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POLICE: ELDERLY COUPLE DIE IN CRASH ON ROAD TO OBAN

April 1, 2023 heaneymedia

Martin, 70, and Jo Cousland, 69, the elderly couple who died in a car crash yesterday. By Lucy Ashton Police have named the couple who

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HOUSE OF COMMONS NOTEBOOK

April 1, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Say what you like about Labour’s Angela Rayner, and I am sure many of you do just that. But you have to

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New health secretary must “rip up Humza Yousaf’s flimsy” NHS recovery plan

April 1, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton  The new SNP NHS recovery, health and social care secretary Michael Matheson must “rip up” up Humza Yousaf’s flimsy recovery plan, the

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Trump in New York court over hush money payment to Stormy Daniels

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

Donald Trump has become the first former US President to be charged with a crime By Heather Carrick, Imogen Howse Updated 31st March 2023, 17:13 BST Former

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FUEL FOR ELECTRIC CARS: Good Drivers keeping health board on the road to net-zero

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

Transport supervisor shares top tips on saving fuel By Bill Heaney A total of 200 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board drivers have now

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HELENSBURGH MSP AND COUNCILLOR HOST COST OF LIVING ADVICE EVENT

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

Councillor Fiona Howard campaigning with Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie MSP, deputy leader of Labour in Scotland. By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie and

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YOUSAF PROMISES TO HOLD RISHI’S FEET TO THE FIRE ON HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney If, like many of us, you keep a blanket handy to keep you warm watching the television in the evening then you

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Submarine incident brings into sharp focus the absolute catastrophe that could have unfolded

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Assurances were given this week that everything possible possible has been done to ensure the safety of local people in the event

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TRANSPORT: SNP DON’T KNOW HOW TO RUN THE RAILWAYS

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton On the one year anniversary of ScotRail being taken into public hands, Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of having “no vision,

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Man arrested in connection with Renton flat death

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

Chic Wilson from Renton was found dead in his flat on Saturday morning.  A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of

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ENVIRONMENT: SNP GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO RAMP UP SEWAGE MONITORING

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

The sewage works at Havoc/Ardoch are sited below the cliff at Westcliff in Dumbarton. By Bill Heaney It used to be the distillery that caused

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Health Board team win funding for study into children’s Strep A outbreak

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton A team from the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) have been given funding for an in-depth study into the Strep A outbreak

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SPIN: Humza Yousaf must apologise for “whopping economic lie,” say Tories

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Humza Yousaf has been urged to ditch “the familiar SNP playbook of deceit and spin” after starting his reign as First Minister

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SONS: DUMBARTON 0 FORFAR ATHLETIC 1

March 31, 2023 heaneymedia

DUMBARTON LOSE TO FORFAR cinch League 2  DUMBARTON have missed the opportunity to resume top spot in cinch League Two after losing 1-0 at home

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Pope Francis given all clear for Palm Sunday services

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Update Friday 14.11 Pope Francis is expected to be discharged on Saturday after what will have been three nights of hospital treatment

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PURE GOLD: Shipwreck whisky to be auctioned after 128 years

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

The collection could go for thousands of pounds. By Lucy Ashton A whisky collection rescued by divers from a 128-year-old shipwreck is expected to fetch

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LIBDEMS: The importance of safe and legal routes for people seeking asylum

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton LibDem MP Wendy Chamberlain has today called on the government to bring forward plans for safe and legal routes for asylum seekers

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On 10 year anniversary of Police Scotland just 4% of police stations in “Good” condition

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney If the conditions in Scotland’s police stations aren’t good for the officers then what must they be like for people locked up

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BUSES: New onboard announcements to make buses accessible for everyone

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Disabled passengers across the country will be able to travel more confidently thanks to new laws that will boost accessibility for everyone.

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AWARDS: West Dunbartonshire Teacher is Employee of the Year

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

Gill Timney, a physical education teacher at Vale of Leven Academy, with other winners and Council chief executive Peter Hessett.  By Lauren Crooks A West

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PARLIAMENT: Humza Yousaf’s first FMQs is ‘disastrous’ for the SNP

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

Humza Yousaf at his first FMQs in the Scottish Parliament. New First Minister described as ‘rambling mess’ by critics and accused of ‘ranting’ and avoiding

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MP Margaret Ferrier facing by-election after watchdog recommends 30 day suspension over Covid rules breach

March 30, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Margaret Ferrier could face a by-election after the Commons standards watchdog recommended she should be suspended from Parliament for 30 days for

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Shona Robison replaces Kate Forbes as finance secretary in new cabinet

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

Ms Robison will be responsible for drawing up the annual Scottish budget in her new role as finance secretary. By Bill Heaney Updated on March

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PARLIAMENT: Humza Yousaf’s full ministerial team confirmed

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

Published 29 March 2023 20:15 Cabinet of 10 will be supported by 18 Junior Ministers. First Minister Humza Yousaf has completed the appointment of his ministerial

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BAILLIE: HEALTH INEQUALITIES ‘COSTING LIVES’

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has branded Scotland’s record health inequalities a “national scandal” and called on new First Minister Humza Yousaf to make tackling

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BBC INVESTIGATION: Police call handlers used fake system for eight years

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

By Mark Daly,  BBC Disclosure One of Scotland’s main police control rooms used a fake system to manipulate response time targets for eight years, according

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POLITICS: Humza Yousaf’s new men-lite cabinet condemned on all sides

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

First Minister Humza Yousaf unveils his Cabinet team with five members aged under 40 and, for the first time ever, a majority of women  

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Braehead children work with Crosslet House residents on dementia friendly activities

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

Braehead pupils pictured with residents of Crosslet House care home. By Bill Heaney Braehead Primary School in Dumbarton has scooped a national award in recognition

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EASTER HOLIDAYS: Remember your prescription over the Easter holiday weekend

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton With only a few days left of the term before the school Easter holiday, NHS 24 are reminding the public to check

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SPORT: Rangers fan jailed for hitting Celtic physio with bottle and woman’s match head butt investigation

March 29, 2023 heaneymedia

Alan Crawford threw a bottle at Celtic’s physiotherapist during an Old Firm match. By Lucy Ashton Picture by Spindrift An angry Rangers fan who left

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Forbes to leave government after Yousaf attempt to put her out to grass

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

The former finance secretary turned down a move to rural affairs in the new administration under the incoming First Minister. Forbes: The former finance secretary

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SPORT: Helensburgh man Scott McTominay scores a double to make it four goals in the opening two games

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

What a night for West Dunbartonshire!  Scotland beat Spain to go top of Group A with famous Hampden victory Locals Scott McTominay and John McGinn

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SARWAR: Yousaf pandered to his party faithful by promising to prioritise independence

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, pictured right, has offered Humza Yousaf his sincerest congratulations on being nominated as the next First Minister. This is

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MSP URGES GROUPS TO APPLY FOR HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND FUNDING

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

The Skylark at Balloch was a great restoration project of the type attracting grants. By Lucy Ashton  Jackie Baillie is urging groups across West Dunbartonshire

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MARY’S MEALS: Get active this spring and support our work 

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Dear Democrat reader, Have you signed up to take part in our new active fundraising challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi?  You can take part in

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Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire recruitment

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

We are recruiting police officers in Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire and encouraging those considering changing their careers to apply. Whether you’ve been running

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POLITICS: Humza Yousaf elected as First Minister as SNP accused of ‘fiddling while Rome burns’

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Opposition parties ripped into the new First Minister’s record in government as he was elected thanks to ‘a backroom deal with the Greens to keep

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DUMBARTON RECTOR SPEAKS TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT FOR TIME FOR REFLECTION

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie was delighted to welcome the Rev Heller Gonzalez of St Augustine’s Church in Dumbarton to deliver Time for Reflection at

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YOUSAF’S ‘RECORD OF FAILURE’ SLATED ON ALL SIDES AS A&E PERFORMANCE AMONGST WORST EVER

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter Scottish Labour has blasted Humza Yousaf’s ‘record of failure’ as A&E performance is at its lowest level since January and amongst the

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH: Get involved in developing an App for Wheeze 

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Are you a parent or carer for a child with wheeze? Wheeze is a whistling sound from the chest which is mainly

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Fatal Accident Inquiry to be held into two police custody deaths

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Declan Gallacher died at Clydebank Police Office By Democrat reporter A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the deaths of two men

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POLITICS: MI5 raises Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘severe’

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Chris Heaton-Harris blames ‘small number’ of individuals determined to use ‘politically motivated violence’ for escalating threat Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris told

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POLITICS: Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn formally blocked from standing for party

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Corbyn says he is not going anywhere after a move to formally oust him as a Labour candidate, and neither is his “determination to stand

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HEALTH: One in 50 Scots suffering with long Covid

March 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Landmark study, found approximately 1.8% of the population sought help from the NHS for the condition Long Covid: It is thought around one in 50

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NUTTER: Celtic manager headbutted after fiery derby clash vs Rangers in women’s league

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

The incident took place after a 1-1 draw at Broadwood on Monday night Alonso: Head-butted by Rangers coach after derby draw. By Peter Cassidy on STV

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BOOKS: Liz Nugent writes ‘Scotland was a revelation … loads of places to dispose of a body’

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

The author discusses her latest novel, Strange Sally Diamond, plus her ideal presidential candidate, the wisdom of Judge Judy and the book she threw into

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SONS TAKE A VITAL POINT AGAINST ALBION AT FORTHBANK

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Stirling Albion 2 Dumbarton 2 Pictures by Jon Leino cinch League 2  DUMBARTON took what could be an important point away to Stirling Albion after

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Kinship children set to benefit from new approach to support

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

27 March, 2023 Kinship children are defined as being looked after by a relative or family friend when their own parents are unable to care

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Vintners’ fury as beer is labelled ‘Not for sale in Scotland’

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Lorna Slater says she is ‘confident’ her recycling scheme will go ahead in August. By Bill Heaney Critics of the Scottish Government’s shambolic Deposit Return

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DON’T BE A FOOL: PARKING FINES IN GLASGOW TO INCREASE ON APRIL 1

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Glasgow City Council  Glasgow City Council are tightening parking enforcement across the city to improve road safety and efficiency, as several changes were approved at

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NEW LEADER OF THE SNP IS HUZMA YOUSAF

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Updated at 6.30pm Humza Yousaf is the new leader of the SNP and tomorrow will be confirmed as Scotland’s First Minister by

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NOTEBOOK: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE’S ELECTRIC CARS?

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

What’s happening – or happened – to the electric vehicles bought by West Dunbartonshire Council when the SNP were in power? Three months ago West

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CRIME: MURDER HUNT STEPPED UP IN RENTON AS VICTIM NAMED

March 27, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney A young man who was found dead after police and fire brigade were called to a blazing flat at Tontine Park in

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RENTON: Body found in house fire as police probe ‘suspicious’ death

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a property in Tontine Park, Renton, early on Saturday morning West Dunbartonshire: Body found in

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FLAMINGO LAND: INVESTIGATION BY NICK KEMPE OF PARKSWATCH SCOTLAND

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Flamingo Land’s third planning application on Loch Lomond in trouble March 26, 2023 I had hoped to cover the members debate that took place in

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LOCH LOMOND: Heather about to weather a storm of criticism about the National Park

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Heather Reid, Convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Newly elected National Park Convener Heather Reid shares her thoughts on leading the

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CRUACHAN DRAMA: Hill walker flown to hospital by helicopter

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Mountain Rescue workers were called out to a casualty on Ben Cruachan. By Democrat reporter A hillwalker was rushed to hospital by helicopter yesterday after

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Fact check: Nicola Sturgeon takes credit for success of others

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

By Ferret Investigative Journalists Picture by ANDREW COWAN Nicola Sturgeon faced MSPs for the final time at first ministers’ questions (FMQs) on Thursday, ahead of

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SNP SHAMBLES: Fraud squad ask party about expensive purchases and gifts

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Sturgeon and Murrell have resigned as questions keep coming over ‘indyref2’ cash By Democrat reporter The Sunday Mail is reporting that SNP is being probed over

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JOURNALISM: How columnists were complicit in one of the great con jobs of modern times

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Who says journalists never take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror? Fintan O’Toole in The Irish Times In all the reflections this

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SNP leadership favourites will each cost the taxpayer over £1.6 billion

March 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Splash the cash Forbes says she’ll increase childcare payments to £40, and pay £15 an hour for social care workers … By Bill Heaney Pledges

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SCHOOL TRANSPORT: Dismay over cuts to school transport in Bellsmyre

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

EIS member tells Labour council that transport decision risks drop in attendance and attainment By Lucy Ashton West Dunbartonshire Council cannot say they weren’t warned

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MOBBING AND RIOTING: MAN AND WOMAN CHARGED AT DUMBARTON SHERIFF COURT

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter A further three people have been arrested following an investigation into large-scale disorder in Dumbarton on Tuesday, 28 February, 2023. On Thursday,

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Bernard McDonald’s departure: His musical journey continues

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

Bernard McDonald is set to resign from his position in the music department. by Ariel Clark March 22, 2023 Dumbarton-born Bernard McDonald, Larsen Chair of

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POLICE: Cybercrime rise forcing officers off the beat, says police federation

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

Funding has failed to keep pace with the growing demand on the force Rapes on the rise and more crime remaining unsolved in SNP’s skint

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UNISON: Reimbursement of SSSC Fees for 2022/23

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

Local Government Scottish Joint Council Pay 2022/3 – Reimbursement of SSSC Fees The West Dunbartonshire branch understands that the SSSC have now written to members

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RELIGION: THE TABLET LOOKS AT THE DIVIDE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

Northern Ireland – still a religious divide by Malachi O’Doherty in The Tablet this week The 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement have seen

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HEALTH: Award joy for iCAIRD and NHSGGC Biomedical Science team

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Biomedical Science team. By Lucy Ashton NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Biomedical Science team have been recognised, alongside West of

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TRANSPORT: LABOUR MSPs STAND UP FOR ‘NEGLECTED’ TAXI DRIVERS AND DISABLED PEOPLE

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney The taxi trade plays a vital role in Scotland—it gets people from A to B; it protects vulnerable passengers; and it provides

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HEALTH: ‘At home COPD care gives me peace of mind when I need it most’

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton A patient has praised the use of innovative technology, which kept him out of hospital over the winter by allowing clinical experts

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IT’S FREE: Residents can dispose of rubbish free as part of Spring Clean Up initiative

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lauren Crooks Residents around West Dunbartonshire will be able to clean up their homes and gardens for free next month as part of the

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Save Loch Lomond: Over 55,000 oppose destructive and unwanted development

March 24, 2023 heaneymedia

Save Loch Lomond – Greens lodged record number of objections for a planning application. By Bill Heaney Over 55,000 objections have been lodged against the

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NHS WAITING LISTS HAVE DOUBLED SINCE STURGEON WAS APPOINTED, SAYS MSP BAILLIE

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, was not for letting First Minister Nicola Sturgeon away lightly

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PARLIAMENT: SARWAR PLACES STURGEON ON THE SPOT AT HER LAST QUESTION TIME

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

Labour leader Anas Sarwar and now resigned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Bill Heaney We live in serious times, with the cost of living crisis

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VALEDICTORY SPEECH BY FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon I have just concluded my 286th and final session of First Minister’s question time, and this is the final statement that

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POLICE: HOW SWINGEING SNP CUTS HAVE MADE OUR HOMES AND STREETS LESS SAFE FROM CRIMINALS

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

SPECIAL REPORT by BILL HEANEY Police officers up and down the country work tirelessly every day to keep us safe, and we thank them for

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LIBDEM LEADER: Sands of Scottish politics are now shifting in big and unpredictable ways

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

Good and bad, this chamber will debate her legacy long after her departure Responding to Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation statement in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon,

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PARLIAMENT: Spin and secrecy can’t disguise Nicola Sturgeon’s dismal record, say Tories

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Nicola Sturgeon was told in the Scottish Parliament today that no amount of spin and secrecy could disguise her record of failure

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STRIP OFF: Outrage at cost of 150th anniversary Scotland home shirt

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

Supporters believe the £90 price tag on the Scotland top is way too high The anniversary kit was launched to mark 150 years since the

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JOURNALISM: Society ‘deeply concerned’ by proposed changes to media relations guidance

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

Society ‘deeply concerned’ by proposed changes to media relations guidance The Society of Editors is “deeply concerned” by proposed changes to the College of Policing’s

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ENVIRONMENT: Only one in six reported fly-tipping cases prosecuted

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Only one in six reported fly-tipping cases in Scotland has been prosecuted, according to “deeply concerning” figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

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FERRY STORY: Fiasco riddled with failures in governance, transparency, accountability, communication and record-keeping 

March 23, 2023 heaneymedia

Richard Leonard and members of his committee touring the shipyard where the ferry fiasco is currently taking place. By Bill Heaney The people of Scotland

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Historical adoption practices: A formal apology from Nicola Sturgeon

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

A young lad illegally adopted and sent to work on a farm in Australia in the 1950s. By Bill Heaney First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has

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TRANSPORT: Avanti West Coast contract extended by six months

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

Avanti West Coast has struggled with punctuality and had to slash its timetables BBC Scotland News is reporting that rail operator Avanti West Coast has

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MARY’S MEALS: The longest lasting tropical storm on record has ripped through Malawi

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

Cyclone Freddy – thought to be the longest lasting tropical storm on record – has ripped through Malawi, causing devastation for many of the children

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SNP LEADERSHIP: ‘Rattled’ Humza Yousaf heckled  over gender reforms

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton The SNP leadership candidate was criticised after he admitted he did not regret voting down amendments that would have prevented male rapists

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MORTONS: YOU CAN ROLL OVER AND ENJOY YOUR BREAKFAST AGAIN

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

By Tom Chidwick in the Scottish Review In March 1971, the recently created British Tourist Authority (BTA) – established in 1969 to give the industry

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25 INJURED: Massive emergency response as ship topples in high winds

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter Emergency services are dealing with an incident at dry dock after a ship listed dramatically at a 45-degree angle in Leith this

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ScotRail to operate more trains for Euro 2024 matches

March 22, 2023 heaneymedia

A large number of football fans are expected to travel from Glasgow Central ScotRail has announced extra train services and carriages for Scotland’s Euro 2024

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STURGEON FAMILY AT WAR AS NICOLA RETREATS INTO OBSCURITY

March 21, 2023 heaneymedia

Nicola Sturgeon’s dad joins SNP civil war and claims Ash Regan is trying to destroy the party Robin Sturgeon was also unimpressed with Kate Forbes

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HIGH COURT: Rapist who attacked three women jailed for 11 years

March 21, 2023 heaneymedia

Paul Callanin was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of three rapes. By Lucy Ashton A rapist found guilty of attacking three women in

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Levengrove Park Community Art Exhibition

March 21, 2023 heaneymedia

Saturday 25 March to Sunday 26 March ( 12:00 – 16:00 ) Levengrove Park , Training Suite Every Saturday and Sunday Levengrove Park Community Art Exhibition

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Boris Johnson admits he misled Commons but says it was NOT intentional

March 21, 2023 heaneymedia

BREAKING NEWS: Boris Johnson accepts that he misled Parliament but said there was “no evidence” he did so intentionally, insisting his statements to the Commons

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SNP LEADERSHIP: Russell says voting process will continue

March 21, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter Following Inquiries about the voting process from SNP leadership candidates, SNP President and Acting Chief Executive, Michael Russell has responded by issuing

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BAILLIE CONGRATULATES LOCAL GROUPS ON RECEIVING £220K OF LOTTERY FUNDING

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton  Jackie Baillie has congratulated seven local groups after they netted a total of almost £220,000 from the National Lottery’s community fund. West

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Men admit filling Ibrox shutters with expanding foam before Old Firm match

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Ibrox: Shutter doors were filled with expanding foam prior to an Old Firm game. STV News are reporting that two men have admitted filling shutter

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POLICE: EMERGENCY ALERT MOBILE PHONE WARNING SERVICE

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Police Scotland  · A new Emergency Alert mobile phone warning service is being trialed in Scotland from today by The Scottish Government The UK-wide system will

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YE’R HAVIN’ A LAUGH: SQUIRREL THIS ONE AWAY FOR LATER

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia
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UNITE: VOTE FOR EDDIE AND SYLVIA

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia
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ROCK AND ROLLS WITH YOUR LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia
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FOOD: Excellent menu at Cardross Village Hub this week

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Cardross Parish Church Excellent menu at the Village Hub this week why not pop in. Takeaway also available. Come along to The Villlage Hub on

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR: LEAP TO IT AND GO LAMBING ON LOCH LOMONDSIDE

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

ACCOMMODATION FARM TOURS GIFT VOUCHERS ABOUT LOCATION TRAVEL TRADE CONTACT BOOK NOW Back to All Farm Tours Lambing On Loch Lomond Every spring we welcome

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REFUGEES: Homeless migrant families’ children forced to sleep in a car

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Published by The Democrat in co-operation with The Ferret INVESTIGATION by KARIN GOODWIN Migrant and refugee children have been left homeless – with one family

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HEALTH: Lib Dems to launch dentistry ad campaign

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrats are set to launch a digital ad campaign highlighting the SNP’s failure to support NHS dentistry. The campaign comes

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Rupert Murdoch to marry for fifth time as he announces engagement to Ann Lesley Smith

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Rupert Murdoch and girlfriend Ann Lesley Smith are engaged, just seven months after the News Corp chairman reached a divorce settlement with his now-ex-wife, Jerry

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LEADERSHIP: Catholic Church blasts attacks on Kate Forbes

March 20, 2023 heaneymedia

Church says many Scotland’s Catholics ‘feel marginalised’ by the infighting over religion and issues such as gay marriage, abortion and gender conversion, which could potentially

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SNP in ‘tremendous mess’ leadership contest, says Mike Russell

March 19, 2023 heaneymedia

SNP President Mike Russell, back in charge. BBC Scotland is reporting that there is “tremendous mess” in the SNP over the party’s leadership race, the

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HEALTH: PRIMARY CARE INVESTIGATION

March 19, 2023 heaneymedia

Growing patient lists and unsafe working: patients and doctors speak out from the front lines of primary care Amid rising concerns over heavy patient lists

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PROTEST: Green’s co-leader Patrick Harvie says an independent Scotland would abolish the monarchy

March 19, 2023 heaneymedia

Patrick Harvie slated after confirming he would be protesting against King Charles during Coronation Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie The Scottish Greens have announced that

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DUMBARTON 1 ALBION ROVERS 5

March 19, 2023 heaneymedia

It was a day to wear black at the Rock yesterday. Sons had that funereal look about them as they went down 5-1 to Albion

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COVID: Jason Leitch says ‘half the country’ didn’t like Sturgeon

March 19, 2023 heaneymedia

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Professor Jason Leitch both played huge roles in governing our lives during the pandemic. In a talk at a church

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LEADERSHIP: Ash Regan ‘ready to hit ground running’ if she wins FM race

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

First Ministerial candidate met with Scotland’s top civil servant to lay out her vision for the country By Democrat reporter SNP leadership contender Ash Regan

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FERRIES FIASCO: FERGUSON FINANCE BOSS JUMPS SHIP DURING BONUS ROW

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

Ferguson Marine finance boss has quit amid backlash at ‘reprehensible’ bonus payments Chief financial officer George Crookston, who picked up £17,500 in ‘performance-related’ bonus cash,

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CHAOS CONTINUES: SNP appoint Russell as interim party boss

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

Party President Mike Russell, a resident of Argyll and Bute, has been appointed as SNP chief executive  in the wake of the resignation of Peter

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LEADERSHIP: Peter Murrell resigns as SNP chief executive

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

Sturgeon’s husband was told he faced a vote of ‘no confidence’ if he failed to tender his resignation High Noon: SNP chief executive Peter Murrell

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SPORT: DUMBARTON LOOKING TO RETURN TO ACTION

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

cinch League 2 DUMBARTON hope that two weeks out of action will finally end tomorrow, with Albion Rovers visitors to Dumbarton Football Stadium. Having waited

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EDUCATION: Many pupils performing better than the national average

March 18, 2023 heaneymedia

March 2023 By Lucy Ashton The attainment of school pupils in West Dunbartonshire has increased with many performing better than the national average, according to

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JOURNALISM: FORMER RECORD EDITOR QUITS AS SNP’S HEAD OF MEDIA

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

Murray Foote said it had become ‘apparent there are serious issues’ with statements he had issued to the press Membership: Murray Foote said agreed party

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MOTHER’S DAY: KARMA AT LAKE OF MENTEITH IN THE TROSSACHS

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

Karma Lake of Menteith has a new Head Chef, and he’s keeping it in the family By Lucy Ashton The luxury lakeside hotel has welcomed

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RECORD Cruise Ship Season For Firth of Clyde In 2023

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

17 March, 2023 Anthem of the Seas at Greenock last year By Lucy Ashton GREENOCK is set to have its busiest cruise ship season –

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RUNNERS: Run Loch Lomond 10K, 5K & Fun Run

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

Saturday 17 June ( 10:00 – 12:00 ) Loch Lomond , Moss O’ Balloch, Balloch Road, Balloch, G83 8LQ Saturday 17 June 2023 Run Loch Lomond

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ILLEGAL MIGRATION BILL OUTRAGE: WHY LEAVE IT TO LINEKER TO SPEAK OUT?

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

In The Tablet this week “Are we going to leave preaching basic morality to footballers?” Paul Dooling writes in the Letters pages this week. His isn’t the only

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CHILDREN: Ringing of End of Treatment Bell returns to RHC

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

“Ringing the Bell is one of those big momentous things you see in the wards. It feels like an achievement. Lizzie’s journey isn’t over yet

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POLITICS: SNP must end culture of lying to journalists and the public

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney The Scottish Conservatives have today written to the chief executive of the SNP demanding he takes action after the party’s communications team

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LEADERSHIP: SNP reveals huge membership losses as 50,000 quit

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

Figure drops from 127,000 to 72,000 following pressure from all three SNP leadership candidates Membership: Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was urged to release the

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HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY

March 17, 2023 heaneymedia

Happy St Patrick’s Day! How are you celebrating St Patrick’s Day this year? You might not be able to make it to Ireland for St

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FERRY STORY SAILS INTO SINKING SAGA FOR SNP AND STURGEON

March 16, 2023 heaneymedia

Ferries to be delayed for another six months and will cost even more money, says Swinney By Lucy Ashton The two ferries being built in

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Nicola Sturgeon gets that sinking feeling as she’s grilled on the ferries fiasco

March 16, 2023 heaneymedia

Douglas Ross told Nicola Sturgeon it was “a scandal” bonuses were being paid when the ferries were six years late and £350 million over budget.

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TRAVEL: St Patrick’s Day festival – All you need to know about the parades

March 16, 2023 heaneymedia

Bank holiday will mean a four-day celebration for many people Henry Street trader Tony Mooney is all set for St Patrick’s Day. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

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NOTEBOOK: DO ANY OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

March 16, 2023 heaneymedia

WESTMINSTER NOTEBOOK by Bill Heaney The Budget was not the only subject which gripped my attention at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons

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EMPLOYMENT AT THE GOLDEN JUBILEE NATIONAL HOSPITAL IN DALMUIR

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

Home Hospital CfSD Research Hotel Current vacancies Vacancies Clinical Governance Support Officer 8 Mar 2023 **Please note this is an internal vacancy for employees of

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BUDGET: Chancellor claims Budget will mean for growth to benefit Scotland

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

Wednesday 15 Mar 2023 A £27 billion tax cut for business through radical ‘full expensing’ policy and capital allowances reform which will drive investment and

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HEALTH: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde celebrates World Delirium Awareness Day

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Today [March 15, 2023] NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will join the world in celebrating World Delirium Day to help raise awareness

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Budget Tories and LibDems respond to Chancellor’s fiscal measures

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

Labour’s deputy leader in Scotland, Jackie Baillie, pictured right, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “Jeremy Hunt’s budget is far from great news for people in Scotland

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HEALTH: Private health firms charging Scots hundreds for GP appointments

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

Investigation by Karin Goodwin Private health firms operating in Scotland have financial links to politicians, been accused of mistreating staff and patients, and are charging

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OPINION: This apology for a National Park would prefer to restrict visitorsto a few popular places

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

March 13, 2023 By Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland Last summer the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National ParK Authority (LLTNPA) advised those who had responded

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SNP LEADERSHIP: ‘Desperate’ Humza Yousaf describes critics of SNP’s bottle return scheme as ‘right wing’

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

The BBC studio audience actually burst out laughing at the health secretary as he tried to defend the controversial deposit return scheme during the latest

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INVESTIGATION: GPs working at ‘unsafe levels’ as patient numbers soar at a third of practices

March 15, 2023 heaneymedia

By investigative reporter Karin Goodwin The number of patients registered to each GP has increased at almost one third of practices across Scotland in the

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STATS TRIGGER CONCERNS ABOUT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AGAINST SHOP WORKERS 

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has responded with concern after shocking statistics from an annual survey run by shop workers’ union Usdaw has shown high

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DEFENCE: Ben Wallace says the SNP would ‘reduce Scotland’s armed forces to a rubber dinghy

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace could hardly believe what he was hearing. The Defence Secretary said the SNP would “reduce the Scottish armed forces to a rubber dinghy

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RELIGION: Pope Francis doesn’t correspond by e-mail

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

We know that popes have read The Tablet – Cardinal Ratzinger regularly expressed alarm at the content – but can be reasonably certain that Pope Francis doesn’t

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BAILLIE CATCHES UP WITH LOCH LOMOND ARMS APPRENTICE DURING SCOTTISH APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton  Jackie Baillie met up with Loch Lomond Arms Modern Apprentice Conrad Hamilton during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. The Dumbarton constituency MSP spoke with

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BAILLIE CONGRATULATES COMMUNITY FOODSHARE ON NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARD

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney  Jackie Baillie has congratulated West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare after the charity was awarded £27,500 from the National Lottery Community Fund.  The food bank,

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SNP LEADERSHIP: Who are the contenders to become the next First Minister?

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

Three candidates are in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes have announced their candidacies. Three

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HEALTH: Drug to treat rare form of lung cancer approved for Scotland

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

Pralsetnib was accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on an interim basis on Monday Drug to treat rare form of lung cancer approved for use

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Newspaper publisher Reach to put over 400 jobs at risk of redundancy

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

The NUJ revealed that Reach, which owns the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Lennox Herald,  among other titles, would be cutting 192 editorial rolesDaily Record

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JOBS: Unemployment rate falls to record low

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

Data shows that 3.1% of people in Scotland aged 16 and over were out of work from November 2022 to January this year Scotland’s unemployment

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SNP shamed as ferry fiasco bosses net huge bonuses while bill soars to nearly £300 million

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

Audit Scotland expresses concerns over the future viability of the publicly-owned  shipyard   The ferry fiasco has already cost the public purse millions of pounds.

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ACCIDENT: Tugboat which capsized killing two men lifted from Firth of Clyde

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

By Tara Fitzpatrick, of STV News A recovery operation has been carried out to lift a tugboat which sank in the Firth of Clyde leading to

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Fintan O’Toole: Gary Lineker debacle is all part of the continuing saga of Britain eating itself

March 14, 2023 heaneymedia

You can cancel people who make stupid or ill-judged comments on social media. Or you can have a measured response Fintan O’Toole, Tuesday March 14,202

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LEADERSHIP: Ash Regan critics slate her ‘ludicrous’ new currency designs

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

The outsider to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister is working with Dr Tim Rideout to come up with a money plan for an independent

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RELIGION: Your love for your family colours everything you do

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

By Canon Gerry Conroy I wonder about the Samaritan woman at the well. Some people point out that she was at the well at midday,

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JOHN DUFFY: Sonstrust chair held post with great honour and distinction

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

JOHN DUFFY IT is with very deep sadness that we have learned that John Duffy, a long-time Dumbarton fan and former chair of the Sons

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TWO SNP candidates have failed to confirm support for equality commitments

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

13th March 2023 LGBT+ organisations’ concern as two SNP candidates have not confirmed they would continue with government equality commitments By Harry Bell National LGBT+

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Cole-Hamilton responds to Red Cross warnings over Ukrainian refugees left in limbo

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Liberal leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ukrainian President Zelensky – more help required for refugees from Ukraine. By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

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BUDGET: UK VETERANS TO RECEIVE £33 MILLION AT SPRING BUDGET

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Chancellor set to announce new funding package for veterans across the UK at the Spring Budget £33 million package will increase availability of veteran housing

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Nuclear crash exercise beset by blunders, says MoD

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Sheep grazing peacefully in a field high above Loch Lomond while a convoy carrying nuclear weapons heads for HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane or

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Oscars 2023: Ireland wins two Academy Awards on a memorable night

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Irish deliver one of the great Oscar moments James Martin (leopard print jacket) with An Irish Goodbye’s Academy Awards for best live-action short and Richard

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SNP LEADERSHIP: Tories ask to use “scathing” Forbes attack in Party Broadcast 

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

 By Bill Heaney The Scottish Conservatives have today written to SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes asking for her permission to use footage of her “scathing

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YOUNG PATIENTS GIVE THREE CHAIRS PLUS TWO FOR SCHIEHALLION UNIT

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

NHSGGC thanks fundraising former patients for latest donations  By Lucy Ashton The Schiehallion Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) has taken delivery of

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BAILLIE SAYS CAMERON HOUSE INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS DON’T GO FAR ENOUGH

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie believes that the Scottish Government’s response to the recommendations made in the Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry do not go

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LibDems: SNP leadership candidates are starved of solutions 

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter Speaking as voting opens in the SNP leadership race, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has accused all three candidates of being

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GREENS: Patrick Harvie slated after confirming he would be protesting during Coronation

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Co-leader Patrick Harvie said that his party would be taking part in Scottish protests against King Charles as he said that an independent Scotland would

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BOOKS: Love and Loss as a Survivor of the Magdelene Laundries

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

COMING SOON Girl in the Tunnel My Story of Love and Loss as a Survivor of the Magdelene Laundries Maureen Sullivan When Maureen Sullivan was

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FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Gary Lineker to return to Match of the Day

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Gary Lineker is set to return to Match of the Day this weekend following disruption across the BBC Sport schedules BY Democrat reporter The Scotsman

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ADOPTION: Lifeline community groups celebrated this Kinship Care Week

March 13, 2023 heaneymedia

Artwork by Jane Heaney 13 Mar 2023 00:01 Peer support groups offer help, advice and emotional support to kinship carers … Cllrs Michelle McGinty and

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SNP’s Marco Biagi hints at early Holyrood election amid party split rumours

March 12, 2023 heaneymedia

Dumbarton-educated Marco Biagi, who is supporting Humza Yousaf in the SNP leadership contest, highlighted that an early May Scottish Parliament election could be held if

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POWER: Annual energy bills rise by over £1,000 from next month.

March 11, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Households in West Dunbartonshire and Argyllshire expect to see their annual energy bills rise by over £1,000 from next month. And that

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FARMING: Sheep and cattle-worrying incidents and the associated unnecessary suffering

March 11, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney The lambing season is underway and now the government has been asked by Emma Harper MSP what action it is taking to

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JACKIE BAILLIE TACKLES STURGEON ON PRIVATE HEALTH CARE

March 11, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney  BBC Scotland revealed that one in five people had paid for private medical care in the past 12 months, Jackie Baillie MSP

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DRUGS: SNP candidates’ “shameful silence” on drugs-deaths epidemic

March 11, 2023 heaneymedia

The scourge of drug deaths in Scotland requires SNP minister Angela Constance’s full backing for Right to Recovery Bill. By Bill Heaney The SNP leadership

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WAITING TIMES: HARVEY STORY BRINGS HILARITY TO A HALT

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

HOLYROOD NOTEBOOK By Bill Heaney Labour leader Anas Sarwar brought the hilarity to a halt at Holyrood on Thursday when he accused First Minister Nicola

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FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Gary Lineker benched by BBC’s Match of the Day

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

BBC has announced that Gary Lineker will not host Match of the Day this weekend By Matthew Mohan-Hickson Gary Lineker will “step back” from presenting Match of

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LEADERSHIP CONTEST: STAIRHEID ROW PASSES FOR PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE AT HOLYROOD

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Tory leader Douglas Ross and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Bill Heaney No one has so far died laughing in the Scottish Parliament, although that

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DOCTORS: GP specialty training to increase by 100 places over the next three years

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Health centres across West Dunbartonshire are short of General Practitioners. By Bill Heaney Labour’s Paul O’Kane MSP asked the Scottish Government to provide numbers and

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TRAVEL: Loganair announces Glasgow to Donegal service

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Snow in scenic Kincasslagh, home place of singer Daniel O’Donnell. Picture by Bill Heaney By Bill Heaney Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, is restoring

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EDUCATION: Argyll and Bute pupils continue to shine

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Young people in Argyll and Bute, which includes Cardross, Helensburgh, Rhu and the Rosneath Peninsula,  are achieving well according to updated 2022

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Mother’s Day is on 19 March

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Dear Bill and all your Democrat readers This Mother’s Day, join celebrity mum Izzy Judd by showing appreciation for the wonderful women in your life with one

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Harbour Master Vicki continues to make her mark in Oban

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

10 March 2023 By Lucy Ashton Oban Harbour Master Vicki McKenzie is certainly making her mark as Argyll and Bute Council’s only female in the

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Cole-Hamilton challenges next FM to appoint dedicated Mental Health Minister

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

By Harry Bell At the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference today, party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP challenged the next First Minister to appoint a dedicated mental

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EIS teaching union backs pay deal to end school strikes

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Members of the EIS union, with West Dunbartonshire official James Halfpenny,  have been voting on the latest pay offer By Democrat reporter BBC Scotland is

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KINDNESS IN ACTION: HOW NHSGGC IS HELPING STAFF TO DELIVER THE BEST CARE FOR PATIENTS

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton A little kindness goes a long way, the saying goes. A quick word, a smile, a hand on the shoulder of a

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PROPERTY: Award-winning The Clipper lands on the market

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton A FORMER public house  which had once been the offices of the Procurator Fiscal, the Hiram Walker whisky distillery and McMillan’s shipyard,

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DOG DOPING SCANDAL: Appalling treatment of raced greyhounds on and off the tracks

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Animal Welfare Commission says no new greyhound tracks Featured illustration thanks to iStock and insima Investigation by Billy Briggs The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has

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ABORTION: SNP leadership candidates clash on abortion access in TV debate

March 10, 2023 heaneymedia

Humza Yousaf challenged Kate Forbes on whether she supported buffer zone protection zones outside abortion clinics Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan took part

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SCHOOLS: ‘Care should be taken to ensure that there are separate entrances to the two schools’

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney UPDATED: March 10, 2023 Catholic primary school pupils at St Martin’s in the Renton will be prohibited from going through the same

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CLYDEBANK BLITZ MEMORIAL SERVICE THIS SATURDAY

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

Saturday 11 March ( 11:00 – 12:00 ) Blitz Memorial , Old Dalnottar Cemetery, Great Western Road, Clydebank There will be a Service of Commemoration to

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HEALTH BOARD supports ‘Quit and Win’ campaign on No Smoking Day

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton NHSGGC is supporting health charity ASH Scotland in urging residents across Glasgow and Clyde to consider giving up smoking this No Smoking

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PARLIAMENT: Greer warns of damage if latest Flamingoland plans get go-ahead.

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Leading a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week, Green MSP Ross Greer spoke of how he believes that a seven-year fight

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INVESTIGATION: Farms and slaughterhouses should be licensed to prevent cruelty to animals

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

INVESTIGATION by Billy Briggs in The Ferret Scottish farms and slaughterhouses should be licensed to prevent cruelty to animals because there is “widespread non-compliance” with

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LEADERSHIP: Kate Forbes is favourite SNP contender with public

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

In a setback for all three candidates, a quarter of voters thought none of them would make the best first minister UPDATED at 11:10, 9

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OFF THE BUSES: SCHOOL TRANSPORT CONSULTATION

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

March 9, 2023 West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking residents’ views on plans to bring free school transport in line with the national statutory requirements. The

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 PARLIAMENT: Sturgeon defends SNP Government from Forbes criticism

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

Thursday 9 March 2023 Douglas Ross, Katie Forbes and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. By Harry Bell at Holyrood Nicola Sturgeon today defended the SNP’s “appalling”

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JUSTICE: Free law clinic to help sexual assault victims

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

The University of Glasgow law clinic will provide legal advice to rape victims By Bill Heaney Plans for a new law clinic to support victims

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Child Abuse Inquiry lawyer charged over sexual offences

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

John Halley was appointed junior counsel to the investigation into the safety of children in Scottish care homes in 2015 By Lucy Ashton An advocate

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INVESTIGATION: Flamingo Land Mark III – the revised planning application for Balloch

March 9, 2023 heaneymedia

March, 2023 By Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland On 13th February a further 42 documents were added to the planning application which Flamingo Land first

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DIY Dunbartonshire: Council’s 5 per cent tax rise and three-weekly bin collections

March 8, 2023 heaneymedia

NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Nicola Sturgeon may still be hiding behind the couch in the lounge of her ministerial mansion in grey granite Edinburgh’s St

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RELIGION: Ministers contribute to first audio Bible solely recorded by women

March 8, 2023 heaneymedia

International Women’s Day 8th of March, 2023 The Rev Rosie Frew said they are delighted to contribute to the groundbreaking project. By Cameron Brooks Two Church

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SNP civil war: Kate Forbes destroys golden boy Humza Yousaf

March 8, 2023 heaneymedia

Warring SNP candidates torched each other – and their party’s record – in STV debate Two of the three First Minister and leadership candidates committed

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TRAINS: Higher penalties for drinking  to improve women’s safety

March 8, 2023 heaneymedia

Passengers caught drinking alcohol on ScotRail trains could face higher penalties as part of moves to improve the safety of women and girls on Scotland’s

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International Women’s Day: For the love of God, goals and souls 

March 8, 2023 heaneymedia

8th of March, 2023 By Cameron Brooks Two trainee Church of Scotland ministers have spoken about their deep passion for “souls and goals” to mark International

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Breakfast news lament: Morton’s Rolls ‘ceases trading’

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Morton’s flagship product is its traditional crispy roll By Bill Heaney I remember their salesmen for Morton’s going round the houses in their vans shouting

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TRAVEL: RING A ROSIE AROUND DUBLIN IN THE RARE OULD TIMES

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

24 Best Pubs In Dublin: A Guide To The Finest Guinness, Snugs + Historic Dublin Pubs By Keith O’Hara March 3, 2023 The topic of the

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SPORT: FINE WIN FOR SONS AT STRANRAER

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

cinch League 2  PICTURES BY JON LEINO Stranraer 0 Dumbarton 2 DUMBARTON have retained their five-point cushion at the top of cinch League Two by

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SPORT: BIG MATCH AT THE ROCK POSTPONED

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

MATCH POSTPONED

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Cost of SNP’s flagship free bus travel scheme to rocket to £300 million

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

The Scottish Government launched their flagship free bus travel for under-22s initiative last year but it has been riddled with issues including claims it has

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Cross-party letter demands ‘real ban’ on electric shock dog collars

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Tuesday 7 March 2023 By Bill Heaney MSPs from all parties in Holyrood have today signed a letter demanding action on electric shock dog collars.

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HEALTH: Thousands still stuck in Scottish hospitals 

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton As new Public Health Scotland statistics show thousands still languishing in Scottish hospitals due to delayed discharges remaining stubbornly high. Scottish Liberal

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ASYLUM: Kirk opposes law to stop illegal Channel crossings

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Home Secretary Suella Braverman says the new bill will “respond to waves of illegal migrants breaching our borders”. By Helen Silvis and Bill Heaney A

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Hundreds of Scots police officers and staff hit by long Covid

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Police Scotland officers and staff are suffering from long covid, which has impacted on response times. Long Covid related illnesses have resulted in less staff

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HEALTH: 380,000 operations lost since Covid shows NHS Recovery Plan not working

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

On every metric this Government is failing our NHS LibDem leader Alex Cole Hamilton and SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf. By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde supports Scottish Apprenticeship Week 

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Local health board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says it’s proud to be supporting Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 taking place from Monday

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WEATHER: Warning as UK braced for five days of snow and ice

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Breaking News: The sun is shining in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll this morning, but the National Grid ESO has fired up its emergency coal stations as

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SNP LEADERSHIP: Jackie Baillie says the SNP ‘must protect against corruption’

March 7, 2023 heaneymedia

Keep the SNP civil unrest out of the campaign says Labour’s deputy leader  Jackie Baillie calls for SNP to be transparent about the leadership process.

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LEADERSHIP: Ash Regan compares SNP rivals’ independence plans to ‘bag of marshmallows’

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

The SNP leadership candidates took part in a hustings in Inverness on Saturday. ‘Absolutely no substance’ to independence plans of my rival contenders, says Ash

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Union to ballot teachers on ‘paltry’ new pay offer

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

Teachers from Christie Park Primary in Alexandria. By Bill Heaney The EIS, Scotland’s biggest teaching union, said at the weekend that it would suspend school

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INVESTIGATION: Yet another granny found with ‘horrific bruises’ before death in care home

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

Pensioners Agnes Donnelly, left, better known as Nancy, and Jill Symmonds – both badly bruised and traumatised while in care homes.   By Bill Heaney

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£10 million gap: Far fewer people are buying a newspaper

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Newspaper and magazine publisher DC Thomson is set to make widespread redundancies and close several titles. Employees were told at an all-staff

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Secret register reveals Murrell’s house in Portugal and Harvie’s criminal record

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

A little-known document not available to the public reveals all the secret interests of SNP and Scottish Green ministers – and it makes for VERY

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HEALTH: Super gran demonstrates the power of resilience and staff awards all round

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

Avid Parkrunner, Dorothy Woodger, hits the road yet again. By Lucy Ashton A 72-year-old grandmother who suffers from degenerative hand and foot conditions has been

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Helensburgh Waterfront opens to the public

March 6, 2023 heaneymedia

By Ruth Crosbie The second phase of the £23 million investment to Helensburgh’s Waterfront has officially completed as a new improved public space opens to

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BUDGET: Labour council vehemently rebut ‘pink socialists’ criticism

March 5, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Supporting communities through the cost of living crisis is at the heart of a new £1 million support package introduced as part

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Scotland braced for 15 DAYS of sub-zero temperatures

March 5, 2023 heaneymedia

By Sean Batty of STV News I’ve been warning for a few weeks now that it looked like cold conditions would develop into March after

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Joint bank account is key to Sturgeon’s resignation, says Private Eye

March 5, 2023 heaneymedia

The outgoing SNP leader and her chief executive husband are urged to answer the question about whether or not they have a joint bank account,

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LEADERSHIP: SNP contest is RIGGED in favour of Humza Yousaf

March 5, 2023 heaneymedia

Author Robin McAlpine accused Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon of hand-picking audiences for the hustings and branded the Scottish Government ‘an unrelenting deluge of f**kwittery’

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SECRET SCOTLAND: SNP refuses to livestream latest hustings – again

March 5, 2023 heaneymedia

Nothing to see here! SNP leadership hopefuls Ash Regan, Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf will be debating ‘behind closed doors’ on Sunday. ‘Woeful’ Humza Yousaf,

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Sturgeon ‘will be immortalised in our history books’

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

Humza Yousaf ridiculed for saying Nicola Sturgeon ‘will be immortalised in our history books’ The First Minister is ‘exceptional’ and her favoured successor wants to

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SNP: Police investigate the party over £600,000

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

Regan vows to publish SNP financial data if elected leader The SNP leadership hopeful made the pledge as police investigate the party over £600,000 crowdfunded

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Flamingo Land: Scottish Green MSP to lead debate on ‘environmental and cultural vandalism’ of Loch Lomond 

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

MSP to lead debate on ‘environmental and cultural vandalism’ of Loch Lomond  Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, pictured right, will lead a debate in the

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HOLYROOD NOTEBOOK

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Businesses were legally required to sign up to the Scottish National Party-Green deposit return scheme this week. But thousands of producers rightly

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WOMEN: BARRIERS TO EQUAL REPRESENTATION

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

Reforms to strengthen representation and participation at Holyrood unveiled 3 March 2023 Over the last year, the Scottish Parliament has been carrying out an audit

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Council agrees £50 million funding boost to improve social housing

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

Council agrees £50 million funding boost to improve social housing By Euan McLean Tenants in West Dunbartonshire are to benefit from a new £50 million

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LABOUR GROUP CONDEMNED AS PINK SOCIALISTS

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

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Cole-Hamilton tells FM that DRS is “a moment of real jeopardy”

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Speaking during First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP criticised Nicola Sturgeon for

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INVESTIGATION:Legislation ‘stacked in favour of fish farms’

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

By Jamie Mann Council decisions to reject new fish farms in protected beauty spots were overruled by the Scottish Government after appeals by multinationals, prompting

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Council reaffirms its position on Rest And Be Thankful

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

ByAileen MacLennan Argyll and Bute Council has reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Scottish Government must put a permanent solution in place on the A83 Rest

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Over 300,000 still missing out on bus pass

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

Young people missing out on bus pass, despite £1m campaign By Lucy Ashton Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for connectivity Beatrice Wishart MSP has today revealed

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The Relationship between Conscience and Politics.

March 3, 2023 heaneymedia

3rd March 2023  Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Statement on the Relationship between Conscience and Politics  Archbishop William Nolan, of Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire. Although the

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Argyll and Bute Council drives ahead with road improvements

March 2, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton More than 86% of Argyll and Bute’s roads are in a good or fair condition according to the latest survey of the

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Cardross Crematorium receives excellent rating

March 2, 2023 heaneymedia

By Aileen MacLennan The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities Services has rated the services of Cardross Crematorium as excellent following a recent inspection. A

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Council to outline concerns on Strategic Transport Review

March 2, 2023 heaneymedia

The Rest and Be Thankful over which there has been great controversy in Argyll. By Aileen MacLennan Following publication of a major review into plans

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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE LABOUR MEMBERS BRANDED PINK SOCIALISTS

March 2, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Council tax in West Dunbartonshire is to be increased by five per cent, the Labour administration decided on Wednesday Labour councillors were

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CROWD BRINGS POLICE TO SWOOP ON HOUSE IN BRUCEHILL

March 2, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Police swooped on a street at Graham Road in the Brucehill housing scheme after a crowd of almost 300 people gathered there.

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COUNCIL: Apply now for the Working4Business Awards 2023

March 1, 2023 heaneymedia

February 2023 The West Dunbartonshire Working4Business Awards are back this year to celebrate the achievements of local businesses who have made a significant contributions to

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SNP flagship National Care Service set to be delayed

March 1, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton THE Scottish Government is set to delay the flagship National Care Service with legislation being pushed back until June, according to reports.

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Ash Regan unveils Scexit currency plans with economist Tim Rideout

March 1, 2023 heaneymedia

The outsider in the leadership race has joined with Economist Dr Tim Rideout of the Scottish Currency Group, in helping to forward the ‘untested’ plans

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SCOTTISH REVIEW MEDIA COLUMN BY HAMISH MACKAY

March 1, 2023 heaneymedia

Cover prices of national newspapers increased by 14% in past year By Hamish Mackay New in-depth research has revealed that cover prices for national newspapers

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BAILLIE URGES CARAVAN AND CARE HOME RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR ENERGY SUPPORT

March 1, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Jackie Baillie has urged off-grid householders, care home residents and those staying in caravans to apply for government help to pay their

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JOURNALISM: Media ban from SNP leadership hustings lifted after SNP U-turn

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Leadership race: Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are competing to become the next leader of the SNP. By Democrat reporter Journalists will now

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TUGBOAT TRAGEDY: Men who died after tug capsized off Greenock are named

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

The men’s bodies were recovered on Saturday after a search The two men who died after a tugboat capsized in the Firth of Clyde off

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RECYCLING: BAILLIE CALLS FOR SLATER TO GO OVER DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME ‘FARCE’

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Busy brewery under threat – Jackie Baillie and Fiona McEachern with visitors to the Loch Lomond Brewery in Alexandria. By Bill Heaney Jackie Baillie has

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GENDER: National LGBT+ organisations call on the FM candidates to continue with commitments to LGBT+ equality

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton National LGBT+ organisations in Scotland (Equality Network, Scottish Trans, LEAP Sports Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Health and Well-being)

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Figures confirm an ever-deepening crisis in social care

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader and Health spokesperson, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to “abandon” their ministerial takeover of

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999 CALL FOR SUPPORT AS FRAUD STATISTICS DOUBLE

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

McArthur: Urgent support needed as fraud rates soar by 97%   By Bill Heaney With crimes of fraud increasing by an astonishing 97% since 2018,

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HEALTH: MSP BAILLIE PUTS THE BOOT IN TO HUMZA YOUSAF

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Hapless Humza has presided over sky-high wait times in A&E, chaos with delayed discharge, sky rocketing cancer wait times and an increase in both out-patient

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SCOTCH WHISKY: Top 10 whisky distilleries ranked using social media data and reviews

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

The Laphroaig team with Christian Porta, CEO of Pernod Ricard EMEA and Latan,  the Chivas Brothers office in Glasgow, and the bottling plant in Dumbarton.

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School strike: Teachers Scotland begin two-day strike action

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

By Democrat reporter BBC Scotland reporter Jamie McIvor is reporting that teachers across Scotland are beginning another two days of strike action as their pay

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JUSTICE: Transgender rapist Isla Bryson jailed for eight years for rape of two women

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

High Court prosecutors said Bryson had “preyed” on vulnerable women By Democrat reporter A transgender rapist who raped two women while still a man has

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GENDER: Humza Yousaf says Isla Bryson is ‘at it’

February 28, 2023 heaneymedia

Furious critics ask ‘has he been asleep?’ during all their self-ID warnings Humza Yousaf does the polar opposite of Nicola Sturgeon. By Jessica North, Politics

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BOTTLES: Bottle return deposit scheme must be halted, warns Kate Forbes

February 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Top of page: An over-flowing bottle bank in St James’s Retail Park in Dumbarton. Small firms ‘could get year’s grace period’ from taking part in

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ASYLUM SEEKERS: Far-right accused of ‘exploiting fears’ over refugee hotel plans

February 27, 2023 heaneymedia

174 people are being be placed at the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel – the former Esso Motor Hotel –  as part of a settlement programme

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SHIPBUILDING: BAE Systems Clydeside warship factory given green light

February 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Record orders amid “elevated threat environment” sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. By Lucy Garcia PLANS for the construction of a new warship building factory

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HERITAGE: Dumbarton Castle reopened at the weekend

February 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Tickets now available to visit stronghold that once sheltered Mary, Queen of Scots By Bill Heaney Dumbarton Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous castles, is due

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DEATH: Betty Boothroyd, first woman House of Commons Speaker, dies

February 27, 2023 heaneymedia

Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons, has died at 93. The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle

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SONS ANNOUNCE DEATH OF ALAN ‘ELKY’ MELVILLE OF BALLOCH

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

ALAN MELVILLE IT is with very deep sadness that we have learned that Alan Melville, a former groundsman at Dumbarton FC, has passed away.  Alan

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FOOTBALL: DUMBARTON LOSE AT HOME TO ELGIN CITY

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Pictures from the Sons’ match against Elgin City on Saturday when the home team LOST 2-1. cinch League 2 DUMBARTON have lost 2-1 at home

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SPORT: FUNDRAISING MATCH AT ROCK WILL CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF SONS

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

A SQUAD of Dumbarton legends will take part in a fundraising football match at Dumbarton Football Stadium in May – and YOU could play against

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SPORT/POLITICS: Alba to target Celtic fans with republican billboard before Cup final

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

SPORT/POLITICS Alex Salmond’s party is hoping to take advantage of SNP chaos with a message for the anti-monarchy Celtic faithful Celtic fans hoping to see

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Senior SNP members interviewed over fraud allegations days before Sturgeon’s resignation

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

By Lucy Ashton Police Scotland interviewed senior SNP members over fraud allegations, just days before Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation was claimed today. Former treasurer Douglas Chapman,

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FOUND: Body of missing hillwalker and his dog found in Glencoe

February 26, 2023 heaneymedia

Kyle Sambrook was last seen with his beagle called Bane in the Lost Valley area last weekend Police have confirmed the body of missing hillwalker

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WHISKY: Scotch whisky exports topped £6 billion for the first time in 2022

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

By Bill Heaney Exports of Scotch whisky topped £6 billion for the first time last year, figures from the industry showed. Global export data from

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LEADERSHIP: STV to host live debate between First Minister candidates

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

Three candidates to become the new SNP leader will go head-to-head on March 7 Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan and Kate Forbes want to be First

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FERRY STORY: Ferguson shipyard misses deadline to file accounts

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

The Ferguson shipyard was nationalised by the SNP government in 2019. By Lucy Ashton The troubled Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow has been warned

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EDUCATION: Teachers’ union defends three days of targeted strikes

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

Teachers in West Dunbartonshire campaigning for ten per cent. Scotland’s largest teachers’ union has defended its decision to stage three days of targeted strike action,

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INDUSTRY: Argyll hydro workers vote for strike action

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

Drax said the strikes at its sites, including Cruachan, would not put supplies at risk. By Lucy Ashton Workers at three hydro-electric plants, including Cruachan

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TRAGEDY: Divers recover two bodies from Firth of Clyde after tugboat capsized

February 25, 2023 heaneymedia

IMAGE SOURCE, IA