Good Morning. Here are some of the top stories from around the region.

WEATHER

After a rather pleasant weekend, we turn the heat back up starting today. It’s going to be a lot more humid as we reach a high of about 84 degrees.

CLICK HERE to check your local forecast.

NEWS

With coronavirus pandemic continuing, restaurants are finding it hard to come back

After coronavirus appeared in Pennsylvania in early March, Gov. Tom Wolf shut down indoor dining for restaurants on March 16. Take out and delivery was still permissible but thousands of workers were impacted. That remained in place for months until June 5 when outdoor dining was permitted, as cases of the virus had significantly dropped. By the end of June, as Pennsylvania counties moved to the Green Phase, indoor dining was permitted at 50 percent of fire capacity standards. Then, on July 15, the governor issued new guidance, limiting indoor restaurant seating to 25 percent and on Tuesday, he extended the emergency declaration for COVID-19 for another 90 days.

Legal recreational marijuana likely a ways off

Gov. Tom Wolf last week asked lawmakers to send him a bill to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults, though there seemed little appetite from GOP leadership to take up such a bill in the waning days of the current session. “It was Winston Churchill who said: ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste’,” said Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-34 of Centre County, in a statement. “We have long maintained that state laws should be changed because they are good policy for the people of Pennsylvania – not because of their potential to generate money. We do appreciate, though, the governor recognizing the need for the General Assembly to play a role in this.”

Chester County jury trials appear to return successfully during pandemic

The experiment in Chester County’s Court of Common Pleas to resume criminal and civil jury trials with COVID-19 safety precautions and social distancing appears to have been successful, those associated with the proceedings say. On Wednesday, a jury sitting before Judge Jacqueline Carroll Cody returned with a verdict of guilty on most charges against a Coatesville man accused of stabbing another man in the chest, nearly killing him, during a street side encounter in the city in 2018. The jury deliberated about 2 1/2 hours before returning with guilty verdicts on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and possession of an instrument of crime against 36-year-old Pablo Colon.

King of Prussia District rolls out second gift card campaign

The King of Prussia District is getting ready to roll out a second round of its gift card flash sale — Get More, KOP. Round two gets underway on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at noon, with 1,000 upgraded gifts cards available for King of Prussia businesses. The second flash sale comes on the heels of the success of round one, which launched Aug. 4, and that saw 1,000 gift cards sell out in 27 hours. “I think the community is eager to get back to all that they love in KOP, and also support their favorite businesses. In a promotion like this, everyone wins,” said Rachel Ammon, marketing and communications director for King of Prussia District.

New Hanover mulls 4 multi-million-dollar options for new facilities

Township supervisors are mulling four options for the township building and police station. Currently, township administration and police share the same 6,150-square-foot building. The building was built in 1976, has a leaky roof, and space has become too cramped for the growing departments. The township has been considering how to move forward since 2018.

Programs resuming at Pennypacker Mills: Arborist talk set

Join arborist Ken LeRoy as he offers an informative talk of the landscaped grounds at Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, October 3 at 10 am. Hear stories about the various tree species and their unique characteristics. LeRoy has been a certified arborist since 1991 and is a graduate of Temple University, School of Horticulture. He currently works for John B. Ward & Co. Arborists.

SPORTS

Knock-Knock … Peters’ switch to tackle is no joke for Eagles

Doug Pederson provided few specifics, but it was obvious Jason Peters snapped him out of a horrible daydream Monday morning. The mental image of Chase Young pounding his chest standing over a fallen Carson Wentz made Peters’ unexpected visit to Pederson’s NovaCare Complex office the best day the coach has had since training camp began. All Pederson shared with the media was that Peters came into his office and agreed to slide from right guard to left tackle. Pederson pushed the sarcasm button when asked about the visit and whether it maybe had something to do with being paid more to play the premium tackle position.

Segura almost meets his goal, carries Phillies to series split with Mets

It fell a tad short of Bryce Harper’s Kreskin-like prediction of nine wins in 10 games, a recent spoken dream by Harper which the Phillies promptly made good on last week. Yet Jean Segura’s pre-game prediction Monday almost carried the same impact, even if he fell a tad short of that one, too. The Phillies’ multi-use infielder caused a stir in the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field, donning his uniform about an hour and a half prior to an early afternoon series finale against the Mets.

Matthew Real, Brenden Aaronson display Union Homegrowns’ increasing impact

Matthew Real had two choices in the 78th minute Sunday night. As he marauded into the New York Red Bulls box, slotted into empty space by an Ilsinho pass, he could’ve teed up a shot on his left foot. Or he could’ve squared the ball toward the penalty spot, where Anthony Fontana floated free. Real chose the shot, rifling his effort off the inside of the far post and in, his first MLS goal and the capper in a 3-0 trouncing at Red Bull Arena. “I lot of guys told me that if I didn’t score, they would’ve given me some (crap) because Anthony was wide open to square across the box,” Real said. “I didn’t care because I was just happy that we got the goal and keep pushing for the win.”