With the area under an extreme heat warning from noon today to 8 p.m. Friday and temperatures expected to reach near-record highs, cooling centers will be open across the city.

The Williamsport Branch YMCA, 641 Walnut St., will host a cooling center from noon to 5 p.m. today and Thursday, branch Executive Director Jeremy Bottorf confirmed to the Sun-Gazette.

The Salvation Army, located at 457 Market St., will open its doors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Friday, July 10, the organization said on their Facebook page. The center will be closed for the holiday on Friday and Saturday.

River Valley Transit is offering free rides on their air conditioned buses to senior citizens with qualifying bus passes, said Skip Cochran, marketing director for River Valley Transit.