VisitErie unveils new brand celebrating life by the lake
Last year, tourism in the Erie area generated over $1.2 billion in visitor spending and supported more than 15,000 jobs. VisitErie's rebranding effort is designed to maintain this momentum by appealing to both visitors and residents.
'Visitors and what they are looking for and what they want has changed,' said John Oliver, President & CEO of VisitErie. 'Visitors in the past it was often a static vacation. Now, they want to be active.'
The new brand, 'Good Life. Great Lake.', is intended to reflect Erie as a year-round destination, offering experiences from sandy summer beaches to snow-covered slopes.
State officials emphasize National Safe Boating Week ahead of Memorial Day
John Oliver emphasized that the region provides a wide range of activities to keep visitors engaged and stress-free.
Emily Biddle, Director of Marketing & Research at VisitErie, highlighted the significance of living on a Great Lake, noting that it is a major draw for both residents and visitors. 'We sort of take for granted the fact that we live on a great lake, that's huge,' she said.
The rebranding process took 18 months and involved developing not just a new logo and tagline, but a comprehensive look, feel, and tone.
Emily Biddle explained that the process was about understanding what resonates with people and creating a brand that embodies the local community.
The rebranding is built on five key pillars: the great outdoors, a foodie favorite, markers and culture, family-friendly for all ages, and heritage woven in. These pillars aim to promote Erie as a diverse and attractive destination for various interests.
With this new branding strategy, VisitErie hopes to continue attracting both new and returning visitors, potentially leading to further growth in tourism and economic benefits for the region.
'It's going to encourage visitors, those that haven't been here, to say 'hey we should give this a try',' John Oliver stated.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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This Is the Most-visited State Park in the U.S. for 2025—and It Has 19 Waterfalls in 2 Miles
As travelers increasingly seek out nature-driven getaways, state parks have become popular destinations for everything from hiking and camping. While national parks often get the spotlight, state parks—also protected areas determined at the state level—offer equally stunning landscapes and easy access to local beauty. To see where Americans are heading this year, Google Maps recently analyzed its data to reveal the top 10 most visited state parks in the U.S. Google Maps based its rankings on direction requests made on the platform since Memorial Day 2025. Topping the list is Watkins Glen State Park in Schuyler County, New York. Watkins Glen State Park is the most well-known of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with 19 waterfalls packed into just two miles of gorges and streams. The park welcomes both overnight campers and day trip visitors, offering amenities like an Olympic-size pool, facilities for camping and picnicking, and opportunities for hiking and rainbow trout fishing. Similar to other New York State Parks, Watkins Glen State Park charges a fee for vehicles to use its facilities, which can vary depending on location and season. At the moment, the cost is $10 per vehicle, which includes use of the park's pool. Camping costs $18 to $30 per night, with an additional $5 nightly fee for out of state residents. New York State has two other parks in the top 10: Letchworth State Park at No. 5, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East," and Jones Beach State Park at No. 10, known for its wide stretches of sand and boardwalk. The top 10 is rounded out by Liberty State Park in New Jersey at No. 2, Silver Falls State Park in Oregon at No. 3, Starved Rock State Park in Illinois at No. 4, Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut at No. 6, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California at No. 7, Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan at No. 8, and Blue Spring State Park in Florida in ninth place. According the Google Maps data, the most calming state park is St. Andrews State Park in Florida, which has a mile-and-a-half of pristine beaches for fishing and swimming that is a popular spot to see migratory birds. The best state park for hiking is Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin, which has 30 miles of hiking trails through quartzite bluffs that overlook a 360-acre lake.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
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I just tested this hybrid mattress — and it packs elite cooling powers for an affordable price
It's no secret that many of the best cooling mattresses can cost a hefty sum, but instead of shelling out for a high-end bed, hot sleepers will likely find that the Glacier Apex Hybrid keeps them just as cool for a fraction of the price. This mid-range cooling mattress comes packed with copper and graphite fibers to regulate your body temperature and ventilated gel foam that helps circulate air through the bed (and prevent trapped body heat). I found the cooling technology in the Glacier Apex Hybrid superior to my much more expensive Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze, though I still felt somewhat hot while testing the bed through a major heatwave. Yet as temperatures dropped, I felt the cooling lived up to its promises. Best for: Hot sleepers, side sleepers and lightweight sleepersType: HybridMaterials: Memory foam, gel foam, copper-infused foam and innerspringsFirmness: Soft (3/10)Height: 14 inchesWeight: 81-139lbsSizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king Glacier Apex Hybrid is billed as a medium mattress, but my husband and I, who share a bed, agreed that it felt more like a true soft or plush bed. I'd rate it a 3 on our firmness scale. The softness was heavenly for side sleeping since it offered gentle cradling around the shoulder area, but it may be too soft for stomach sleepers who need more hip support. There was also noticeable motion transfer that may disrupt sensitive sleepers. The edge support, or sturdiness of the perimeter of the bed, is good enough for most sleepers. As a side sleeper, I never felt like I was going to roll off. But if you're seeking out a firmer bed or mattress with better motion control, our best mattress buying guide has other options to try. While Glacier Apex Hybrid is the brand's most expensive mattress, its mid-level price is highly affordable compared to other cooling beds. It's also on sale almost year-round with 50% savings or more (take a look at our mattress sale guide for the best times to buy a mattress). Considering the discount, a queen size Glacier Apex Hybrid is still about $300 less than other cooling beds in its price range, and up to $4,000 less than more premium cooling mattresses (such as the Tempur-Pedic line). With the affordable price point comes an industry-leading lifetime warranty and 365-night sleep trial that make the initial investment worth it. Still, be prepared to pay an extra $225 if you opt for white glove setup and old mattress removal, but read on to discover if this service is worth it. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I've tested the Glacier Apex Hybrid since June and it's consistently been on sale for 50% off. Yet the brand offers even steeper savings around major holidays, including Memorial Day when there was 65% off. But how does this compare to other mid-level cooling beds on the market? The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress, for instance, is a hybrid at a similar price point. At the time of our review, it was only 25% off and a queen model cost $300 more than the Glacier Apex Hybrid. The Aurora Luxe Cooling also offered a 120-night sleep trial compared to the Glacier Apex Hybrid's much more substantial 365-night sleep trial. The Helix Midnight is another comparable mattress that offers an optional cooling pillow top for an additional fee. In total, a queen model of this bed with the cooling pillow top costs $1,280 at the time of our review (25% off the original price). While you may pay less upfront for the Helix Midnight, you won't get the elite cooling technology of the Glacier Apex Hybrid that includes graphite fibers and copper-infused foam. For these reasons, we believe the Glacier Apex Hybrid has superior value to both mattresses. If you want to snag the best deals on the Glacier Apex Hybrid, the upcoming Labor Day mattress sales could see improved discounts. Glacier Apex Hybrid mattress: twin was $2,198 now $1,099 at GlacierThe Glacier Apex Hybrid offers high-end cooling technology that should keep most sleepers cool. Its soft feel provides gentle cradling and support for side sleepers, while a sturdy bed perimeter can help prevent premature mattress sagging. It also has a lifetime warranty and 365-night sleep trial. The Glacier Apex Hybrid comes with seven layers that make up its tall 14-inch profile. At the top is a plush Euro top with cooling fibers, while just beneath is a graphite-infused memory foam layer that helps dispel body heat. Next is copper-infused memory foam that wicks away moisture (a great feature for folks with night sweats), followed by a gel-infused memory foam layer that contours around the neck, back, shoulders, and hips for pressure relief. The fifth layer is a ventilated gel foam layer that helps circulate air through the bed, further breaking up any trapped heat. Beneath the multiple foam layers is a layer of individually-encased coils to help elevate the spine into neutral alignment (essential for preventing back pain and neck cricks), plus two rows of thicker coils at the edges of the bed to beef up the perimeter. Finally at the bottom is a base layer that helps keep the upper levels in place. Want to compare the Glacier Apex Hybrid to other hybrid builds? Take a look at our best hybrid mattress guide for the leading options. Glacier Apex Hybrid is labeled as a bed with medium firmness, but it has a significantly softer feel that I'd rank as a 3/10 on our firmness scale. If you're looking for a true medium bed, look elsewhere, because this mattress is seriously plush. The good news is that both my husband and I, who have very different sleep styles, both found it largely supportive for our needs. My husband and I got some of the best sleep we've gotten in a long time on this mattress, even through the heat wave I mentioned earlier. While I was initially worried about neck or back pain from sleeping on such a soft bed, we felt supported and that our spines stayed in neutral alignment. However, my husband, who is a 6'1', felt like his hips were slightly sinking into the bed while sleeping on his back. I also noticed the same while stomach sleeping. For those reasons, I'd recommend a firmer bed if you fall into the back or stomach sleeping category, or you're a heavier individual. Still, it's hard to beat the heavenly feel of the Euro top, which grew on me even though I'm a dedicated memory foam mattress fan. I found the plush nature of the Euro top slightly harder to change sleeping positions on. This is known as responsiveness, or how quickly and easily a mattress adapts to your movements. I change sleeping positions often through the night, so while I had to put in extra effort to move around, it wasn't a deal breaker. A queen model of the Glacier Apex Hybrid weighs 115lbs. It arrived on my front porch in a box that my husband managed to carry upstairs to the bedroom on his own. While I definitely recommend having two people move this mattress for safety reasons, it's not impossible on solo terms. Therefore, I don't think white glove delivery is truly necessary unless you have mobility issues, back pain or simply prefer the convenience of it. The mattress arrived vacuum compressed and sealed in plastic that was easy to remove. Within seconds of cutting into the plastic wrapping, the mattress began to inflate. While most mattresses in a box can take anywhere from 24-72 hours to fully expand, I was pleasantly surprised that the Glacier Apex Hybrid sprung into full form in just 30-45 minutes. Therefore, we slept on it the very first night after it arrived. The mattress can also be placed straight on a base and doesn't require a box spring. Mattress off-gassing refers to the odor a new mattress releases when unwrapped. Luckily, the Glacier Apex Hybrid had minimal off-gassing that dissipated once the mattress reached its full form (less than an hour). I didn't notice any odors while sleeping on it. This mattress is made with CertiPUR-US certified foams , which adhere to specific environmental and health safety standards. This was a big bonus to me since both my husband and I suffer from seasonal allergies, and my husband has asthma. In fact, I found that the Glacier Apex Hybrid had significantly less off-gassing than other mattresses I've tested, including the all-memory foam Tempur-Pedic Luxe Breeze that I've slept on since 2023. Score: 5 out of 5 I slept on a queen size Glacier Apex Hybrid for three weeks. I tested it in all major areas of performance, including rating it on pressure relief, motion isolation, edge support, cooling and ease of set-up. While durability is hard to gauge during a three-week testing period, the bed has a sturdy build and high-end materials (such as gel-infused memory foam) that are likely to perform well over the years to come. Most mattresses can last 7-10 years with proper care, and I believe buyers can get that lifespan with this bed. While the Glacier Apex Hybrid is marketed as a medium mattress, I rated it as a soft 3 on our firmness scale. I placed a 50-pound kettlebell in the middle of the mattress to simulate the feel of a person's body sinking into the bed. It sank three inches, which is fairly reasonable given the softer build. Glacier Apex Hybrid is highly cradling, so you can expect some general sinkage. Overall, I felt the Glacier Apex Hybrid offered excellent pressure relief for side sleeping. Its softer and contoured build cradled the shoulders, which tend to be some of the most sensitive joints (this is why very firm beds generally don't work for side sleepers). However, there was slight hip sinkage while back and stomach sleeping, which is why I docked a point from the score. This is likely due to the soft firmness and plush Euro top. Don't let the softness scare you away, though. Although my husband and I could have used more hip support while back and stomach sleeping, neither of us ended up with any hip pain during the testing period. My husband also said his back pain disappeared while sleeping on this bed. The Saatva Classic is another excellent choice for pressure relief. This luxury hybrid has zoned technology where the center-third of the bed is firmer to help elevate the low back and hips into neutral alignment. The Glacier Apex Hybrid has comparable pressure relief to the Nectar Classic and DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, but isn't as pressure-relieving as the Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze, which I found best supports all three primary sleep positions. Score: 4 out of 5 I used a 10-pound kettlebell and an empty wine glass to simulate motion transfer. I dropped the weight at various distances from the glass to recreate the feel of someone changing a sleep position next to you. When dropped at a distance of four inches, the wine glass immediately fell over. At 10 inches, the wine glass wobbled but didn't fall (meaning you'd probably feel movement sleeping a foot or so away from a bed partner). At 25 inches, the wine glass also moved slightly but didn't fall over. If you have a restless bed partner, significant motion transfer will likely be noticeable. While hybrid mattresses generally don't absorb movement as well as memory foam mattresses due to their bouncy nature, I was surprised to see the degree of motion transfer on the Glacier Apex Hybrid with its multiple memory foam layers. Even my husband gently changing sleeping positions from his back to his side was enough to wake me from sleep. If you're a bedsharing couple where both partners are sound sleepers, this may not bother you. However, if you're a light sleeper like me or have a fidgety partner, you may want to opt for a slow-moving memory foam bed like the Nectar Classic, which I've found to have low motion transfer. Score: 3 out of 5 The Glacier Apex Hybrid is packed with cooling materials like graphite and copper, which help break up trapped heat, and a cooling cover. It also has ventilated gel foam to push air through the bed, keeping it cool to the touch. Most sleepers will find the cooling good or even excellent on this mattress, though my husband and I found that the cooling wasn't always consistent (some nights, the bed just didn't stay cool). Nonetheless, I never woke up sweaty or felt like I was overheating on the Glacier Apex Hybrid. During the testing we used a cotton mattress protector, cotton bedding and a lightweight down duvet. My husband and I sleep in breathable bamboo pajamas and keep our home at 68°F. Surprisingly, I felt the Glacier Apex Hybrid did a better job cooling than the much more premium Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze that I've slept on for the past two years. This is likely due to the hybrid build, since coils help move air through the bed (memory foam is notorious for trapping body heat). Score: 4.5 out of 5 Edge support is an important feature that helps you get in and out of bed, sit supported on the edge while getting dressed and have more sleeping surface so you can stretch out and sleep up to the edge of the mattress. It also helps prevent premature sagging around the perimeters of the bed. As a side sleeper, I never felt like I was going to roll off when curled up at the edge of the bed (a bonus for folks who bed-share like me). I generally found it easy to climb in and out of the bed even with its taller 14-inch height. I could also sit at the edge without slipping off, but there was a bit of sinkage while sitting that I attribute to the soft nature of the bed. To simulate a person sitting at the edge of the bed, I placed a 50-pound kettlebell along the perimeters of the mattress to get some hard data. It sank three inches, which isn't surprising given the cloud-like feel. For this reason, I docked a point from the score even though I didn't personally experience any major issues with edge control. Score: 4 out of 5 The Glacier Apex Hybrid has a high-end look and feel thanks to its quality materials. Though I've only tested the mattress for a few weeks, it looks and feels the same way it did when it arrived on our doorstep. There's no noticeable sagging, tears, odors or any indication that its durability won't hold up to regular use. I believe this mattress is well-made and will easily last 7-10 years, which is the average lifespan of a mattress, with proper care. The reinforced edge support will also help prevent premature sagging. Score: 4.5 out of 5 64 users gave the Glacier Apex Hybrid an average rating of 4.9 stars on the Glacier website at the time of writing. The mattress is only available direct from the brand, which is why we're featuring user reviews posted on the brand's website. Some users claim they've had the best sleep of their life on the Glacier Apex Hybrid, though they note it takes some time to get used to. Others say the mattress has good cooling capabilities and bounce. However, one user said the cooling didn't hold up overnight, which is consistent with the experience my husband and I had with fluctuating cooling. Many buyers praise the quality of the bed and the fast shipping. Others cite comfort and supportive cushioning, especially for side sleeping. Overall, a majority of users note improved sleep and a reduction in sore joints. If you're looking for a cooling mattress with high-end materials at an affordable price point, you'll definitely get your money's worth with the Glacier Apex Hybrid. Its cooling technology should keep most sleepers cool, and its reinforced edge support offers excellent stability for side sleepers or people with mobility issues. The soft nature of this bed further lends itself to side sleeping and keeping the shoulder area pain-free. Still, if you're on a mission to find a firm bed for stomach sleeping, you'll want to look elsewhere. While I didn't experience any hip or back pain sleeping on the Glacier Apex Hybrid, I question whether its softness will be firm enough to support stomach (or even heavier back sleepers) long-term. It also has noticeable motion transfer, which may be a deal breaker for sensitive sleepers, couples who bedshare or people who sleep with pets. However, it's hard to beat the lifetime warranty and 365-night sleep trial. Even if you're not 100% sold on the Glacier Apex Hybrid, you'll have a full year to ultimately decide if it's right for you. For a cooling mattress with three firmness levels to match your sleep style, consider the Saatva Classic, or try the Nectar Classic for great motion control that won't disrupt sleep. The WinkBed Original is a breathable hybrid mattress with a moisture-wicking eucalyptus-derived Tencel cover (a type of cooling fabric) and individually wrapped coils that circulate air through the bed. It comes in four firmness options that you can tailor to your sleep position, as well as a quilted Euro top that will give a similar cloud-like feel as the Glacier Apex Hybrid. Our WinkBed mattress review has all the details. This crowd-pleasing medium bed is for seriously hot sleepers. It features a cooling cover, phase change materials that help pull away body heat and three aluminum graphite bands built directly into the mattress. It also has zoned support with a firmer center-third of the bed to keep your spine in neutral alignment, regardless of your preferred primary sleep position. Find out more in our Casper Snow mattress review. As an even more budget-friendly alternative to the Glacier Apex Hybrid, Leesa Studio Chill will give you many of the same features at a lower price point, including a cooling cover, copper-infused foam and breathable springs. It also has a medium firmness suitable for most side, back and stomach sleepers alike, as well as a limited lifetime warranty. Our Leesa Studio Chill vs Legend Hybrid mattress comparison can tell you more.
Business Upturn
3 days ago
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Purple Heart Homes Advocates for Veterans in Washington, D.C.
Statesville, N.C., Aug. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purple Heart Homes Co-founder and CEO John Gallina, along with Board Member Mike Lennon, spent the past week in Washington, D.C., advocating for Veterans and highlighting the critical mission of Purple Heart Homes to provide safe and accessible housing for those who have served. Among several important meetings, Gallina and Lennon sat down with the Associate Director for Veterans Affairs in the White House Office of Public Liaison, to discuss the needs of disabled and aging Veterans and share the work being done by Purple Heart Homes across the country. While in D.C., the team also had the opportunity to meet with potential new donors and recruit prospective board members, continuing to strengthen the future leadership and support network of the organization. The most meaningful moment of the week came on Thursday, Aug. 7, when Gallina and his wife, Cori-Anne, were invited to the White House by President Donald J. Trump for a special ceremony honoring National Purple Heart Day. The event recognized Purple Heart recipients from Vietnam to the most recent conflicts, celebrating their courage and sacrifice. Gallina also had the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, who was present at the White House event. The two had previously appeared together on a Memorial Day episode of Real America's Voice, highlighting the stories and challenges of wounded Veterans. 'It was an honor to be a part of the ceremony at the White House, standing alongside other Purple Heart recipients from Vietnam to our most current wars, where President Trump recognized and honored all Veterans who have been injured in combat and awarded the Purple Heart,' said Gallina. Purple Heart Homes remains committed to improving Veterans' lives through impactful housing solutions and community-driven support. The organization is grateful for the opportunity to advocate at the national level and looks forward to continued partnerships that uplift the Veteran community. Gallina added, 'Beyond the honor of the moment, our time in Washington, D.C. was about advocating for the future of Veteran housing needs. The barriers that aging and disabled Veterans face are complex and evolving. Organizations that do not understand these barriers and that do not do the detailed work and analysis required to define large-scale programs and shape legislation are simply not able to support Veterans at the scope that is required today and into the future. This is what thought leadership looks like. We are not just building ramps and widening doorways. We are building a framework for sustainable, national impact.' About Purple Heart Homes Co-founded by two combat-wounded Veterans, Purple Heart Homes has been bringing communities together to provide safe, barrier-free housing solutions for qualified Veterans since its founding in 2008. A nonprofit organization based in Statesville, N.C., PHH supports service-connected disabled and senior Veterans from all eras across all 50 states and Puerto Rico through a growing network of local chapters. Programs include critical home repairs and renovations to help Veterans live independently in their homes, home ownership programs and transitional housing through partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Learn more at . Attachments PHH with Associate Director for Veterans Affairs in the White House Office of Public Liaison PHH with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
