John O' Groat Journal headlines for April 10

PATRONS have rallied round Lyth Arts Centre to help the popular arts venue weather a mini-crisis after the latest funding application was turned down by Creative Scotland. Owner Willie Wilson is going ahead with events scheduled for April while he anxiously awaits the outcome of a follow-up more modest bid.

A GHANIAIN fisherman was airlifted to hospital with a suspected broken leg when he fell off the quayside at Scrabster harbour. Emergency service were called in to the port at 5.10pm on Tuesday, to deal with the casualty who was lying on board the Banff-registered Discovery.

A CLAIM that Dunbar Hospital in Thurso could face "death by a thousand cuts" has been rejected by NHS Highland. The health authority dismissed the comment made by a member of the public who is concerned the hospital could suffer, if no investment is made in the buildings. The person who wished to remain anonymous pointed out that NHS Highland said investment was need to take the hospital up to standard.

TWO young voters from Caithness could be taking part in a number of the BBC programmes which are being broadcast in the run-up to next month's general eleection. Struan Mackay from Thurso and Scott Cormack from Keiss were selected after a nationwide search for voters between the ages of 18 to 24, to aprticipate in the BBC Generation 2015.

THE chief heraldic authority of Scotland has committed to buying the first official flag of Caithness which will be chosen by the public and gifted to the people of the county. The Lord Lyon, Dr Joseph Morrow, said he was 100 per cent behind the public competition organised by Highland Council that he wanted to buy the first flag which will be hung prominently at a Caithness landmark.

FAR north groups have been awarded over £54,000 from the second round of funding generated by SSE's Strathy North wind farm community investment.

ABERDEEN and Northern Marts sold 982 store cattle at Quoybrae on Monday. Champion in the show, sponsored by North of Scotland Newspapers and judged by Bill Connon, Skilmafilly, Auchnagatt was a 685kg Limousin heifer from James Gunn, Whitefield Reiss and sold for £1,500 to Auchtydore Farms Easterton of Lenabo, Mintlaw.

"We can win this" is the rallying call from Gordon Connelly to his squad as Wick Academy stand on the verge of winning silverware for the first time. The manager said: "We don't fear anybody and that is why we are in a cup final." The Scorries do battle with Cove Rangers at Grant Street Park, Inverness, tomorrow, with the earlier kick-off of 2.30pm.