Latest news with #Schember
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Light up the night: when, where you can watch Erie's annual fireworks show
The vibrant eruption of color and thundering sound returns to the the skies over Presque Isle Bay on July Joe Schember announced on June 5 that the city's annual Lights Over Lake Erie fireworks display returns to Dobbins Landing one day before the July 4 holiday. The fireworks show, presented once again by Pyrotecnico Fireworks of New Castle, will begin at 10 p.m. 'We are grateful that we can continue this tradition,' Schember said, noting that the event is co-sponsored by Highmark and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. The event is funded in part by a $15,000 events grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.'We know how much these fireworks mean to the community,' said Julie Slomski, the Port Authority's executive director. As is the case annually, residents and visitors can view the fireworks from various vantage points along Erie's waterfront, including the east and west bayfront bluffs and Bayview Park near East Second and Cherry streets; Presque Isle State Park; from a boat in Presque Isle Bay, or from almost anywhere that provides a view of the Bicentennial Tower. Gabi Watson, the city's events manager, said Dobbins Landing and the lower State Street area will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. The Erie Parking Authority will provide free parking at select downtown parking garages for those attending the fireworks. That includes the garages near West Seventh/West Eighth and Peach streets and East Eighth and French streets. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will run free shuttle buses to/from downtown areas near those garages, Watson said. More information is available at Citizens can also check the city's Facebook page for updates. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie fireworks: City releases 2025 schedule of events
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why a new motorcycle rally aimed at helping youth will rumble into Erie this summer
The city of Erie will lend support to a motorcycle rally this summer — the first time that has happened since Roar on the Shore, which was discontinued in 2021. Mayor Joe Schember announced May 19 that city officials are working with the organizers of the inaugural 'Rides for the Rise: The Ultimate Motor Music Festival,' a motorcycle rally that benefits youth, to finalize details for the July 19 event. The rally's organizer is Save the Youth 814, a local nonprofit whose mission is 'to build resilience and hope to the city's youth and families exposed to violence,' according to its Facebook page. Rides for the Rise 'will kick off with a motorcycle parade through the city which will end at Liberty Park,' Schember said. The rally had been previously announced by organizers; the city's support/involvement was finalized over the last few weeks, said Renee Lamis, Schember's chief of staff. Most of the rally's events will take place July 19 at the Rebich Investments Amphitheater at Liberty Park on the city's west bayfront. Schember said city officials, including police and public works employees, are working with rally organizers on the logistics of the planned motorcycle parade, including its starting location and route through the city. "Due to construction on the Bayfront Parkway and State Street, it is likely that the ride will originate on the west side of the city," Schember said. He added that since this is Ride for the Rise's first year, the city has offered to help organizers with planning the event "such as creating a system for vendors, sponsors, musicians, and riders to register," as well as marketing and promotions. Following the parade, Schember said, the rally 'will feature live performances by local artists, amazing food from local food trucks, local vendors, and a festive family-friendly atmosphere at Liberty Park.' A portion of the proceeds from the rally will go to various youth development programs in the Erie region. "This event spoke to me and my team because it's all about our youth," Schember said. William Grant, Save the Youth 814's vice president, said the rally's goal is "bringing people together to support better futures for our youth." He said it was the brainchild of the nonprofit's president, Jose Moya. Lanisha Chimenti, Save the Youth 814's treasurer, added, 'We would like for local vendors, food trucks, DJs and entertainers to get involved in the festival. Our goal is to fill as many spots with all local options.' Roar on the Shore, launched by the Manufacturer & Business Association, drew tens of thousands of people to Erie each year and raised nearly $1 million for charity. It became one of the largest free motorcycle rallies in the northeastern United States and was focused on downtown Erie for years. However, Roar on the Shore was moved to Lake Erie Speedway in 2019 when organizers of the event and Schember's administration could not come to terms on payments to offset the city's costs related to the event. "The issue with Roar is that it had gotten so big that the cost of overtime for police, especially, was excessive and the city was subsidizing it. We didn't think that was appropriate. "Because this is just a one-day event, we believe the organization will be able to raise the funds to pay for whatever costs come up," Lamis said. "We're helping with promotions and getting the word out as an in-kind service. And for the parade, there are motorcycle officers already working their normal shifts that day so that should not be an (overtime) issue." For more information about Rides for the Rise or to sign up to be a vendor, participating musician or a rider in the parade, visit Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. (This story has been updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What to know: Erie's upcoming 'Rides for the Rise' motorcycle rally
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie Democratic Party committee members endorse Devlin in mayor's race
The Erie County Democratic Party's city-based committee members voted Sunday to endorse Democrat Daria Devlin for mayor in the May 20th municipal primary. Devlin is seeking to defeat two-term incumbent Joe Schember and another challenger, Sheila Woeger, in the primary. It is rare for the local Democratic Party to make endorsements in the primary. However, several committee members 'thought it was time for a change,' said local Democratic Party Chairman Sam Talarico, who said Devlin won a majority of the votes cast. There are roughly 60 Democratic committee members in the city of Erie and 38 of them voted Sunday, Talarico said. Devlin received 24 endorsement votes; Schember received two votes; and 12 committee members voted against endorsing anyone. Devlin said she was honored to receive the endorsement. 'The party's support is a powerful voice of confidence in this campaign and the future we envision for Erie,' Devlin said. Schember said he respect's the committee's vote. "They can endorse whomever they want," Schember said. "But I feel really good about our campaign and what we've accomplished over the last eight years, even though I'm not taking anything for granted. The feedback I'm getting from voters when I go door-to-door is really good." Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: The race for Erie Mayor: Democratic committee members endorse Devlin
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Happy birthday, Erie! Friday marks 230 years since city's founding
The City of Erie is celebrating a birthday this week. Mayor Joe Schember announced on Thursday at his press conference that Friday, April 18, marks 230 years since the city's founding in 1795. Erie Insurance plants 100th tree to celebrate 100th anniversary Mayor Schember said Colonel Seth Reed and his family were the first Europeans to settle here in June of that year. Just celebrate your life here in Erie. Erie is a wonderful city. We're blessed with it. We have so much to go on. Even just looking out over the lake at night, watching sunsets. We have some of the best sunsets in the world. It's a tremendous place to be. I encourage everyone to enjoy it and really take advantage of it,' said Mayor Schember. The mayor hopes city residents will take a moment on Thursday to be thankful for all their city has to offer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie is developing a multimillion-dollar plan to improve city parks. How it will be funded
The city of Erie is hiring a consulting firm with nationwide experience to help develop a comprehensive, multiyear plan for enhancing the city's public parks. Mayor Joe Schember discussed the plan at his weekly news conference on Thursday. City officials announced Design Workshop, a landscape architecture, urban design, planning and strategic services firm, will work on the plan. Design Workshop has offices in Colorado, Texas, Nevada, California and North Carolina. The firm will be paid up to $237,743 for its work; $187,743 comes from American Rescue Plan dollars the city has set aside for the parks plan and the remaining $50,000 was provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant. Jackie Spry, the city's planning director, said the city has set aside more than $4 million in ARP funds for the parks improvement plan. The city in 2021 received roughly $76 million from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill, signed into law by then-President Joe Biden to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Erie Times-News reported in December 2021 that Schember's administration planned to use up to $5 million of that money for parks improvements citywide, and that the money could also be used to upgrade various sidewalks, streetscapes, school crossings, street lights and to create public art. City officials have said that as part of the parks enhancement plan, the city intends to gather extensive input from city residents about the types of improvements they want to see and make budgeting decisions based on that feedback. 'It has taken us time to finalize our scope of work and to find the right consulting firm,' Schember said. Spry added: 'The plan will provide a system-wide approach to prioritize financial strategies to maintain existing parks and recreation facilities, expand recreational services based on current and future funding scenarios, and evaluate the need and sustainability of our Bureau of Parks.' City officials and Design Workshop representatives are expected to start meeting soon regarding the plan. The parks plan has been in the works for several years; the city's last comprehensive parks plan was conducted in 2003 under then-Mayor Joyce Savocchio. The city's parks collectively comprise roughly 385 acres, city officials said. The city also operates two public golf courses, the J.C. Martin Golf Course on Shunpike Road and Downing Golf Course on Troupe Road in Harborcreek. According to the city's request for consultant proposals regarding the plan, the initiative will look at suggested improvements/strategies over a 20-year time frame. The plan 'should create a roadmap' that examines the level of financial investment needed to sustain Erie's parks; recreation facilities and programming; and the city's current staffing capacity and policies regarding parks in order 'to equitably maintain these facilities and meet the recreation needs of diverse city residents, community groups, and other stakeholders now and into the future.' Renee Lamis, Schember's chief of staff, said the ciry should have Design Workshop's recommendations/a draft report in early 2026. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie is creating a comprehensive, citywide parks improvement plan
