Good morning, Erie.

Tim Ohmer, 66, from Erie donates plasma at Community Blood Bank at 2646 Peach St.—he began donating blood at 18 and has continued his commitment since 2017.

Haysite Reinforced Plastics received approval from the Millcreek Township Zoning Hearing Board on April 30 to build twin 75-foot storage silos at its Millcreek plant on New Perry Highway—these silos will store powders for fiberglass production and cut truck traffic from about 40 to 10 per month. The phased 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot expansion will create up to 40 new jobs and replaces a 150-foot tower demolished in October 2022.

Today, Erie Insurance announced the launch of the Erie Insurance Foundation—a private charitable foundation seeded with a $100 million gift from Erie Indemnity Company to support long-term charitable contributions as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

The new entity will consolidate previous charitable efforts into one program aimed at sustaining community support.

Erie's first Crumbl Cookies opened May 2 at 6839 Peach St. in Keystone Place, drawing dozens of customers—employees let in five at a time at 8 a.m.—with co-owner Tammy Ornowski greeting early arrivals including Colleen Thomson and Teresa Hurtado.

Bicentennial Tower, a longtime Erie landmark at 1 State Street, offers a 138-foot-high observation deck with clear views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and Presque Isle State Park.

Visitors ride an elevator since the 210-step staircase is closed for safety (the tower is open daily in summer with admission at $6 for those over 12, free for kids under 7, and free entry on the first Tuesday of each month).

City officials designated a 130-acre City Revitalization and Improvement Zone—known as CRIZ—in downtown, along the bayfront and parts of Parade Street to fund new development projects using select business taxes; Erie Insurance is expected to deliver most of the revenue that could add up to $15 million each year, and project sponsors must match every five dollars provided by CRIZ funds.

The D'Angelo Concerto

4-7 p.m. — Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center — Tickets from $85 — Experience a captivating performance by the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra.

Festival of the Birds

Various times — Presque Isle State Park — Ticket required — Experience the wonders of spring migration with workshops, field trips, and expert-led birding activities.

Attorneys & Kids Together 5K Run/Walk

1:00 PM – 3:59 AM — Erie County — Charitable donations encouraged — Support Erie County students experiencing homelessness through a community-focused 5K event.

ACL Tear Diagnosis and Management – New Treatment Approaches

7-8:30 p.m. — Erie Center for Arts and Technology — Free entry — Discover innovative approaches in ACL tear treatment from a leading orthopedic expert.

3rd Annual Weld Art Competition

6-9 p.m. — The 1020 Collective — Entry fee required — Showcase your welding talents and support scholarships while enjoying local artistry.

Show Me Reptiles Show

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Bayfront Convention Center — $10 General Admission; Kids 6 and under free — Dive into a scaly wonderland with reptiles and aquatic creatures galore.