Love Island was watched by the smallest audience for a series launch episode in four years, on a night when thrilling action at Euro 2020 and Wimbledon provided stiff competition for the eagerly anticipated return of the reality show.

After an 18-month Covid-enforced break, the much-hyped return of the summer edition of Love Island could only manage an average audience of 2.47 million viewers, according to figures from overnights.tv.

This was well below the season premiere of the previous, pre-Covid edition in 2019, which managed 3.3 million, and is the lowest-rating launch episode since 2017.

The show, which has attracted more than 12m in sponsorship deals and commands up to 100,000 per advertising slot, struggled in a night of high drama in Euro 2020.

Kicking off at 8pm, the shock departure of France at the hands of Switzerland provided direct competition for Love Island, attracting an average audience of 7.5 million and a peak of 10.5 million during the penalty shootout.

However, the broadcasters streaming service, ITV Hub, was unable to cope with audience demand for the match with many viewers turning to social media to complain that the live stream wasnt working.

Some complained that they were not able to see any of the match, others found they were up to 30 minutes behind the live coverage or were stuck watching a piece of footage on repeat.

ITV acknowledged that it was working to fix technical difficulties in a post on Twitter at 8.35pm, with some Love Island fans complaining that the issues continued to persist for a short time at the start of the launch show.

ITV also aired the earlier clash between Spain and Croatia.

On BBC One, Andy Murrays return to Wimbledon, in a tense four-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, attracted 3.4 million viewers between 7pm and 10pm.

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ITV will not be overly concerned about the lacklustre launch of Love Island as the show tends to benefit from a significant uplift from catch-up viewing and streaming, which are not captured in the initial live overnight figures. The show still gave ITV2 its biggest audience of the year so far in terms of viewing on the night.

With Euro 2020 running for the next two weeks ITV would expect to see a higher proportion of catch-up viewing than normal as football fans put live sport first, with Love Island due to run through the summer.

ITV will be pleased at being able to squeeze extra ad breaks into the clashes as France/Switzerland went to penalties and Spain/Croatia was resolved in extra time. The broadcaster has said that Euro 2020 and Love Island will make the most ad revenues for June and July in the broadcasters history.

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Love Island premiere watched by smallest audience since 2017 - The Guardian

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City is offering free grab-and-go meals for children and adults across the five boroughs this summer.

The city Department of Education (DOE) is offering the free meals to students and adults at Meal Hubs from Monday through Friday. The sites will serve breakfast and lunch grab-and-go items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be no service on Monday, July 5 (Independence Day observed) and Tuesday, July 20 (Eid-ul-Adha).

Take-home-and-cook options will also be available at the community hubs. DOE food distribution centers will have more information. The choice of items may vary according to location and availability.

Those items may include: Baked ravioli, beef burgers, burritos (Southwest), buttermilk biscuits, buttermilk pancakes, chicken (oven roasted and sliders), fish patties, French fries, garlic toast, grilled cheese, Jamaican beef patties, mac and cheese, mozzarella sticks, omelet, pizza, stuffed shells, turkey (oven roasted and breakfast sausage patty) and waffles.

The DOE has menus available for free breakfast and lunch meals. Breakfast meals include cereal, juice, milk, graham crackers and sun-butter cups. Lunch meals include assorted deli sandwiches or wraps with different proteins, vegetables, fruits and milk.

All menus are subject to change. Menus are pork-free, and no fried food is offered or served in the meals. No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners are used in any school meal.

No registration, identification or documentation is required. No dining space is available, so meals must be eaten off-premises.

Vegetarian and halal meals are available at all community meals sites, while Kosher certified meals are available at select locations. Kosher certified meals are available on Staten Island at CSI High School for international Studies, New Springville. Expanded halal meals are available at PS 22 in Graniteville, CSI High School for International Studies, and Curtis High School in St. George.

To find a location online, search here, text NYC FOOD or NYC COMIDA to 877-877, or call 311.

Here is a complete list of meal hubs on Staten Island as of Tuesday:

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Grab-and-go: Free meals available this summer at these Staten Island sites - SILive.com

Great Kills put on its hitting shoes as it scored seven times in the top of the first and banged out 12 hits total to beat host Staten Island, 9-1, in a Little League District 24 11s baseball all-star tournament game Wednesday night.

The winners finished with a 3-1 record in pool play and the No. 2 seed in Fridays semifinals. Staten Island finished 2-2 and earned the No. 3 seed, meaning the same two teams will meet again Friday at Great Kills at 8 p.m.

Great Kills big first was fueled by doubles by Nicky Berman, Nick Cianciaruso (2 for 2, two RBI) and Peter Tronolone (2 for 3, three RBI).

Paul Myers club received excellent pitching from Anthony Gaglia, who scattered four hits and struck out eight.

Gaglia also went 2 for 3 with an RBI double. Jay Daniello added two hits.

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LL District 24 11s All-Star baseball: Great Kills tops Staten Island to finish pool play with 3-1 record - SILive.com

LUMBARDA, Croatia, June 24 (Reuters) - Archaeologist Mate Parica was examining satellite images of Croatia's coastline when he spotted something unusual.

"I thought: maybe it is natural, maybe not," said Parica, a professor at the University of Zadar.

The image showed a large, shallow area on the seabed jutting out from the eastern shore of the island of Korcula.

Parica and a colleague decided to dive at the site and discovered what they believe is a Neolithic settlement from around 4,500 years BC, built on a small piece of land that was connected to the main island by a narrow strip.

The pair found the remains of stone walls which had surrounded the settlement, as well as tools and other objects used by the inhabitants.

Archaeologist diver works on a Neolithic settlement in Lumbarda, Croatia, June 4, 2021. Picture taken on June 4, 2021. REUTERS/Mate Perica

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"We found some ceramic objects and flint knives," he said.

Marta Kalebota who runs the archaeological collection in the Korcula town museum, said the settlement's location was highly unusual.

"We are not aware at the moment of a similar finding elsewhere that a Neolithic settlement was built on an islet connected with a narrow strip of land," she said.

Parica also said the island settlement discovery was atypical and that Neolithic finds were mostly made in caves.

"The fortunate thing is that this area, unlike most parts of the Mediterranean, is safe from big waves as many islands protect the coast. That certainly helped preserve the site from natural destruction," he said.

Reporting by Antonio Bronic, writing by Igor Ilic, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Archaeologist discovers 6000 year-old island settlement off Croatian coast - Reuters

By Reporter Staff

June 27

Marine incident: The Marine Patrol unit assisted with overturned jet skis on Lake Washington.

June 26

Boat fire: The Marine Patrol unit responded to a boat fire on Lake Washington.

June 25

Suspicious activity: A subject was trespassed for blocking the drive-thru of a business in the 7600 block of Southeast 27th Street.

June 24

Panhandling: A complaint was issued regarding panhandling and loud music in the 2700 block of 77th Avenue Southeast.

June 23

Fraud: A resident in the 9000 block of East Shorewood Drive had their gaming account hacked, and the suspect demanded ransom to restore the login and password.

Assistance: Officers assisted an individual in the 2500 block of 77th Avenue Southeast in connecting with King County crisis resources.

June 22

Traffic accident: A driver dozed off and struck a center divide in the 3000 block of 78th Avenue Southeast.

Burglary: Someone pried open several large storage bins in the 2600 block of 76th Avenue Southeast.

June 21

Juveniles drinking: It was reported that juveniles were drinking on the soccer field in the 9100 block of Southeast 42nd Street.

Dog issue: It was reported that an off-leash dog was behaving aggressively in the 8000 block of Southeast 72nd Street.

Fraud: A resident in the 4600 block of West Mercer Way discovered fraudulent accounts prior to losing money.

In consideration of how we voice our opinions in the modern world, weve closed comments on our websites. We value the opinions of our readers and we encourage you to keep the conversation going.

Please feel free to share your story tips by emailing editor@mi-reporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.mi-reporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (Well only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 300 words or less, we wont ask you to shorten it.

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Subject trespassed for blocking drive-thru | Mercer Island police blotter - Mercer Island Reporter

The easing of restrictions on UK travellers heading to the Balearics has prompted elation among officials and businesses in the islands, even as an outbreak of 394 coronavirus cases among Spanish students who had recently travelled to Mallorca highlighted the risks of opening up.

On Thursday, Britains transport secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that the Spanish archipelago was among the territories added to the UKs green list as of next Wednesday, meaning travellers will not need to quarantine when returning to the UK.

Last month Spain began allowing British travellers into the country without the need to provide a negative Covid test, a move that sharply contrasts with the growing push by EU leaders to tighten restrictions on British tourists.

The 14-day infection rate in the Balearics is among the lowest in Spain at 48 per 100,000 inhabitants. Before the pandemic, the islands, which also include Ibiza and Menorca, relied heavily on British tourism, with approximately 3.7 million holidaymakers arriving in 2019.

The regions green-list status was declared hours after several regions in Spain began sounding the alarm over clusters of coronavirus cases among high school students who had travelled to Mallorca earlier this month.

Spains health ministry said they were closely monitoring the situation, adding: To date we are aware of 394 cases of Covid-19 associated with end-of-year trips.

Officials and businesses in the Balearics celebrated the UKs decision to put the islands on the green list. For us its like a rebirth, said Javier Pascuet, the director of tourism for the municipality of Calvi, which includes Magaluf. We only have 40% of hotels open.

He stressed that authorities would be diligent in cracking down on parties, crowds and any other behaviours that could risk exacerbating the pandemic. Holidays are about being laid back but we cannot afford to have our numbers go up again, he said.

The lesson was laid bare last year after images emerged of drunk, maskless tourists flouting social distancing norms as they partied in Mallorca. Authorities responded swiftly, shutting down Magalufs notorious Punta Ballena strip.

While the strip has now reopened, the region has put in place rules prohibiting dancing, both indoors or outdoors, and which require drinks ordered in restaurants and bars to be consumed while sitting at a table. Were going to be watching very carefully, said Pascuet.

In the confederation that represents business associations in the Balearics, known as CAEB, there was little worry that the arrival of British tourists would deter German holidaymakers, who rank as the other major source country for tourists to the region.

On Wednesday the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said the EU should require travellers from the UK to quarantine upon arrival after forecasts suggested the Delta variant could swell to 90% of cases across the bloc in the coming months.

German and British tourists often are drawn to different parts of the islands, said Carmen Planas of the confederation. For example in Palma beach, most are Germans. In Magaluf, most are British. Ibiza sees more Britons and fewer Germans.

She brushed off concerns over the Delta variant, pointing to the more than 77% of residents over the age of 40 who have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Juan Manuel Ordinas, who leads an association representing small hotels, described the green-list status as excellent news.

While he acknowledged there was a generalised worry about Covid among many in the region, he pointed out that the pandemic has wreaked havoc on the tourist-dependent islands, forcing the shutdown of Ibizas world-famous nightclubs last year, ushering in severe restrictions on restaurants and shops and sending the regions GDP plunging about 25% in 2020.

In the case of Ordinas, the plunge in tourism has meant one of the two hotels he owns has remains closed. Of his staff of 20, theres only enough work to sustain five and a half jobs.

Theres a point where you have to be realistic, he said. We only have July, August and September left. Thats three months to make what you would normally make in six months.

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Elation in Spain as Balearic Islands join UKs Covid green list - The Guardian

June 29, 2021, 3:30 PM HST * Updated June 29, 2:58 PM

Hawaii Island police are seeking a Big Island man wanted for questioning.

Authorities are asking for the publics assistance to locate 43-year-old Chester Wooten Sr., who is wanted for questioning in connection with a theft investigation that occurred in the District of Kau.

Wooten Sr. is described as 6-feet tall, weighing 300 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. He is known to frequent the Districts of Kona and Kau.

Anyone with information on Wooten Sr.s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646, Ext. 238 or via email at[emailprotected].

They may also contact the departments non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wideCrime Stoppersnumber at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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HPD Seeks Big Island Man For Questioning in Theft Case - Big Island Now

Since 2014, two brothers, Rick and Marty Lagina, have been digging trenches, moving rocks, draining swamps, and drilling holes all over a small island that they own off the coast Nova Scotia.

Their digging and drilling efforts have been chronicled in a series on the History channels Curse of Oak Island.

For some background:

On a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, a legend of treasure has led a centuries-long search for whatever may or may not be buried there. It might be pirate booty. Or it might be some unknown European royal treasure, or it might be Spanish gold from South America, or it might be some kind of religious artifacts dropped off by the Knights Templar.

Or maybe it is something else.

Or maybe it is nothing at all.

The complex underwater caves may be naturally formed from millions of years of water erosion of soft gypsum, or they might have been dug by Vikings or Templars, or pirates. Anyway, these two brothers bought the island, hired a bunch of like-minded, similarly convinced treasure hunters, and have been running back and forth all over the place digging holes, using metal detectors, all the while convinced something is there.

Because the island has been inhabited on and off both by indigenous and immigrants for centuries, the chances of finding something is great. Be it a wall, a road, a cave, a nail a Happy Meal Toywhatever.

Each episode follows the exact same formula:

One of the treasure hunters, all of whom look exactly like front row ticket holders of a MAGA rally, finds something. The Something is usually pulled up from one of the zillion holes they have drilled all over the island, Or it might be from a pile of mud that the metal detector expert with an Australian accent declared looks very old while examining a something that has been covered in mud for 200 years. Yeah, it all looks old. It has been covered in muck for along time. The something could be a nail. Or a board. Maybe a piece of wood. A shape of a shipwreck in a swamp. A stone wall. A Village People CD cover. It doesnt matter. Anything sets them off.

Narrator Robert Clotwothy, the voice of Ancient Aliens (can you see where this is going?) then breathlessly asks a series of ridiculous questions: A wall? Next to a path? Near where another wall was found? What could it mean? Is this the proof that the brothers were looking for? Will this lead to the treasure?

A nail? In a board? That is 200 years old? Could this be the proof the brothers were looking for?

A metal object? Found in a place where no metal objects should be found? Could this be the proof the brothers were looking for?

Clotworthy uses the same tone and tenor of any of the other series he narrates for the History Channel, like Ancient Aliens, none of which by the way have anything to do with actual history.

The something is then sent off to be analyzed by the experts who make us wait until the next episode to only let us down again that the something is old, made of wood or metal, and amazingly enough shouldnt have been found where it was found. What a surprise!

This constant something is known to scriptwriters as a MacGuffin, a plot device that motivates the Oak Islanders to move forward, but in reality is unimportant itself. Metal, wood, wall, pathway, piece of cloth. It doesnt matter. Anything they find causes them to have simultaneous Oakgasms and the cameras to zoom in on their eyes as they look knowingly at each other. This is it. This is the one.

Until next week, when a new this is it is found.

By the end of each and every season however, nothing of consequence is found. No gold. No treasure chest. No Ark of the Covenant. No Knights Templar temples.

More holes dug. More MacGuffins found in the search for the big MacGuffin.

t the end of the day, the Laginas have exactly the same amount of things they had at the beginning of the season, which is to say, not much. Of course, the brothers dont care. The History Channel and its advertisers, is paying the bills.

The Curse of Oak Island, inexplicably, after seven seasons continues to be one of the highest rated shows on cable. Let that sink in: After SEVEN SEASONS of not finding anything, they are still one of the highest rated shows on cable TV.

Never mind that the brothers almost completely ignore the laws and rules of archaeological investigation. They happily back-hoe their way through hole after swamp, after hole. They have spawned two sequels and have made millions, all on the promise of next week is it.

Oak Island is not a singular phenomenon. There are dozens of similar shows that start off with the promise of finding the MacGuffin, only to lead viewers on a wild goose chase to Nothingville. Aliens. Bigfoot. Extraterrestrial spacecraft at an Air Force test facility in the Nevada desert. Government conspiracies. Gold.

All of these shows are directly targeted to a similar demographic: White male middle aged men, just like the Lagina brothers.

Why?

Because these men are the same men that easily believe conspiracy theories. It is not a large leap to jump from believing there is a vast conspiracy to cover up the existence of Bigfoot to believe the conspiracy that the media is telling you lies and that Joe Biden lost the election.

Oak Island and its like are merely the gateway drugs to the larger, more serious conspiracies.

I doubt if the viewers of shows like Oak Island are very good at vetting information and looking critically at issues. It is easy to believe information that APPEARS to be correct even though it is not.

And that says a lot about how we as a society educate our children on critical thinking skills.

Perhaps that is the true curse.

Author: Tim Holt

Holt is an educator and writer, with over 33 years experience in education and opines on education-related topics here and on his own award-winning blog:HoltThink. He values your feedback. Feel free to leave a comment, over at his site. Read his previous columns here.

***

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Op-Ed: The Hoax of Oak Island - El Paso Herald-Post

The Phoenix has finally risen in Coney Island.

On Saturday, June 26, Denos Wonder Wheel Amusement Park held a soft opening of the areas newest ride, the Phoenixroller coaster.

Theparks managementreceived the green light at the last minute, muchto the delight of thrill seekers. And according to the owners, the Vourderis family, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of thefamily thrill roller coaster is Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. The first100 people to visit the park will get on the ride for free. Souvenirs and t-shirts that readI Rodethe Phoenix will be on hand.

It was important for the park to have the coaster open for Fourth of July weekend, one of thebusiest times of the season.

When the pandemic hit, like so many, we didnt know what to do, we only knew what we could do, said co-owner D.J. Vourderis. And as we are a family run amusement park, we could provide a place, after such painful and trying times, for us all to heal. We decided to go ahead with building The Phoenix because we believe in people, we believe in New York, and we love Coney Island and what it represents; a place where people from different walks of life, different opinions and ideals, can come together and remember what it feels like to smile again.

The announcement ofthe new coaster was made in December 2020.

The ride was included on USA Todays list of most anticipated roller coasters of 2021 and was in good company, with Universal Studios Orlando and Legoland also on the list.

The Phoenix is 68 feet tall and featuresaspeedofaround 34 miles per hour. According to the Denos team, riders will feel like they are flying around the Wonder Wheel with views of the beach and boardwalk. It features intense twists and turns.

The Vourderis family is delighted to invite everyone to the first rideat itsgrand opening, saidSteve Vourderis, theco-owner of the park. We cherish and honor the memory of our parents, Denos and Lula Vourderis,who started believing in and building up ConeyIsland in1947.

Alexandra Silversmith,executivedirector oftheAllianceforConey Island, is impressed with the new attraction.

Nothing can be more appropriate than the Phoenix Roller Coaster rising from the ashes of 2020 and the pandemic after it upended our shores and the world, she said. The views and thrills on the Phoenix are truly phenomenal and unlike any other ride in Coney Island. Kudos to the Vourderis family for the investment and vision to bring this coaster to reality.

Denos Wonder Wheel was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary last year with a slew of events. Due to COVID-19, the Vourderis family joined fans, elected officials and Coney Island historians on social media and YouTube to express their love forthe Wonder Wheel itself, one ofthe countrys most famous Ferris wheels. It was also featured during Macys 4th of July fireworks display.

This year, the park hopes to celebrate the anniversary the right way, with the Phoenix being the start.

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The Phoenix rises in Coney Island - The Brooklyn Home Reporter - Brooklyn Reporter

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A power outage that left more than 1,000 customers on the South Shore without service Tuesday morning is believed to be caused by a critter making contact with electrical equipment.

The outage started at 7:51 a.m. and affected 1,176 customers in an area roughly bounded on the north by Woodrow Road, on the south by Hylan Boulevard, on the east by Amboy Road and on the west by Arthur Kill Road, according to Allan Drury, a spokesman for Con Edison.

Power was restored at about 8:50 a.m.

The initial investigation indicated that the cause was animal contact with electrical apparatus and equipment failure. The spokesman was unable to say what type of animal was to blame, but squirrels are the usual suspects.

The outage affected the 10307, 10309 and 10312 ZIP codes, according to the citys Notify NYC alert system.

Its the second time a large outage affected the South Shore in a week.

A massive outage left about 32,900 customers without service on Feb. 9.

We had a brief outage this morning on Staten Island due to equipment issues, said Allan Drury, a spokesman for Con Edison, about the Feb. 9 power blip. Most customers were restored nearly immediately while some were out for seven minutes.

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Staten Island wildlife suspected cause of outage that KOd power on South Shore - SILive.com

ARABIAN GULF --

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit began air operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, February 13.

Close air support operations and defensive counter air support operations were carried out by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 15th MEU, as part of broader U.S. Central Command counterterrorism operations in the region.

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft departed from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, to execute the long-range strike.

Long range F-35B Lightning II strike operations demonstrate the ARG/MEUs ability to project air power well beyond the shore, said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christopher J. Bronzi, the 15th MEU commanding officer. We look forward to exercising the capabilities in our arsenal while in theater and remain ready to deliver those capabilities at any time if called upon.

The Makin Island ARG transited through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Arabian Gulf on Feb. 8. The Makin Island ARG and 15th MEUs presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations demonstrates the U.S. and its regional partners commitment to the free flow of commerce, regional maritime security and freedom of navigation.

The MEUs ability to source combat sorties from the Makin Island, while simultaneously supporting training and operations, is a testament to the flexibility and responsiveness of our Navy and Marine Corps team,said U.S. Navy Capt. Stewart Bateshansky, Makin Island ARG commodore.

The Makin Island ARG and embarked 15th MEU provide the combatant commander with a responsive, flexible and forward-deployed asset capable of maritime power projection, contingency operations and crisis response, shaping the operational environment to protect the United States and allied interests in any threat environment.

We are proud and excited to be able to support missions in areas of the world where we are most needed, said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Christopher Kelly, VMM-164 (Rein.) executive officer. Conducting a long range strike mission with fifth generation F-35B fighters from amphibious assault ships demonstrates the versatility this platform brings to the joint force.

The U.S. 5th Fleet AOO encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

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15th MEU supports Operation Inherent Resolve from Makin Island ARG - Marines.mil

A Marine Corps F-35B prepares to launch from the USS Makin Island. Photo by Sgt. Sarah Stegall

F-35B stealth jets from the San Diego-based USS Makin Island began long-range air strikes in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over the weekend, the Marine Corps announced Tuesday.

The amphibious assault ship and accompanying vessels and Marines in its ready group are in the Persian Gulf as part of the U.S. Central Commands counterterrorism operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Long range F-35B Lightning II strike operations demonstrate the ARG/MEUs ability to project air power well beyond the shore, said Col. Christopher J. Bronzi, commanding officer of the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

We look forward to exercising the capabilities in our arsenal while in theater and remain ready to deliver those capabilities at any time if called upon, he added.

The air operations also included missions by MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors from Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 at Pendleton.

The Makin Island ready group includes the amphibious transport dock ships USS Somerset and USS San Diego. Aboard the ships are 5,000 sailors and marines along with jets, helicopters and vehicles to support an amphibious landing.

Conducting a long range strike mission with fifth generation F-35B fighters from amphibious assault ships demonstrates the versatility this platform brings to the joint force, said Lt. Col. Christopher Kelly.

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F-35B Stealth Jets from USS Makin Island Begin Combat Missions Against ISIS - Times of San Diego

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A winter storm barreling toward Staten Island is threatening to dump inches of snow on the borough beginning on Thursday.

The National Weather Services latest forecast issued Tuesday shows Staten Island and the surrounding boroughs are expected to receive around five inches of snow between Thursday morning and Friday night.

An AccuWeather forecaster told the Advance/SILive.com wed see about three to six inches.

The National Weather Service's high-end probability for the upcoming winter storm. (NWS graphic)

The National Weather Service said there is about a 10% chance Staten Island sees a higher snowfall amount of around six inches.

The predictive graphic shows the North Shore of Staten Island being hit harder in this scenario, with the South and East shores still seeing around five inches.

The National Weather Service includes experimental probabilistic snowfall models to show a range of snowfall possibilities to compliment its forecasts in an effort to better communicate uncertainty during winter weather events, including maps that show a range of potential weather outcomes.

The low-end prediction of the upcoming winter storm. (NWS graphic)

There is a 90% chance that Staten Island and the surrounding boroughs receive at least two inches of snowfall between Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service predicts.

The storm comes on the heels of multiple snowstorms in recent weeks that have dropped significant snowfall on the borough, causing slick roads and plowed-in cars.

The National Weather Service's chance of snowfall graphic. (NWS graphic)

There is an extremely high chance that snowfall occurs on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, with around a 95% probability that at least one-tenth of an inch falls on Staten Island.

The agency said snow will begin mainly after 1 p.m. on Thursday before accelerating into the evening. A mix of rain and snow is then expected to carry over into Friday, the National Weather Service said.

There is a high chance that Staten Island sees at least two inches of snow. (NWS graphic)

There is about an 80% chance that Staten Island experiences over two inches of snow, the National Weather Service forecasts.

That percentage is consistent across other parts of New York City, but falls slightly to 78% in the area around John F. Kennedy International Airport.

This National Weather Service predictive forecast illustrates the percentage chance that Staten Island experiences over four inches of snow. (NWS graphic)

The National Weather Service said there is about a 40% chance that over two inches of snow falls on Staten Island.

The North Shore, according to this illustration, has a higher likelihood of seeing more snowfall, while the brunt of the storm passes north of Staten Island.

There is almost no chance Staten Island sees more than six inches of snowfall, the National Weather predictive map indicates. (NWS graphic)

There is almost no chance that Staten Island sees more than six inches of snow during the aforementioned time frame, the National Weather Service forecasts.

There is a small chance 1% that Manhattan and the Bronx sees over this amount, but the areas surrounding Staten Island all register a 0% chance of that level of precipitation, according to the agency.

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Forecast maps show snowfall possibilities for Staten Island Thursday - SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND N.Y. The two-day Blizzard of 2003 (also known as the North American Blizzard of 2003) lasted from Feb. 16-17, leaving Staten Island covered with nearly 20 inches of snow.

It spread heavy snow across the major cities of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, making it the defining snowstorm of the very snowy winter of 2002-2003.

From shoveling to sledding, Staten Island residents spent their day trying to maneuver through the snow.

As seen in the photos below, snow-covered cars and streets made this blizzard unforgettable.

It is one of the many storms that dumped 20-plus inches of snow on Staten Island, dating back as far as 1888.

Shoveling out

Custodian Ray Mazurek uses a snowblower to clear a sidewalk outside Paulo Intermediate School (IS 75) in Huguenot. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

Former Woman of Achievement, Luz Captain of oakwood, Guyon Ave takes a break to smile at the cameras she shovels her driveway. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma)staten island advance

A snowplow clears Guyon Ave. in Oakwood. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Blizzard conditions on Monday, Feb. 16, 2003, forced the owners of SportsFest, located at 55 Mill Rd., New Dorp, to take down the bubble-like structure as a precaution against the 40-mph wind gusts that ripped through the borough. The year-round sports center, home to indoor soccer leagues, is expected to be up and running in the next few days. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance

A machine clears snow from the tracks of the Staten Island Railway as a Sanitation truck plows the Beach Avenue overpass in New Dorp. Service on the railway was suspended shortly after noon when the snowfall buried the electrified third rail. Staten Island Advance/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance

Snow-covered cars along Richmond Rd in Grasmere on Feb. 16, 2003. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

Maria and David Cheung dig out on Buchanan Avenue, Meiers Corners. Violations will cost homeowners, Sanitation Department says. (Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)staten island advance

Dangerous Roads

Roadways around the island including the Staten Island Expressway were completely blanketed in snow, making islanders travel by foot to stores.

Stranded on Richmond Ave. These people seemed to have a hard time leaving the Shop-Rite on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance

An Empty Costco seen behind this lonely snowplow clearing the gas station on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance

February's blizzard buried streets with nearly 20 inches of snow and forced residents to do their shopping on foot. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Sand Lane was taken by Robin Rd. in South Beach. (Staten Island Advance/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance

Snow day festivities

While some may have chosen to stay in their homes, others embraced the snowy weather.

Marco Lacertosa, 9, Angelina Lacertosa, 6, Tiffany Stawiarski, 8, and Joshua Schorr, 11, play on a snow pile at Stonegate in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance

Lyman Brothwell puts the finishing touches on a 20-foot snow dog outside his home in Mariners Harbor. The project took five hours to complete. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Dominick Cortese, 12, Jessica Kelly, 11, Brandon Ventrudo, 11, and Vito Cortese, 8, rear, enjoy a snowball fight on the hill off Martling Avenue in Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance)

Frank Peduto traversed through Arden Heights on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV). (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma)staten island advance

Elias Pinedo plays with dog Lady along Targee St. in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

The sun sets on another day of digging out of the blizzard and wondering when smaller streets would be completely passable. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

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18 years ago today: The Blizzard of 2003 slams Staten Island - silive.com

BULLS HEAD, Staten Island Police on Wednesday said they were looking for a driver who fled the scene of a deadly collision on foot Tuesday evening in Staten Island.

Officers responded around 6:20 p.m. to a call for a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Lamberts Lane and Elson Street, in the Bulls Head neighborhood, the NYPD said.

According to police, a preliminary investigation determined that a 2020 Honda Accord traveling northbound on Elson Street struck a Mercedes Benz traveling eastbound on Lamberts Lane, at the intersection.

Police believe the unidentified driver of the Honda fled the location on foot, leaving his vehicle behind.

EMS responded and rushed the two occupants of the Mercedes, a 70-year-old male driver and 68-year-old female passenger, to a nearby hospital.

The woman, identified by officials as Kauser Akhund, was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

The man behind the wheel of the Mercedes suffered head trauma and was listed in critical condition early Wednesday, according to police.

Officials said the crash occurred about a mile from the woman's home.

The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad was investigating the deadly incident, police said Wednesday.

No further information about the Honda or its driver was immediately available.

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Driver flees on foot after Staten Island collision that left woman dead, man critically injured: police - WPIX 11 New York

Over the last three days, several hundred volunteers on South Padre Island have been braving the weather to try and save an endangered species washing up along the shores.

With temperatures dropping rapidly in the gulf, the weather becomes a matter of life and death for a gem of South Padre Islandsea turtles.

"As a result of that, they can't move their flippers, so they float to the top of the water, said Sea Turtle Inc.s Executive Director Wendy Knight. And even though their instinct tells them and they're awake, and they know they're supposed to lift their hands to breathe - they can't."

RELATED: Cold-stunned sea turtles found on South Padre Island following severe winter weather

Going through whats known as a cold stun, the turtles become lifeless: Some bob in the water, others wash ashore.

Knight says the nonprofit is doing everything they can to help as many turtles as they can, bringing about 1,500 sea turtles so far to the South Padre Island Convention Center.

The nonprofit is normally prepared for these type of events, but Knight says the power issues, compounded by time in the water, has already caused some losses.

"Today, we're seeing really severely cold stunned and a lot more DOA arrivals, Knight said. Just again because of the longevity. This is unprecedented weather for this area."

READ ALSO: Freezing temperatures damage local citrus crops

And its not just the rescues in danger. Longtime residents like Allisonthe first sea turtle to ever have a prosthetic after losing three limbsand Hang 10, are being dry docked to warm them up.

"We do dry dock when they're ill, especially, Knight said. So, like the cold stuns as we discussed, if we put them in water now they would drown. So, this is really something you do for a sick animal. And Hang-10 is not sick."

Knight says staff and volunteers are doing their best to get the turtles warm and back to the water soon, but the next crisis will be getting large tanks back to their normal operating temperatures.

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Hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles rescued on South Padre Island amid severe winter weather - KRGV

IMG_0883

The Island Falls Town Office. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)

The Island Falls Town Office. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)

The town of Island Falls is looking to celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary in a unique way -- by holding a contest to design a commemorative coin.

ISLAND FALLS, Maine The town of Island Falls is looking to celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary in a unique way by holding a contest to design a commemorative coin.

The small mill town will turn 150 years old in 2022, and is preparing to mark the occasion by holding a design contest for one side of a special commemorative coin. Anyone who lives in the RSU 50 school district (Southern Aroostook School) is eligible to enter a unique coin design, with three winners selected out of three age categories, including one adult category.

Prizes for all categories include $100 for first place, $75 for second and $25 for first. Winners will have their coins professionally minted, and then auctioned and sold as part of the towns 150th anniversary celebration. The announcement was made by the town office for Island Falls, and Town Manager Jutta Beyer.

Those wishing to apply can obtain application and submission materials from either the Island Falls and Dyer Brook town offices, or the Katahdin Public Library. It includes an entry form with a circle where the submitted coin design is to be placed.

In addition to individual applications, coin designs may be submitted by a team, such as from a family or from a classroom of students. A number will be assigned for each submission to ensure anonymity when being judged by a panel to decide the winner. Any artistic medium, including use of digital media, may be used in designing the coin.

This is not the first time that the town has marked an anniversary with commemorative coins. Fifty years ago, the town also made special coins to commemorate its 100th anniversary.

Submissions for the contest are due by March 31, and applications are to be dropped off at either the Island Falls Town Office, RSU 50 superintendents office, or the Katahdin Public Library. The school and town office have outside slots for submissions, as they are not currently open to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Island Falls to hold coin contest to mark 150th anniversary - The County

Six weeks after setting sail for Treasure Island, and five days since the last breeze rolled through, boredom borders on madness for the crew of the Hispaniola. Cabin fever sets in, and the sun-baked sea-farers find themselves helplessly sambaing along to a bombastic musical number. No, this isnt your average pirate adventure; its a Muppet movie. And this isnt your average musical number; its Cabin Fever, an exuberant show-stopper of a song thats both bigger and weirder than you might remember.

This is a song that called for insanity, says Barry Mann, who, along with wife Cynthia Weil, penned the tunes for Muppet Treasure Island, The Jim Henson Companys typically whimsical take on Robert Louis Stevensons classic tale. That was probably the most fun I ever had writing a song. The composing duo rose to the occasion, meeting the spectacle and sheer lunacy of the films central number, which required 25 additional puppeteers on set to pull it off. Sung by an ensemble of some of the most uniquely strange Muppets ever created, Cabin Fever captures what is (these days) an all-too-familiar kind of madness: one resulting from too much time spent in one place. Even with decades of memorable musical moments under their felts, Cabin Fever stands out as one of the catchiestand most pertinentnumbers in the Muppet repertoire.

Ahead of Muppet Treasure Islands 25th anniversarythe film hit theaters on February 16, 1996Barry Mann reflected on the legacy of the oft-forgotten Muppet adventure (Weil was under the weather and could not participate). While he agrees Cabin Fever is an obvious quarantine anthem, he admits to not hearing much about the film of latedespite its charms, Treasure Island seems to have developed a reputation as one of The Jim Henson Companys most overlooked features.

Well before they became part of the Muppet family, Mann and Weil established themselves as a highly celebrated songwriting duo, having written hits for Dolly Parton (Here You Come Again), Mama Cass (Make Your Own Kind Of Music), and The Drifters (On Broadway), to name a fewMann even co-wrote Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin, said to be the most played song of the 20th century. They were also no stranger to the movies: A few years before MTI, the pair co-wrote Somewhere Out There for An American Tail, which garnered them an Oscar nomination, as well as two Grammy wins in 1988, including Song Of The Year.

After meeting with director Brian Henson (Jim Hensons eldest son), Mann says he and Cynthia had a crystal clear idea of what the studio was going for, and many of the songs came to them effortlessly: A lot of the melodies just talked to us. They got a kick out of writing the movies big ensemble numbers, blending sweeping, Broadway-worthy tunes with the humor of the Muppets; part of the fun was just seeing which creations from The Muppet Workshop would be singing their lines. The opening number [Shiver My Timbers] had a bunch of strange charactersnot the familiar Muppet ones. Theres snakes, a big crocodile, mosquitos all trading verses. While recording the soundtrack in London, Mann recalls getting to sing some of the tracks background vocals: I felt like an honorary Muppet.

Treasure Islands biggest emotional moments were saved for its main characters, human or otherwise. I loved Professional Pirate; that might be my favorite number, Mann says. The song is the sole musical showcase for Long John Silver, played with a gleeful commitment by Tim Curry, who clearly relished the opportunity to chew scenery opposite a ham like Miss Piggy. He really gave a lot of himself to that song, Mann recalls. It was just wonderful to see him [let loose] in that fashion. And while theyre more sidelined than usual for this movie, Kermit and Piggyas star-crossed lovers Captain Smollett and Benjamina Gunnstill get their chance to shine in a romantic duet, with a very Muppet twist: Hung upside down over a cliff by Silver and his pirate companions, the two are left to fall to their fate, but still make time for the ballad, Love Led Us Here. The way they set that song up was genius, Mann said. Theyre hanging upside down and singing about being swept off their feetthat line was all Cynthia, she can be so clever.

To add a sweeping sense of adventure, Henson Studios had brought on Hans Zimmerthen fresh off a Best Original Score Oscar win for the TheLion Kingto write the score. As the composer, Zimmer was set to produce Mann and Weils musical numbers, but he had faith that the songwriters could manage it themselves. I started working with him and then he said, Why dont you just produce this yourself?, Mann says with a laugh. And it worked out great! He was so terrifiche said, You do it and keep the money.

Whether the movie called for two dangling Muppets or an entire boat full of rowdy pirates, Mann was impressed by the craftsmanship brought to the table by the entire Henson crew. [Everyone involved] knew these characters backwards and forwards it was so much fun to watch them come to life. And though it was only Brian Hensons second directorial feature, he seemed at ease steering the ship. Hes very respectful and very collaborative, and just the organization itselfthey treat you really well!

Asked if theres anything hed change about his experience writing for Muppet Treasure Island, Mann says, I just wish a lot of the critics felt differently. Though the movie currently holds a 70% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, he remembers a more muted responseRoger Ebert, for one, was outright apathetic. I do remember one critic really liking [the music] a lot they even mentioned the Academy Awards. While Mann and Weil wouldve faced stiff competition for the win at the 97 Oscarswith Madonnas original song for Evita and the titular tune from That Thing You Do! among the nomineesthe Academy did rob us all of the opportunity to have The Muppets perform a Treasure Island song live.

Twenty-five years on, will the tides turn for Muppet Treasure Island? Its easy to see why so many fans were put out when it first hit theaters in 96it takes Kermit nearly 30 minutes to show up on screen, and Miss Piggys grand entrance is over an hour into the movie. But what endures is a delightfully idiosyncratic experience, one that spotlights what a true ensemble effort a Muppet movie is; from the playful music to the ornate set design to the always game Curry, everyone is putting their best peg leg forward. And with its new streaming home on Disney+ alongside other Muppet favorites, its possible young fans will be drawn in by its lush style and cheerful sense of adventure. At the very least, Muppet Treasure Islands legacy lies in its infectious soundtrack of original songs from Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Revisiting a number like Cabin Fever feels like youre stumbling on buried treasure.

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Muppets Treasure Islands songwriters gave us an anthem for the current moment 25 years ago - The A.V. Club

Although the tennis world may remain focused on the ongoing Australian Open, there should be no shortage of entertaining action across Melbourne Park at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on quarterfinals day, but who will book their place in the semifinals?

Head-to-head: Peterson 1-1 Collins

Danielle Collins, who made her name with a run to the Australian Open semifinals in 2019, will surely have been disappointed by her second-round exit from the 2021 edition, even if it did come at the hands of the sixth seed Karolina Pliskova. But she has bounced back impressively so far at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, rallying from a set down to beat her compatriot Varvara Lepchenko before dismissing the challenge of Misaki Doi.

Rebecca Peterson, meanwhile, exited the Australian Open at the first hurdle, losing in three to Marketa Vondrousova, but she has looked sharp so far this week, picking up wins over Anastasia Potapova, Greet Minnen and Olivia Gadecki. That said, she has yet to face a player of Collins quality. The American is that much more comfortable stepping in and taking the ball early which should give her a decisive advantage on the fast, low-bouncing courts at Melbourne Park.

Prediction: Collins in 2Embed from Getty Images

Head-to-head: Martic 2-0 Kasatkina

This has the makings of an interesting match. Both Petra Martic and Daria Kasatkina could sorely use victory here to kickstart their 2021 campaigns, with both womens returns in 2020 below-par. Martic, who as the second seed enjoyed a first-round bye at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, opened her campaign with a hard-fought win over Rebecca Marino, which she backed up by thrashing home hope Kimberly Birrell 6-1 6-3.

Kasatkina started her week by beating Katie Boulter for the second time in as many tournaments, before ousting her countrywoman Varvara Gracheva in straight-sets. Kasatkina then came back from a set down to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. And whilst she has lost both of her previous matches against Martic, she has looked marginally the sharper so far at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. Expect Kasatkina to edge out the Croatian and secure a place in the semifinals.

Prediction: Kasatkina in 3

Jil Teichmann vs Marie Bouzkova

Head-to-head: first meeting

Marie Bouzkova did not look at her best in the first round at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, but was spared a potential early exit when her opponent Danka Kovinic retired with the score at 6-3 0-5. The Czech, however, deserves credit for taking advantage of that possible reprieve, having found something closer to her best tennis to pick up back-to-back straight-sets wins over Zhu Lin and Gabriella Da Silva Fick.

Jil Teichmann, meanwhile, has been putting a dent in Romanian aspirations, having beaten Mihaela Buzarnescu, from a set down, Monica Niculescu and Patricia Maria Tig, via retirement, in succession. However, it is Bouzkova who has the superior hard-court record and the higher ceiling on this surface. Teichmann has enough power from the back of the court, particularly off the forehand side, to keep this close, but expect Bouzkova to be the one to reach the last four.

Prediction: Bouzkova in 3

Head-to-head: Andreescu 2-1 Begu

It was hard to know exactly what to expect of Bianca Andreescu on her return to action at the Australian Open, but upon reflection the Canadians second-round exit was not entirely unforeseeable. After all, a degree of ring rust was inevitable after such a lengthy absence from competitive action. But she has looked to be recovering her footing on the match court at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy, opening her account by battling past Madison Brengle.

Andreescu then benefitted from Zarina Diyas retirement, with the Kazakh pulling out after losing the first set of their second-round clash 1-6. Irina-Camelia Begu, meanwhile, has looked sharp since arriving in Australia, a first-round loss at the Australian Open aside that is. This should be a good test for Andreescu as a result, against a player she has twice had to go the distance to beat. But just as she did in Indian Wells and Miami in 2019, she should have enough to advance at Begus expense.

Prediction: Andreescu in 3

Main photo:Embed from Getty Images

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WTA Phillip Island Trophy Quarterfinal Predictions Including Bianca Andreescu vs Irina-Camelia Begu - Last Word on Baseball

Radiation under a Staten Island park from a 1940s landfill and a fight over who should clean it up has again halted progress on the East Shore Seawall, a key climate resiliency project.

The radiation in the planned 5.3-mile seawalls path comes from Great Kills Park, where radium-226 was first found during an anti-terror aerial survey conducted by the NYPD in 2005. The vast majority of the park has been shut since 2009.

The seawall originally was supposed to be completed this year. But now more than eight years after Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the borough and about six years after the project was announced, construction remains stalled as the feds, city and state differ on whos responsible for getting rid of the radiation.

Now it could be 2026 before the work gets done, officials say.

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) told its state and city partners in August that it couldnt undertake the planned removal of hazardous materials on the land without a policy waiver from the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, according to various city and federal officials.

But the Army Corps would first have to recommend the policy waiver, which it hasnt done.

Given there is very little precedent for [radioactive waste] remediation work to be undertaken by USACE as part of a civil works project, there is no guarantee a waiver would be approved, Jennifer Gunn, a spokesperson for the Army Corps, told THE CITY last week.

Citing federal environmental protection laws, Gunn asserted that the contamination is ultimately not her agencys responsibility.

USACE is not a potentially responsible party for the contamination located within the project site, said Gunn.

Remediation [is] the responsibility of the non-federal sponsor, New York State. USACE has every expectation the non-federal sponsor will comply with the terms of the agreements they sign, said Gunn in a statement Friday.

The Army Corps, city and the state signed an agreement in 2019 that assigned clean-up duties to the state, Gunn noted. The Army Corps has also suggested that either Albany or City Hall could take on the hazmat effort, since it is on land owned by the city, officials told THE CITY.

First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan told the Army in a January letter that making the city find a contractor to do the work would delay construction, currently set to end in 2025, by at least 12 months.

But Fuleihan affirmed that, as outlined in its 2019 agreement with the Army Corps, the city would pay for the entire cost of the Army Corps or state removing the radioactive waste.

Staten Islanders were devastated by Hurricane Sandy and must be protected from future storms without delay, Jainey Bavishi, director of the Mayors Office of Resiliency told THE CITY in a statement. The city, state, and both of New Yorks senators are united in urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake the radioactive waste remediation work that will allow this project to move forward.

The state Department of Environmental Conservations commissioner, however, didnt acknowledge any responsibility to clean the site and implored the Army Corps to take on the task in a Jan. 8 letter seeking to clarify New Yorks position regarding waste cleanup.

It was the understanding of New York State that USACE would manage any radioactive material that might be excavated during the construction of the levee/floodwall, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos wrote, citing a project agreement.

A DEC spokesperson, Maureen Wren, pointed THE CITY to the letter when asked about the states responsibility to carry out the remediation.

Gunn said the Army Corps can provide technical oversight for clean-up sites, but it would still likely also need to contract out the work.

The urgency of the 5.3 mile seawall, which would stretch from the foot of the Verrazzano Bridge at Fort Wadsworth to Oakwood Beach, near Great Kills Park, is twofold for Staten Islanders.

The marine structure is intended to protect thousands of residents from potential rising waters, but it will also trigger immediate decreases in flood insurance premiums for East Shore homeowners once the project is half built.

Construction hasnt even started, according to Gunn. The original completion date for the project was 2021, but its been plagued by delays since its inception in 2015.

A formal contract among governmental partners wasnt signed until four years after the seawall project which includes a new boardwalk, drainage improvements, road elevation and tide gates was announced.

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo told THE CITY that this latest obstacle is especially frustrating because the city, state and federal agencies all knew about the issue of radiation when they entered into an official agreement in February 2019 to jointly execute the $615 million project.

The issue of the radiological material and the need for a clean up was not necessarily new news, said Oddo, who said that all parties were aware of this as far back as 2015.

Oddo said the key to forward momentum may lie with now U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who also implored the Army Corps to take on the clean-up in a December letter with fellow Democratic New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand

An inability of the Army Corps to move forward with remediation threatens to significantly delay completion of the seawall estimated to be at least two years, the senators and then-Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island, Brooklyn) wrote.

The stalemate likely means that the clean-up contract likely wont be awarded anytime soon, but the state and Army Corps will initiate construction at other segments, to expedite coastal storm risk reduction for this long-suffering, low-lying community.

New York City dumped about 15 million cubic yards of waste fill from 1944 to 1948 into the parks low lying wetlands. The National Park Service took over jurisdiction in 1972.

Chemical contaminants, including incinerator residue, sewage sludge and coal ash from a city-run incinerator used at the site are also present in the park, according to a 2017 report from NPS.

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Staten Island Seawall Delayed Over Radiation Cleanup Fight, Years After Sandy - THE CITY