UPDATE (2/15/2014): Many residents around 48th and Warrington are without water this morning, as the broken main has been shut off and water department crews are at the site trying to repair it. The repairs may take several hours and the water service is expected to be restored by this evening, according to PWD.

(2/14/2014, 10:43 p.m.): West Philly Local readers reported a water main break at 48th and Warrington, shortly after 10 p.m. A sinkhole has also formed in the middle of the street (see photos below). The police currently have the road blocked at 48th Street. The water to the neighboring blocks will likely be shut off shortly, according to the officers on site. Photos by Tom Gaeta.

Clark Park is the place to be on snow days. (Archived photo / West Philly Local)

Now might be the time to teach the kids about chickens coming home to roost or paying the piper or something. The School District of Philadelphia just announced that three days would be trimmed from spring break in mid-April to make up for the recent snow days.

Public schools will now be open April 15, 16 and 17, days that were originally part of the spring recess. Sorry kids.

Ever want to tell someone who would listen about a spot that needs a bike rack? Now there’s an app for that.

Named “Got Bike Racks?,” the app (it’s more of a web-based survey and mapping tool, but still pretty cool) will help the University Bike Collective make an argument for getting bike racks where they are needed. The tool allows you to make a case for your spot, include a photo and comment on the requests of others.

Requests on the site so far include one for more racks at The Fresh Grocer. We echo that, but would add that the Supreme Shop ‘n Bag at 43rd and Walnut could use a couple more. Oh, and as long as you’re asking, how about 30th Street Station?

The app will be up until mid March.

The Philadelphia School District has announced that all public schools, early childhood and after school programs will be closed Friday, Feb. 14.  The second round of severe weather is expected in the region overnight. Schools were also closed today and will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 for Presidents Day, the school district confirmed.

Algernong Allen standing in the remains of the Elena’s Soul building. (Archived photo/ courtesy of Algernong Allen)

Sad news for readers waiting on Elena’s Soul’s return: it seems the neo-jazz joint, which was destroyed by a fire in 2012, won’t make a second appearance on the lot of its former home at 4912 Baltimore Avenue—well, at least not for another two years.

That might not be such bad news for green thumbs, though. On Tuesday, Elena’s Soul owner Algernong Allen signed a contract with Greensgrow Farms after two months of talks to bring the urban farming hub to West Philly. As part of the deal, Greensgrow will lease Allen’s lot for two years, operating a multi-tiered site that the Kensington-based farm plans to open April 3. And during those two years, Allen told West Philly Local, he will consider the “feasibility of reconstruction” and redevelopment of the site.

“Realizing the void that Elena’s left both physically and culturally in the neighborhood, I wanted to do something that would be beneficial for a community that has been so kind to my family and I,” Allen, who’s currently running for state representative, told West Philly Local. “The Greensgrow deal not only provides a valuable resource to the urban greening community, but will also add more pedestrian traffic to Baltimore Avenue, attractiveness to the block, and even a few jobs for our local economy.”  Continue Reading

UPDATE (2:05 p.m.): Bus routes 6, 14, 17, 21, 23, 52, 56, 59, 66, and 79 will resume service at 3 p.m. and continue to operate until 10 p.m., SEPTA recently announced. Please follow SEPTA on Twitter (@septa) for further announcements.

SEPTA has announced that all buses will be suspended beginning at 10 a.m. until further notice. All other modes of transportation will continue to operate and TransPasses may be used as payment on any other SEPTA route.

Twenty-five to 30 buses got stuck this morning as snow turned to freezing rain. The city declared snow emergency at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.