A large sinkhole has opened up on 40th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, according to an announcement by Penn Public Safety, and this portion of the street is closed to all vehicular traffic, including SEPTA Operations. Philadelphia Water Department has been notified, but due to the impending snowstorm, this closure will potentially last for several days.

Philadelphia and Penn Police will be on location throughout the weekend to assist with the closures and detours.

UPDATE (1/23/2016, 9:30 p.m.): SEPTA trolley and bus service are expected to resume Sunday morning. Bus service will be restored on a route-by-route basis starting 10 a.m.

UPDATE (1/23/2016, 11:20 a.m.): According to the latest estimates, up to 23 inches of snow is expected in Philadelphia. The snow is expected to fall until about 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the heaviest period from 10:30 a.m to noon. Also watch out for gusty winds through early Sunday.

As a monster snow storm, dubbed Jonas, is expected to hit the area Friday night, we’ll be posting snow-related announcements and information about closings and cancellations. Also, if you missed it, check out our earlier post for some useful snow preparedness tips. Be safe, stay warm and check on your neighbors who may need help.

• Blizzard Warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24. Heavy snow with gusty winds is expected. Accumulations from 12 to 18 inches. Travel is strongly discouraged.

• The City has declared a snow emergency effective Friday 9 p.m.

• Airlines have canceled all flights departing and arriving at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday, Jan. 23.

• Beginning at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, SEPTA will suspend service on all Regional Rail Lines, bus routes, trolleys and the Norristown High Speed Line. Service on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines will operate during the storm. SEPTA will deploy crews to clear stations and parking lots and prepare vehicles for a restoration of service at 4 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24.

• Amtrak will still operate this weekend but on modified schedules. Check on the status of your train here.

• PECO’s employees and more than 500 additional contractors are on standby to respond to customers’ needs and repair potential storm damage. You can report electric outages by calling 1-800-841-4141.

• Trash and recycling collection has been cancelled for Saturday, Jan. 23.

• The Postal Service has suspended Saturday mail deliveries in the zip codes that begin with the following numbers: 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 197, 198, 199, 077, 080, 081, 082, 086, 084, 085, 086, 087. Post offices are closed for the day.

• So far the following closings and cancellations have been announced:

• All Free Library of Philadelphia branches will be closed this Saturday and Sunday.
• Clark Park Saturday Farmers’ Market has been cancelled.
• No compost drop off at The Dirt Factory on Saturday.
• The Woodlands cemetery will be closed on Saturday.
• Supreme Shop ‘n Bag on 43rd and Walnut closed at 4 p.m. on Saturday; The Fresh Grocer at 40th and Walnut and 56th and Chestnut are open. Mariposa Food Coop (49th and Baltimore) is also open regular hours on Saturday.

If you know of more closings or cancellations, please post them in the comments below or email editor@westphillylocal.com

As you probably know, the first big snow storm of the year is heading our way. We will keep you posted as events unfold. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare:

• Helping the homeless

Call the Project Home Outreach Hotline (215-232-1984) if you observe a homeless person in need of assistance. Be prepared to provide the location and description of the person in need.

• No Savesies

Seems like at least once during the winter someone gets shot over a parking spot following a snow storm. Tensions run high when you shovel out a nice spot, you try to save it with a lawn chair or two and someone slides in while you’re at work. As aggravating as that can be, police are reminding everyone that there are “no savsies” on shoveled-out spots. They have even put a parody of Drake to drive the message home. “Hotline Savesies” encourages people to report those pesky lawn chairs, trashcans or orange cones.  Continue Reading

                    Photo courtesy of WPCS.

The West Philadelphia Cooperative School (WPCS) is hosting a Night Out for parents and neighbors on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 6 – 9 p.m. to support diversity at the school. The event will be held at the University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St) and all proceeds will benefit the school’s 2016 Diversity Scholarship.

Community members are invited to join WPCS staff, parents and teachers in support of this great cause. This is an opportunity to mingle, enjoy local wine and beer, small bites from Harvest Seasonal Grill, student art, and fantastic raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online (go to: www.wpcsnightout.eventbrite.com). If you can’t make it to the Night Out but would like to contribute to the WPCS Scholarship, please make a donation here.

WPCS began in 2005 as a group of parents providing education in their own homes. The coop was founded on the idea that families from all backgrounds and walks of life deserve access to quality, affordable childcare. WPCS provides a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming of difference. WPCS preschool now offers full-time care for ages 2-5 at their 4625 Baltimore Ave. location.

For more information, visit: http://www.westphillycoopschool.com/

The City of Philadelphia is working with a contractor, Intersection, to replace the existing transit shelters with a new design and to add new locations. The Philadelphia Transit Shelter Project is inviting residents to vote and provide feedback on proposed new bus and trolley shelter locations throughout the city, including West Philadelphia. Most of the existing transit shelters are in the easternmost part of University City, so this is a chance to have your say in where new shelter locations are needed.

The new locations have been picked based on the following criteria:

• ridership
• requests by citizens, local agencies and elected officials
• availability of space on the sidewalk
• proximity to hospitals
• proximity to shopping centers
• proximity to senior centers
• proximity to community centers

Some of the new transit shelter locations being proposed in West Philly are at: 44th and Walnut (Bus Route 21), 48th and Spruce, 49th and Baltimore (Bus Route 64), 46th and Market (Bus Route 31), 49th and Woodland (Trolley Routes 11, 36), 52nd and Woodland, 52nd and Market (Bus Route 52).  Continue Reading

With temperatures in the lower 20’s, it has been reported that a West Philadelphia elementary school has no heat. Alain Locke Elementary, located on the 4500 block of Haverford Ave, is currently not heated and will close at noon, according to CBS Philly.

Despite problems with their heat, classes at the school were in session this morning. The school enrolls over 460 students.

The School District of Philadelphia will provide an update about the school later this afternoon.