The Gazette of Really Small News

 It might be New Year's Eve and some businesses are either closed or closing early, but the "e" and all EMTA services are running as scheduled today, the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority says.

  UPDATE: The National Weather Service has revised today's daytime high upward to 21F with wind chill "up to"  -1. Total daytime lake-effect snow accumulation is projected at between 4 and 8 inches. (Update posted at 11:19 a.m.) The remains of Winter Storm Elliott's blowing snow and cold will make the region look like something out of The Hateful Eight a little longer. There's a wind chill advisory until noon, and a lake-effect snow warning until 7 this evening. The National Weather Service projects a daytime high of 15, with southwesterly winds of 20 m.p.h. gusting to 29 m.p.h. and wind chills of around 5 below zero. There is a 100 percent chance of snow and blowing snow.  Quentin Tarantino's 2015 Oscar-winner (for Ennio Morricone's score), set during a savage blizzard in post-Civil War Wyoming, was invoked when this reporter looked out the window, saw nothing but blowing snow and thought they'd have to run a rope to get from the door to the sidewal...

Blowy snow and a wind chill of 29 below zero might keep some people snug at home, but you'd better believe nothing will stop the Jolly Old Elf from making his rounds tomorrow night, despite any effects of Winter Storm Elliott. To find out where Santa is, call NORAD Tracks Santa at 1-877-Hi-NORAD, go online to noradsanta.org, or follow NORAD Tracks Santa on Facebook. You can even ask Amazon Alexa or push the OnStar button to find out where Santa is.

 Intermodal buses are not returning to the Intermodal center today, the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) said. They are going Peach to 2nd to State and then back up State outbound, EMTA announced on social media.

 Winter Storm Elliott's unsafe conditions forced officials to close Presque Isle State Park until further notice.  "Winds are the biggest concern at this point with possible downed trees," officials said in a statement posted to social media. Also, lake levels were predicted to reach 576 feet, about 5 feet higher than yesterday's levels, possibly flooding roadways, parking areas and buildings, and creating what officials called "an unsafe environment for visitors." Officials said the park will remain closed until conditions are safe for the public. Wind speed at 12:51 p.m. was southwesterly at 26 m.p.h. with gusts of 43 m.p.h. Wind chill was 23 below zero, with air temperature of 1, according to the National Weather Service forecast office in Cleveland.

 Wind chills as low as 35 below zero have been reported this morning as Arctic air barrels through the region with winds gusting between 50- and 60 m.p.h. The "e" is running, but blowing snow has reduced visibility to 1/4 to 1/2 mile. The National Weather Service Cleveland discourages travel unless "absolutely necessary." Plummeting temperatures later today are expected to result in a flash freeze.

 The weather outside is frightful, with blowing snow and temps expected to plunge to around 5 by 5 this evening, but the "e" is running. EMTA (Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority) reminds commuters to exercise extreme caution - and patience - as they wait for buses delayed by poor road conditions and visibility. EMTA also advises dressing in warm layers, using flashlights or reflective gear so drivers can see you, and minding your step as those plunging temps lead to ice.

The morning hours will put us into the thick of the winter storm, according to the National Weather Service forecast office in Cleveland. Most of the widespread snow will be over the next few hours, with temps dropping and roads quickly becoming icy and snow-covered. Don't be fooled if the snow tapers off or stops. NWS Cleveland says the strongest winds and coldest wind chills will come this afternoon and evening, bringing dangerous below-zero wind chills and blowing and drifting snow. Expect poor travel, scattered wind damage and power outages this afternoon and tonight. Photo: Screengrab of National Weather Service graphic posted at 5:07 a.m., December 23

 You have until January 18 to vote for the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year. Four of the state's waterways have been nominated for the title:  - the Conestoga River; - the Perkiomen Creek; - the Schuylkill River; - the Susquehanna River North Branch. Nominations were based on the waterway's conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans if the waterway is voted 2023 River of the Year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) said on the competition's  website . The selection of public voting choices was overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) in cooperation with the DCNR. The organization that nominates the winning waterway will receive a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR and POWR to help fund year-round activities that celebrate the winner.  The 2022 River of the Year was French Creek. Learn more about each 2023 River of the Year nominee  here   and cast your vote  here .

 Greyhound riders once again have a place to wait for their bus - for now. Until further notice, the Greyhound bus terminal at the Intermodal Transportation Center will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The terminal is for e-ticket Greyhound sales only. Erie County Executive Brenton Davis and the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) announced the reopening at a press conference at the terminal Thursday, December 22.

Is your Token Transit app acting up? The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority suggests updating your app for the most recent, well, updates. 

 Despite the forecast of severe weather, the Presque Isle Lights holiday display will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight through Sunday, December 25 with an exception: the visitor welcome area at Vista 2 parking lot will be closed out of concern for the safety of the Presque Isle Partnership volunteers who staff the center, the Partnership said on the  event website . The park entrance gates will close at 9 p.m. Only areas connected to the power grid will be lighted. Areas featuring lights and displays include the ranger station, the Stull Interpretive Center, Presque Isle Lighthouse, and Waterworks picnic shelters.  The roads at Presque Isle State Park are not salted and will be "extremely icy," organizers said. Drivers are urged to use extra caution and to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.

 Keep your eye on your local fire hydrant. The Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner asks you to clear snow away from and around the hydrant so firefighters can reach it and use it.

That inflatable Santa on your lawn really might end up on the rooftop if you don't deflate it and bring it in or secure it to the ground. What the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland is calling "a high impact storm" with multiple hazards will wallop the region with damaging winds and gusts of up to 65 mph starting in the overnight hours. In addition to the strong winds, expect blowing snow with possible accumulations of up to 15 inches, hazardous - if not impossible - travel, power outages, white-outs, and wind chills as low as 30 below zero: the kind of cold that can freeze uncovered flesh in minutes and cause killer hypothermia. The NWS has issued a wind chill warning for 4 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday.  A winter storm warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. Photo: Screengrab of National Weather Service/Cleveland graphic

 The region is starting the first day of astronomical winter with a winter storm watch slated to go into effect at 2 a.m. Thursday and last until 10 a.m. Christmas Day. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Cleveland  says to expect damaging winds with gusts of up to 60 mph near the lakeshore and wind chills of minus 25 to minus 30. Rain early in the storm will "abruptly" change to snow Thursday night into Friday, likely causing a flash freeze. Though lake-effect snow will continue into the weekend, the NWS currently says accumulation "in excess of 4 inches" is possible, with blowing snow hindering visibility. With the brunt of the storm occurring on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, what the NWS doesn't say outright is there's also a chance that plans for holiday gatherings will be disrupted or obliterated. "Travel could be very difficult to impossible," NWS Cleveland said in its statement issued at 4 a.m. Wednesday.  Daytime highs ...

 Erie's Public Schools is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the school board. The term of office will end December 4, 2023. Applicants must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and a resident of the School District of the City of Erie for at least one year prior to the date of election or appointment. Eligible residents should send a letter of interest and resume by email to ajones@eriesd.org, by mail to Erie's Public Schools, ATTN: BOARD VACANCY, Board Secretary's Office, 148 W 21st Street, Erie PA 16502, or by hand to the Dr. James E. Barker Leadership Center, 148 W 21st Street, Erie PA 16502. Deadline for submission is 4 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023.

 The Erie Philharmonic will hold auditions for the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, youth chorale, and junior chorus on January 7 at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 W 7th Street. Rehearsals for the adult choir take place Tuesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 Perry Highway. The youth chorale and junior chorus are open to singers in grades 2 to 8 (youth chorale) and 9 to 12 (junior chorus). Rehearsals for the youth chorale are on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul. The Junior Chorus rehearses at the cathedral Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  To sign up for auditions, click  here .

 The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Cleveland says there's  "very high confidence in very cold temperatures Friday through Sunday." This includes temperatures in the single digits or colder. Wind chills as low as -20F and -25F are possible Friday and Saturday night, the office said in a storm overview on its website. While there is also high confidence in strong winds across the region - reaching 45 mph to 55 mph Friday and Saturday - the NWS has "great uncertainty" about the amount of snowfall. Despite the uncertainty, accumulating snow is expected early Friday morning through early Saturday morning. Snow could extend into Saturday and Saturday night in the snow belt areas of northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania "due to the immense size of the expected storm," NWS Cleveland said. There are no advisories at this time. NWS Cleveland said the track and timing of the low pressure system will have what it called "great impact...

 The Erie County Historical Society-Hagen History Center will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, but there's plenty of time to visit the society's Watson-Curtze Mansion while it's decorated for the holidays. And be sure to catch Hanukkah exhibit, as well as the "Story of Us," which features historic images and family stories of how immigrants created neighborhoods and made a living for themselves in their new home. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, December 20, through Friday, December 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 27 through Friday, December 30. The mansion will be decorated through January 8. The Watson-Curtze Mansion is at the history center, 356 W 6th Street, tel. (814) 454-1813.

Every year since 1958, NORAD - the North American Aerospace Defense Command - has tracked Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, and kids of all ages have been able to call a special number and speak to volunteers about the Jolly Old Elf's progress around the world. For the first time this year, the NORAD Tracks Santa management team will answer questions not about Santa's route, but about its heartwarming annual mission. The special "Ask Me Anything" session will take place this Wednesday, December 21, on Reddit. Here's the  link

   The predicted 12 inches or more of lake-effect snow might not have arrived over this past weekend, but there's a possibility of an even bigger storm this coming weekend. Though the National Weather Service (NWS) Cleveland isn't talking accumulation yet, the bureau is warning of a major winter storm starting Thursday night and lasting into Saturday, which is Christmas Eve. "This storm could bring dangerously cold wind chills, strong gusty winds, and snow to the area," the bureau said on social media.  An accompanying graphic warned, "There is very high confidence in very cold temperatures for Friday through Sunday, including single-digit or colder temperatures. Wind chills below zero are possible on Friday and Saturday night." While the graphic showed "low confidence" in snowfall, it said accumulating snow is possible late Thursday night through Friday night and extending into Saturday and Saturday night across the snow belt areas of northwest Oh...

 The winter weather advisory issued yesterday by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland has become a lake-effect snow warning in effect now until 4 a.m. Monday, with an 80-percent chance of snow showers continuing into Monday. The city and the lake shore could receive between 8 to 12 inches of snow. Snowfall could be heavy during the day Sunday, with winds gusting as high was 30 mph. Travel could be difficult, said the NWS. Up to 3 inches of snow was predicted for overnight Saturday, but as of this posting (3:40 a.m.) there was no sign of precipitation. Photo: Screengrab of NWS Cleveland graphic

 The National Weather Service (NWS) bureau in Cleveland now forecasts up to a foot of lake-effect snow for the northern half of Erie County, including the lake shore. A winter weather advisory is in effect from 10 tonight to 4 a.m. Monday.  In its advisory posted at 3:06 p.m., the NWS said travel could be very difficult, with hazardous conditions affecting the morning commute. The NWS advises slowing down and using caution while traveling. Call 511 or visit 511PA online for information about road and traffic conditions. You can also download the 511PA app, which is available for Android and iPhone.  Photo: Screengrab of NWS/Cleveland graphic

More than six inches of snow could fall on the city between tonight and Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland. The office has issued a winter storm watch for all of Erie County and for the northern part of neighboring Ashtabula County, Ohio, starting at 10 tonight and lasting until 4 a.m. Monday, with the best timing for snow late tonight through Sunday afternoon. The chance of the city getting 6 or more inches of snow is 88 percent, according to NWS Cleveland. Photo: National Weather Service Cleveland, OH

 If you have no real reason to sleep in on New Year's Day - if you didn't party all night and through sunrise or even if you did party all night and through sunrise - you can walk in the New Year at Presque Isle State Park as part of the 2023 First Day Hikes hosted throughout the state park system by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon, cover two miles of the park and include what the department calls "a little bag of good luck items for 2023." The event is free, but registration is required, and you can take care of that  here

Riders of some Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) fixed routes are in for changes starting Saturday, December 17. That's tomorrow. Affected routes include 16, 23, 25, 30, and 229. Check the schedule for the "e" route you want to use by clicking  here .

 With the National Weather Service in Cleveland forecasting some lake-effect snow for the weekend, do you know what to do if you find yourself driving through a snow squall? If you don't, here are tips the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency recently posted on social media: - Get off at the next exit. - Don't slam on the brakes. - Slow down gradually. - Turn on your headlights and 4-ways. - Focus on staying in your lane. - Allow more space between you and the cars ahead of you. Before the snow hits, sign up for weather alerts at on.pa.gov/alerts

 Ever find yourself needing to know where the snow plow is? PennDOT has a site for that. And an app. You can check local truck locations and get up-to-date travel information online at 511PA.com or by downloading the 511PA app. This is a screenshot of what the site looked like shortly after 5 p.m. on December 15:

In high school or college? It's not too early to start thinking about a summer job. And if you like to spend quality time with sun and sand, then you might want to check out Presque Isle State Park's open house for lifeguards this Sunday, December 18. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Presque Isle State Park Public Safety Building, across the road from Beach 6. And yes, there will be refreshments!

Heads up if you plan on riding your e-bike through Presque Isle State Park or other state parks. E-bikes can be used on trails managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and where the DCNR also allows traditional bikes, but with restrictions: - E-bikes can't weigh more than 100 lbs. - E-bikes can't be ridden faster than 20 mph using the motor. - E-bike motors can't exceed 750 watts. - E-bikes must have fully functioning, operational pedals. - E-bikers must use pedals on non-motorized trails. Throttle-only is not permitted on DCNR trails. The DCNR issued the advisory by way of a graphic posted to its Facebook page. The same graphic also advises that riders under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride e-bikes on state or local highways.

  Submissions for the city's Parks and Public Spaces Survey ended October 17, but the sign was still at Pat Brabender Field on Bauer Street on December 13. The field includes three baseball diamonds and a soccer field. According to information on the  survey page  the city has dedicated $5 million to improve city-owned parks and public spaces with funding from the American Rescue Plan. City residents were asked how they would prioritize improvements to those spaces in their neighborhoods. Funding can be used for everything from bike paths, crosswalks and safe routes to school to public monuments and tree plantings, according to the website. Voting on the project is expected to take place in January, with work to take place from spring 2023 to summer 2026. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

It's going to be a hang-on-to-the-umbrella sort of day. A wind advisory for Erie is in effect until 7 this evening as the front that wracked the north and central Plains and Upper Midwest moves east. The National Weather Service in Cleveland is calling for a 100-percent chance of showers and southerly winds of 29 to 32 mph, gusting up to 48. Expect a high of 40 and between a quarter- and half an inch of rain.

  A retro peek at part of Erie Cemetery after an overnight snowfall. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

  A squirrel enjoys a late-morning nosh on a headstone in Erie Cemetery. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

 Erie Zoo is seeking donations of  DVDs to keep its primates entertained and mentally on point while the the zoo is closed to the public this winter. "These movies are enriching exercises for their brains to keep them entertained while the visitors are away," the zoo said in the appeal posted on its Facebook page.  Among the beneficiaries are orangutans, spider monkeys and golden lion tamarins. The DVDs may be brought to zoo offices at 423 W 38th Street, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Only movies rated G will be accepted.  The zoo closed for the winter on November 30 and will reopen to the public on March 1.

  Wesley Lake at sunrise on September 27, 2022. That's Asbury Park on the left, Ocean Grove on the right. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

  A homeless person sleeps in the shell of the historic Casino Arcade on the Asbury Park boardwalk in this photo taken shortly after sunrise August 12, 2022. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

  Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

  That's not a horror-movie creature, that's sunrise reflected in a window on the Asbury Park boardwalk on November 2, 2022. Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

  Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News

      Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News