SEPTA has announced changes and adjustments to bus, subway, and trolley schedules that come into effect on Sunday, Aug. 31 – Tuesday, Sept. 2. The changes address routing changes and timetable improvements. Major adjustments include the Route 11 and 13 trolleys. Both routes will resume regular service on Sunday, Aug. 31. Shuttle service had been in effect over the summer to accommodate a rail replacement project in Southwest Philadelphia and Darby Township.

Most of the other route schedule changes address minor timetable improvements aimed at improving customer service and account for seasonal changes in ridership, according to SEPTA’s press release. All passengers are advised to pick up new schedules now available at SEPTA service locations. You can also view and print the new schedules on SEPTA’s website.

As the city prepares for the big Labor Day weekend, SEPTA has released information on available services and rerouting during the Made in America Festival, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 30-31). Due to planned street closures around the Parkway, SEPTA Bus Routes 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48 will be detoured before, during, and immediately following the event. Subway weekend service will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with additional trains on both lines. Trolleys will also operate in the tunnel on Sunday evening. For more information, go to this page.
 

A water main break was reported this morning, around 7:40 a.m., on Locust Street by the Parent Infant Center. As of 8:40 a.m., the street is closed to traffic between 42nd and 43rd. (Photo by Veronica Alvarez).

Part of the police presence near 45th and Springfield on Saturday evening during a rally in Clark Park related to recent events in Ferguson, Mo. A small group of protesters, most of whom did not attend the rally, later clashed with police (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local).

A 20-year-old female, a Cedar Park resident, and 25-year-old male from New Windsor, New York were arrested Saturday evening after they threw balloons filled with paint at a police vehicle near 45th and Baltimore.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. when a group of young people exited Clark Park “A” onto Chester toward 45th Street following a rally focused on the events in Ferguson, Mo. The members of the group did not take part in the rally and arrived as it was dispersing.

The group walked north on 45th Street and overturned trashcans, according to police. Approximately 20 police vehicles were parked in the area at the time, many of them on 45th Street between Chester and Baltimore.

Police say 20-year-old Hannah Weaver of the 4700 block of Baltimore Ave. threw a balloon filled with purple paint at a police car patrolling the area as she walked north on 45th Street. An officer who was in the car apprehended Weaver after a brief foot chase and struggle.

Two other officers exited their vehicle and pursued a male protester, identified as 25-year-old Jordan Davis of New Windsor, NY, after he also threw paint-filled balloons at police vehicles. One officer “deployed his Taser with no effect”, according to the police report, and Davis was apprehended after a brief struggle.

Police say that they found numerous leaflets in Weaver’s bag titled “Hoods UP!” recommending that protesters wear scarves or bandanas to avoid detection during a demonstration.

The estimated damage to the police vehicles is approximately $5,000, according to police. It is unclear whether Weaver and Davis have been charged.

Here’s a reminder that the trolley tunnel closes tonight at 10 p.m. for Trolley Tunnel Blitz, a 17-day maintenance and construction project. During this time, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will operate only west of 40th Street. Passengers traveling east of 40th Street can switch to the Market-Frankford subway line at 40th and Market where all the trolleys will divert to. You can also take a bus (Routes 42, 21).

The trolley service in the tunnel is expected to resume on August 18 at 4 a.m. We’ll keep you posted if there are any changes.

Check out this video, recently put up by SEPTA, that explains the Trolley Tunnel Blitz:

Photo by Ken Gregory.

7/22/14: The unidentified young man who was seriously injured in Saturday’s accident at 47th and Cedar has died, according to police. Police confirmed that the man was riding a dirt bike on Saturday night and was speeding when he crashed into a flatbed truck near 47th and Cedar.

7/19/14, 10:50 p.m.: Police are on the scene near 47th and Cedar investigating an accident reportedly involving an ATV whose rider is seriously injured. The accident took place around 10 p.m. when a young man in his 20’s riding a small motorized bike with no lights on southbound on 47th sped through a few stop signs and hit an AAA flatbed truck (pictured), according to witnesses.

A witness said that after the collision the ATV rider flew many yards and landed near Suzuki Piano studio on the corner of 47th and Cedar. The man appeared to be seriously injured and was taken to the hospital.

Police were on the scene and interviewed the truck driver. We’ll update when we have more information.

UPDATE 2: Water came back on around 4:10 p.m., according to neighbors.

UPDATE: We spoke to the PWD workers on-site at around 2:40 p.m. and they said that the water main break should be repaired by 4 p.m.

City Water Department crews have responded this morning to a water main break on Osage Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. A number of households in the area lost water service due to the break. Neighbors reported that there was no water at their homes as early as 6 a.m. We’ll keep you posted when we have more information.

Photo by West Philly Local reader Daniel Chen.