Evening News - Scotland back issues from October 2008:
Leader: Crime figures 'The statistics raise the issue of perception'
Oct 01, 2008; ... FALLING crime figures have to be good news. So the latestofficial statistics showing recorded crime at its lowest level inScotland for a quarter of a century are to be welcomed. Crime across Scotland is down by eight per cent overall. Violentoffences - including murder and ...
Old Hoss just can't get rid of that monkey .
Oct 01, 2008; ... ENOUGH to bring a tear to a glass eye, like they say. Like, I hadIan Hoskins - Mister Speedway to bikers of a certain dotage - on theline and, for us both, the last goodbye. He was talking from Glasgow with family, saying he'd fly back toNew Zealand last week, like, and for sure ...
Masked robber is jailed over terrifying knife attack
Oct 01, 2008 ... A MASKED robber who held a knife to the throat of a terrifiedshopkeeper has been jailed for three years. Scott Bennett, 19, was recognised by shop assistant FarhatChoudhry when the scarf he had covering his face slipped down as herobbed his local store in Port Seton, East Lothian, ...
Spark of life for Comet store
Oct 01, 2008 ... LEADING electrical specialist retailer Comet is to open arefurbished store in the Capital, creating 20 jobs. The company is to move into a unit at Fort Kinnaird. Among staffthat it is currently recruiting are full-time, part-time and weekendfront of house customer associates ....
High praise for steeplejacks
Oct 01, 2008 ... A STEEPLEJACK company based in the Lothians has been given anaward that recognises its personnel performance. Pendrich Height Services has been given the Investors In Peopleaccreditation. Paul Campbell, Pendrich's quality and safety ...
Top chef Stocks up on Shaw's
Oct 01, 2008 ... A RESTAURANT just off the Royal Mile has changed hands for thethird time in nearly three years. Shaw's Restaurant, on Old Fishmarket Close, will now be known asThe Wild Sorrel after being taken over by chef-proprietor JamesStocks, who previously ran the kitchens at the luxury ...
The independent voice of Indepence: It's a muddle.. but is it a fiddle?
Oct 01, 2008; ... I ASKED Lothian and Borders Police to investigate the bank jobafter reading the Lloyds TSB and HBoS chairmen's joyous commentsfollowing a takeover unimpeded by the usual rules governing such bigbusiness deals. Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling waived the normalreferral to the Monopolies ...
Group's drive to improve A1
Oct 01, 2008 ... DUALLING the A1 from Dunbar to Morpeth is one of the aims of anew pressure group. The A1 Action Group will be co-chaired by MSP Jeremy Purvis, whosaid the time had come to "step up the pressure" for action. He said: "I hope that by bringing together such a range ofexperts, ...
City launches plan to cut staff air travel
Oct 01, 2008 ... A TRAVEL plan for city council staff is being drawn up byofficials in a bid to minimise the use of air travel by stafftravelling on business for the local authority. The travel plan will be ready by the end of the year. Earlier this year, the Evening News revealed councillors ...
Sugar praises Government
Oct 01, 2008 ... SIR Alan Sugar has praised the Government's handling of the worldeconomic crisis, describing society's previous spending habits as a"mad financial Disneyworld". Speaking at the Going Global business conference in Harrogate, hesaid the Government had been "superb" in tackling the ...
BoE offers struggling markets GBP 17bn of aid
Oct 01, 2008; ... THE Bank of England has announced it will pump an extra GBP 16.8billion in to the UK's frozen money markets on Friday - allowingbanks access to the cash for one week. It is the latest attempt to ease the world's financial crises - aGBP 22.5bn injection was also made last week - as ...
Police hunt garage fireraisers Watch a video of firefighters tackling the garage fire by visiting our website at www.edinburghnews.com
Oct 01, 2008; ... POLICE are hunting fireraisers who started a blaze in a citygarage which fire chiefs warned could have caused a "massive"explosion. Dozens of firefighters fought the fire at Budget Exhausts andTyres in Piershill as highly flammable gas cylinders threatened toignite. An ...
Here's some free advice: give the CABs the funds they need
Oct 01, 2008; ... AS the world faces one of the toughest financial crises in recenthistory, growing numbers of us are feeling confused and fearing forour future security. If my bank goes under, what happens to my loansand savings? What help can I get if my mortgage rate goes up and Istruggle to meet the ...
Quick News: Mail system improved
Oct 01, 2008 ... A REORGANISATION of the mail system in the south-west of the cityhas resulted in the end-to-end response times being cut from 503 to73 days ....
Quick News: Library charge dropped
Oct 01, 2008 ... CHARGES for reserving books, CDs or DVDs in Edinburgh's 27libraries are set to be scrapped from today. The council, which runs Edinburgh's library service, ...
Work parking levy ruled out
Oct 01, 2008 ... BUSINESS leaders have poured scorn on suggestions that acontroversial parking levy may be coming to the Capital. Nottingham City Council is to be the first local authority in theUK to introduce a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) which allows it tocharge employers who provide more than ...
Quick News: Learn how to be psychic
Oct 01, 2008 ... A ONE-DAY workshop aimed at teaching people how to develop theirpsychic and spiritual links is to be held in Livingston. The event,on Saturday, October 11, has been ...
SL owner sees pension boost
Oct 01, 2008 ... SCOTTISH Life owner Royal London has unveiled a rise in itspensions business, despite posting losses of GBP 236 million. The company, which employs more than 2000 staff in Edinburgh,said its core operations of new life and pensions were up to GBP1.06 ...
Domino's pick up a slice of the action
Oct 01, 2008 ... PIZZA giants Domino's have recorded a 17.8 per cent sales rise ashard-up diners opt for takeaways instead of restaurant meals. The group today revealed in its first Interim ManagementStatement - covering the period from June 30 to September 28, 2008 -that sales had risen to GBP ...
Health chiefs hire more staff to cope with a mini baby boom in Lothians
Oct 01, 2008; ... A MINI baby boom has hit the Lothians, with health bosses forcedto hire extra staff to cope. Statistics released by the Scottish Government reveal there were8721 births across the area's hospitals in 2007 - a three per centrise on the year before and the highest number since 1999 ....
Ignore the rumours.. Jenners is not for sale
Oct 01, 2008; ... ICELANDIC investment giant Baugur today insisted that it had noplans to sell some of Edinburgh's best-known department stores,despite mounting speculation that it is set to become the latestvictim of the credit crunch. It has been reported that Baugur, which owns House of Fraser ...
We'll have what they have.. make ours a double, though
Oct 01, 2008; ... ALCOHOL experts in the Capital want the Government to imposeinflation-busting price rises and ban large glasses of wine to helptackle binge drinking. Ministers recently proposed a wide-ranging overhaul of alcohollaws, which includes a minimum price for drink in supermarkets ...
Community service for worker who fled to Ibiza after GBP 9000 theft
Oct 01, 2008 ... A COFFEE shop worker fled to Ibiza after stealing nearly GBP 9000from his employers. Dean Jennings, 26, from Sighthill, sneaked back into the GeorgeStreet branch of Starbucks, where he worked, to take the cash fromthe safe. Then he spent GBP 600 on a taxi from Edinburgh to ...
Museums puts commitment to boost services on display
Oct 01, 2008 ... MUSEUMS across the east of Scotland have signed a new "concordat"designed to boost services for local residents. The East of Scotland Museums Partnership secured over GBP 1million in funding during the last three years by working togetheron joint funding bids. Members have now ...
Crime drops ..but fewer cases solved
Oct 01, 2008; ... THE number of crimes reported in the Lothians has reportedlyfallen by 7500 in a year - but police are getting worse at solvingthem. A Scottish Government study which hailed crime levels in Scotlandas being at their lowest level for 25 years has also revealed theLothian force is ...
Drivers given police warning
Oct 01, 2008 ... POLICE have issued a warning to "irresponsible motorists who areputting lives at risk" on the new A68 bypass near Dalkeith. The three-lane road, which has recently opened, has seen a numberof incidents involving reckless behaviour by drivers on a particularstretch of the ...
Ratho arena's cash troubles hit new high
Oct 01, 2008 ... THE troubled international climbing arena at Ratho has fallenfurther into financial difficulty, new figures revealed today. The council-owned centre, recently described as reaching "crisispoint", is running GBP 98,000 adrift of this year's target, and hasrequired a net subsidy of ...
Lothian farmer tastes success
Oct 01, 2008 ... A FARMER from the Lothians has won an award for making the bestpork sausages in Scotland. Peter McLaren, who works for Ballencrieff Rare Pedigree Pigs,scooped ...
OAPs told not to feel immune from flu
Oct 01, 2008 ... PENSIONERS who feel healthy beyond their years are being warnedto take up the flu jab, as they are still vulnerable to the disease. Launched today in Craigmillar, the drive is aimed at over 65s andothers considered as being most at risk ahead of what is likely tobe the coldest ...
SSP leader in energy appeal
Oct 01, 2008 ... SCOTTISH Socialist Party leader and former Lothians MSP Colin Foxwill call for the nationalisation of the gas and electricityindustries when he speaks at a public meeting in the city tomorrownight. He is expected to argue the need to guarantee power ...
Capital retains crown as UK's greenest city
Oct 01, 2008 ... EDINBURGH is the greenest city in the UK, an environmental pollhas found. The recent survey not only discovered that the Capital had thegreenest reputation, but for the third year running voted it thecity which offers the best quality of life in the country. The annual ...
Lloyds TSB bosses insist HBoS deal still on course
Oct 01, 2008; ... BOSSES at Lloyds TSB today insisted that the deal to take overHBoS is still on, despite growing fears that it could collapse. A continued decline in the value of HBoS shares since the dealwas struck means that the it is now worth around GBP 3.4 billionless than Lloyds TSB has ...
7000 affordable homes plan rests on Government money
Oct 01, 2008; ... CITY leaders today announced plans to build nearly 7000 newaffordable homes in Edinburgh - but only if the Government providesthe cash. A document to be submitted to ministers outlines the extent ofthe housing crisis in the Capital, with close to 6000 familieslikely to be ...
Napier principal wins friendship award from China
Oct 01, 2008 ... A CITY university principal has become the first British citizento receive the International Yellow River Friendship Award. Professor Joan Stringer, principal and vice-chancellor of NapierUniversity, was given the award by China's Henan province inrecognition of her individual ...
Call for early opening of jail
Oct 01, 2008 ... THE opening of Addiewell jail should be brought forward to helpcope with the prison overcrowding crisis, Labour has said. The party's justice spokesman Richard Baker made the call afterMike Ewart, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, saidhundreds of prisoners could have ...
'Mindless' attack on war memorial sparks outrage
Oct 01, 2008; ... VANDALS have spray-painted the word "beast" across a memorialdedicated to those who lost their lives in the First World War. Police have branded the attack on the Duddingston War Memorial as"mindless" and the incident has angered local people. They are anxious to get the ...
MMR jag targets beaten
Oct 01, 2008 ... MORE Lothians children than ever are being immunised againstmeasles, mumps and rubella. Figures released yesterday showed more than 95 per cent of five-year-olds were being given the MMR jag, ahead of the ScottishGovernment target. A drive to inoculate more kids is credited ...
Mound closure causes delays in city centre
Oct 01, 2008 ... CITY centre traffic was hampered this morning by the closure ofthe Mound for tram works. Although there were no reports of major problems caused by theclosure, some commuters reported delays. The main artery for buses, taxis and cars will be shut forseveral weeks to ...
Hundreds bid final farewell to fallen bomb disposal expert
Oct 01, 2008 ... HUNDREDS of mourners yesterday said a final farewell to an Armybomb disposal expert, who died protecting his comrades inAfghanistan. Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, from Edinburgh, died inan explosion earlier this month, as he attempted to safeguard thelives of his ...
Glass floor is a clear winner for historic Princes Street hotel
Oct 01, 2008; ... THEY will be among the most spectacular - and exposed - bedroomsin Edinburgh. The owners of the historic Old Waverley Hotel on Princes Streethave launched plans for an ultra-modern glass and steel floor addedto its roof. The new rooftop, which would allow the hotel to ...
Disabled space fines backed
Oct 01, 2008 ... A BILL which would see Edinburgh motorists fined up to GBP 60 forstealing disabled drivers' parking spaces has won the backing of theScottish Government - provided it does not cost ...
Racially aggravated offences on rise
Oct 01, 2008 ... RACIALLY aggravated crimes have increased in the Lothians for thefourth year running, according to the figures. The number of recorded offences rose by only six against theprevious year, but the total of 1138 represents a massive jump onthe 302 reported in 2003/4. Residents ...
Bail for two on assault charge
Oct 01, 2008 ... TWO men have been bailed after appearing in court charged withassault and robbery. Mark Richardson appeared from custody on petition charges atEdinburgh Sheriff Court on September 22. The 21-year-old made noplea or declaration and was remanded in custody. A bail application ...
University up for eco award
Oct 01, 2008 ... AN eco-friendly Lothians university has been shortlisted for asustainability award. Queen Margaret University, near Musselburgh, is up for the"outstanding contribution to sustainability" prize at the TimesHigher Education Awards 2008. The GBP ...
Quick News: Students in Euro meet
Oct 01, 2008 ... STUDENTS from Stevenson College in Edinburgh will join 10,000apprentices from across Europe at the ...
Delight as 'gherkin' tower project's in a pickle
Oct 01, 2008 ... ONE of Edinburgh's leading heritage watchdogs today said it was"delighted" that plans for a tower at a revamped St James Centrehave been dropped. Last month, the Evening News unveiled the GBP 850 million projectfor the East End - which includes new streets, two hotels, dozens ...
Jim's in the pest years of his life
Oct 01, 2008; ... AFTER pulling on his head-to-toe white overalls, protective maskand elbow-length rubber gloves, Jim Byrne turns his attention tochoosing a chemical weapon. Looking for all the world like an extra from a sci-fi disastermovie, he makes his selection and picks up his spray gun ready ...
Great story as festival lands grant funding
Oct 01, 2008 ... EDINBURGH'S International Storytelling Festival has been awardedgovernment money to develop links with storytellers from Alaska,Scandinavia, Iceland and Ireland. Culture Minister Linda Fabiani announced a GBP 26,000 grant fromthe Scottish Government's Expo Fund as she launched the ...
City tourists set to sparkle
Oct 01, 2008 ... THE Capital is to feature as part of a new campaign to promoteScotland's cities. The VisitScotland City Breaks promotion will portray Scotland asan ideal destination for an autumn spa or city shopping break. The campaign, running until November 1, will capitalise on ...
Quick News: Waste plant planned
Oct 01, 2008 ... PLANS for a waste treatment plant at Caputhall Road in Livingstonhave been drawn up by West ...
Meyer sizes up US presidential race
Oct 01, 2008 ... AMERICA'S presidential election comes to Edinburgh tonight whenformer British Ambassador to the United States, Sir ChristopherMeyer, gives a lecture in the Capital. With just over a month to go before Americans go to the polls,Sir Christopher will examine what a John McCain or ...
Advice looks to bin fires
Oct 01, 2008 ... ADVICE on preventing wheelie bin fires will be issued to WestLothian residents ahead of Bonfire Night. West Lothian Council is working in partnership with Lothian andBorders Police and Fire Services to try and combat the ...
Ryan helps to make festival a roaring success
Oct 01, 2008 ... ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Ryan McGuinness from St Ninian's Primary Schoolwas among pupils helping create an Asiatic lion sculpture atEdinburgh Zoo for this weekend's parade to mark the Hindu festivalof Dusshera. The zoo's education department welcomed more than 250 ...
Fyssas returns to study his former master
Oct 01, 2008; ... TAKIS FYSSAS, at 35, is the world's youngest technical directorat international level. The former Hearts defender won Euro 2004with his country and is a genuine football diplomat, the perfectchoice to harmonise between Greek players and their stuffyfederation hierarchy. He ...
Karipidis on Greece radar thanks to old mate Fyssas
Oct 01, 2008; ... CHRISTOS KARIPIDIS has been recommended for an international call-up by Greece's technical director, the former Hearts defender TakisFyssas. Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, Fyssas revealed that hehas already put Karipidis' name to Greek coach Otto Rehhagelfollowing his ...
Lynch feels at home with Bairns
Oct 01, 2008; ... SEAN LYNCH believes the similarities between Hibs and Falkirkhave helped him settle into his new club - but the young midfielderhopes that the one difference will be the number of first-teamappearances he manages to get under his belt this season. Lynch moved to Falkirk in the ...
West Lothian on the Boyle
Oct 01, 2008 ... HARBURN'S Stuart Boyle led a West Lothian 1-2 in the LothiansBoys' Champion of Champions Tournament at Kingsknowe. In the season-ending event on the Lothians calendar, Boyle, whowas capped at Scottish Under-16 level last year, claimed theCentenary Quaich with a ...
Capital pair aim for the Sky
Oct 01, 2008 ... DUDDINGSTON duo Tom Buchanan and Alistair Mackenzie are hoping tomake their presence felt in the SkyCaddie PGA Fourball Championship,which got underway today at Fulford in Yorkshire. The Capital pairing narrowly missed the cut last year so they aredesperate to make amends this ...
Admiring glances cast at glorious Swanston
Oct 01, 2008; ... LESS than five years after it was rumoured to be on the verge ofclosure, Swanston is fast becoming one of the biggest successstories in Scottish golf. Thanks to the vision of owner Colin McClung, the Capital club hasundergone a remarkable transformation and exciting times appear ...
Cliffhanger at the Braids
Oct 01, 2008 ... LOTHIANBURN pair Mary Stark and Annie Brownie survived a stirringfightback from their opponents to win the Gibson Cup at the Braids. They were three up with five to play against Murrayfield's PamTownsend and Rosie Dennis before a 20-foot par putt at the last ...
Nish on track
Oct 01, 2008; ... HIBS were handed a boost today ahead of their SPL clash withAberdeen as top scorer Colin Nish returned to training after missingthe defeat by Rangers because of an ankle injury. The hitman failed a late fitness test before Sunday's match aftergoing over on his ankle during the ...
Ten Questions: Gill Eastgate
Oct 01, 2008 ... Gill Eastgate 37, is director of NKD Clothing Ltd. She lives inSilverknowes. 1What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? Shopping on PrincesStreet with my mum and my Auntie Chris. I loved trying on all thehats in some of the stores. 2What are your memories of school? I ...
HIdden Gems: Bakehouse Company
Oct 02, 2008 ... DOWN cosmopolitan Broughton Street lies the Bakehouse Company, anunassuming cafe-cum-deli stacked with character and yesteryearcharm. Boasting the feel of a Victorian shop, courtesy of antiquedisplay cases, old-fashioned tables and chairs, polished woodenfloors and wall art, the ...
Flagship store is top of the shops
Oct 02, 2008; ... MORE than 12,000sq ft and two sprawling floors of high fashion,just-in collections snake into every nook and cranny. Designer namesjostle for space alongside wardrobe staples and limited editionbuys. There is jewellery in every shape and form, and leather bagsgalore. And a stand-alone ...
It's that time of year again..
Oct 02, 2008; ... WHILE we may still be packing up our summer wardrobes, the retailworld has turned its attention to another season and has alreadyunpacked all that is Christmas 2008. The Christmas shops are now being created in the Capital'sdepartment stores, with John Lewis unveiling its new ...