- Pine marten control called for
- Direct flights 'key for economy'
- Bronze sculpture stolen from museum
- Navy diver joins Concordia probe
- Independence plan 'may block bank'
- Moore suggests earlier referendum
- Anorexia no fad, says MSP father
- Murder jury retraces woman's steps
- 'Serious failings' at health board
- Cottage death OAP 'was murdered'
- Nursery man accused of sex offences
- Man held over street stabbing death
- Security guard robbed of £10,000
- SNP 'running away' from referendum
- '400 Scottish jobs lost every week'
- Police merger VAT 'means staff hit'
- Pupils updated on exam reform plans
- 47% of youth hide mental ill health
- Police target speeding drivers
- Ewing backs bid to host green bank
Local Headlines
Walking festival countdown begins
The countdown has begun to the 10th Newton Stewart Walking Festival.
Chamber to join Stranraer task force
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.
Windfarm
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.
Ballet good idea
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.
Survey highlights transport problems for elderly
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.
MP slams Galloway port ‘scandal’
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 held over vandalism
THREE teenagers have been arrested following a recent spate of vandalism in Stranraer.
Fairtrade award
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Fairtrade champion, Colin Smyth, has welcomed the announcement that Dumfries will be declared a Fairtrade town this weekend.
Bingo night is a winner
A FUNDRAISING bingo night in aid of the Coronation Day Centre has been hailed a roaring success.
Sorbie school wins third eco award
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.
Rail proposals attacked
Calls have been made for the Scottish government to withdraw controversial proposals in its consultation into the future of Scotland’s railways.
Campaign to help older people
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.
Chippy is frying high
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.
Galloway retailers face tough times
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.
Boost for music festival
Young musicians entertained shoppers at Sainsbury’s supermarket in Newton Stewart on Saturday in support of the Galloway Music Festival.
Man drove car at couple
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.
Council agrees to match European Fisheries Funding
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 bring Chamber numbers to 100
WEST Sound Radio has became the 100th business to join the Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce.
Stranraer Sheriff Court round-up
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.
Supermarket plans revealed at exhibition
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).
Olympic snub averted
After pressure from The Galloway Gazette, Olympic officials in London finally relented yesterday afternoon and said the Olympic torch would be seen in the streets of Stranraer and Cairnryan.
Woman warned after lying to sheriff
A YOUNG woman who lied to the court when she appeared was given a stark warning from the sheriff this week.
Publican loses driving licence
THE licensee of a Stranraer pub was in the dock at Stranraer Sheriff Court on Monday after being arrested for drunk driving.
Man urinated in bus aisle
A MAN who urinated on a bus and offered youngsters alcohol while travelling between Castle Douglas and Creetown has been jailed for eight months.
Council to recover abandoned car in sea
THE abandoned 4X4 spotted submerged in the Solway off the coast of Sandgreen last week is due to be recovered imminently.
Pensioner charged with three rapes
A NEWTON Stewart man has appeared in private at Stranraer Sheriff Court charged with three cases of rape, seven cases of assault and one of assault and sodomy.
Forest park given £4.5m cash boost
FORESTRY Commission Scotland is set to invest £4.5 million into boosting recreation in Galloway Forest Park.
Speculation rife over supermarket operator
SPECULATION was rife this week that supermarket giant Tesco have their eye on the proposed store and filling station site set to be built on land at Barnkirk, Newton Stewart.
Belt charge dropped
THE case against a Newton Stewart man charged with swinging a belt which struck a woman has been dropped.
Benefits cheat jailed
A MAN was jailed for six months on Tuesday after receiving £13,830 in benefits he wasn’t entitled to.
Pupils rise to a formidable challenge
Pupils from St Ninian’s Primary School in Newton Stewart spent two days at the Carlingwark Outdoor Education Centre in Castle Douglas last week.
One buyer left in race to salvage Peacocks
THIRTEEN staff at Stranraer’s collapsed retailer Peacocks are facing further uncertainty after it was reported that only one company remains in the race to salvage the national chain.
Abattoir gets £1.3m grant
a grant of £1.3million has been awarded to the Dumfries and Galloway Food Co-operative towards the cost of an abattoir at Craignair, near Dalbeattie.
Anger over milk sector fudge
DISAPPOINTMENT has been voiced over the European Parliament’s final legislative agreement for new rules for the milk sector.
Leswalt school puts focus on Burns
DURING January, pupils at Leswalt Primary focused on the life and work of Robert Burns. All pupils participated in the annual recitations of Scots poetry.
The hunt goes on
LAST Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 – the Act which outlawed traditional fox hunting and hare coursing in Scotland.
New wind farm policy agreed by the council
An updated Wind Energy Interim Planning Policy was on Tuesday by councillors at a meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Planning Housing and Environment Committee.
2 commentsDestination D&G take over wildlife festival
Destination Dumfries and Galloway (DD&G), the region’s industry led tourism organisation, announced earlier this week that it will be the new management of the Dumfries and Galloway Wildlife Festival from March 3 to April 15.
Mixed reaction to council budget
Following last week’s budget setting meeting in Dumfries the political parties in the region have been giving their reaction to the financial blueprint for the next year.
Kirkcudbright pupils win quiz
The Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright was the sponsor for the local heat hosted recently at Gatehouse of Fleet Primary School of a quiz open to schools throughout Scotland’s Rotary Districts.
Wind farm rentals rise
RENTAL income from wind farm developments increased by between 10 and 15 per cent throughout 2011, according to research by property firm CKD Galbraith. The rise in agreed rents paid to landlords in the 10 years from 2002 to 2011 inclusive was 250 per cent, the study found.
Broadband boost welcomed
THE boost to rural broadband funding announced in last week’s Scottish government budget has been welcomed.
Wicker Man hotel for sale
TWO well-known Galloway hotels, including one made famous in The Wicker Man, are on the market at reduced prices.
Marie Curie leaders retire
A large turnout attended the recent Marie Curie AGM in the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. Elspeth Jamieson read her final report as chairman and thanked all for their support over the 14 years she had been in office. Retiring secretary, also of 14 years, Marianne Hall, read the minutes of the previous AGM, and treasurer Gillian Murdoch reported another good fundraising year.
Plans for new seniors’ forum
NEXT Monday sees a lunchtime meeting take place with the aim of establishing a body that will offer future representation and information-sharing provision for over-50s in Dumfries and Galloway following the sudden demise of D&G Seniors’ Forum late last year.
Whithorn Primary Burns winners
Whithorn Primary School held its annual Burns competition last Friday.
Galloway sites feature in new book
Local author Andrew Rigby has launched his action adventure fantasy novel The Warriors of Amun on Amazon Kindle and via Amazon Kindle apps for I-Pad, I-Phone, PC and Androids. The book is distributed electronically to Amazon customers in the UK and the USA as well as in France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Council agree budget
AFTER a six-hour marathon meeting yesterday elected members of Dumfries and Galloway Council emerged with an agreed budget for the next financial year.
2 commentsPolice condemn youngsters playing ‘chicken’
Police in Wigtownshire are highlighting the need for young people to think about their own safety and that of other road users, and in particular of the dangers of young people playing “chicken” with moving vehicles.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 8 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 37 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Mist
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South west
