USA Hockey has announced the cancellation of its Disabled Hockey Festival due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The event was to take place over the weekends of March 26-29 and April 2-5 with games at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, RMU Island Sports Center and Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale.

Hockey teams involving deaf and blind people, along with other physically handicapped individuals, were scheduled to come to the region from all over the country.

"The loss of a tournament of this magnitude will be felt throughout the county," Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, said in a released statement. "While we are disheartened about the impact on our businesses, we feel it is important to be proactive in protecting the citizens and visitors of Butler County."

For a regularly updated list of closures, cancellations, postponements and precautions throughout Butler County: http://www.butlereagle.com/article/20200312/NEWS12/703129869