will be visiting Bethlehem in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality The visit aims to commemorate the Harvest Day at the Remmoho Investment in Agriculture Farm  Significant milestones in agricultural development will be celebrated to further demonstrate government’s commitment to growing an inclusive agricultural sector while creating job opportunities As the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform the Deputy President will engage with approximately 400 local farmers agricultural stakeholders and commodity groups to discuss strategies for expanding the agricultural sector and supporting job creation in the province the Deputy President will witness first-hand the investments in apple export and processing facilities in the province which showcases the innovative efforts to enhance agricultural production and support local farmers The visit will also highlight the role of Remmoho Investment in Agriculture which contributes to government’s vision enshrined in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) of growing an inclusive agricultural sector The company’s investments in the agricultural space are playing a pivotal role in breaking new frontiers to create employment opportunities and achieve food security in South Africa The event will also be a celebration of agricultural success stories as well as an opportunity to underscore how such initiatives align with government efforts to foster economic development and food security Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Mr John Steenhuisen Minister of Agriculture and Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development The Deputy President will be received by the Premier of the Free State Provincial Government Ms Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and the Executive Mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municiplaity The media is invited to cover this important event please contact Matshepo Seedat on 082 679 9473 or Moliehi Moeng on 073 260 5173 Media enquiries: Keith Khoza Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 OR Spokesperson to the Premier Matshediso Setai on 076 630 3345/078 363 3631 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 ───   KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:11 Sat The community of Bohlokong near Bethlehem in the Free State is reeling from shock and grief following the discovery of the body of a missing child near a graveyard The body of Hlonolofatso Mokoena (10) was discovered near the Bakenpark graveyard on Friday (10/1) Mokoena who had been reported missing was found with multiple stab wounds Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring said his body was discovered by a passerby who alerted the police.  Mokoena was last seen on Thursday (9/1) playing with friends and was wearing a grey T-shirt and brown Soviet sandals at the time of his disappearance from Bohlokong on the same day the body was discovered The suspects are set to appear in the Bethlehem Magistrate Court on Monday (13/1).  The murder of Mokoena has continued to highlight a troubling surge in violent crimes across the province a child (5) was found dead in a yard in Thaba Nchu's Zone 4 Extension A knife believed to be the murder weapon was found at his home In another incident Nonzenza Mtsi (87) was stabbed eleven times in her home on Friday (3/1) allegedly after withdrawing her social grant Her body was discovered by her great-grandchild the following day Free State Social Development MEC Mathabo Leeto expressed deep concern over the rising violence against women “These acts of violence are tearing apart our communities We must unite to end these atrocities and hold perpetrators accountable.”   She emphasised the importance of community collaboration to address the root causes of violence and ensure the safety of vulnerable groups and children must feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods It is only through united action we can bring an end to these heinous crimes.”   Police have urged residents to report any suspicious activities and provide any additional information that could aid investigations Community members have also been encouraged to support one another and remain vigilant to prevent further tragedies OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg North West scholar transport operators will finally receive payments Vrystaatse ouerpaar in hof ná kinders doodbrand Besoekers sprakeloos oor skouspelagtige Augrabies UV ontken aantygings oor buitelandse werknemers Ondersoek duur voort ná skietery op Lichtenburg Oekraïne vra Suid-Afrika om ontvoerde kinders te help terugbring Wyle pous Franciskus het begrafnisrituele vooraf vereenvoudig Mianmar-aardbewing: Hulp stroom in ná meer as 1 700 sterftes Suid-Afrikaners wen gesogte blommeskou-trofee in China After the first day of action at University of Johannesburg Stadium on Thursday Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool from Free State held the lead in the girls’ division while Hoërskool Rob Ferreira of Mpumalanga lead the boy’s division Both schools will still have a lot of work to do on day two with multiple schools putting up a fight in the battle for the overall titles at the Track+Field National Final With the top T+F schools around South Africa converging on UJ Stadium there were excellent performances across the board Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool were top of the standings with 295 points with Hoërskool Stellenbosch lying second (274) and Hoërskool Rob Ferreira (247) in third Hoërskool Rob Ferreira led the standings with 293 points 30 points ahead of second-placed Tuks Sports High School of Gauteng (263) and Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool in third place (247) Carise van Rooyen was one of the standout performers securing a gun-to-tape victory in the U19 girls 800m race went out hard from the start and held on to win in 2:07.93 finishing more than seven seconds clear of her nearest opponent It helps young athletes improve a lot by challenging themselves against good athletes which can boost their confidence," Van Rooyen said afterwards "I had a lot of fun with my friends on the bus coming down here after SuperSport picked us up this morning and the atmosphere here has been very good." Stellenbosch athlete Lee-Hanro Arendse also delivered an impressive performance though he didn't have things all his own way Arendse controlled the pace for most of the race but was pushed all the way to the line Sisanda Ntuli (Tuks Sport) took the runner-up spot in 1:55.98 with the top four finishers all dipping under 1:58.00 It's a good opportunity and it was awesome today," Arendse said "Track and field have always been my dream and you've got to chase your goals The overall champions at the T+F National Final - a joint venture between SuperSport SA Schools Athletics and Athletics South Africa - will be crowned on Friday which will be held between 1.30pm and 5.30pm will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 (channel 209) and the SuperSport Schools app AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale BETHLEHEM - Hundreds of people gathered at the Church of the Nativity in the Christian holy city of Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark another solemn Christmas overshadowed by the war in Gaza Missing for a second consecutive year were the festive decorations and the crowd paled in comparison to the throngs of tourists and pilgrims of Christmases past -- a reflection of the sombre mood as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip churns on the heart of the Palestinian city dominated by the revered church that marks the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born a group of scouts held a small parade that broke the morning's silence "Our children want to play and laugh," read a sign carried by one of them The war in Gaza -- which is cut off from the occupied West Bank by Israeli territory -- erupted after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 last year according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures Israel's retaliatory war in Gaza has left 45,338 people dead according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory a grand Christmas tree would light up Manger Square but local authorities opted against elaborate celebrations for a second year "This year we limited our joy," Bethlehem mayor Anton Salman told AFP including the church's famed midnight mass will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Church's Latin Patriarch but the festivities will be of a more strictly religious nature some Christians in the Holy Land -- who number about 185,000 in Israel and 47,000 in the Palestinian territories -- were finding refuge in prayer We're going to pray and ask God to end our suffering," Salman said In a message to Christians all over the world Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked them for supporting Israel's fight against the "forces of evil" forcefully as Israel defends our civilisation against barbarism," he said hundreds of people took to the streets in Christian areas of Syria's capital to protest the burning of a Christmas tree The incident took place in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah in central Syria just over two weeks after Islamist-led rebels spearheaded an offensive that ousted president Bashar al-Assad According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor the fighters who set fire to the tree were foreigners A demonstrator in Damascus who gave his name as Georges told AFP he was protesting "injustice against Christians" "If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country then we don't belong here anymore," he said Syria's new rulers have vowed to protect the country's religious minorities including secular longtime opponents to Assad's rule fear the new leadership's Islamist ideology will mean their community's aspirations and those of other minorities will not be taken into account in the transition Christmas was overshadowed by a deadly attack at a market prompting President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to issue a message of healing "Hatred and violence must not have the final word Let's not allow ourselves to be driven apart," he said Pope Francis will mark Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025 a year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome The motto of the Jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope" and the Argentine pontiff is expected to repeat his calls for peace in a world riven by conflict Among the groups registered to participate in the Jubilee is Italian LGBTQ group La Tenda di Gionata reflecting the pope's call for the Church to be open to all as families in many countries around the world gathered for meals and gift-giving As an annual tradition of "tracking" Santa Claus swung into action a US Air Force general said there was no need to worry that recent mystery drone sightings might affect deliveries General Gregory Guillot's reassurances came as the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command reported that Santa and his reindeer were making stops across Asia "Of course we are concerned about drones and anything else in the air," NORAD commander Guillot told Fox News "But I don't foresee any difficulty at all with drones for Santa this year." worshippers gathered at the Notre Dame cathedral for the first Christmas mass since its reopening following a devastating fire in 2019 It's a superb monument," said Julien Violle a 40-year-old engineer who travelled to Paris from Switzerland along with his two children Notre Dame officially reopened on December 7 in a ceremony attended by world leaders including incoming US President Donald Trump 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 the Democratic Alliance Leader in the Free State together with DA councillors from the Dihlabeng Caucus carried out an oversight visit to the site of the fire that destroyed many vehicles during the Bethlehem Air Show The DA counted at least 11 spots where vehicles burnt out completely but reports indicate that many more vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the fire The DA has sympathy for individuals who have experienced losses due to the fire The fire allegedly started after a “braai” blew over and set the veld alight The fire spread speedily due to strong winds and people were unable to save vehicles in time The smoke caused havoc and also caused aircraft to be grounded which is one of the main role-players in the event and on whose property the disaster took place must take responsibility for the fire and the damage caused The following can at this stage be determined: The Bethlehem Air Show remains an impressive event that brings in a much-needed boost for tourism and other economic benefits for the municipality and the province We hope that lessons are learned from this unfortunate incident that will ensure preventative measures in the future The DA will hold the DLM accountable by calling for an urgent council meeting to discuss the events the COGTAHS portfolio committee must request a full physical report from the DLM It is important that Free State Municipalities implement a sound checklist of risks and preventative measures and procedures to deal with all eventualities and have the necessary firefighting capacity to deal with various types of fires registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO Deputy president Paul Mashatile will visit the Free State to engage with farmers at the Remmoho Investment in Agriculture Harvest Day Deputy president Paul Mashatile will lead a high delegation of ministers and government officials to the Remmoho Investment in Agriculture Harvest Day in Bethlehem the event will celebrate the entity’s ongoing commitment to agricultural development and economic progress within the Thabo Mofutsanyana district “This landmark event will bring together industry leaders and strategic partners to showcase innovation and economic impact in the Free State’s agriculture sector “The Remmoho Investment in Agriculture is spearheading a game-changing apple farming and processing initiative at Stead Fruit Growers farm which is focused on export and local processing This initiative aligns with the vision of chairman Pitso Sekhoto whose dedication to agriculture and economic development is now coming to fruition driving employment and transformation in the province of the Eastern Free State,” the statement said Remmoho and its partners are developing a 100-hectare apple farm for exports and processing markets on Stead Fruit Growers farm expanded from 12 hectares to 19 hectares in 2024 This growth highlights the entity’s role in leading sustainable backed by key investments and resource support from both government and private entities,” the statement noted the deputy president’s office said the visit aims to celebrate significant milestones in agricultural development and further demonstrate the government’s commitment to growing an inclusive agricultural sector while creating job opportunities “As the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on agriculture and land reform the deputy president will engage with approximately 500 local farmers discussing strategies for expanding the agricultural sector the deputy president will witness first-hand the investments in apple export and processing facilities in the province in growing production,” the deputy president’s office said in a statement It also stated that the visit would highlight the role of Remmoho Investment in Agriculture that contributes to the government’s vision enshrined in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) of growing an inclusive agricultural sector “The company’s investments in the agricultural space are playing a pivotal role in breaking new frontiers to create employment opportunities and achieve food security in South Africa “The event will be a celebration of agricultural success stories as well as an opportunity to underscore how such initiatives align with government efforts to foster economic development and ensure food security for the nation.” READ NEXT: Heavy rains bring relief and ruin for farmers Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain This week's agricultural events include Food For Mzansi's Nampo Bothaville lunchtime conversations Deloitte's conversation with agricultural experts With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society Contact usOffice: +27 21 879 1824News: info@foodformzansi.co.zaAdvertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool became the third school to qualify for the National Final of the Track+Field athletics series after dominating both the boys and girls divisions at the Free State leg of the inaugural nationwide campaign held at DP de Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg on Wednesday The Voortrekker team finished well clear at the top of the overall standings with the girls earning 479 points and the boys securing 413 took second position overall with 537 points and Hoërskool Sasolburg ended third with 520.5 points Welkom Gimasiem (269 points) finished second and Hoërskool Trio (259.5) were third HTS Louis Botha (319) and Hoërskool Sasolburg (287) ended second and third respectively head of athletics at Bethlehem Voortrekker was delighted with the school's overall performance as they stamped their authority on proceedings throughout the day It does so much for the community and athletics in South Africa and I think this competition will go from strength to strength," Wolmarans said "We're already looking forward to next year because today has been very good for Voortrekker and the standout performance for us today was Carise van Rooyen She smashed the [Free State junior] record in the U19 girls 800m (clocking 2:09.19)." Track+Field series co-founder and former Olympic sprinter Mathew Quinn was pleased with the turnout at the Free State leg of the campaign "We saw some incredible performances and the energy was high," said Quinn "We saw Free State records and personal bests and we saw schools fighting for every single point and it was amazing to see at the end of the day that a school from Bethlehem (Voortrekker) emerged as the victors in both the boys and girls divisions There were awesome performances from their athletes and they deservedly walked away with the title of being the best athletics school in the Free State." Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool will join Hoërskool Diamantveld and TuksSport High School at the T+F National Final with Diamantveld having won the opening leg in the Northern Cape and TuksSport having emerged triumphant at the Gauteng leg The fourth leg of the Track+Field series - a joint venture between SuperSport SA Schools Athletics and Athletics South Africa - will be held in Queens College The fourth leg of the series will take place in Mpumalanga on Friday 28 February 2025 at the Rob Ferreira High School in White River 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 Tuesday 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 Friedrich Merz bets on two private sector converts to revive the German economy and reform the state World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and 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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 — A rooftop cigarette butt may have caused the massive blaze Friday that heavily damaged the Five10 Flats apartment and retail complex on Bethlehem's South Side director of business development for Peron Development told LehighValleyNews.com Friday evening that officials believe they have identified the source of the blaze "We've got a rooftop deck on the building and we have not identified the resident yet," Callahan said in a phone interview "It appears a resident was smoking on the rooftop deck and put a cigarette butt in one of the plants and.. "The first fire sensor went off in the elevator shaft that services the rooftop." Callahan said firefighters had cleared the building "We're making arrangements now for hotels for the residents," he said sharing thanks to Staybridge Suites Allentown West and WoodSpring Suites Easton Nazareth for "stepping up" to house residents While "it appears that only one of the sprinkler heads went off," Callahan said he expects extensive water damage throughout the building That includes Starbucks and the El Jefe Mexican Restaurant and Grill Callahan said he couldn't say how long those businesses might be closed "I want to praise the Bethlehem Fire Department and all the other fire departments that stepped up to assist," he said "It was a multiple-alarm fire and we're very fortunate that Bethlehem has a paid fire department that was available "There was a lot of volunteer fire departments that stepped up We were very fortunate — super fortunate — to have the police first responders we have in our community." Northampton County Dispatch said the initial call came in at 1:17 p.m and it was upgraded to a fourth alarm fire nearly half an hour later Firefighters were on the roof of the building by about 1:30 p.m. Massive plumes of black smoke shrouded the area as police and additional first responders raced to the scene Bethlehem Fire Department crews used a ladder hose to battle the flames as reinforcements arrived One woman driving through East First Street near the SteelStacks about 1:30 p.m Easton Fire Department and Nancy Run Fire Company were some of the first to arrive to offer mutual aid Northampton County Dispatch said at least five fire departments assisted in battling the fire Firefighters were going “door to door inside the building” about 1:40 p.m. a Bethlehem police officer told a woman who lives on the fifth floor The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania was assisting residents at the scene Regional Communications Manager for the Red Cross said the organization got the initial call about 1:30 p.m the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter is supporting displaced residents with comfort and care at a temporary evacuation point at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Center," Maisel said in an email to LehighValleyNews.com early Friday evening Firefighters were opening up the roof of the building around 2 p.m They still were fighting the blaze more than an hour after it started with charred pieces of the building falling to the ground some drifting across the street into the parking lot of Northampton Community College's Fowler Center while other firefighters worked to retrieve residents' pets medication and other necessities from inside speaking to LehighValleyNews.com across the street from the fire paid tribute to the many emergency workers involved Friday our police are second to none," Reynolds said that's the difference between saving lives and saving property [and not]." The four-alarm fire drew help from across the region "We cannot say thank you enough to the first responders" who showed up Friday The five-story building on East Third Street opened in 2018 with 95 one- and two-bedroom apartments on the upper floors said on social media it would be closed Friday due to the fire next door Country Club Brewing announced on Facebook that it opened and is offering food and beverages from other local businesses for "everyone that has been affected Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Bethlehem Central School District The Bethlehem Central School District plans to partner with two local organizations to provide a universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) program that will accommodate up to 92 four-year-olds during the 2025-26 school year UPK is a free program open to district families with children who will be four years old by Dec 2025 (children who have birth dates between Dec the district will partner with TSL Adventures (339 Delaware Ave. Delmar) and Childtime Learning Center (180 Delaware Ave. The total number of available spots will be determined through the application There is expected to be up to 92 UPK spots available between the two locations in 2025-26 All UPK openings will be filled through a lottery process The online application window opens Thursday Families will use the district’s Aspen Parent Portal to complete the application materials (see Aspen information below) All eligible students who have applications that have been fully completed and submitted by the May 23 application deadline will be part of the lottery All applicants will be notified of their lottery position by email and regular mail the week of June 2 Children who are not placed in the program initially will be placed on a waiting list and families will be contacted if space becomes available throughout the year Applications for the UPK lottery will be accepted online through the Aspen online portal. Families who do not already have an Aspen account must create one to complete the application.  Families unable to register online through Aspen should contact District Registrar Marina Bender at registration@bethlehemschools.org or call 518-439-2442 UPK – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (This information will be updated periodically.) Parents/guardians of current BC students already have an Aspen account and those parents/guardians must use their existing Aspen accounts Those who don’t have an Aspen account must create one in Aspen you must log in on a desktop or laptop computer This is only required when creating an account Once an account has been created you can log in from a mobile device or computer The application will take about 20 minutes via computer to complete Families who are unable to register online via Aspen should contact District Registrar Marina Bender at registration@bethlehemschools.org or call 518-439-2442 All updates to UPK information will be posted to this page as they become available Cloudy with more rounds of showers and possibly some downpours or a t-storm - 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 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 A new group from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel have released a report on incidents in Bethlehem Ecumenical Accompaniers pictured walking along a street in the wider Bethlehem area The latest group of ecumenical accompaniers marks the sixth successful implementation underway since the war started on 7 October 2023 The WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel has managed 80 accompaniers since the war started and expanded to South Hebron Hills with the latest group.  ecumenical accompaniers carried out 3,296 activities and visits with 5,094 international humanitarian law violations out of which 2,590 cases were referred for immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross An example of an incident in Bethlehem: on 6 March a woman from Jubbet adh Dhib reported that she and her son were attacked by settlers as she was taking him to see a doctor.  The attack occurred at 2 am and now the woman is trying to take care of her son at home so they do not have to leave for medical treatment.  residents of Hizma village reported that their homes were raided by soldiers repeatedly at night and that belongings were destroyed.  The Palestinian families are focused on comforting each other and they feel that they have no one to report to.  six families of Ras ‘Ein al ‘Auja village reported that their sheep and goats were confiscated by Israeli security forces and settlers One man was arrested because he tried to protect his sheep and the residents know nothing about his whereabouts.  a Palestinian woman in the village of Umm Al Amad reported daily harassment by Israeli soldiers and settlers She also reported that soldiers vandalized a small shop that she owns The woman has a demolition order against her home.  “It is good that people here see and know about your presence and that someone from the international community cares,” said one resident during a visit to Wings of Hope trauma center in Bethlehem on 10 February Knowing that we have eternal life gives meaning to our life Helping others is the medicine that gives us power and makes us feel good in spite of everything that happens around us,” said the principal of Al-Khader School to the ecumenical accompaniers on 9 February. “God created in our hearts the will to help others and when you smile at me I smile at you.”  Please fill in this form if you would like to receive news and updates from the WCC by email Ecumenical CentreKyoto BuildingChemin du Pommier 42CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex Safeguard your gift of faith and entrust everything to Jesus in prayer are the two recommendations Pope Francis offered to students of the University of Bethlehem in a 20 December message he sent them ahead of Christmas Addressed to Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University Brother Héctor Hernán Santos González the Holy Father called Advent a period of "joyful expectation" for the coming of Christ as he sent heartfelt greetings of spiritual closeness to the University staff and students "As the entire Church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord which also marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year," the Holy Father said will provide each of you with opportunities for spiritual renewal and a strengthening of perseverance in your vocation to be joyful disciples of Christ." "In a particular way," the Holy Father underscored "I wish to say to the young people at the University always safeguard your precious gift of faith," and "not as something to be hidden but as a treasure to be shared with others." “I wish to say to the young people at the University always safeguard your precious gift of faith” Although in your youth you may at times feel weak for he is the source of enduring hope.  "the Lord is brimming with life and will help you make your youth worthwhile." the Holy Father urged them to never “go it alone,” and rather told them to foster the bonds of academic and social friendship how much our human family needs examples of hope-filled solidarity in the current context of violence that affects so many of our brothers and sisters." the Pope encouraged them to enthusiastically witness perennial values of the Gospel to serve as an example to religious and political leaders of different beliefs and traditions.  the students will construct a future of dialogue entrusting the staff and students of Bethlehem University to the protection of Mary Mother of the Church," Pope Francis concluded "I cordially invoke upon all of you an abundance of joy and peace in Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word." Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here Christians gathered at the Church of the Nativity in the holy city of Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark a solemn Christmas overshadowed by war festive decorations were missing for a second consecutive year The crowd of several hundred paled in comparison to the throngs of tourists and pilgrims of Christmases past -- a reflection of the sombre mood as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip churns on Pope Francis urged the faithful to think "of the wars of the bombs on schools or hospitals," days after he reiterated his condemnation of the "cruelty" of Israeli strikes prompting objections from Israeli diplomats a group of scouts held a parade that broke the morning's silence will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Church's Latin patriarch told a crowd in Bethlehem he had just returned from Gaza "But I also saw life -- they don't give up which is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory hundreds of Christians gathered at a church to pray for an end to the war "This Christmas carries the stench of death and destruction," said George al-Sayegh who for weeks has sought refuge in the 12th-century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City We don't even know who will survive until the next holiday." hundreds of people took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus to protest the burning of a Christmas tree in a Syrian town just over two weeks after Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad then we don't belong here anymore," said a demonstrator who gave his name as Georges including longtime secular opponents to Assad's rule "Hatred and violence must not have the final word," he said Pope Francis marked Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025 who in recent days has made strong remarks condemning Israel's military actions in Gaza opened the "Holy Door" of St Peter's Basilica before presiding over the Christmas Eve mass Among the groups registered to participate in the Jubilee is Italian LGBTQ group La Tenda di Gionata There were many moments of joy on Christmas Eve as families around the world gathered for meals and gift-giving we are concerned about drones and anything else in the air," NORAD commander Guillot told Fox News including incoming US president Donald Trump For subscription inquiries, please contact subscription.support@al-monitor.com For all other inquiries, please use contactus@al-monitor.com 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 Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 6:06:23 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); then some breaks of sun in the afternoon but still scattered showers or a t-storm although a stray shower can't entirely be ruled out there are no recent results for popular articles there are no recent results for popular images there are no recent results for popular videos 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 celebrated with Remmoho Investment in Agriculture in the Free State According to a statement by the Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) the aim of the visit is to “celebrate significant milestones in agricultural development and further demonstrate the government’s commitment to growing an inclusive agricultural sector while creating job opportunities.” who is also the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform will furthermore engage with approximately 500 local farmers which showcases the innovative efforts to enhance agricultural production and support to local farmers As a celebration of agricultural success stories stakeholders will have the opportunity to showcase the alignment of such initiatives with the government’s efforts to foster economic development and ensure food security for the nation Remmoho Investment in Agriculture’s investments in the agricultural space will be highlighted to show how the company plays a pivotal role in breaking new frontiers to create employment opportunities and achieve food security in South Africa Remmoho Investment in Agriculture (RIA) is a black-owned company that is involved in apple production and apple juice concentrate in the Free State The company is working with the Free State government to increase apple production and create jobs FSPGA encourages local media to cover the event as “it serves as a platform to showcase the positive impact of government policies and investments in the agricultural sector” For media enquiries and additional information the acting spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840 or the Premier’s spokesperson Bloemfontein Courant is owned by Mahareng Publishing a subsidiary of Caxton Community Papers and joint venture between Caxton CTP and Central Media Group © 2024 Bloemfontein Courant. Developed by Digital Platforms 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 while massive crowds of pilgrims will flock to Rome for the opening of the Jubilee year I’ll be spending the holy season in Bethlehem Rome’s grand celebrations and newly polished piazzas are the obvious choice for the holiday struggling city where Jesus Christ was born holds a deeper urgency — and a quiet Bethlehem is caught in the crossfire of war The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has cast a long shadow over the entire region more than 60 Christian families have left the town in the last six months alone as fears of conflict and restricted access deter most visitors Where Rome anticipates millions for the Jubilee Bethlehem’s holy sites expect only a few hundred brave souls Bethlehem is both a source of pride and a heavy burden restaurants and souvenir shops stand empty unemployment in the West Bank has nearly tripled in the past six months and is now at 32% the most significant night of the year for this holy city the Church of the Nativity stands a steadfast witness to the mystery of faith The remaining Christians continue in their vocation of stewardship offering worship in these storied shrines on behalf of the rest of the Christian world spending Christmas in Bethlehem is a way of standing in solidarity with the Christians who remain holding onto their faith in the face of extraordinary challenges The current events in Bethlehem remind us that the Nativity — when God entered our world as a vulnerable child — did not happen in comfort or ease I’ll participate in Midnight Mass at St adjacent to the ancient grotto where Jesus was born I’ll walk through the narrow streets of Manger Square where the city’s Christmas lights shine bravely against a backdrop of gray concrete walls and military checkpoints I’ll head to the fields where angels first proclaimed the Good News of Christ’s birth to shepherds tending their flocks I’ll remember the magi who traveled from afar to pay homage to the newborn king And I’ll pray — not only for peace in Bethlehem but for the courage of Christians everywhere to remain steadfast in the light of faith Bethlehem’s story this Christmas stands in stark contrast to what most Christians will experience during this Holy Year I see an extraordinary reflection of the Gospel — a call to love As we celebrate the Jubilee and the great joy of Christmas let us not forget the place where it all began Let us remember Bethlehem — not just as the city of Christ’s birth but as a Christian community still singing the ancient song promising peace and goodwill to all men 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 Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.