John O' Groat Journal headlines for August 22

THE sign at the Ord ,welcoming people to Caithness, has been covered in spray paint reading "Yes", only weeks after it was refurbished by Highland Council. Landward Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss was driving south on the A9 to attend a meeting in Inverness when he noticed the large blue word daubed on the sign.

THE new low-level waste dump at Dounreay is due to open at the end of the year. The facility is expected to start taking nuclear waste after the encapsulation or grouting plant is completed according to spokeswoman Sue Thomson.

THE campaign for Caithness and parts of Sutherand to have its own postcvode has been dealt a major blow by the Royal Mail. Its chief executive has responded to a letter from Fergus Ewing MSP appealing for the change. She has responded categorically that there will be none.

THE Castle of Mey has been awarded £193,000 by Historic Scotland for work to be carried out on one of the north of Scotland's top tourist attractins. The money -part of a round of awards totalling £1.5 million granted to seven properties in Scotland - will enable the castle to carry out external work at the iconic structure.

A NUMBER of pupils from Hillhead Primary in Wick have returned to school after the summer break to receive postcards from athletes and coaches who participated in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The school participated in an athletes village art scheme where pupil artwork was produced, to decorate the bedrooms of the athletes and team members who attended the games.

A POSSIBLE solution to helping better tackle potholes is being trialled by roadworkers in Caithness. Gaping holes in the road surface are one of the biggest bugbears for motorists in the county as elsewhere in the county.

CAITHNESS business representatives are delighted to find the county featuring large in the inaugural Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Honours. Four companies are in the running for accolades while Caithness Chamber of Commerce is among those on the final slate for the Chamber of the Year award.

LAST year's Highland League Player of the Year, Connor Gethins came off the Narin bench an hour into Wednesday evening's League encounter at Harmsworth Park and eight minutes later netted the only goal of the game against Wick Academy.