The batteries of an electric truck caught on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday Multiple fire crews attended the scene of an electric vehicle fire in Bethlehem, Tauranga last night An electric truck caught fire in the carpark outside Kmart at Bethlehem Town Centre causing large clouds of billowing smoke to drift across the surrounding area blanketing a section of Bethlehem Rd and parts of the Bethlehem Town Centre with bystanders saying they were evacuated from Kmart “We received a call at 4.50pm,” Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Garreth Lewis said “It was an electric truck with two batteries on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre.” Lewis said there were no reports of any injuries “We’ve been there since after receiving the call; what we’re doing is cooling it with a significant amount of water.” He said about 20 firefighters attended the scene with three fire trucks from Tauranga and Greerton “And in addition to that,Lewis said a hazmat unit was also sent as the fire involved hazardous substances “The hazardous materials unit have special equipment to deal with these sorts of incidents.” Lewis said the firefighters had to drown the batteries to allow them to cool A masked volunteer firefighter at the scene said the smoke was difficult to work with Bethlehem Rd was blocked from the first entrance into Bethlehem Town Centre to Westermoreland Rise and locals have been advised to close their house windows and stay indoors A detour was put in place from State Highway 2 into Bethlehem Rd then Cambridge Rd and back on to Bethlehem Rd Lewis said a fire investigator also attended “They will do their investigation into the cause of the fire.” EV truck fires are particularly intense due to the vehicles’ large battery size and complex failure modes it becomes a prolonged operation due to the chemical and structural nature of lithium-ion cells Thermal runaway can occur during fast charging or overcharging when one cell in the lithium-ion battery overheats and causes a chain reaction the battery essentially feeds its own fire making it difficult to suppress with conventional firefighting methods Water doesn’t work well on these types of fire as thousands of litres of water may be required to cool the battery sufficiently batteries can reignite as internal temperatures spike again Burning EV batteries can release toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride requiring firefighters to take extra precautions The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night Fire crews working at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre A fire investigator has returned today to the scene of Saturday night’s electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre The fire, which was reported at 4.50pm was attended by more than 20 fire fighters from Tauranga Fire and Emergency NZ Northern Shift Manager Michael Anderson said a crew remained at the scene overnight.  when it was given back to the owners,” Anderson said Fire fighters spent hours spraying water on the electric truck Anderson said an aerial fire truck from the Mount Maunganui fire station joined the other crews at 8.22pm “Our crews started heading home about 10pm and we had one remain on scene until 4am Police safeguarding the site at Bethlehem Town Centre A fire investigator also attended on Saturday night and is returning today The electric truck caught fire while parked at the ChargeNet charging site in the Bethlehem Town Centre carpark Bethlehem Road was cordoned off for hours while fire crews worked at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre “ChargeNet can confirm that at approximately 4.50pm on the 3 May 2025 a fire occurred involving an EV truck at our Bethlehem charging site,” a ChargeNet spokesperson said “The charger was quickly disconnected from the vehicle The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely and no injuries have been reported.” ChargeNet said the Bethlehem charging site has been temporarily shut down “Emergency services responded promptly and removed the vehicle at around 4am this morning “Our technical team is working closely with emergency services and onsite personnel to support their response and undertake a thorough assessment.” ChargeNet said initial indications suggest the vehicle involved was a custom-built electric truck and the public is our highest priority,” a ChargeNet spokesperson said “We are in direct contact with the vehicle’s owner and will continue to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand and other relevant authorities as needed “Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.” The Bethlehem Town Centre carpark filled with smoke from the electric truck fire EV FireSafe director Emma Sutcliffe said electric truck battery fires are rare with just 13 such incidents verified globally the leading cause is manufacturing faults that can trigger a chemical process called thermal runaway which is extremely difficult to control in large battery packs,” Sutcliffe said “The safest response is often to allow the pack to burn out while protecting nearby structures.” The electric truck on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday EV FireSafe is an Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence specialising in EV battery fire research and emergency response — particularly when EVs are charging Global and NZ data from EV FireSafe and Drive Electric Global and NZ data shared by EV FireSafe and Drive Electric show that EV battery fires are rare with 510 globally between 2010–2024 EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol/diesel vehicles Data from Norway shows that there is a 0.005 per cent fire rate for EVs versus a 0.03 per cent fire rate for ICE vehicles Most EV fires don’t involve the battery Data collected from the Netherlands shows that only 38 per cent (2022) and 25 per cent (2023) involved battery ignition Fire crews spraying water on an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre Charging-related fires are also uncommon with less than 15 per cent of EV battery fires happening while charging This means that charging is not always the cause New Zealand has had six recorded EV fire incidents with no reported injuries Why does it sound like most of the article is hell bent on trying to defend ev Regardless of the stats indicating lower frequency of ev vehicle fires (both low at less than 0.1pc) it's the severity and toxicity of the ev fires that is the main concern If that fire had happened in a multistorey carpark GAME OVER for the other vehicles in that carpark If in a densely populated area it would be a serious health risk for thousands of people Posted on 05-05-2025 15:27 | By Poe's Lawyer No petrol car has ever caught fire in the history of the automobile they're bursting into flames at a mere glance When will people understand how unsafe electricity is Thomas Edison made a deal with the devil and we've all been left paying the price! How do you feel about Tauranga’s rapid population growth Back to top Tauranga City Council Our upgrades to Bethlehem Road are progressing smoothly These improvements focus on enhancing safety and stormwater drainage which include the addition of a new level pedestrian crossing as well as widening and extending footpaths and shared paths These changes will make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle in the area Residents have told us that it is difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to get around safely and there is a lack of visibility for cars exiting driveways We’re extending the existing paths alongside the road to improve safety will be built on the east side of the road and a 1.5m to 1.8m footpath will be added on the western side near Bethlehem Shores Village The project will also include a level pedestrian crossing Grassed swales (slopes) will be created on both sides of the walking path to improve stormwater drainage while concrete strips along the roadside will help channel rainwater away These changes aim to improve visibility for drivers by reducing roadside parking.  Property owners and residents affected by the streetlight upgrades and the new pedestrian crossing have already been contacted work will take place in sections that will take approximately three weeks each Construction starts from the roundabout on the western side of the road then it switches to the east side working back to the roundabout the team will return to finish the work from the corner at St Therese's church. We'll refresh the road markings once the construction is complete We plan to complete the improvements by June 2025 and will update the community regularly during construction We’ve made excellent progress since starting the improvements in February 2025 and our team have nearly completed the work on the western side of the road we plan to switch to the eastern side of the road at the beginning of May 2025 you may experience some construction noise and activity during our working hours which are 7am to 6pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays) We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we complete these improvements Traffic management - Traffic management is currently in place on Bethlehem Road It will be adjusted when we switch from the western side to the eastern side to align with the new work site We will try our best to keep both lanes open we will need to use a temporary stop/go system Driveway access - During upgrades of driveways access may temporarily be restricted for up to 48 hours Our team will provide a heads-up and work with you to minimise inconvenience Pedestrian access will be maintained so that visitors and (emergency) service providers always have access Rubbish collection - Council rubbish and recycling collections will continue as usual Parking and cars - The work will impact parking spaces at certain times Please help us by moving any vehicles parked close to the work area to prevent any staining or damage to vehicles and improve traffic flow Foliage - To prepare for the improvements and to make sure the new pathway is enjoyable our arborists will trim any overhanging foliage as needed For news and information on the Bethlehem Road improvements, visit this webpage or please sign up for Tauranga City Council's Weekly Bulletin If you have any questions, please email transportcomms@tauranga.govt.nz swales must remain clear to work properly and should not be eroded by rutting caused by parked vehicles The risk of rutting is high due to the angle of swales; that make it difficult to get in and out with a vehicle Sign up to Kōrero mai - Let’s talk Tauranga and never miss an opportunity to share your feedback Sign up Read newsletter Get involved in the discussion about your city. Learn about the work happening in your neighbourhood. Tauranga City Council, Private Bag 12022, Tauranga, 3143, New Zealand |Terms of use|Privacy statement You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Multiple fire crews are attending the scene of an electric vehicle fire in Bethlehem “We received a call at 4.50pm,” Fire Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Gareth Lewis said “It was an electric truck with two batteries on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre.” Lewis said there are no reports of any injuries “We’ve been there since after receiving the call; what we’re doing is cooling it with a significant amount of water.” He said about 20 fire fighters were at the scene “We’ve got three fire trucks there from Tauranga and Greerton,” Lewis said And we have a hazmat unit on the way as well “The hazardous materials unit have special equipment to deal with these sorts of incidents “Effectively we just have to drown the batteries and we expect to be there for a few hours.” resulting in clouds of billowing smoke.  Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford A masked volunteer fire fighter at the scene said the smoke was difficult to work with Bethlehem Rd is blocked from the first entrance into Bethlehem Town Centre to Westermoreland Rise and locals have been advised to close their house windows and stay indoors Bethlehem Road was cordoned off while fire crews attended the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre.  Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford A detour is in place from State Highway 2 into Bethlehem Rd then Cambridge Road and back on to Bethlehem Road Lewis said a fire investigator is also in attendance “They will do their investigation into the cause of the fire.” He asks that people stay clear of the scene “We just ask members of the public to respect the cordons that are in place and to just allow the firefighters to do their work.” Lewis said the fire crews will be managing the fire for a few more hours this evening “We’re expecting to be there for a while EV truck fires are particularly intense due to large battery size and complex failure modes People were evacuated from nearby stores after an electric truck caught fire in the Bethlehem Town Centre carpark on Saturday May 3.  Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford where one cell in the lithium-ion battery overheats and causes a chain reaction Water doesn’t work well on these types of fire Burning EV batteries can release toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride Posted on 04-05-2025 05:26 | By Thats Nice the smoke coming off the battery fire is hazardous having to wear masks A lot of crew for a lot of hours to put out the fire and the locals told to stay indoors and close the windows - oh dear And you want us to buy an Electric vehicle the more EVs we see on our roads the more of this will happen just remember if you are near an EV fire or any Lithium Ion type battery fire leave immediately and move upwind don’t go near it Sadly we are going to see loss of life from this form of energy storage just as has happened overseas It is curious as to how we know these batteries are occasionally unstable Sometimes over charging them or letting them drain too low can upset their equilibrium But I do wonder where the truck and its batteries were made Posted on 04-05-2025 21:26 | By Ian Stevenson Looks like it is very good for the environment have been vaporized and inhaled by all in and around it Hopefully the NZ Police are wearing full medical grade masks else they wont stop anything harmful being inhaled Posted on 04-05-2025 21:34 | By Kauritatahi We're saving so much 'planet' right now........ Posted on 04-05-2025 21:36 | By Ian Stevenson you cant put it out like a conventional fire it either: - burns out or you have the special gear to extinguish it But then if the necessary gear was available that may well be acknowledging the very real danger PS: there was a few vehicle carrying ships (have several thousand vehicles on board perhaps a 100 EV's?) an EV self ignites on board > > > fire > > > spreads to other EV's > > > self combusted > > > cant put it out > > > abandon the whole ship and cargo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlDj3xvGKno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8s3mSNdZSc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN7JLUBc4jM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxp62LfYVb4 https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Porsche-EV-battery-blamed-for-ship-fire-in-Mitsui-O.S.K.-lawsuit EV's are only going to get more expensive and of course the environmental impact = start/finish is huge Posted on 05-05-2025 05:11 | By Makkas1313 Clearly that is an older truck with a drive shaft visible my question is was it actually an electric vehicle Tauranga$550,000 +395m²Build your dream home at Bespoke in BethlehemWelcome to Bespoke in Bethlehem - an exciting new master-planned development in one of Tauranga's most desirable suburbs Tucked just 500 metres from the heart of Bethlehem Town Centre this location offers the ultimate in everyday ease Enjoy a leisurely stroll to boutique shopping while leafy reserves and walking tracks invite you to explore the outdoors With some of the Bay's most sought-after schools close by this thoughtfully planned neighbourhood offers a rare blend of calm and convenience Lot 9 is now available as part of the exclusive first release in Stage One This private rear section spans 395m² and presents a range of design possibilities thanks to its favourable aspect Each site in this release has been carefully positioned to capture the sun and foster a genuine connection to surrounding green space Bespoke in Bethlehem has been designed in collaboration with award-winning architects to ensure consistency and timeless appeal throughout the development and design guidelines protect your investment and support a beautiful This is your opportunity to secure a future-ready lifestyle in a vibrant Whether you're looking to build a forever home or simply invest in an area that continues to grow in popularity downsizing or somewhere in between - this is your blank canvas to create something truly special Titles are due in the first quarter of 2026 Secure this section now and start planning your dream home Get in touch today to receive more information or to arrange a site visit A cross at the Easter Journey exhibition at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Photo/ David Hall Over the Easter weekend, 11 men will hang on a cross for an hour each in an “emotional journey” as part of the Easter exhibition at Bethlehem Baptist Church, which is held every two years. Congregation member Bryson Moulton is one of the men, and he said it would be the first time he had been up on the cross, a depiction of the crucifixion the church hosted every year. “It is an honour and a privilege,” he said. He said the make-up for the role took about an hour to apply and would be a very immersive experience for visitors. The most challenging aspects would be physically hanging on the cross and spiritual elements, he said. “These guys will be seeing people’s emotions coming through.” Initially, the idea of going up on the cross came about 15 years ago, when Bethlehem Baptist Church began recruiting a team, senior pastor Craig Vernhall said. Vernhall said the one-hour stint on the cross at Tauranga’s Bethlehem Baptist Church was just one of the exhibits on display during the Easter Journey exhibition. “Nearly 400 volunteers have worked tirelessly in preparation for the exhibition,” Vernhall said. Certain aspects of the biblical story of Jesus have been challenging to depict, Vernhall said. “It’s been difficult to capture this because you don’t want it to be overly gruesome.” Visitors are transported to Bethlehem, Judea, and the Sea of Galilee in linked rooms. Vernhall said the exhibition was held every two years and evolved, experimenting with new ideas. Paying for clean-up means less money for the community. People enjoying a display at the Bethlehem Baptist Church Easter Journey walk-through in 2023. Photo / Charl Louw A visually stunning, reflective walk-through of the Easter story at Bethlehem Baptist Church is being opened to the public again this year. The doors at Bethlehem Baptist Church open at 3pm Thursday, with a new and fresh presentation of the Easter story overtaking and engulfing the building with its multiple displays and multi-sensory experiences depicting Christ’s early life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Bringing the event back to life, volunteer Dorrie Jones said the aim is to give people a chance to connect or reconnect with the Christian story. “We know there are a lot of faiths out there – but, for us, this is the chance to show what we believe in, given to the public in an interesting way which may prompt you to think ‘where are you at?’ And ‘what do you want out of life?’ “It’s an experience for people to understand Easter from a Christian viewpoint.” The church debuted the walk-through presentation in 2003 and held it annually until 2015, with a gap before it was held again in 2023. This year the presentation is open from 3pm-9pm on Thursday, 9am-6pm Friday and Saturday, and 9am-2.30pm on Sunday. Jones said the walk-through is a series of displays, with each telling part of the Easter story or featuring poignant periods of time in Christianity. “Each display has a different time zone – first you walk through the initial creation, then through some of the Old Testament events, then into the New Testament when Jesus was born, some of the miracles he performed, his work, etc. The total area of the display covers more than 800sq m. “There is an actual crucifixion scene, where we have real-life Jesus on the Cross – but there is a bypass for people who don’t want to see it.” There are contemplation and reflection areas dotted among the displays, and at the end is a café with free tea and coffee, Jones said. “Also, we will run our barista cafe with food and coffee for sale.” Jones said planning began back in November, with 25 volunteer set directors responsible for individual scenes, providing a variety of talents and creative input. “And during the last two months, more than 300 additional volunteers have helped making props, and setting up the display this week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to let people show their creative talents, some of the installations will be absolutely breathtaking,” Jones said. The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night. TaurangaDeadline Sale (unless sold prior)332650m²Executive Living Meets Contemporary DesignStep into style and sophistication with this striking two-storey modern executive home where every detail is thoughtfully designed for comfort the home welcomes you with a grand entrance staircase that sets the tone for the elegant and dining area flows seamlessly to the outdoors with stacker doors opening to multiple entertaining areas — including a covered front deck ideal for year-round enjoyment of the New Zealand climate the home features three bedrooms plus an office or fourth bedroom The luxurious master suite comes with dual vanities and stacker doors opening onto a private balcony retreat Unwind in the dedicated media room or soak in the spa pool after a long day A stylish powder room offers convenience for guests while bamboo flooring throughout adds warmth and a touch of natural elegance a teenage or guest retreat with private access provides flexibility and independence — ideal for growing families The double internal garage with compact workshop and laundry provides further areas of high functionality within this home The current owners are committed to their next chapter and are looking forward to passing this special home on to its new owners copy this link to your browser: https://www.propertyfiles.co.nz/property/PA04498 based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started State Highway 2 was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination Police are investigating after a man was found critically injured on a road in Bethlehem Police said they were called to the State Highway 2/Te Paeroa Rd roundabout at 12am after the injured man was found “SH2 was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and reopened about 5am.” Paying for clean-up means less money for the community eight-year-olds Aria Wilson and Sofie Wright practise setting up the sandpit treasure hunt for the gala Bethlehem School will be bulging with activities for young and old on Friday when it hosts its Twilight Gala fundraiser from 4pm-7pm PTA spokesperson Jane Wright said a range of activities had been lined up – with some to be run by the school’s students themselves “Our main attractions will be pony rides a small bouncy castle which will be free for preschoolers a Powerfarming tractor offering ”train" rides “This is where we get a heap of old chipped and broken crockery “We also have a dunk tank – it’s a massive tank filled with water A person sits at the top and if ball-throwers hit a target the person falls into the water Many of the school staff and community members will be volunteering for this fun event!” ten-pin bowling and a sandpit treasure hunt A book sale will offer picture books for preschoolers and graphic novels for juniors through to fiction cookbooks and gardening and parenting books “There will be raffles plus a silent auction which we have heaps of really cool items to bid on including vouchers for Pilates “For entertainment we have kapa haka Jump Jam and our Bethlehem superstars performing An Irish dance group is also coming to perform.” Wright said the main change from tradition is the cow dump attraction had been swapped for a “pony plop” “Our new ‘pony plop’ will run the same way the cow dump did – and it will happen the following Tuesday Tickets are on sale now and first prize remains $2000 with eight prizes of $200 for being the closest surrounding parts of the grid." Wright said funds raised from the gala will go to upgrading the school’s pool changing area “The pool is a real hit with the school’s 400 students in Terms 1 and 4 and the changing rooms need a good refresh!” Bethlehem School’s Twilight Gala is 4pm-7pm on Friday One person was transported to hospital with minor injuries following an assault at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday Police said inquiries are continuing following an assault at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday "Inquiries are ongoing following an assault involving two members of the public at a store on Bethlehem Road." The incident was reported to Police around 6.50pm.  A SunLive reader said there was a Hato Hano St John ambulance and three police cars with a number of police at the scene.  "Hato Hone St John was notified at 6.51pm and responded with one ambulance and one manager to the scene," a Hato Hone St John spokesperson said "Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Tauranga hospital in a minor condition." Police said inquiries are ongoing into the incident "Police are speaking to those involved," a spokesperson said Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz Police attended the scene of an assault at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday evening.  Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford SH2 in Bethehem was closed for several hours while police examined the scene Police are investigating after a man was found critically injured in Bethlehem overnight Police said they were called to the State Highway 2/Te Paeroa Rd roundabout at midnight after a person was discovered injured on the road a police spokesperson said in a statement to SunLive “State Highway 2 was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and reopened about 5am “Inquiries are ongoing to determine how the man was injured.” TaurangaAsking Price $769,000322138m²Quiet Like New Home in Sought After BethlehemViewings by Appointment Only Situated in the sought-after Bethlehem community this stylish three-bedroom 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sound option for an owner occupier or investment opportunity Contact me today to arrange a personal viewing By Hannah Bartlett, Open Justice Reporter of A minute after a school bus driver noticed his bus engine temperature was reading a bit high A look in the rear-view mirror showed students "jumping around and screaming" as hot engine water which had likely reached temperatures of more than 80C was spraying around the front section of the bus like a garden hose Three students suffered burns - one to her leg and knee and the third to her hands - during the accident in February 2023 the company that provides the school bus service to Bethlehem College has been sentenced for failing to comply with a duty of care A summary of facts said one of the student's burns meant skin came off in "large chunks"; another had to have ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation Two of the students missed a school camp because of their injuries A victim impact statement from one of the parents said their daughter missed a valuable opportunity to bond with students at the camp having only recently started at the school With the risk of infection and the need for specialised dressings and care she had been unable to attend and also had to have weeks off school as had her aptitude for adventure and trying new things She was now anxious about bus travel and was always looking for potential damage or things that were "not right" The court heard from another parent who said her child had suffered severe and large burns to his arm He was treated at Tauranga Hospital and had to have dressings changed three to four times a week He needed two weeks off school and couldn't participate in sport for several months it caused him anxiety and he would check under the seats to see if there were any radiators green liquid was seen coming from the heater at the front of the bus and the driver told a mechanic about it The mechanic realised the radiator was leaking in the heater in the bus so the heater was removed and the two hose lines that had been coming in and out of it were connected together with a brass fitting It was clamped together and the hoses were looped up and tucked to the side of the bus seats against the wall The bus was road tested with no leaks found and returned to service it picked up students from Bethlehem College and was heading out of Tauranga when the hoses burst and hot liquid was sprayed in the front section of the bus which was contracted by the Ministry of Education was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court yesterday afternoon The company pleaded guilty to a Health and Safety Act charge which that the health and safety of the students were not put at risk from the work carried out in its business (providing a school bus) When it came to assessing the level of fine WorkSafe had submitted this as a "medium" level of culpability - it said the modification done While the system itself was not necessarily inadequate the material must have been "perished" for the leak to have happened and there had been no casing around the hose Tranzit's lawyers said the method used was acceptable and there was nothing to suggest it wasn't the right thing to do but acknowledged something had gone wrong because the hose failed There had been no industry knowledge of this as a known risk and Tranzit had not encountered anything like it previously Judge Mason said it was acknowledged there was no wilful or reckless element here because when the leak was noticed and safety tests were done before it was put back to work "This was obviously insufficient because then the hose burst," she said She set the culpability as just below medium and set the starting point for the fine at $70,000 Tranzit received a five percent discount for its co-operation with the WorkSafe investigation another five percent to account for it paying significant reparation to the victims a further five percent for remorse and the offer to engage in a restorative justice conference an early guilty plea discount of 25 percent and a remedial works discount of five percent Tranzit would also pay WorkSafe's legal costs of $2672.37 Counsel for WorkSafe and Tranzit agreed a "project order" was appropriate and commendable on the part of the company It essentially meant Tranzit representatives would do a presentation to a bus industry group covering topics that included the basis of the conviction and lessons to be learned from it heater systems on buses and the risks they present WorkSafe would be provided with a copy of the presentation and the court would be provided with confirmation this had been done The judge said the project would be "incredibly helpful" to the community and industry and she acknowledged that with a further 20 percent discount Tranzit Group Ltd received an end fine of $21,000 Judge Mason said it was clear the students had suffered trauma from the event She ordered Tranzit to pay $10,000 in emotional harm reparation to two of the victims who provided statements about the ongoing impacts The third victim had not given information to the court about the ongoing trauma so the judge said it was difficult for her to assess her ongoing need ordering a payment of $7500 for that victim - This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald An ombudsman's investigation into complaints about the exclusion and expulsion of students at Tauranga's Bethlehem College has found the board's decision-making process was "unreasonable" The Greater Wellington Regional Council scrambled to remove ads promoting a career in bus driving after it discovered a string of racist tweets by one of its poster boys New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Former Bethlehem College student Lauryn Maxwell is going to India and Japan in 2025 for two six-week internships thanks to receiving two Prime Minister’s Scholarships A university student from Tauranga is going to India and Japan this year for two six-week internships after receiving two Prime Minister’s Scholarships Former Bethlehem College student Lauryn Maxwell finished her four-year Bachelor of Science degree majoring in psychology at the University of Auckland in November She also did a certificate in Māori and Indigenous development at AUT part-time she will do her post-graduate studies in public and Māori health at the University of Auckland Maxwell told the Bay of Plenty Times she was “so grateful” to have received the scholarships for one individual and one group internship ever thought I would get anything like this before,” the 22-year-old said Maxwell is one of 18 studentsfrom the University of Auckland going to Mumbai this Saturday for the group internship She will undertake a public health internship focusing on managing the spread of HIV and Aids I’m going to be taking more of a mental health approach to the people who are more susceptible to getting Aids and HIV.” Maxwell said she could not have done the internship without the scholarship She paid a $500 student contribution fee and the scholarship covered all other costs Maxwell said she was most looking forward to “navigating the culture shock” “I’m interested to kind of see how that will apply in the workforce.” She was also looking forward to connecting with the local community Maxwell will go to Tokyo for her individual six-week internship focused on public health which would be “customised” based on her studies and career goals She will also do a cultural immersion programme “and just connecting with the community more” “I think to get the most knowledge out of the trip it’s so beneficial to further connect with the people of Japan.” Maxwell was looking forward to learning about Japan’s public health sector so I’m interested to see how that kind of seeps into their public health frameworks and initiatives.” Maxwell applied for the Japan trip last July but thought she was unsuccessful because she had not heard back for a while she saw her university advertise the India trip I just want something to be able to get me overseas to experience this’.” Maxwell had not heard back about the Japan trip A month later she found out about Japan and was also “stoked” Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds said 119 recipients had been awarded Prime Minister’s Scholarships for education experiences abroad “Expanding New Zealand’s global engagement through world-class international education is a key Government priority,” Simmonds said “We are committed to building deeper ties with the world and ensuring our nation remains globally competitive.” Scholarship recipients are going to destinations including Indonesia and Chile for study and internship programmes “The Prime Minister’s Scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders to foster lifelong connections as they learn and grow their understanding of cultures and business practices across Asia and Latin America,” Simmonds said She said 324 applications were received which was “unprecedented” and showed the “growing enthusiasm for international education” and the value of these scholarships the scholars will embark on semester exchanges language immersion and Indigenous integration programmes and research projects in areas such as music “These scholarships foster an exchange of ideas enriching both New Zealand and our international partners They also showcase the strength of our education system on the world stage.” The Education NZ website said Simmonds announced the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia 2024/2025 group awardees on July 4 Twenty scholarships were awarded to groups to gain educational experiences across Asia and Latin America including the University of Auckland for the global internship programme at the Global Career Centre in Mumbai Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post Members of Bethlehem Te Puna Lions helping with the Minden Lookout makeover in 2017 The Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club has notched up 50 years of service and support to community it is estimated the club has raised about $1.3 million for a wide range of initiatives The Lions will celebrate their golden anniversary with a special event on Monday at Hotel Armitage in Tauranga bringing together members past and present From running barbecue fundraisers for schools and helping elderly with home maintenance to constructing landmarks such as the Minden Lookout Bethlehem Te Puna Lions has consistently supported a large range of causes The extensive list includes organising casino nights and fundraising for organisations such as the Cancer Society A range of photos from the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions scrapbooks represents our focus on looking outwards towards the community rather than inward,” club member Colin Gill said The Lions has a unique approach to fundraising often involving the community in the process the club’s policy is to ask individuals and organisations seeking financial help to “come and help raise some funds yourselves” fostering teamwork and a shared sense of achievement One memorable example of this approach is the club collaborating with sports teams Originally chartered as the Lions Club of Ōmokoroa Te Puna in 1974 with just 21 members Early projects included sending fruit to Tokanui Hospital providing volunteer manpower for the IHC Swimming Pool Project and building a climbing frame at Te Puna Playcentre was completed in 1978 and became a beloved landmark The club’s role in supporting the community grew over the years with key enterprising initiatives such as the Bethlehem Sunday Markets and Lions Mints where profits contributed to the rescue helicopter The club has been instrumental in installing drinking fountains constructing steps and developing the Orchid Gazebo Lookout at Te Puna Quarry Park and the annual Outdoor Adventure Camp at Ngatuhoa Lodge the club has also played a pivotal role in fundraising for large-scale projects including raising $128,000 for Waipuna Hospice “We were the driving force to turn Waipuna from daycare to residential The initial start was six beds,” Gill said “We were influential in getting either grants or sponsorships and had support bringing in good money,” club member Ron Stephens said “To date we’d have raised between $1.2 to $1.3 million And that’s all gone back into support organisations The club has also provided critical assistance during national disasters such as organising a fundraising campaign for Cyclone Bola victims in 1988 and supporting the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal in 2011 the club officially changed its name to the Lions Club of Bethlehem Te Puna reflecting its specific focus and the community it served from fundraising and supporting community projects from Ōmokoroa to Pāpāmoa Projects include purchasing vans for Avalon and Tauranga Women’s Refuge; raising funds for Ōmokoroa Point School’s adventure playground and Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade; sending 18 milk separators to Fiji farmers; helping with a building project on Matakana Island; and building a toilet block for Te Puna Scouts members of Bethlehem Te Puna Lions club sponsored the Charter of The Lions Club of Welcome Bay They raised funds for Mount Maunganui Surf Club they built and supplied kitchen units for Aongatete Lodge costing $2000 and in 1985 raised funds to help build the Recreation Hall at Ngatuhoa Outdoor and Education Lodge They built the barbecues at Ōmokoroa Domain installed playground equipment at Pahoia Domain and organised a variety concert to raise $1100 to purchase equipment for Tauranga Hospital Children’s Ward and erected bus shelters in Te Puna and on Matakana Island there have been challenges — including the recent demolition of the Maramatanga Sport and Recreation Pavilion a project the club helped fund and build in the 1990s The club was also saddened by the closure of the Minden Lookout with the attraction having issues with maintenance and occasional misuse The club has a directional stainless steel drum sign there And council are going to build a new cover over the top of it.” Stephens said in recent years the lookout had attracted “booze parties” as the top platform of the Minden Lookout could take about 20 people “That’s one of the attractions the residents didn’t want But now these other issues have come up.” who have both been Lions members since first joining in Paengaroa said the 50-year story of their beloved Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club shouldn’t mention any individuals “It’s all about what the club has achieved,” Gill said The common expression given by Lions members after years of service is said with feeling: “Joining Lions changed my life” The club’s motto ‘We Serve’ continues to inspire members to look outward and make a positive difference in the world around them Lions did an amazing job with the lookout ...real shame to see the structure itself is no longer there. We appreciate all that you do for the community You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image That was how a witness described the moment a motorcycle hit two pedestrians as they crossed State Highway 2 at Bethlehem near Tauranga after an evening meal together at a local restaurant on July 22 As they made their way across the road at a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights The couple suffered “unsurvivable injuries” and died at the scene is defending two counts of manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua While the defendant accepts he caused the Bouchers’ deaths he does not accept that his actions amounted to manslaughter He also faces a charge of dangerous driving causing injury for the injuries suffered by his pillion passenger was driving through the intersection on the other side of the road when they saw the couple walking across the traffic-light-controlled pedestrian crossing the motorbike collided with the two people crossing the road The witness drove around the roundabout and back to the scene of the incident where they helped to stop traffic and call emergency services led by prosecutors Ian Murray and Camille Houia committed three “interconnected unlawful and dangerous acts” − speeding and failing to stop at the red light − when he collided with the Bouchers The jury would have to decide whether these actions were so negligent that they constituted a “major departure” from the ordinary standard of care expected of a reasonable person riding a motorcycle Houia said the couple had been out for dinner at The Orchard in Bethlehem and decided to walk home CCTV showed them walking shoulder-to-shoulder before they were seen “lawfully crossing” at the traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossing near the Pizza Hut at the Bethlehem shops the motorcyclist was riding his Harley Davidson motorbike “well above” the speed limit and had “flown through” the roundabout and changed lanes turning it into “virtually a straight piece of road” She said the Crown case was that this allowed him to maintain his speed and then “without any real braking” he rode straight into the couple “It’s as a result of these dangerous and unlawful actions that the defendant faces trial before you,” Houia told the jury While the man faces two charges of manslaughter there are alternative charges of dangerous driving causing death which the jury can consider if they don’t find the Crown has proved the manslaughter charges beyond reasonable doubt The focus for the jury would be on the man’s driving immediately before and at the time of the collision said as she merged into a single lane at the bottom of a hill having just come off the expressway heading towards the Bethlehem roundabout she’d been surprised to see a bike “whoosh” past her She told the court she’d had to brake to avoid a potential collision as the motorcycle cut her off and then saw a red car stopped with its hazard lights on at the collision site She’d stayed in her car until emergency services arrived The motorcyclist is represented by Ron Mansfield who told the jury there could be no doubt the collision caused “significant loss” Mansfield said it was not a trial where the jury would hear the lawyers “bellowing away” regarding what was or was not true is representing a motorcyclist charged with manslaughter in the trial in the High Court at Rotorua His client accepted he was riding the motorcycle that struck the Bouchers and this resulted in the loss of their lives morally and legally at fault for the accident,” Mansfield said He also accepted he’d been riding above the posted speed limit the man did not accept he should have been charged with manslaughter − the “very highest charge” the Crown could have selected for “such a tragic occurrence as this” Mansfield said the reality was most people would travel above the posted speed limit when they thought it was safe to do so “We can’t sit here and pretend that we don’t ourselves drive above the posted speed limit when we think it’s okay to do that,” he said Mansfield said there was more to the collision than just the motorcyclist’s speed and the defence would look at why that might have been Bethlehem pedestrian crossing where Geoffrey and Karen Boucher were killed The defence would present evidence to suggest the pedestrian crossing was “inherently dangerous” in terms of its proximity to the roundabout and visibility “All we’re suggesting is that whilst he was travelling at a speed above the posted speed limit and that’s a factor you’ll have to take into account and one that he acknowledges that in and of itself doesn’t make him guilty of manslaughter,” Mansfield said The trial before Justice Cheryl Gwyn continues Women of Influence Awards Stacy Wescoe//May 5 Bethlehem’s small businesses loving ‘Best Main Street’ honor is one of the shops along Main Street in Bethlehem Jefferson Health is helping to bring a major sporting event to the Lehigh Valley that is expected to bring a m[...] Bethlehem just keeps raking in the accolades and now has the title of Best Main Street from USA Today There’s a new travel option available to people visiting Carbon County Bethlehem just keeps raking in the honors and now it’s a finalist for another distinction a $27 million downtown boutique-style hotel Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose slightly in November to 3.5% Sign up for your daily digest of the Greater Lehigh Valley LLP Marketing and Communications Manage[...] Fisher joins Gross [...] Fleischaker joi[...] Strauss joins Gros[...] Listen to this article Brian Fanning Miller-Keystone Blood Center Vice President of Operations Brian[...] Listen to this article George Marinelli KeyBank Senior Relationship Manager George Marinelli joins K[...] Listen to this article John (JR) Raebiger CTFA™ KeyBank Senior Relationship Manager JR Rae[...] location” is an adage typically used when buying a home but the same princ[...] Invoice fraud involves submitting fake or illegitimate invoices often with convincing documentation[...] Prescription drugs continue to be the fastest-rising cost to many employer-sponsored health plans discussion of tariffs (and the economy in general) seems to center around talk of “uncerta[...] Parents aren’t just part of most companies’ staff – they’re a huge part Gene and cellular therapies are exceedingly rare – sometimes one-in-a-million rare Lehigh Valley Business provides 24/7 business news coverage and events honoring top business professionals Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Click here for information about plaques permissions and reprints of previous editions Mostly cloudy with a few scattered showers lingering overnight the former mayor of Bethlehem and who is part of the group that built the apartments - New information is shining light on what may have caused a four-alarm fire that tore through the roof of a Bethlehem apartment building 135 people are now displaced after the fire broke out this afternoon at the Five 10 Flats in Southside Bethlehem "We went back and looked at security footage and based on where the first alarm went off the fire sensor we can identify the area where the fire started," said John Callahan with Peron Development the former mayor of Bethlehem and who is part of the development group that built the apartments "He was unfortunately smoking on the rooftop deck and put his cigarette out in a planter and it smoldered and smoldered and ultimately led to the fire," Callahan said A fire restoration company is starting to go through the building to assess the damage but there is no timeline of when everyone will be able to go back I was really proud how Bethlehem stepped up today," he added People were outside waiting to be allowed in to gather some of their belongings but it's nice they're letting us get those essential documents," explained Chesca Vasilio Even though people are displaced and items are damaged residents say the important thing is that no one was hurt and that the community came together to help Country Club Brewing had free food for those who live there We knew they needed a place to eat," added Derek Wallen with Country Club Brewing Fire officials continue their investigation to determine the official cause of the fire A building official told 69 News they have a video of a man extinguishing a cigarette into a planter on the rooftop deck Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. The jury has been left to decide if the way a 60-year-old was riding on July 22, 2022, was a “wanton disregard” for the safety of road users, or a case of “human fallibility”. Geoffrey and Karen Boucher suffered unsurvivable injuries as they lawfully crossed State Highway 2 at Bethlehem, on a traffic-signal controlled crossing. Karen Boucher was sent flying, while Geoffrey Boucher was dragged under the bike. Both died at the scene. As they made their way across the road at a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights, a motorbike hit them. The couple suffered “unsurvivable injuries” and died at the scene. The Crown alleges it was the rider’s “ego” that killed them. Prosecutor Ian Murray said in closing that the rider rode by his own rules, paying no attention to speed limits, choosing to make his own assessments about safe speeds. The Crown said that in this case, his assessment was wrong. Both Crown and defence experts confirmed the man was speeding immediately before and in the lead-up to the collision. Defence expert Dr Tim Stevenson estimated the rider was travelling an average of 110km/h in the 50km/h zone just before the roundabout. The Crown says the jury can see the rider cuts the lanes to maintain speed, and on the man’s own evidence, has difficulty as he leaves the roundabout because of grooves in the road. The rider said he took a straight line because it was safer for his pillion passenger. Because of his speed, the Crown alleges, he was distracted by the “little bit of difficulty” and careered out the other side to approach the pedestrian crossing, which had been showing red signals for “quite some time”. The Crown says that at some point he looked up, saw the red light and braked, but it was too late. The rider denies ever seeing a red light and doesn’t know why his brake lights are seen coming on. He accepts he must have braked, but doesn’t know what he saw to make him apply the brakes just before impact. Murray told the jury the rider must have seen the red light, but because he was travelling so fast, by the time he reacted, the brakes came on only a fraction of a second before impact. He was travelling almost 70km/h when he hit the Bouchers, leaving them with virtually no chance of survival. Murray told the jury not to be distracted by the many “red herrings” of the defence case; it was a very “simple” trial. His riding amounted to a “major departure” from the standard expected of a reasonable and prudent rider, the Crown said. Ron Mansfield, KC, who led the defence with co-counsel Caitlin Gentleman, closed their case by reminding the jury the rider had never denied he caused the collision and was at fault. However, the defence did not consider the Crown had selected the appropriate charge. The Crown sought to frame the rider and his conduct as “cynical, callous and cold”, said Mansfield. “Can I suggest that might tell us more about the prosecutor promoting his charge than it does about [the rider]?” Mansfield said the defence didn’t deny speed was a factor, but he urged the jury to consider the whole picture. The rider hadn’t seen the red light, because he was fixated on a centre green light further down the road, Mansfield said. The defence pointed to visual clutter around the first set of traffic lights, which on the night in question was missing a central overhanging light that was brighter and higher than the two lights on either side of the road. “Without that central light there, you could see the central light further down the road. Before the roundabout and after he became fixated on it, thinking that was the controlling light for what he could do,” he said. “It was a bigger lamp and it was in the middle of the road, and it was right in the vision of the rider.” He was so fixated, that he “didn’t see the red lights that were there to be seen”. Both Mansfield and Murray urged the jury to consider the way the rider responded after the collision, but offered different conclusions about his behaviour. Murray said the man was self-serving – seeing to his own needs by going into the Pizza Hut bathroom to clean himself up, and only offering assistance to Karen Boucher once he saw the emergency services arriving. He referred to witnesses’ statements about things they heard and saw the rider say – concern for where his bag was, a “callous” phone call asking for his bike to be collected, and an apparent lack of concern about the state of the Bouchers. However, Mansfield urged caution when assessing those statements. The rider hadn’t tried to leave the scene, he had stayed, and witnesses had only heard snippets of conversations. Their view of what he said had been coloured by what had happened, Mansfield said. They had seen “a guy who had been riding a Harley Davidson”, were “shocked” by the death of two people, and were prone “to jump to negative conclusions”. The rider, like others who were at the scene, had taken some time to realise a second victim was lying on the side of the road. When he did see Karen Boucher, he saw that no one was attending to her, and tried to help her in the way he thought he could – by performing chest compressions. Sadly, it was likely she had already died at this point. He hadn’t asked the paramedics about the Bouchers’ condition, because it was clear to everyone they were dead. The Crown said the man had started a “self-serving” petition, calling for a review of the pedestrian crossing, in a bid to shift the blame. But Mansfield said it came from a place of genuine concern for safety, and this concern was shared by hundreds of other locals who had signed it. While there hadn’t been other deaths or collisions on the crossing, Mansfield said that didn’t tell the jury whether there had been near-misses. The defence called a witness who told the jury she and her brother were very nearly hit by a truck as they went to cross on a green light, as the truck ran a red. The prosecution had pointed to the volume of traffic that used the road, some 47 million cars over five years. But Mansfield said that wasn’t the right metric to focus on, it was more important to focus on how often the pedestrian crossing was used, which based on defence witnesses evidence from the council and expert, wasn’t often. Mansfield accepted the rider’s conduct had fallen below the standard expected. “You might think it’s careless, it’s not what we expect of the ordinary or reasonable, or competent driver ... It’s careless driving causing death and if that charge had been laid, none of us would be here.” Justice Cheryl Gwyn said, in summing up, manslaughter was defined as culpable homicide that was not murder. “It is when someone is killed, and while it is not regarded as murder, we view the person who causes the death, their conduct as reprehensible,” she said. It is the killing of a person by unlawful act, where that act is objectively dangerous, and an operative cause of the person’s death. Where it involves negligence, that must be a “major departure” from the standard of care required in that situation. The difference between that and “dangerous driving causing death” was they must drive in a way that falls below the standard of care owed in a situation, and that driving must have created a situation that was dangerous to the public. While for manslaughter, the focus was on the “unlawful acts”, in dangerous driving, the driver didn’t have to have committed an unlawful act, the focus was on the driving as a whole. The Crown says the unlawful acts were the rider’s speed, dangerous cutting of lanes on the roundabout, and failing to stop for the red light. The jury has retired to consider its verdict. TaurangaAsking Price $749,000322135m²Tranquil Oasis in Sought-After BethlehemThe Location speaks for itself in this sunny Nestled within the Braemar Villas this property offers a peaceful garden oasis with a fully fenced courtyard - perfect for entertaining or even adding your own spa pool in the courtyard Residents also enjoy access to a swimming pool and tennis court it has been fully reclad in 2019 with a new Code of Compliance for peace of mind with double glazed joinery and the landscaped courtyard with mature trees create a serene setting This home has meticulously been looked after with lovely high ceilings in the living area with new LED lights with an extra powerful cosy heat pump for your year-round comfort The double garage features newly laid carpet while the lock-up-and-leave design is perfect for travellers Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle or a home with boarder potential this super quiet retreat is perfect for a permanent home or a rental investment Braemar Villas are minutes away from Bethlehem Town Centre with shops dining and amenities and zoned for top schools close by Enquire today and secure your home in Braemar Villas - Crews rushed to the scene of a fire at a South Bethlehem apartment building this afternoon Firefighters were dispatched to the Five 10 Flats in the 500 block of E Initial emergency dispatches called for heavy fire coming from the roof billowing black smoke and ferocious flames greeted firefighters when they pulled up on the scene "We had a fire on the roof when we arrived We had to call in multiple resources to help us," said Assistant Chief Anthony Prelitz The plume of smoke could be seen miles away as fire crews worked to battle the flames Residents of the 95-unit building stood on the sidewalk watching in disbelief get out' and I look and there is flames on top of the building and it just spread," she recalled they immediately shuttled us over across the street and we've kind of been here ever since," Peyton said with many watching as firefighters worked to contain the fire hoping their pets left inside the building were ok The fire also impacted all of the shops on the ground floor Nearby businesses turned out to check on their neighbors and give firefighters water "Our intention was to make sure that everyone was good which is another reason why we came down to serve these men and women who are just putting their lives on the line for us," said Michael Williams who now works with the development company that constructed the Five 10 Flats apartment complex told 69 News they have a video of a man extinguishing a cigarette into a planter on the rooftop deck He says they sent the video to the Bethlehem Fire Department and they will use it as they conduct their investigation Callahan says they plan to make repairs and get the apartment building back to its original state as soon as possible The Red Cross confirmed they are assisting displaced residents PMG Funds and Star Group are excited to share that the Bay of Plenty’s first Goode Brothers officially opened on Saturday The new venue is poised to redefine the local dining scene with its vibrant “Kiwitalian” concept a creative fusion of authentic Italian cuisine and Kiwi hospitality Goode Brothers offers a unique experience designed to bring people together—whether for a family-friendly meal With a menu designed to both share and savour Goode Brothers promises to become a go-to destination for all ages Its arrival marks a fresh addition to Bethlehem Town Centre enhancing its status as a key destination for both locals and visitors from across the Tauranga region Head of Operations – Upper North at Star Group said: “We’re thrilled to bring one of our favourite venue brands to Bethlehem Town Centre This marks our fourth Goode Brothers location and we’re confident the community will love their new Kiwitalian local This concept has been a big hit in Auckland and we’re excited to bring that same vibe of turning every day into an occasion to Tauranga We aim to create a space for an anytime get-together Key highlights of Goode Brothers at Bethlehem Town Centre: A distinctive “Kiwitalian” menu – Italian culinary delights are served up with Kiwi charm Regular events and promotions that ensure every visit is memorable – think handmade pasta classes and private pizza classes The launch of Goode Brothers aligns with Bethlehem Town Centre’s broader vision to optimise its tenant mix and deliver a diverse “Goode Brothers is an ideal fit for our strategy to attract new visitors and enhance the overall experience for shoppers and diners alike,” added Todd “This partnership is a testament to our focus on collaborating with experience-driven brands that resonate with our community and enrich our tenant portfolio” Goode Brothers is sure to further elevate Bethlehem Town Centre’s reputation as a vibrant retail and dining hub in Tauranga spoke to Vatican News about the situation in the West Bank and whether it has changed since the temporary ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.  While the ceasefire has brought a sense of relief have made life extremely difficult for Palestinians On the day the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect 90 additional barriers were placed around the city of Bethlehem is the ongoing lack of international recognition of the state of Palestine and its struggles He emphasised that despite international recognition of Palestine by the United Nations many countries have still not acknowledged the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people the occupation is manifested in daily hardships for students particularly the 40% who traveled from East Jerusalem Heightened travel restrictions meant students often faced unpredictable delays sometimes strategically timed around exams "It’s a humiliating practice," Br Curran said "one that directly impacts their ability to learn and thrive." Br Curran concluded with an appeal to continue to pray for the people of the Holy Land "We believe in the power of prayer," he said and we are deeply grateful for the solidarity of those who stand with us in faith and hope." You can make a donation to Bethlehem University here Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here Tuesday World Subscribers only Romania enters government crisis amid election World Subscribers only In Zurich the leaf blower war or the anti-'woke' backlash World Subscribers only Germany's Friedrich Merz is embracing pragmatism World Subscribers only Trump-Carney meeting: Canada seeks reconciliation World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Editorial European call to aid foreign researchers is too modest Opinion Subscribers only John Bolton: 'The term chaos is commonly used to describe the top of the Defense Department' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris Few Palestinian Christians gathered in the city on Sunday for Easter Mass and tourists have not returned since the terrorist attack on October 7 Unemployment and poverty rates have soared among the population By Luc Bronner (Bethlehem (West Bank) A worshipper in the Church of the Nativity MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS The Church of the Nativity slowly filled with families on April 20 Most were Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem Religious tourism has never resumed in this city "The situation is catastrophic for tourism and taking a break after the Sunday morning Mass Tourists used to number in the hundreds of thousands who did not want to give his last name for fear of public exposure "I only open for two hours from time to time," added another merchant who spent around 60 years selling souvenirs to tourists from around the world who came to admire the religious sites not a single customer entered," said the elderly man with gentle words and a delicate tongue – he learned French and English at school; his Italian You have 57.01% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial The intersection at Cambridge/Moffat roads A new road layout between Bethlehem and Tauriko for the Takitimu North Link project involved moving 15,000 cubic meters of dirt for a four-lane expressway “We are now preparing for the upcoming earthworks season with a target of shifting a further 600,000 cubic metres of material over the warmer months,” NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) senior manager of project services The construction involved relocating underground cables and pipes Along with the new road and the addition of a roundabout at St Andrew’s Drive Harrison and Cambridge’s roads were also relocated Over 50,000 litres of bitumen carried by 445 trucks were delivered to the work site we have improved the Cambridge/Moffat roads intersection which was previously a tricky spot for road users Now there are better sight lines and a safer intersection with left and right turning lanes,” Witton said The new bridge at Cambridge Road earthworks are due to break through this summer The works in the area will enable future development of the Smiths Farm area including the construction of a 25m bridge and a new access point from the St “Completing extensive work in this area is another great step forward for the project We’re grateful to our neighbours and the surrounding community for their support and patience as we move through the different phases.” The major work sites are State Highway Two and Fifteenth Ave These sites will have traffic management in place and changes to road layout while works are underway.   Crews expect to soon break through the ground underneath the Cambridge Road overbridge as part of the 2024/25 earthworks programme to link the new road sections on either side of Moffatt Road.  Are they still using cut and fill when there are quicker and possibly cheaper options like viaducts which require fay less valuable land to be wasted This is common practice in Sicily which is topographically similar to much of the north Island Is it the "not invented here" syndrome at work Firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze in n Bethlehem on Friday afternoon "We had a fire on the roof when we arrived. Because of the wind, it spread quickly across the entire roof. Went up to a fourth alarm fire. We had to call in multiple resources to help us," Bethlehem Assistant Chief Anthony Prelitz told WFMZ.  The fire left businesses on the first floor damaged while more than 100 residents were displaced A witness said he saw a man discarding a cigarette in a planter on the rooftop deck just before the fire was discovered Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976 Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to a large crowd inside Stabler Arena in Bethlehem on Saturday raising concerns about the Trump administration's agenda and calling for change across the country - Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to a large crowd inside Stabler Arena in Bethlehem on Saturday "Thank you Lehigh Valley," said Senator Sanders as he took the stage as part of his Fighting Oligarchy Tour He spoke about the Trump administration's handling of the economy and federal employee cuts "We have got to think in unprecedented ways We cannot do today what we did yesterday and that means we need a political revolution," said Senator Sanders Annemarie Bednar and Mark Roth were in the audience I knew I had to be here and I got to shake his hand and say thank you for being here," said Bednar "Just deeply concerned and troubled for the state of our nation," said Roth Senator Sanders raised concerns over a bill he said would make massive cuts to Medicaid "So my message to Congressman Mackenzie is don't vote for that terrible piece of legislation," said Sanders a spokesperson for the Mackenzie for Congress Campaign said in part: "Congressman Mackenzie is fighting for an agenda of common sense The Greater Lehigh Valley doesn't want to return to the days of open borders This marks Senator Sanders' second stop in Pennsylvania this week A destination for hand-crafted cocktails and food has ended operations in Northampton County - A destination for hand-crafted cocktails and food has ended operations in Northampton County an upscale lounge offering a “vibrant haven of mixology gourmet foods and an intimate ambiance,” has closed after about a year of operation at 203 E Owner Orwa Makhould said he's considering opening a new business concept in the space but he couldn't elaborate on what that would entail The new concept may be another lounge or food and dining concept and I liked it," Makhoul said in regard to Alibi "But it didn't perform as good as I wanted it to Maybe the economy had something to do with it Alibi held its grand opening in March 2024 Makhoul previously operated the space’s former tenant for nearly 15 years – from 2009 to February 2023 with 2022 being one of its best years in terms of sales but Makhoul had a “vision to take the space to the next level.” he was inspired by high-end lounges and restaurants that he’s visited in major cities in the United States as well other countries such as Mexico and Turkey that was a business that I started when I was 24 years old my experiences and tastes got more refined," Makhoul told 69 News prior to Alibi's opening from New York to Miami to across the United States and overseas as well where I experienced fine dining venues and high-end lounges with really unique craft cocktails and cuisine." Makhoul and his team spent over a year readying the bi-level space for Alibi’s debut They gutted the space to include new flooring They also exposed the lower level's brick walls and installed a custom bar with a quartz top Alibi featured a food menu focusing on small plates and shareables Guests could enjoy includes cold dishes such as East Coast oysters (with mignonette and house-made cocktail sauce) house-made hummus (with grilled za’atar pita) and a charcuterie board; and hot dishes such as beef tallow truffle frites coconut-crusted tiger prawns (with mango chili sauce) and Moroccan-spiced swordfish kabobs (with lemon caper tahini sauce) also offered pizzas such as white truffle and “spicy and sweet"; and desserts such as Alibi flaming baked Alaska and pineapple pot au crème each with a marker detailing its sweetness level The cocktails were also divided into three categories: spirit forward with the latter indicating drinks with sweet flavors such as vanilla cream Guests could enjoy applied pastry cocktails such as the matcha cheesecake (matcha latte vodka and Tahitian vanilla bean mascarpone foam) fruit driven cocktails such as the Hawaiian whiskey sour (bacon fat wash and sundried tomato infusion of Canadian whisky with acid adjusted pineapple cordial and egg white) and spirit forward cocktails such as the tapenade martini (Castlevetrano tapenade infusion of organic vodka with truffle and bleu cheese-stuffed olive) Cocktails featured premium and unique spirits from around the world along with liqueurs and syrups infused on-site Most signature cocktails were priced between $15 and $18 which featured seating for around 100 customers on two levels also offered outdoor dining on a covered patio Headlines and Weather delivered directly to your inbox Your source for important local government and business events delivered Tue to Sat Your daily headlines and complete forecast from 69 News meteorologists delivered every morning around 6am The latest headlines plus find out what's coming up tonight on 69News The West Bank city of Bethlehem is gearing up to observe Christmas without its customary festive displays for the second consecutive year due to Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip believed to be built on the grotto where Jesus Christ was born prayers and calls for an end to the Israeli war on Gaza have replaced the usual festivities and churches are adorned with Christmas decorations with one of the world’s most beautiful Christmas trees erected in Manger Square near the famous church The city also usually bustles with tourists during the holiday season which has killed over 45,300 people since last year has dimmed the Christmas celebrations in the city and stolen the joy from its residents.This year’s Christmas celebrations in the city are limited to religious rituals and family visits which remains nearly empty compared to its usual crowded state on Christmas Eve when the square would typically be filled with tourists and worshippers from around the world pastor of the Greek Orthodox community in Bethlehem described the city as "sad and gloomy" this year due to the ongoing Israeli war is that the Palestinian Christ raises prayers during Christmas for peace the message of love and peace spreads to the world,” Thaljieh told Anadolu He urged Palestinian Christians to remain steadfast on their sacred land "This piece of land is unlike any other; it is a holy place and the eyes of the world are focused on it “Our brothers and fellow citizens in Gaza are living under destruction hoping that better days are ahead and that they can join us here in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas together.” Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman described this year’s Christmas atmosphere as "grim" in light of the ongoing war in Gaza “The message of Christmas has not changed since Christ was born it is a message of love,” Salman told Anadolu “Bethlehem has decided to mark Christmas without festive displays and supplications to end the suffering and injustice against our people “We believe Bethlehem should convey to the world today a grim picture of the reality in Palestine through the absence of decorations in hopes of awakening te world’s conscience to work toward ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and achieving a just and comprehensive peace,” Salman added The mayor said that Palestinians in Bethlehem are living in dire economic conditions many families were unable to provide Christmas clothes or gifts for their children We are living in a state of anguish,” Salman lamented spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism called this year’s Christmas celebrations somber and gloomy with celebrations limited to religious rituals there are no tourist delegations or pilgrims due to the devastating war Israel is waging against our people,” Qumsieh said “Bethlehem is suffering from a significant economic downturn with hotel bookings at only 3 percent this year,” he added Qumsieh estimated Bethlehem’s daily losses due to the Israeli war at $1 to $1.5 million the city’s total losses have reached approximately $1 billion Christian communities following the Western calendar mark the peak of their celebrations with midnight Mass on Dec Communities following the Eastern calendar will celebrate Christmas on January 7 New Bethlehem features a lot in season 6 of The Handmaid's Tale - we reveal where it could sit within the show's geography as well as the real-life filming location The Handmaid's Tale has become an absolute juggernaut of a show, and with the arrival of season 6 the final instalment in the dystopian drama interest in the series is at an all-time high Fans are expected to be similarly invested in The Testaments the TV sequel based on Margaret Atwood's 2019 follow-up novel to her original 1985 release of The Handmaid's Tale As with any new series of a much-loved TV show as viewers dissect each episode and its details Those tuning in to The Handmaid's Tale's final season are interested in learning more about New Bethlehem an interesting new development within Gilead's landscape Although it hasn't been explicitly stated on the show it's widely speculated that New Bethlehem is likely to be somewhere near Boston Gilead has a strong hold over the Boston area which is now where commander Lawrence and other high-ranking Gilead residents live Having New Bethlehem near their stronghold makes sense for the Gilead elite as they can easily commute between the new venture and their permanent homes which has relaxed versions of Gilead law and gives women more rights As it's a coastal area and has an island feel Reddit users believe New Bethlehem could be Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket - both islands and within easy reach of Boston Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news expert advice on styling and beauty trends and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered Further suggestions include Mount Desert Island Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were the most popular guesses New Bethlehem doesn't use Handmaids and women are allowed to read although Commander Lawrence wants to use it as a way to reform Gilead the area currently appears to be a propaganda tool to calm international relations and lure back escaped residents hoping to be reunited with their loved ones Filming for the New Bethlehem scenes in The Handmaid's Tale took place at the Crystal Beach lakefront community of Fort Erie The gated Tennis and Yacht club in the area was only used for exterior scenes and all interior New Bethlehem shots were filmed at a studio Local resident Jean Marchand watched some of the filming taking place describing it to Fort Erie Radio as "pretty cool." He added "It’s fun to see your little slice of the world on TV the amount of coordination and detail that goes into every second." A post shared by South Coast Cookhouse (@southcoastcookhouse) A local Crystal Beach restaurant shared pictures to Instagram of camera crews filming in the area "It’s not every day that a major international television show films outside your restaurant….but today’s one of those days!," the caption reads "Filming for the best season of The Handmaid's Tale continues today in sunny Crystal Beach It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with the entire production team Look for our very own Derby Rd this upcoming season Lucy WigleyEntertainment WriterLucy is a multi-award nominated writer and blogger with seven years’ experience writing about entertainment Lucy worked as a freelance writer and journalist at the likes of PS and moms.com before joining GoodtoKnow as an entertainment writer The pull to return to the world of television was strong and she was delighted to take a position at woman&home to once again watch the best shows out there and tell you why you should watch them too The nearly 30-year-old arts center closed its doors on Jan - The Banana Factory is disappearing before our eyes an excavator could be seen moving wood and metal the product of six buildings that were linked together which have fallen into disrepair in recent years Taking over the site will be a five-story structure called the "Creative Factory powered by PPL." The new building will be 78,500 square feet and cost $26 million with a one-story 5,500-square-foot glass studio The Creative Factory will be temperature-controlled and equipped to take the arts in Bethlehem into the future Bethlehem's Director of Community and Economic Development Laura Collins sent us the following statement: One of the many exciting developments underway is ArtsQuest's reimagining of the Banana Factory Demolition of the existing but outdated structures began this week and in a few months we should expect to see the start of construction on the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL ArtsQuest has been a wonderful community partner for many decades and we look forward to this new facility continuing that legacy with even greater impact for our community." The Creative Factory is expected to be completed in late 2026