Archive
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Mother waits for release of son from Burmese prison
HUMAN rights activist James Mawdsley may be back in Britain by the end of the week. Speculation is growing that the 27-year-old pro-democracy campaigner will be flown from captivity in his remote prison, deep in the Burmese countryside, to the capital
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Councillor's heart scare
A VETERAN North-East councillor is in hospital after a suspected heart attack. Councillor Tony Moore, 59, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was taken ill while walking home on Monday evening. He was admitted to Bishop Auckland General Hospital. Daughter-in-law
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When safety goes off the rails
AMONG the first floral tributes to appear at the scene of the Hatfield rail crash was a bunch of white lilies, accompanied by a card reading: "With sympathy from all the staff at Railtrack." The simple message is an indication of how the tragedy has stunned
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Power of Celine propels Karen to TV and recording stardom
THE North-East's answer to Celine Dion will appear in the winner's final of a hit talent TV show on Saturday. Karen McManus, 27, of Peterlee, County Durham, who started singing at karaoke nights, made a big impact when she won BBC1's Star For A Night
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Car thieves devastate transplant teenager
STUART Sokell knows a great deal about fighting back. The teenager, from Binchester, near Bishop Auckland, had a liver transplant when he was five but has battled his way to full health. But the 17-year-old was devastated yesterday when thieves wrote
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Cabbies angered by vehicle testing rules
TAXI drivers have described a council rule which requires new cars to be tested for public safety as "ludicrous". Darlington Borough Council requires every licensed taxi to undergo a test by the Vehicle Inspectorate every six months, at a cost to the
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Restoration of mill nears completion
ENGINEERS are halfway to putting new wind in the sails of a North-East landmark. Refurbishment of Sunderland's Fulwell Mill, intended to bring it back to working order, is nearing completion after the first two of its four new sails were put in place
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Invitation to adult learners
ADULTS in Teesdale are being encouraged to improve their mathematics and English. The LEAP Adult Education Centre, in Galgate, Barnard Castle, is offering adults in the dale the chance to take part in free courses. The scheme, run by Durham County Council
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N-E student attacked on London trip
A MAN was last night charged with attempted murder over a stabbing attack on an Orthodox Jew, who was repeatedly knifed. Nabil Ould Eddine, 27, of Otley House, Gillespie Road, London, will appear before Thames Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Scotland Yard
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Key teams to tackle unemployment blackspots
UNEMPLOYMENT blackspots across the North-East will be targeted by seven new action teams set up by the Employment Service. The teams have been given the task of finding innovative and creative ways to help people into work, with each receiving a cash
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Tom plays part in Wembley 'rematch'
AN amateur footballer from the North-East is hoping to become a sporting legend when he takes part in a piece of sporting history at Wembley on Sunday. Tom Newton will play in a side managed by Nobby Stiles, a member of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad
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Phone sex case woman 'a liar'
A woman accused of blackmailing a retired international footballer was yesterday accused of lying to the judge and jury over pictures of her which appeared in the media. Carolyn Pick, 36, told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court that she had not given journalists
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Artist draws up design for cycle bridge
A MAJOR piece of art is to be incorporated into a new cycle bridge. Renowned London artist Peter Fink has designed the work on the bridge, which will cross the A689 dual carriageway at Sedgefield, County Durham. The bridge will enable one of the last
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Police launch schools safety campaign
POLICE are touring Wear Valley schools with a road safety message for 2,000 youngsters. Sergeant Brian Maudling and traffic warden Elaine Wild are aiming their campaign at primary age children in the Crook and Willington areas. Part of their initiative
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City plans New Year celebration
PLANS to stage a repeat performance of the biggest party the North-East has seen were unveiled yesterday. Newcastle plans a £500,000 party on New Year's Eve, as the region welcomes in 2001, following the success of the Millennium open air festival. An
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Decision expected on funds
SUPPORTERS of a former 19th Century Royal Navy frigate in the North-East are expecting to hear today if they will continue to receive National Lottery funding for its restoration. The Heritage Lottery Fund met yesterday to discuss future funding for the
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Villager made heroic effort to rescue widow from blaze
A VILLAGER made heroic attempts to save an elderly neighbour from her blazing home, an inquest was told yesterday. Edith Watson, 77, died on April 29 as a result of smoke inhalation after her home in Hunwick, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, caught
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Teenagers get driving tips
YOUNGSTERS in Redcar and Cleveland have been getting a taste of life on the roads at a pre-driver training scheme. It is the third year the Mega Drive scheme, organised by Langbaurgh Police and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, has been running. It
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Care for pensioners improved
PLANS have been drawn up to extend home care services to cater for 300 more pensioners. A survey undertaken by Middlesbrough Borough Council showed that, during a random week in June, there were 1,070 people in the town receiving home care services. An
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Action team to help unemployed
AN action team, backed with £1.5m, has been created in Sunderland to help unemployed people find work. The team, set up by the Department for Education and Employment, is based at the Hylton Centre, North Hylton Road. Anyone seeking information should
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Charities get £64,000 lift
PROBLEMS such as unemployment, homelessness and disability will be helped thanks to a donation of £64,000 by one of Redcar's biggest businesses. The American firm DuPontSA Polyester, which operates from the Wilton site, has given the money to the Cleveland
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He's computer whizz at 78
AN ELDERLY poet and campaigner has turned computer boffin to communicate with the world. Despite never having used even a typewriter before, 78-year-old James Watt-Taylor took to computers like a duck to water. He so impressed staff at the Grove Hill
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No action over bungle
POLICE have confirmed that no disciplinary action is to be taken after a probe into a bungled trial. No one is to be punished after Detective Constable Gary Knapper, from Hartlepool police, was on holiday in Tenerife when he was supposed to be a key witness
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How surgeons built up their town's own 'Harley Street'
STANHOPE Road was once Darlington's own Harley Street. Ninety years ago, living and operating in the tall terraces and Victorian villas were 12 surgeons. For good measure, FH Jenkins was in number 69 - a veterinary surgeon. But this wasn't enough. At
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Aid for addicts' carers
A SUPPORT group has been launched to offer help to carers of people with drug-related problems. Wear Valley Carers Initiative has set up the group in Bishop Auckland so that people who care for someone with a drug problem can talk in confidence with like-minded
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Homebase DIY sell off in the pipeline
SUPERMARKET chain Sainsbury has hinted it could agree the sale of its Homebase DIY division within weeks as the group unveiled a "progress report" ahead of half-year results next month. Group chief executive Sir Peter Davis said he was pleased with the
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Angela splashing to top
SEDGEFIELD waterpolo player Angela Winstanley-Smith is being tipped for the top after breaking into the senior international squad aged just 15. Angela, of Newton Aycliffe, is already a junior international and is the youngest person ever to be invited
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Schoolboy makes plea to council for skating park
A NEWTON Aycliffe schoolboy has approached the council with his idea for a skate park. Mark Easton, ten, is fed up of having to rollerblade on the streets outside his house. So when Great Aycliffe Town Council asked the public to submit suggestions on
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Travel cheer for farming family
FARMERS may be battling the worst recession to hit the industry for decades - but one Dales family has something to look forward to today. For 34-year-old Janet Bainbridge was chosen as the winner of a competition run by The Northern Echo and the new
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Objectors make point
DARLINGTON council is currently involved with Darlington Building Society regarding the application to demolish Chesterfield and convert Chorley Cottage. "We are aware of the concerns that people have raised about this application and we have received
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Lottery windfall for epilepsy group
A SUPPORT group for people in Teesside with epilepsy has been awarded a £1,000 Lottery grant to tell the community about its work. The Middlesbrough and district Epilepsy Support Group will use the money to start an improved information and education
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Driver had no chance to avoid fatal crash
A COUPLE have spoken of the helplessness that they felt when a female driver died after pulling out in front of their Jaguar. Arthur and Jean Wappat were travelling along the A68, near Toft Hill, County Durham, when Edna Vitty drove out of a junction
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Legion's plea for recruits
DWINDLING numbers have forced a north County Durham branch of the Royal British Legion to appeal for members. The Burnhope and Annfield Plain branch has seen numbers fall to about 40. Branch treasurer Hugh Williams said: "Many members are now getting
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Boasts of sex that snared evil killer
A KILLER'S sex boasts yesterday left him facing life in jail when he was convicted of rape and murder. Michael Wade, 43, told detectives he revived an affair with County Durham divorcee Jean Whitfield, 42, when he traced her five years after they parted
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FORMER beauty queen convicted
A woman found guilty of blackmailing a retired international footballer was warned yesterday that she could face jail. Carolyn Pick threatened to ruin the career and reputation of the ex-footballer by claiming she would take a recording of alleged phone
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Tomasino in the Swing for Newcastle success
FORMER French Derby winner Celtic Swing has made an excellent start to his stud career siring a number of winning juveniles and there could be another in the pipeline at Newcastle today via Tomasino (2.05). Celtic Swing's owner Peter Savill has retained
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Deceived widow in fight for insurance
An insurance company is refusing to pay out a £400,000 claim to the widow of a motor cycle accident victim because he had a mistress and his marriage would not have lasted. The soldier's wife did not know about the other woman, who lives in York, until
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Accidents mocked up at factory
A SERIES of accidents brought a factory canteen to a halt yesterday. But fortunately, nobody was injured for real when the mock incidents were staged at Cummins Engine Company, in Darlington, as part of a series of events for Health and Safety Week. This
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TV licence dodgers targeted
TV licence dodgers in parts of North Durham are being targeted in a blitz on non-payers. Viewers in Chester-le-Street and Houghton-le-Spring are the latest to be targeted in a national campaign to stop licence evasion in the UK. The TV Licensing campaign
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Bridge spans 87 years
THE old lady of the Tees has celebrated her 87th birthday. Prince Arthur of Connaught opened the Transporter Bridge, at Middlesbrough, on October 17, 1911. The Mayor of Middlesbrough, Councillor Kath Bevington led yesterday's party, cutting a cake featuring
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Green scheme planned for -tip'
WASTEland used by fly tippers is to be turned into a wild flower habitat for Teesside schools after a surprise discovery. The land behind homes in West View Road, Hartlepool, was originally used for residents' garages, but had been turned into a rubbish
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Dismiss officers, demand parents
TWO police officers who left a 12-year-old girl in the clutches of a rapist until she was rescued by her father have kept their jobs. The inspector and sergeant escaped with a demotion after they admitted neglect of duty before a disciplinary hearing
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Hospice tree planting day announced
The Butterwick Hospice tree planting scheme, in partnership with Forest Enterprise, takes a further step forward on December 3. A second planting ceremony will take place at Coatham Stob Wood, Longnewton, near Stockton. People can plant a tree of their
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Invitation to badminton
BADMINTON players are needed to play in a friendly, competitive singles league. The under-21 league, run by Darlington Borough Council's leisure service department, takes place in the Dolphin Centre, Darlington. Entry to the league is free, and players
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Baby massage course
AN infant massage course is being held at a care centre in Newton Aycliffe. The Pioneering Care Centre, off Burn Lane, will host the course, which will be led by Margaret Kemp, from the International Association of Infant Massage. She will be demonstrating
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bus brings lots of musical fun to school
PUPILS at a Darlington comprehensive school had a tremendous day when a music roadshow paid a visit. The Lloyds TSB Live music bus, a fully-adapted double-decker, gave the children of Longfield Comprehensive School the chance to use modern technology
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The Echo says...
WE must put the Hatfield rail crash into some sort of perspective, and remind ourselves that railways remain by far the safest form of transport. But we must also put the crash into perspective by pointing out that it is a miracle that no more than four
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Mystery over pensioner found dying in the street
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a retired businessman found collapsed in a street after he went missing from home. Kennedy Dinsmore, of Cotherstone, County Durham, was found collapsed and complaining of chest pains in Angle Court, Middlesbrough, on Friday
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A team tonic for the sickies
EXCEPT that a chap got on at Darlington carrying a six foot hat stand, nothing much happened this time on the number 213 bus to the backwoods. The hat stand was one of those fancy things with antlers on top, a Monarch of the Glen, save that the hats would
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Theatre celebration is kids' stuff
A MAJOR art event in County Durham officially gets under way today. But some Derwentside youngsters have already joined in the fun of the children's arts festival Take Off 2000. The three to six-year-olds enjoyed a special showing of The Terrible Grump
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sponsorship proves bread of heaven for champion brass band
A FORMER colliery brass band is celebrating victory in a national competition. Pride Valley Brass, named after the Seaham speciality bread maker, clinched the second section championship, in the mineworkers' championship, at Blackpool. For 80 years, the
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Football club kicks off night of family fun
ONE of the region's leadingfootball clubs is holding a family fun night tonight. The event takes place at Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium. Boro Reserves will be taking on Bradford City Reserves, kick-off 7pm, but the match will only make
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Victims claim over attacks by -Beast of Boro' police dog
A POLICE dog called Bosco has landed a North-East police force with a legal headache amid claims that he is too good at his job. The German shepherd is at the centre of mounting calls for it to be banned following a series of attacks in Middlesbrough.
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Farewell marks end of an era
NEWCASTLE marks the end of an era this evening as the last Royal Navy frigate built at the Swan Hunter yard leaves her berth, in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge. A lower span on a millennium crossing will prevent warships from sailing six miles inland to
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Church members devastated by latest vandalism assault
A NORTH-EAST church, once known as the miners' cathedral, is being plagued by vandalism. In the latest attack on St Mary's, at Horden, walls were daubed with graffiti, paint was thrown at doors and windows, and carefully-tended gardens were reduced to
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Firebug 'near to a life sentence'
A FIREBUG has been jailed for ten years for arson. Lee Harland, 22, was described at Teesside Crown Court as a danger to the public. Harland, from Darlington, pleaded guilty yesterday to two offences of setting fire to wheelie bins beside shops and offices
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Arthritis fundraiser visits region
A CHARITY supporter described as a "walking miracle" is in the region. David Paterson, 44, from Bedford, has been praised for his fundraising efforts for arthritis research, despite suffering from the condition himself. He will be outside the SavaCentre
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Action-packed day reduces stress levels
THREE of the region's most stressed-out individuals were given a day of fun by a North-East radio station. Galaxy 105-106 offered the listeners an action-packed day at exclusive Slaley Hall, in Northumberland. The winners, Julie Dixon, from Consett, and
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Artist draws up design for cycle bridge
A MAJOR piece of art is to be incorporated into a new cycle bridge. Renowned London artist Peter Fink has designed the work on the bridge, which will cross the A689 dual carriageway at Sedgefield, County Durham. The bridge will enable one of the last
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Campaign to reduce teenage pregnancy
EFFORTS to reduce teenage pregnancies in the region are beginning to focus on young men, with health and education officials gathering for a conference. Tim Gristwood, North Tees and Hartlepool's teenage pregnancy coordinator, said the conference on Teesside
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'Anti-gay' claims stoke loan row
The row over Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson's £373,000 home loan deepened last night after he was quoted as claiming he was the victim of anti-gay prejudice. The Hartlepool MP, who is famously discreet about his private life, was reported
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Hi-tech sensors to help elderly
THE wonders of modern science are being used in a pilot scheme to help elderly and disabled residents in Teesdale live longer and safer in their homes. The scheme, which is being run by Durham County Council's social services department, could be used
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Footballing girls reach finals
A GIRL'S team from Darlington has reached the finals of a football contest. The Heathfield Primary School team were among more than 50 all-girl teams from County Durham which took part in the annual inter-schools tournament at Maiden Castle. The ten and
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Bigamy case mother scoops millionaire quiz prize
A MOTHER left destitute by her bigamist husband is rebuilding her life after winning £8,000 on TV quiz Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Viewers saw Jean Thomson, 43, beam as she walked away with the cheque. It brought to an end years of heartache and penny-pinching
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The God who's on all sides
SOON we will be celebrating, for the two thousandeth and first time, the birth, or first coming, of Christ. The gift of God, why did He come? So that "all who believe in Him (God) shall not perish but have everlasting life,'' as the Gospel of St John
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Charity starts green task force
AN environmental charity has launched a woodland task force. It has been started by Derwentside's Acorn Trust, and is part of the Groundwork project, funded by the Single Regeneration Budget, European Social Fund and Employment Services. Four trainees
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Community gathers to record a moment for prosperity
LIFE in the hamlet of Warlaby, near Northallerton, came to a halt when The Northern Echo called to record a special moment for the new millennium. All but four turned out for a photograph to record the community for generations to come. The chairman of
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Inspirational show from youth theatre group
Youngsters are gearing up to give the performance of a lifetime when they stage the musical Annie. Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group are busy rehearsing their latest production, which tells the tale of an inspirational orphan and her struggle with orphanage-life
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Drunken hooligansspoiling park walk
PEOPLE are urging Darlington Borough Council to clean up a park which they say is being ruined by drunken youths. Anne Whelen says she is shocked by the behaviour of youths who meet at Brinkburn Dene, near Darlington Memorial Hospital. Mrs Whelen, 53,
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Family that was veritable fountain of medical expertise
INSIDE the porch of Chorley Cottage is a plaster plaque bearing the legend: RFE 1882. The date is when the house in Langholm Crescent was built; the initials still elude Echo Memories. The building's first occupant was Dr John Rimington Fothergill. Born
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Cleared GP battled to publish memoirs
THE widow of the GP cleared last year of mercy killing said last night she was disappointed that her husband could not get his memoirs published before his death. When Dr Dave Moor died at the weekend he had just put the finishing touches to a 150-page
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Appeal to public for more clues to rapist
DETECTIVES are urging more people to come forward after a rape victim made a public appeal to help catch her attacker. The woman spoke of her ordeal in yesterday's Northern Echo. Following a night out clubbing in Darlington, on Friday, October 6, the
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Inquest opened
AN INQUEST was opened yesterday into the death of a housewife. Samantha Young, 32, was found dead at her home in David Terrace, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Saturday. The inquest was adjourned for further inquiries.
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Outlook is Rosa on the big union day
PAST pupils and teachers of Rosa Street Primary School in Spennymoor are looking forward to their special reunion tonight. Months of hard work have gone into organising the Rosa Street School Reunion 2000 by a dedicated committee of eight people. The
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As teenage fighter tastes world glory his coach swallows large debts
THE organiser of the World Kick-Boxing Championships says the event could leave him destitute - despite one of his charges retaining his world title belt. Craig Richardson, 16, defeated a Russian boxer to keep his world title, in front of fervent support
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Chubby's in the clear
Police are to take no action against North-East comedian Chubby Brown after an incident in which fans of the funnyman were showered with shards of glass, it emerged last night. West Midlands Police said the comic would not face charges after he threw
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Spotlight on TV licence dodgers as Target Zero prepares to home in
DARLINGTON is the latest area to be put under the spotlight in a campaign targeting television licence dodgers. Target Zero is the TV Licensing campaign which is driving towards zero evasion in the UK. Comprehensive up-to-date information on evaders in
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New grant for green schemes
A WASTE management firm, which in the past three years has helped create 120 schemes to improve the region's environment, has pledged a further £1m toward the project. The cash from Northallerton-based Yorwaste brings the funding for environmental body
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Ref clears Gray but Molby faces charge
DARLINGTON skipper Martin Gray could escape a Football Association charge after an alleged bust-up following Tuesday night's home defeat by Kidderminster Harriers. The visitors' boss Jan Molby accused Gray of headbutting two-goal hero John Durnin after
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Airmen survive as jet crashes into hill
TWO RAF airmen ejected safely as their jet crashed in a ball of flames yesterday - the latest in a series of crashes involving RAF aircraft over Northumberland. A Hawke training aircraft from RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, plummeted into a hillside
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Sarah repeats winning ways at festival
A YOUNG actress has scored a double win in a speech and drama festival. Sarah Gargett, 14, from Durham, won the Intermediate Championship at Teesdale Speech and Drama Festival on Saturday, after winning the Darlington championship earlier in the year.
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work under way on park visitor centre
THE restoration of a Hartlepool park has taken a step forward with the start of work on a visitor centre. The town's mayor, Councillor Frank Rogers, carried out a turf-cutting ceremony at Ward Jackson Park, to mark the launch of the £2m project. The centre
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Nissan warns of move to Europe
NISSAN last night stepped up pressure on the Government to embrace the euro with a warning that its car component base could be switched to Europe. On the eve of the British Motor Show in Birmingham, the Japanese giant issued a warning that could spell
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Cost of saving boathouse would be -too high'
THE cost of saving a riverside Durham landmark would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, a public inquiry has heard. Leftbank Developments wants to demolish the 19th Century Brown's Boathouse, next to Elvet Bridge, and build a 1,000-capacity glass-fronted
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Life for the killer who set light to his victim
A TEENAGE killer who kicked and mutilated his victim, then set her on fire, was jailed for life yesterday. John Rowland, of Haughton Road, Darlington, admitted killing Justina Harrison, 23, also from the town, last February 6. He changed his plea from
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You write...
DARLINGTON FC I WOULD like to thank George Reynolds for keeping his word and starting on the new Darlington Football Club stadium after a lot of criticism from so-called Darlington supporters and others, who said it will never happen. Also, I would like
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Life isn't fair, so enjoy it!
GOOD morning. If it is a good morning. Which I doubt... Ah yes. AA Milne's Eeyore has apparently caught the mood of the nation. According to a new survey, a quarter of us fear a hopeless future and one in ten thinks they'd be better off dead. What a load
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Ex-Paralympics sports star facing raid terror
A FORMER Paralympics sports star fears she could become a prisoner in her home after she was burgled for a third time. Denise Ross, of Stockton, who is blind, won gold and silver medals in throwing events at the games in Seoul, Korea, 12 years ago. In
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Netting a world of info at your library
LIBRARY members in Teesdale now have a world of information at their fingertips with the introduction of free access to the Internet. All Durham County Council libraries provide free Internet access to all members, who can now book sessions of up to two
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Job seekers take plunge
YOUNG job seekers are finding themselves in deep water as part of an outdoor activities initiative. Every Tuesday, the 18 to 24-year-olds, who are on the Teesside Gateway to Work programme, visit Preston Park for team-building activities. As well as orienteering
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Fiancee's shock over partner's holiday death
THE former partner of a well-loved rugby player who died suddenly on holiday has spoken of the family's shock. Paul Fitt, 36, was away with his fiance Suzanne for a friend's wedding. The popular father-of-two was a keen rugby player and played for Bishop
