The countdown has begun to the 10th Newton Stewart Walking Festival.

The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil MSP, has invited the Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce to sit on the newly-formed Stranraer Task Force.

A Windfarm on farmland near Newton Stewart could see hundreds of thousands on pounds pumped into the community but local community representatives voiced concerns about the the impact fourteen 130-metre high turbines would have on area.

In autumn 2012, Scottish Ballet will be visiting Dumfries and Galloway to deliver four full days of dance workshops, talks, events and taster performances in a project designed to bring Scottish Ballet activities to community participants of all ages and abilities.

More than 10,000 older people in Dumfries and Galloway get out of their homes less than once per month. This is one frightening conclusion from a survey of more than 1000 older people carried out recently in the region by a team of volunteers who are campaigning to improve the provision of transport in rural areas.

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown has said that the announcement on Monday of the creation of a new UK Border Force, formed by splitting up the UK Border Agency, should be used as an opportunity to look at the role of the force in dealing with illegal immigration through the Galloway ports.

THREE teenagers have been arrested following a recent spate of vandalism in Stranraer.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Fairtrade champion, Colin Smyth, has welcomed the announcement that Dumfries will be declared a Fairtrade town this weekend.

A FUNDRAISING bingo night in aid of the Coronation Day Centre has been hailed a roaring success.

Sorbie Primary School is celebrating its amazing achievement in gaining the prestigious award of a third Green Flag as part of the Eco-Schools programme.

Calls have been made for the Scottish government to withdraw controversial proposals in its consultation into the future of Scotland’s railways.

Age Scotland, a charity working on behalf of senior citizens, is calling on community groups and schools in Dumfries and Galloway to join its campaign to end isolation among older people.

It’s official! Moore’s Chip Shop in Castle Douglas has the “Best Chippy Chips” in Scotland, as voted for by the public in the Choice Chip Awards for Chip Week.

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown is warning that “there is no end in sight” for tough times on our region’s high streets, as the latest retail figures show a huge drop in footfall in Scottish shops.

Young musicians entertained shoppers at Sainsbury’s supermarket in Newton Stewart on Saturday in support of the Galloway Music Festival.

A KIRKCOLM man has been found guilty of assault by driving his car towards a couple and their dog as part of what they claim is an ongoing campaign of intimidation towards them by him.

COUNCILLORS have agreed to provide £521,618 for match funding to allow Dumfries and Galloway Council to accept a grant award of £579,576 from the European Fisheries Fund.

WEST Sound Radio has became the 100th business to join the Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce.

A KIRKCUDBRIGHT man who admits shouting and swearing at police officers outside a Newton Stewart pub last November was set to defend himself on Monday when his lawyer failed to show up.

PROPOSALS for a new £10m supermarket - which has been confirmed as an Asda, Morrisons or Tesco - which will bring 150 jobs went on display today (Friday).