Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Erie. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Waldameer Park and Water World opens on May 2 with new dining options like Taco Galopante and the returning Paratrooper ride. Water World will start improvements on May 23 with Winding Waters ahead of the park celebrating its 130th season and the Comet marking 75 years. The Erie Times-News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ National Fuel Gas is negotiating to purchase the East Lake Road office building (formerly home to International Paper’s Hammermill plant) to expand space for more local jobs. The Erie Times-News
- ➤ VisitErie named Mark Jeanneret interim CEO after former leader John Oliver retired last year (2025), and the organization will continue its local initiatives under his leadership. The Erie Times-News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Erie offers a busy May with Seinfeld’s show at the Warner Theatre on May 15 and the Troika Festival—featuring food, drinks and folk dance—at the Church of the Nativity Community Center from May 22 to 24; Glow Wild at the Zoo and plays at the Playhouse complete the lineup. The Erie Times-News
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Experts predict that gas prices will remain high nationwide due to supply disruptions from the Iran war (with the national average at $4.30 per gallon on April 30) and global market pressures, which means Erie drivers are likely to see no price drops until the end of 2026. The Erie Times-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Mercyhurst University hosted its Illumination Annual Student Scholarship Symposium on Thursday, April 23 where students from departments such as Sports Medicine, Business + Computing showcased research to build real-world experience. Mercyhurst University
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A USA TODAY analysis shows that winters in Pennsylvania now have between 13 and 33 fewer freezing days than in 1956 — based on NOAA data from 250 cities. This shift may affect weather and local conditions in the coming months. The Erie Times-News
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ray Dickerson, a two-time PIAA champion (who still holds city track records), will be inducted into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame on June 24 at the Zem Zem Shrine Club. The former star of Technical Memorial and Academy recalls key lessons from his coaches. The Erie Times-News
- ➤ A letter to the editor from Erie urges Mercyhurst University to address parking shortages affecting attendance at Division I sports events due to a limited on-campus lot. Fans hope that future plans will include building additional parking garages nearby. The Erie Times-News
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Book Signing with Janet Pawlowski
10 AM - 12 PM — Werner Books and Coffee — Free entry — Explore children's wellness through a heartwarming book by a local author.
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JA’s Annual Erie County Bowl-A-Thon
6-8 p.m. — Eastway Lanes — Minimum $100 team registration — A night of bowling, food, prizes, and fun awaits at this charitable event.
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Second Saturday Tower Climb
10 AM – 3 PM — Erie Land Lighthouse — Pay-what-you-wish — Explore the lighthouse with interactive educational activities and scenic tower climbs.
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Felines & Wines Fundraiser
12-4 p.m. — Erie Zoo — Ticketed event — Sample local wines while supporting big cat conservation and enjoying live music and animal training demos.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
~ Andrew Carnegie
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