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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.

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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.

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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.

John OGroat News

No plea from Thurso man (66) on two charges of attempted murder

A 66-year-old Caithness man appeared at Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday on two charges of attempted murder.

John OGroat News

Assurance over plans for Caithness Allied Air Forces Memorial

An assurance has been given that plans for a Caithness Allied Air Forces Memorial, featuring a full-sized replica Spitfire, are “still ongoing”.

John OGroat News

More than 150 employees made redundant as rocket manufacturer officially enters administration

The rocket manufacturer behind the Sutherland Spaceport has now been taken over by administrators, with more than 150 employees made redundant.

John OGroat News

Woman admits to charges of sexual misconduct towards young children in Thurso

A 31-year-old woman has admitted three charges of sexual misconduct towards young children in Thurso.

John OGroat News

Far north high school commended for ‘inspiring approach’ with full STEM Nation award

A far north high school has been hailed for its “amazing achievements” after emerging as a winner of the full STEM Nation Award.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Caithness Young Farmers have the ‘gift of the gab’ with speechmaking success: Halkirk and Bower sweep through to national finals

Teams from Halkirk and Bower Young Farmers dominated the North Senior Speechmaking event in Orkney to secure places in the national finals.

John OGroat News

COLUMN: Calls for change to criteria for shared banking hubs in rural areas

COLUMN: Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd

John OGroat News

Highland primary ACEL attainment still behind national figures but S3 begins to draw close

The council is now working to implement its improvement plan across the region.