Local News

John OGroat News

Community councils to demand a stop to ‘chaotic’ energy project rollout

At Holyrood meeting energy secretary Gillian Martin they will warn ‘net zero rollout risks losing democratic consent’.

Local messages

John OGroat News

‘Everything is achievable’ as community groups look at future of Carnegie building in Wick

Discussions are continuing over the potential community use of Wick’s historic Carnegie library, with “all options on the table”.

John OGroat News

ScotRail to introduce £10 minimum fare for ticketless passengers

ScotRail is set to introduce a new minimum fare of £10 for those boarding without a ticket — including stations with only ticket vending machines.

Get Weekly Updates

Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

John OGroat News

Fine and points for Wick woman who ‘panicked’ after crashing into wall near Clyth Burn

A woman motorist panicked after she crashed a car on the A99, Wick Sheriff Court heard.

John OGroat News

Huge pipes transported through Wick to Subsea 7 site

Massive pipes are being transported from Wick harbour through the town centre to the Wester site as part of a Subsea 7 contract for Aker BP.

John OGroat News

Keiss man has sentenced deferred for a year after ‘entirely unacceptable’ behaviour towards woman

A Keiss man who harassed a woman has been given a chance to prove he can stay out of further trouble.

John OGroat News

Caithness projects secure funding boost from council scheme

Two major community initiatives in Caithness are among the first to benefit from the Highland Council’s newly launched Reuse and Repair Fund.

John OGroat News

New role envisaged for Wick’s former Woolworths store

The former Woolworths store in Wick town centre could be brought back into use – as a base for smaller-scale retail units spread across two floors.

John OGroat News

‘Welcome to Wick’: New tourism drive will encourage visitors to stay longer

A new tourism drive is about to get under way in Wick with the aim of encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more money with local businesses.

John OGroat News

First Minister admits NHS Highland does not offer specialist vascular care

So patients must travel elsewhere in Scotland for treatment as critics slam ‘government by dictat – not democracy’.

John OGroat News

Wick gardening club members invited to ‘look up’ in picture quiz challenge

There was a turnout of over 40 members at Wick and District Gardening Club’s first meeting of the year, held in the new venue of the Pulteney Centre.

John OGroat News

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd tops SNP’s regional list candidates

And Highland MSP Emma Roddick aiming to win Inverness and Nairn is placed third out of four candidates.

John OGroat News

Snow-hit tracks cause further delay to Altnabreac couple’s trial

A trial was postponed on Thursday after a couple claimed the road from their isolated home in Altnabreac was snowbound.

John OGroat News

The readers’ manifesto: A mandate for the north

Our readers tell us what they want from MSP hopefuls.

John OGroat News

Former Earl of Inverness arrested by police

Andrew Mountbatten-Windor has been arrested by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations in the Epstein Files.

John OGroat News

‘You're old enough to know better’ – Unpaid work for Wick man who broke into home and stole cash

A Wick man broke into a woman's home several days after splitting up with her.

John OGroat News

Arrest warrant issued for man accused of driving while banned after failure to appear at Wick Sheriff Court

A fresh arrest warrant has been issued for a west Caithness man who is facing two road traffic offences.

John OGroat News

Thurso to lose Cancer Research UK shop in October

Thurso is set to lose its Cancer Research UK shop this autumn – following on from this month’s closure of its counterpart in Wick.

John OGroat News

Unpaid work order for woman after pleading guilty to cannabis possession, abusive conduct and malicious urination

A Caithness woman has been hit with a community payback order after appearing for sentence in Wick.

John OGroat News

Mystery over A99 traffic lights solved as plans for wind farm 'blade hub' spark local backlash

A mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of temporary traffic lights on a straight stretch of the A99 has been solved but has sparked concerns.