Edinboro woman pitched business to panel of prospective investors

It started as a fundraiser, built on nostalgia for the crunchy snacks her mother used to make. Lauren Hammer and her husband, Robert Hammer, who were both teachers at the Erie Charter School of Excellence, volunteered to sell their snack mix to help fund a senior trip. The fundraiser was a success, raising enough money to help pay for both the senior trip and the prom. Hammer, who is 40, said she and her husband, whom she married in 2023, quickly decided they had bigger plans for her late mother's snack mix, made by seasoning and baking a mixture of pretzels, nuts and breakfast cereal in almost endless variations of flavor. Working mostly from the kitchen of their Edinboro home, they launched a business that would become GramE's Kitchen. They sell bags of their snacks at craft shows, festivals and through retail outlets. Hammer said she's sold them one bag at a time at about 150 events over the past two years. Unique seasoning blends, some created with the help of students, were the key to the venture. They sold her mom's traditional snack mix, but GramE's also offered sweet churro, dill pickle, sweet apple pie, garlic parmesan, lemon lime,

I-79 going back to two lanes, PennDOT offers update on project

(WJET/WFXP)– Interstate 79 will be going back to two lanes in both directions across Erie County, with PennDOT removing the long-term lane closures Thursday until next year as other work continues on the two-year project. PennDOT said the northbound and southbound closures in Washington, Franklin, McKean, and Summit townships were slated for removal Thursday as […]

PSP provides update on skill games seizure

Nearly a month after skill games were banned, pending future legislation, Pennsylvania State Police are reporting a 99% compliance rate for their removal from establishments across the Commonwealth. According to PSP, since October 14, more than 12,200 establishments were visited, looking for skill games. In total, 12,134 locations no longer had the games. 14 machines […]

Rock football caps off perfect regular season

The Slippery Rock University football team defeated Edinboro University, 50-17, on Saturday to cap off its perfect regular season. SRU finishes the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record, marking the third time in program history the team has achieved the feat, and the third time since 2019. The Rock also finished atop the PSAC West standings with a perfect 7-0 conference record.

Tractor trailer crash halts traffic on Interstate 79, 90 interchange

Traffic was backed up along the I-79 and I-90 interchange Thursday afternoon after a tractor-trailer rollover. That accident happened just before 2 pm Thursday afternoon. The accident reportedly led to a diesel spill after the rig went off the roadway along the I-79 northbound ramp after exiting I-90 eastbound. No word on whether or not […]

His Erie-based biofuels empire is being sold. His debt keeps growing

Erie entrepreneur Samuel P. "Pat" Black III broke ground in 2006 for the Hero BX plant on East Lake Road, which became the center of his biofuels empire . The phrase "fuel for humanity" was incorporated into the Hero BX logo. Twenty years later, Black is selling his biofuels facilities to fuel a court-approved financial plan to help pay off a personally guaranteed loan of about $13.5 million. But even as Black's Lake Erie Biofuels, which does business as Hero BX, unloads more of the facilities, the debt has continued to grow, according to the latest court filing related to the collapse of the 84-year-old Black's financial holdings. A failure to satisfy the $13.5 million debt would put Black's personal assets at risk. Black has blamed much of his financial decline on his daughter, Sumi James-Black, 51, whom he adopted in 2019, when he was 77 and she was 44 . But Black's $200 million federal lawsuit against her has stalled as he awaits a ruling from a federal appeals court. Black's forced sale of his Hero BX facilities is the result of another federal lawsuit. Connecticut-based Siena Lending Group sued in federal court in Erie in May 2025 after

Lunch Break Live: Briaunna Malone live at Plymouth Tavern

Looking for something good to grab for lunch? We’ve got you covered! It’s time once again to take our lunch break live. Today, Briaunna Malone was at Plymouth Tavern.

Collegiate Academy students sign to play sports at next level

A pair of Collegiate Academy students have made their college choices official at a signing day ceremony Wednesday morning. Taking their next steps towards the future, Ava McMannus has signed to play softball at Edinboro and Elizabeth Borczon will compete in tennis at Shippensburg.

Erie Preparatory Academy to Close Due to Lack of Funding

Erie News Now has learned that Erie Preparatory Academy, the boarding school on Oliver Road that focuses on international students and athletics, will close as early as November 23 because of a lack of funding. A letter sent to staff, students and families says the school does not have sufficient...

Local Auto Repair Shops Feeling the Squeeze as Costs Continue to Rise

Keeping your car on the road is getting more expensive, and the shops fixing them are feeling it too. At Harrell Automotive, foot traffic hasn't changed much. But behind the scenes, the shop is paying more for oil and parts, while still trying to find quality products without driving prices even higher for customers.

UPMC urgent care facility opens on Erie’s west side

A new urgent care facility has opened its doors on Erie’s west side. Officials held a ribbon cutting for UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care, which is located at 5008 West Ridge Road, right in front of Wegmans grocery store. The facility provides same-day care for minor illnesses and injuries and can be scheduled online or just by […]

Erie’s Local TV Leaders Discuss the Future of Local News

Erie’s local TV leaders came together this morning to discuss the future of local news.

Marhaba Beirut Cuts Ribbon in Flagship City Food Hall

A new restaurant has opened in the Flagship City Food Hall. Owners of Marhaba Beirut cut the ribbon on their first storefront in the food hall on Wednesday. The restaurant offers a variety of Lebanese food including gyros, kabobs and desserts. Officials with the restaurant said they are excited to...

Children's Place files for bankruptcy. What we know about Erie store

The Children's Place , a presence at the Millcreek Mall since 1998, appears to be making plans to turn off the lights. Signs outside the retailer, located in the Boscov's concourse next to Gracylane, announce 30% to 60% off and a headline on the company website says: "All stores closing." But the 57-year-old New Jersey company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 8, seems to be leaving itself some wiggle room. Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides the company with an opportunity to reorganize. The retailer, which operates more than 500 stores, hopes to do just that. The company said it hopes to substantially sell all of its assets "to secure the highest or otherwise best bid, with the goal of continuing the business." There's no guarantee that will happen. Management of the publicly traded company said: "While the Company pursues a buyer through the chapter 11 process, it must prepare for the possibility that a sale to continue the business cannot be achieved." The bottom line is simply unclear. According to its statement: "The Children’s Place has been evaluating its operational footprint to invest its resources in its strongest locations moving forward. The Company has determined that certain

This Pennsylvania Tavern Serves Goat Balls Inside a Former Bank

A Pennsylvania tavern has a taxidermy skunk on display, an old bank vault used for private dining, and an appetizer called Goat Balls. The Skunk and Goat Tavern sits on Main Street in North East, a small Erie County town near Lake Erie. Its unusual name is only part of the story.

Additional Funds Sought for Shotspotter

Fort LeBoeuf students package thousands of meals to fight hunger

Elementary school students in Waterford took the fight against hunger into their own hands on Thursday. With the help of the Kiwanis Club of Fort LeBoeuf, more than 200 students helped package and seal 10,000 meals for children and communities facing hunger all over the world. Those students are from the Fort LeBoeuf School District’s […]

Millcreek Planning Commission Recommends Against Proposed Rezoning

A proposed change could reshape the future of a piece of land in Millcreek Township, but not everyone living nearby is on board. For some Millcreek residents, the possibility of commercial development owned by Scott Enterprises just steps from their backyards is something they don't want to see become reality. A proposed rezoning has sparked strong pushback from neighbors, bringing a packed crowd to tonight's meeting. After hearing from the community, the planning commission recommended against the change.

Erie Holiday Markets 2026: Don't Miss These Craft Shows & Markets

It's the most wonderful (and most creative!) time of the year in Erie! From handmade ornaments and cozy candles to locally crafted jewelry and festive décor, holiday craft shows and holiday markets are a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting small businesses right here in our community.

Cochranton advances, Cathedral Prep falls in PIAA girls volleyball

Avonworth was a big problem for District 10 during the 2025 postseason as the Antelopes knocked out Cathedral Prep and Corry on their way to the PIAA Class 2A title. The Lopes (19-4) continued to be a nuisance on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as they held off Cathedral Prep (14-2) 25-20, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-9 in the PIAA Class 3A first round. More: Cochranton beats Erie First for the D-10 1A girls volleyball title More: Cathedral Prep girls volleyball ends 41-year drought, wins District 10 3A title All-state star and Rice commit Avery Cernich had a big match for the Lopes in a battle against Canisius recruit Colette Speros for Prep. Kamryn Resurreccion led the Ramblers with 38 assists and 14 digs, while Speros had 19 kills, 16 digs and five aces, Kharys Nickson had eight kills and five blocks, Nora Marsh had 11 kills, 10 digs, Taylor Benacci had six kills, Ellen Hutchinson had seven digs and Paige Patsy had 22 digs. Cardinals sweep WPIAL powerhouse COCHRANTON – Riley Gibbons had 17 digs as Cochranton rolled to a 25-19, 25-21, 25-17 win over Aquinas Academy in the PIAA Class 1A girls volleyball first round on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Cochranton