licensed child care companies will be eligible for a one-time grant worth $600. The money is coming from a federal government program and could give out grants to more than 33,000 child care workers in the state. The Wolf administration says all applications must be submitted to local early learning resource centers and will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A preliminary hearing is set for today for the woman who allegedly stole House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's laptop during the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol. Riley Williams is currently being held in the Dauphin County Jail in Harrisburg. The FBI is investigating the 22-year-old for allegedly stealing Pelosi's laptop from her office so she could sell it to Russia. Williams has already been charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, but federal authorities are now preparing federal charges, including stealing government property.