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

The School Reform Commission voted last night to move three public schools, including the Samuel B. Huey School (52nd and Pine) one step closer to becoming charter schools.

Parents from Huey and two other schools, John Wister and Jay Cooke, protested the vote, which passed 4-1. SRC Chair Marjorie Neff voted against the measure.

Under the plan, Global Leadership Academy Charter School would take over Huey. A final vote is scheduled for the March SRC meeting.

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

A reader says she was sitting in her car near 48th and Windsor last night talking on her phone when a group of young males, between the ages of 14-17, came up and tried to open the doors. The incident happened at around 7:45 p.m. Here’s what she writes:

“Tonight, I had a group of 5-6 young males try to break into my car while I WAS IN IT at 48th and Windsor. I was on my iPhone in my car as it was parked for about 20 minutes. They came out of nowhere and three tried to open my doors. I hit my horn and someone else came running and then they ran down to the 48th and Warrington block.”

The woman says she filed a report with the police.

Police couldn’t confirm if it’s the same group of teens suspected in other recent crimes in the area, as the investigation still continues.

As was reported last week, a 53-year-old man was beaten and robbed near Clark Park by a large group of teenagers on January 11. Earlier this month, a woman was robbed by three teens while walking on the 4900 block of Osage Avenue.  Continue Reading

Authorities are expected to increase the amount of the reward offered for information that leads to the arrest of the person who brutally murdered a 34-year-old West Philly resident and a Philadelphia Parking Authority employee, Mark Marshall. Police released the suspect’s sketch (pictured right), a photo of the vehicle he fled the scene in, and offered a $20,000 reward for information about him last week.

Marshall was walking his two Chihuahuas on the 4600 block of Kingsessing Avenue on the evening of December 16, 2015, when an unknown man, described as a black male, 20-30 years old, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and orange hat, jumped out of an older model Dodge/Chrysler minivan, possibly silver in color, approached Marshall and shot him multiple times. He then got into the passenger seat of the minivan, which fled the scene. Police said that the two men were seen arguing before the shooting.  Continue Reading