GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ohio In the last week, about 35 feet of shoreline has disappeared from Township Park, gobbled up by a relentless Lake Erie.

Its a beautiful place to live, Rich Phinney, who lives across the road from the park, said. I look out my window and obviously I see the lake.

Phinney said that just a few years ago, he was still able to take his young grandson to the parks sandy beach for a swim. But with accelerating erosion, thats no longer an option. The sandy beach is gone, as is a lot of the parks shoreline.

Its sad, Phinney said. Its going in a hurry.

Geneva-on-the-Lake Mayor Dwayne M. Bennett said the village has tried to address the erosion issue for a few years now, but the erosion has never been quite this drastic.

We just noticed that its getting worse and worse and worse, Bennett said.

Amanda Briggs, a Geneva Township Park Trustee, said normal erosion in this area is about three to four feet a year. According to Jeremy Shaffer, the village administrator, approximately 40 to 50 feet has been lost in the last year. Of that, 35 feet has been lost in the last week, with 15 of that in just the last couple days.

Honestly, theres a lot of shock, Briggs said. I think people knew it was a problem, but once you come down here and look at it, its really quite devastating.

Leaders believe the accelerated erosion is due in part to high water levels and the lake not freezing this year.

Lake Eries water levels are continuing to rise, according to a new report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District. Levels are approximately two and a half feet above the long-term average.

We just hate to see it get to a point where its not usable, Bennett said of Township Park.

There are also serious concerns about the effect of the erosion on the villages infrastructure, including roads, sewers and storm drains, as well as the fate of private lakefront properties.

Initial plans to shore up the area and revitalize the beach have been scrapped, according to Briggs.

Now were literally just looking at funding to save what we have at this point, Briggs said.

But the cost of saving the shoreline keeps going up.

It just keeps compounding, Shaffer said. $1.3 million was the last estimate. However, its way over that because thats before we lost 35 feet.

Leaders hope voters will approve a five-year, $1.25 million levy in the March primary. For a $100,000 household, Briggs said the levy would cost about $42 each year.

Thisll be critical for us, Briggs said. At this point, we dont have the funds necessary. I mean, its going to be a million dollars just to do the basics here. So that money will allow us to get immediate funding from the bank and also apply for [federal or state] grants. Most grants are matching, so thatll give us more power that way.

Bennett said the village would like to do some type of retaining wall and some type of retention for the water.

Phinney said in addition to not being able to swim with his grandson, he has cottages that he rents to tourists.

I used to be able to tell them they could come over here and swim, Phinney said. But now, if they want to swim, theres a beach still. Its to the west of the marina. But right now, theres no way to go swimming here unless the water comes right up to the bank.

So far, Phinney said, no one has complained to him about the lack of swimming at Township Park and he does not think its affected tourism yet.

I dont think people are staying home because of this, but who knows what could happen in the future, Phinney said.

Shaffer, the village administrator, said a Congressional representative is coming out Tuesday to take a look at the erosion, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be coming out later in the week.

The village is looking at partnering with the Township Park, cause were two separate government entities, Shaffer said. Were supporting them to go after federal or state funding. Theres a permitting process. We would have to apply for Corps of Engineers permits, and then wed have to apply for ODNR permits.

However, that wont help residents who are dealing with issues on their property.

The village can assist in dealing with the public land or public infrastructure, Shaffer said. Anything that threatens that, we can take action on. When it starts going into private property, we cant necessarily intermingle public funds directly, unless theres like a public use or public access, but we still want to help those residents because its an immediate threat to their survival, being right on the lake like that.

The village plans to hold a meeting later this week to speak with neighbors about their concerns.

Link:
Erosion in Geneva-on-the-Lake erases 35 feet of shoreline in one week - News 5 Cleveland

This is KBUU News – Day 457 – The Monday Headlines – 55 MPH Winds To Continue – Effort To Get M Out of SMMUSD Continue – New Fire Chopper – Wilshire May Be More Deadly Than PCH

This is KBUU News - Day 457 - The Monday Headlines:

Malibus Only Local Daily News from Radio Malibu . F-M 99 point 1 K B U U. Good morning Im Hans Laetz reporting.

Traffic is

The weather is .

And the surf is

These cold winter winds will continue to hit Malibu thru tomorrow night.

The National Weather Service predicts that winds will be blowing at 15 to 30 mph ll day and tonight with gusts up to 45 miles an hour possible in some canyons and mountaintops this morning.

Winds may back off this afternoon but there will be another uptick in winds this evening.

Strong gusts will likely redevelop over the LA and Ventura county coastal mountains county a high wind watch will take effect again at 6 this evening and expire at noon tomorrow.

Efforts to split Malibu out of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District continue. But the 10 percent drop in the number of students due to the Woolsey Fire is not helping. Details: https://www.radiomalibu.net/efforts-to-get-the-m-out-of-smmusd-continue-despite-10-student-drop/

Power line repairs on Friday and a leaky water pipe on Saturday snarled traffic on Malibu Canyon Road right up the hill from Pepperdine last weekend.

The two problems were not related.

As of this morning no continuing problems are reported there.

But crews from Southern California Edison continue to work on replacing the 60-year-old wooden power poles on Las Virgenes Road at the north end of the canyon.

Those poles are being replaced with steel poles.

They carry one of the 66 kilovolt power lines that feed Malibu.

And those power poles and lines have caused at least three brushfires in the past 20 years.

The shoe is on the other foot tonight at Malibu City Hall.

For years some residents have complained about heavy handed decision making at the Malibu Planning Commission.

Appointed by the city council members . the planning commissioners handle nuts and bolts decisions about planning and zoning.

And that makes them a lightning rod for criticism some people just dont like unelected residents telling them what to do with their land.

This time the land is owned by the city of Malibu which wants to widen and improve Civic Center Way.

The Public Works Commission and the Public Safety Commission have already vetted and approved plans to wide the road..

But once they got to the Planning Commission a five hour public meeting ensued and the project was changed.

Seven changes . to be exact.

The addition of landscaping next to a textured wood-like retaining wall.

The elimination of a wire safety fence designed to keep people from falling down an escarpment.

Seven changes that the city engineers say will make the project too expensive unsafe and unfeasible.

Not the first time that the planning commission has substituted its judgment for that of the professional planners at City Hall.

Many say thats a good thing.

We will see what the city council says tonight.

A couple of other major issues go before the city council tonight.

The first public hearing on possibly splitting Malibu voters into five city council voting districts will be heard.

A Malibu lawyers firm is takign advantage of a state law to demand an end to citywide voting which they claim diminishes the ability of Latino voters to elect a truly representative city council member.

Opponents call it a shakedown under state law the lawyer will collect handsome fees merely for filing the claim.

And the city does not have a collection of minority voters clustered anywhere in the city.

You are listening to the latest news from Radio Malibu F-M 99 point 1 K B U U.

Support for KBUUs daily broadcasting the signal on the air comes from the Malibu Foundation

The KBUU solar panels and battery were paid for by the Malibu Foundation.

This has kept us on the air through storms and blackouts 24/7 .. on clean renewable solar power.

In news from up the coast Ventura County has put its new Firehawk helicopter into service.

The Ventura County Star reports the 2007 Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk has been converted from military use into whats called a Firehawk.

The aircraft goes by the radio sign Copter2 and is based 18 miles up PCH at the Camarillo Airport.

Ventura Coounty also has two older smaller fire helicopters which are frequently seen in the skies over Malibu.

LA and Ventura County have mutual aid agreements and answer each others call.

Ventura County bought three surplus military choppers for $7.4 million.

It took two years to refit them for firefighting.

The countys next copter is expected to arrive in August and a third will be used for spare parts.

Officials tells the Ventura County Star that the Firehawks will be far better than the older copters the county has been using for firefighting.

Those Hueys were built in 1969 and carry up to 350 gallons of water.

The Firehawks can fly 60 percent faster and carry three times as much water.

-

And in news from down the coast Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica may be more deadly than Pacific Coast Highway.

The 2.4-mile stretch of Wilshire has seen six people killed and 29 people severely injured over the past 11 years.

six traffic-related fatalities and 29 severe injuries over the past 11 years, prompting local officials to propose adding a suite of safety improvements to the street that could range from $11.5 to $22 million. The proposal City Council will vote on Tuesday includes a short-term plan to improve the roads signage, crosswalks, crossing signals and medians over a one to two year period.

One idea is to take 13 smaller cross streets the ones without traffic signals and make those right-turn only.

and restrict U-turns at several intersections to reduce the risk of car and pedestrian collisions, according to a staff report.

Bicycle routes that go across Wilshire would be enhanced with intersection markings.

Spme bus stops might be moved a traffi clight might be put on at 16th Street and maybe at Chelsea Avenue.

The 22 million dollar menu of projects for before the Santa Monica City Council tomorrow night.

Actor Robert Conrad who starred in the 1960s TV series Wild Wild West and a handful of other series over several decades died at his home in Malibu.

His family members made the announcement over the weekend.

He was 84.

Robert Conrad had a square-jaw and good looks . he starred in the weird western Wild Wild West on CBS from 1965-69.

He was most famous for putting Eveready Batteries on his shoulder and daring people to knock them off . in a series of television commercials backed when everybody watched television.

Robert Conrad died at his Malibu home he was 81.

Traffic in 65 seconds first

Weather for the Malibu .

(((( Clear and windy )))) highs (((( 68 )))) beaches (((( )))) mountains and canyons.

Over the mountain winds ((( of around 30 )))) miles per hour with gust to 40 along P C H and 45 at the moutain tops.

Sunset tonight is at (((( 5:33. )))).

After that ((( clear and still windy )))) tonight low (((( 57 )))) beaches (((( 42 )))) mountains and canyons.

Tomorrow should be (((( windy again.

A rumor of light rain later in the week. )))).

Right now here at the KBUU studios in Trancas its (((( )))) degrees.

Leo Carrillo beach ((( ))).

Paradise Cove ((( ))).

Big Rock ((( ))).

In upper Malibu Canyon ((( ))).

Calabasas ((( ))).

And Civic Center L-A ((( ))).

In the ocean its (((( )))) degrees in the water at Zuma Beach.

Mo says the waves at Surfrider Beach today are (((( )))) feet high .

Those are (((( fair )))) surfing conditions . according to Mo.

((((( tide is at

ide is at .))))

Read the original:
This is KBUU News - Day 457 - The Monday Headlines - 55 MPH Winds To Continue - Effort To Get M Out of SMMUSD Continue - New Fire Chopper - Wilshire...

Jonesy wouldn't give them a hand, but the Kiwi boys who starred in Mitre 10's famous DIY ad have reunited to finish the job.

In 2008, Mitre 10 released a popular Do It Yourself TV ad featuring two 'Kiwi blokes' and a young boy posing as an Australian tradie.

Not only did they put up a retaining wall, but Mitre 10 have put the trio back together in a blast from the past.

Taking to Facebook, Mitre 10 announced: "She was a pretty big job getting the boys back together. Jonesy too."

Their caption was accompanied with a photo of the two Kiwi tradesmen as kids - and now reunited as adults 12 years on.

Both boys have now grown up, and it appears they've let their hair grow out as well.

Fans of the ad took to Facebook to marvel at the successful ad and reunion.

"Still laughing. Awesome kids awesome young men I would think. The best ad ever, we still say 'pretty big job' with our grandkids," one person wrote.

Another said: "Handsome lads. And one even wore the tool belt!"

Jonesy's mum weighed in following the reunion, saying it is a "bonus" they could catch up after all these years.

"Proud to be Jonesy's parents - a great experience for the boys back then and a bonus for them to catch up now," she wrote.

And if you're wondering what Jonesy looks like now, he has his own Instagram account dedicated to life as the Australian tradie character.

Jonesy 12 years ago. Photo / Mitre 10

See more here:
Reunited 12 years on: What the boys from Mitre 10 DIY ad look like now - Newstalk ZB

This post may contain affiliate links; please read the disclosure for more information.

Work in EPCOT continues to transform Future World. Today, we saw several notable changes around the area.

At the old Mouse Gear location, the final visible signs of the past are gone after the last decorative gear character window display was removed. Now, all guests see are black tarps.

Next to the Taste Track site, new pavement has been poured for the sidewalk that will connect the old rear exit of Mouse Gear to the Test Track Simporium and Cool Wash.

Over between The Land and Imagination!, the mystery construction site was abuzz with activity.

From above, the dirt behind the newly poured retaining wall was being prepped for new sod to be laid down.

Meanwhile, heavy machinery continued to move dirt around the site.

Several markers remain in place for potential pathway paving in the area.

Stay tuned to WDWNT as we keep you updated on this and other construction projects from around the Disney parks.

Related

Excerpt from:
PHOTOS: New Pavement Added Near Taste Track, Mystery Landscaping Construction Continues in Future World at EPCOT - wdwnt.com

YOKOHAMA A teenager was killed Wednesday morning when she was struck by a small landslide while walking through a residential area in the city of Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, local police said.

The landslide occurred at around 8 a.m. when a nearly vertical, 10-meter-wide section of a hill underneath an apartment building collapsed onto the street below.

The 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, according to police and rescue workers. There were no other victims.

Although the lower part of the hill was reinforced by a concrete retaining wall, the upper section collapsed releasing around 20 cubic meters of earth. A pile of dirt up to 2 meters high could be seen on the road, which was strewn with boulders, and a nearby guardrail had been bent by the force of the falling earth.

One person was transported to the hospital on a stretcher, and the ambulance staff had a bloodstained bag with them, said a woman from the neighborhood. The road gets busy in the morning with commuters heading to work and school. I cant believe a landslide could happen here.

The prefectural government had previously flagged the area as being at high risk of such an incident. Rain was unlikely to have been a factor in the collapse as there has been no rainfall in the area since last Thursday, according to the Meteorological Agency.

Here is the original post:
18-year-old woman dies after small landslide in Kanagawa - The Japan Times

WESTERLY State officials are reviewing an early version of a report outlining options for improving the quality of water that is discharged into the Pawcatuck River after it is treated at the municipal sewer treatment plant.

While town officials await feedback on the report from the state Department of Environmental Management, efforts are underway to secure grant funds to build a berm around the plant. The report was developed by Jacobs Engineering, the company the town contracts with to operate the plant.

Additionally, town officials learned recently that two grant awards totaling $304,000 had been approved from the Resilient Rhody Resilience Program for construction of a retaining wall for the old Canal Street pump station and for establishment of an infiltration swale on State Street and a wet swale around Timothy Drive. The swales and retaining wall are all flood protection efforts.

The Jacobs report presents three options, each with a different level of nitrogen removal. William Beauregard, the town's utilities superintendent, told the Town Council on Monday that DEM will make a determination based on input from federal environmental authorities and based on a study the department conducted of Little Narragansett Bay last summer.

"We'll have to come to a middle ground somewhere ... but the amount of funding that is going to be required no matter what level we have to go to, in my opinion, will require a bond because it will be a substantial sum," Beauregard said.

Town officials are also seeking a $4.2 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to build a protective berm around the treatment plant. Town Manager J. Mark Rooney said the berm is needed to protect the plant and future investments in it from potential flooding. The grant would require a $1 million match from the town. An answer on the town's grant application is expected in late March or April, said Lisa Pellegrini, director of the municipal Development Services Department.

Town Council President Christopher Duhamel said the review by Beauregard and Pellegrini points to one of the council's financial priorities in addition to the School Committee's work on a school building project.

"It's not just the school bond ... we have to protect our infrastructure. We can't let this slide," Duhamel said.

Protecting the town's sewage treatment plant and its drinking water supply emerged as two of the top priorities during a community resilience building workshop in August. Conducted as part of the Resilient Rhody Resilience Program, a climate resilience action strategy undertaken by Gov. Gina Raimondo and her administration, the workshop positioned the town to qualify for about $1 million in grant funding, according to Pellegrini.

Altogether Pellegrini's department has submitted applications for up to $7.2 million in grants, including required matches, to state and federal agencies for measures to protect the treatment plant and for a stormwater drainage project. Pellegrini thanked Gina Fuller, a resident and Southern Rhode Island Conservation District manager, who played a primary role in organizing the Resilient Rhody Resilience workshop.

A more detailed presentation before the Town Council on needed improvements to the treatment plant is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Go here to read the rest:
Westerly weighing its waste treatment options | Westerly - The Westerly Sun

More News04 Feb 2020 | 3:08 PM

Puducherry, Feb 4 (UNI) Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday held a demonstration in front of the AFT mill here to press their demands.

Chennai, Feb 4 (UNI) Several crucial issues were discussed during the two hour long Cabinet meeting chaired by TamilNadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at the Secretariat here today.

Puducherry, Feb 4 (UNI) Puducherry Welfare Minister M Kandasamy on Tuesday met ESI Corporation Director General Santhosh Kumar in New Delhi and held discussions pertaining to labourers problems in the Union Territory.

Chennai, Feb 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today announced cancellation of board exams for fifth and eighth classes, amid opposition by various parties and other organisations.

Kozhikode, Feb. 4 (UNI) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has urged the political party leaders to read the Constitution before making irresponsible comments.

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AP CM sanctions Rs 125 cr for completion of retaining wall along Krishna River bund - United News of India

Land north of Spring Mountain Drive in Brighton is hilly, shown Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. A 70-home development is proposed on the land and neighbors are concerned the new homes will add to existing problems with erosion and flooding.(Photo: Jennifer Timar/Livingston Daily)

Several Brighton residents living next to the site of aproposed 70-home developmentareconcerned about the new homes after experiencing drainage and erosion issues in their neighborhood.

Farmington Hills-based Schafer Development has proposed 70 single-family homes on about 30 acres ofhilly, wooded land between off Flint Road between Interstate 96 and Spring Mountain Drive.It would be called The Bluffs at Spring Hill.

Schafer Development's President, Steven Schafer says he wants to assure neighbors the proposed storm water system and soil grading planswill not only address potential erosion risks but could also potentially improve neighboring residents' situation.

If city officials approve final site plans and a planned unit development agreement, then Pulte Homes will construct the homes. The city's Planning Commission is expected to review final plans and vote on whether to recommend City Council approval in February, but a date has not been set.

Maddalena Fanelli, who lives on Spring Mountain Drive, said she fears The Bluffs at Spring Hill would cause additionaland worsen existingsoil erosion and drainage issues.

Fanelli's home is one of 29 on the street, immediately south of the proposed development.

She said the way grading and storm water management was constructedin her neighborhood caused many problems for homeowners.

"If they go in and compact the land and remove land and trees, what then?" Fanellisaid. "This could be an erosion disaster area."

She pointed out a 1974 Livingston County Soil Survey that identified the hilly, sandy land as a severe erosion hazard. She enumerated her concerns in an October letter she submitted to city officials and Schafer Developmenton behalf of herself and her neighbors.

Court records show properties on Spring Mountain Drive the neighborhood is called Spring Hill have had erosion and drainage problems. Thecityhad to force the builders who constructed Fanelli's neighborhood to address the issues.

In 2014, the City of Brighton filed a lawsuit against Three-T LLC, Surgrady & AssociatesLLC, and Surdu Development Group Inc.

The city's lawsuit claimed the developers were out of compliance with a county ordinance on soil erosion and sediment control. It listed a variety of problems residents of Spring Hillwere experiencing.It also claimed work to bring the site into a safe condition caused "substantial deviations" from the city-approved site plan.

Residents on Spring Mountain Drive in Brighton, shown Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, live south of a a 70-home development that is proposed on the land. Neighbors are concerned the new homes will add to existing problems with erosion and flooding.(Photo: Jennifer Timar/Livingston Daily)

The Livingston County Drain Commission performed several inspections in the neighborhood and discovered multiple problems caused by the way Spring Hill builders developed the land.

For instance, in 2014,drain commission inspectors discovered unstable ground along the edge of a basin that caused a sinkhole to form, according to court records. They also found sediment accumulation and numerous other problems.

Other issues found onSpring Mountain Drive included washed out slopes, eroded rock retaining walls, and water draining toward at least one home's foundation due to steep slopes.

In August2014,Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered Spring Hill builders to immediately remediate the issues or prevent access to problem areas.

A 2015 consent judgement signed by Hatty established the conditions of a new, amended site plan and compelled Spring Hill builders to bring the development into compliance with the plan and address erosion and grading issues.

Nancy Durance, who lives on Spring Mountain Drive, was impacted.

"When they put in landscaping, it fell down the hill," Durance said. "When they tried putting the sod in, the grass wouldn't adhere to the soil. The soil wasn't staying because the angle of the land was such that even the soil was washing away. When there is water or rain, all of that runs down hill, a rock wall in back actually deteriorated."

She said she is skeptical the proposed The Bluffs at Spring Hill won't cause similar issues.

"Don't you remember, we have this issue, it's the same soil, the same hill, so are we going to end up with the same issues?" she said.

"We've engaged the right professionals, soil engineers, and we've been ensured that it's not a concern," Schafer said.

Schafer said the proposed storm water system for The Bluffs at Spring Hillis expected to capture a lot of the water currently flowing towardSpring Mountain Drive.

"Water will be captured into our storm water system into our detention basin and into a county drain," he said.

He said he and his team have taken residents' concerns seriously.

"It's not falling on deaf ears," Schafer said. "We will be responsible and we want to be a good neighbor.

"I understand what they went through. It was a busted job, so I understand, but we're working with a national home builder, Pulte Homes, and they don't cut anycorners," he said.

He said installing a water pressure booster could improve water pressure for neighboring homes.

"We're going to do the right thing. We're not going to put their housing develop at any time in jeopardy," he said.

The Bluffs at Spring Hill homes would range between about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.

"They will probably start in the upper $300,000's to $400,000's range," Schafer said.

ContactLivingston Daily reporterJennifer Timar at 517-548-7148 or at jtimar@livingstondaily.com.Follow her on Facebook @Jennifer.Timar99 and Twitter @JenTimar99.

Read or Share this story: https://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2020/02/03/brighton-70-new-homes-neighborhood-impact-erosion-flooding/2856494001/

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Neighbors fear erosion, water issues at proposed site of 70 new homes in Brighton - Livingston Daily

During my recent trip to Israel, an Orthodox rabbi took me to see something that most outsiders do not usually see. It was Friday night (Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath), and he wanted to go to pray at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem. Before that, he took me to see Kotel Katan an older, smaller, less well known section of the Western Wall located within the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalems Old City and from therewe went to one of the gates that serve as an entrance to the Temple Mount.

Walking through the Muslim Quarter, the air was thick with tension. Since I am a Christian, nobody bothered me. But there were people who went out of their way to bump into and shove my friend, who is easily identifiable as a Jewish rabbi. They were trying to start a fight. So I was surprised, upon arrivingat the gate to the Temple Mount, to find a large gathering of Jewish students. There, deep within the Muslim Quarter, these Jewish students wereprotesting about how they are not allowed to pray at Judaisms holiest site. Armed guards were there to keep Jews out. This is what he wanted me to see.

The Temple Mount, of course, was the site of the first and second Jewish Temples and where according to the faithful the third Temple will be built. I had some understanding about the rules governing the Temple Mount. According to theTimes of Israel, Under the current 52-year-old status quo at the site, Muslims can pray at the site while Jews are allowed to visit under heavy restrictions, in a predetermined route and only for several hours on weekdays but not pray there.

I wanted to know more about these students, who are brave enough to fight for change. So I was told to contactTom Nisani, the Israeli-born leader of Students for the Temple Mount and head of campus activity in the Im Tirtzu organization. I interviewed him briefly:

Mitsotakis (SM): What is happening on the Temple Mount and why?

Nisani (TN): The Temple Mount was liberated by the Israel Defense Forces in 1967. [There was] a total lack of interest among the Israeli public, and due to various historical realities that caused the national consciousness among the average Israeli, and even among the political leaders and military personnel of Israel, to be drawn simply to theKotel(Western Wall) despite it being only a retaining wall for the Temple Mount. The Mount itself was forgotten and the Jordanian Waqf that abandoned it during the battles was brought back to administer it by the State of Israel itself! Today, more than even 50 years later, basic freedoms such as prayer and freedom of movement are still ignored for all those ascending the Mount who are not Muslim. The Temple Mount is a place where these basic human rights and others are trampled on in the most outright and direct way. And this is happening in the holiest place for the Jewish people in the Jewish state! And just like in the other holy places for Jews in Israel, improvement is a process we are trying to hasten but at this stage on the Temple Mount, there are clear human rights violations and infringements of the rights of all non-Muslims.

SM:What is your organization, why do you do what you do, and what do you hope to change?

TN: Our organization was established about five years ago and includes students and young Israeli adults secular, religious, and so forth. We are from all over the nation of Israel. We want to return the Temple Mount to its fitting place in Israeli society. This means, practically, that we work towards normalizing the Temple Mount under full Israeli sovereignty and once it is, all other challenges, problems, and difficulties will cease. It would be beneficial to all involved parties for the Temple Mount to be under complete Israeli sovereignty. Today, as the Jordanians, Qataris, Hamas, and so many more, all attempt to influence what happens on the Temple Mount, we all lose. Peaceful tourists are routinely assaulted, Jewish worshippers are restricted and oppressed, and even the Muslims suffer from the corruption of their leaders including the Jordanians and the senior Waqf members. We will not rest until we change this situation, and we have already begun seeing change.

SM: I amtold that your group is secular. Yet this is an issue of enormous religious significance. Is the religious community supporting you?

TN: In our movement, we have members who are from all the types and stripes of Israel. And this is the beauty in our movement, Students for the Temple Mount. We reflect the Israeli public and understand the import of our mission. The Temple Mount is a place for all of the nation of Israel and so too will it be in the future. Even the most secular among us, or those who would be considered less religious, are connected to our faith and Jewish nationality and see those as important aspects of our identities. In fact, it is the Temple Mount that connects us the most.

Go here to read the rest:
MITSOTAKIS: Meeting The Jewish Students Fighting For Freedom On The Temple Mount - The Daily Wire

Diane Smith @DianeSmith_RC

ThursdayJan30,2020at2:53PMJan30,2020at10:59PM

RAVENNA One of Ravennas international companies is planning to expand.

The citys planning commission recently approved site plans for Saint-Gobain to add a storage building and a new truck lane at its property at 335 N. Diamond St.

Ted Manfrass, architect for Saint-Gobain, said plans were approved by the city panel in 2018, but the company delayed funding for the expansion, and has since changed its plans. Originally, the company wanted another storage building to house waste materials, such as paint, until they could be properly disposed of. But since then, the company has changed its procedures for having such materials hauled off its site, and that building is no longer needed.

However, Manfrass and Dale Sibert, facilities manager at the Ravenna plant, said the plant needs more storage for the items that it manufactures.

The Paris-based company designs, tests and manufactures a variety of products, including airline equipment.

Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman, who has toured the plant many times, said he has a hard time going between the companys buildings because of traffic, something that the truck lane will help address.

Sibert said there will be a retaining wall between the truck lane and the storage building.

Read the rest here:
Saint-Gobain to expand in Ravenna - Business - Wooster Daily Record