[naviga:h3]Policies eased for unemployment applicants[/naviga:h3]

Starting Tuesday, the state Department of Labor and Industry suspended two policies that could help those seeking unemployment compensation benefits.

The period known as “Waiting Week” is suspended. Previously, claimants were not eligible for benefits during their first week of unemployment.

The policy change will allow eligible claimants to receive benefits for the first week that they are unemployed.

The department has also suspended the “Work Search and Work Registration” requirements. This means claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain their benefits.

Claimants are also not required to register with www.PACareerLink.gov.

At this time, benefits are not being extended beyond 26 weeks.

The Butler County Unemployment Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday and can be reached by calling 888-313-7284.

The fastest way to apply for benefits is through the department's website, https://www.paclaims.pa.gov/UCEN.

For more information, visit https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx

[naviga:h3]AG gets more than 1000 price gouging complaints[/naviga:h3]

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday his office's dedicated price-gouging email has received more than 1,000 complaints from Pennsylvanians reporting price hikes.

“I'm grateful to everyone in the commonwealth for reporting their concerns to our office,” Shapiro said. “During these uncertain times, taking advantage of consumers in need of cleaning supplies and paper products is not only outrageous, it's illegal.”

Shapiro's office has followed up with 45 verified complaints and dispensed 34 cease and desist letters and subpoenas.

To report price gouging, email pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov.

BC3 to change noncredit courses, training statuses

Due to the evolving situation with novel corona virus 2019 pandemic, Butler County Community College announced Tuesday it will either move noncredit classes to remote instruction or cancel them.

Effected will be noncredit workforce development, public safety, lifelong learning and adult literacy courses or trainings, no matter the scheduled location.

BC3 staff will contact students registered for noncredit courses.

For information on credit courses and remote instruction, visit the BC3 website at https://bc3.edu/services/coronavirus-2019.html.

[naviga:h3]Westminster switches to online for rest of semester[/naviga:h3]

Westminster College announced all courses will be conducted online through the end of the semester during the COVID-19 state-requested shutdown.

All classes will move to online delivery beginning Thursday, and students living on campus are to move to their permanent residences for the remainder of the semester.

Online course registration for summer and fall terms and room reservations for the 2020-2021 academic year will continue as originally scheduled. Due to the crisis, students with unpaid account balances will not be prevented from registering for fall 2020 courses.

[naviga:h3]County sheriff sale postponed; cases moved to May 15[/naviga:h3]

Butler County Sheriff sale postponed District Judge William Shaffer on Tuesday ordered all cases listed for Friday's Butler County sheriff's sale will be continued to the May 15 sheriff sale.

“This is in response to the disaster declaration by the Governor of Pennsylvania for the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the decree signed by Shaffer.

The decree said this postponement will continue previously postponed cases to May as well.