Caithness Courier headlines for September 2, 2015

PROPOSED municipal boundary changes in the far north would revive "Wick against Thurso" turf wars, it was claimed yesterday. Landward Highland Caithness representatives, Willie Mackay and Gillian Coghill, are dead set against the plans which would see the number of local authority wards in Caithness fall from three to two.

A RAILWAY group has urged the creation of a passing loop on the far north line, to cut late running and knock-on delays and improve the service between Caithness and Inverness. The plea for the track upgrade comes from the Friends of the Far North Line, in a paper before HIghland councillors at a meeting in Inverness tomorrow.

CAITHNESS civic leader, Gail Ross is the odds-on favourite to become the next MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross after she was selected to be the Scottish National Party SNP candidate for the constituency in next year's Holyrood elections. The Wick Highland councillor was chosen ahead of Maree Todd, from Strathpeffer as the Party's choice to replace Rob Gibson who is to stand down as MSP in May.

BERRIEDALE's Portland Hall was packed on Saturday evening to celebrate the completion of the first phase of improvements to the village's social hub. The first phase cost £135,000 and involved a wholesale revamp and upgrading of the wooden part of the hall which was built in 1935. As well as insulation, new windows flooring and heating and lighting systems, it features a new entrance, a disabled toilet and a kitchen.

THE number of train cancellations between Wick and Inverness is "atrocious" according to a rail campaigner. But Friends of the Far North Line convenor, MIke Lunan, hopes the worst of the problems are over. Speaking at a meeting of the Castletown and District Community Council he said the difficulties had been caused by staff shortages.

THE new minority Independent leadership of Highland Council has been accused of being slow to respond to its budget crisis. Group leaders are due to have regular meetings to discuss how to tackle a £46 million budget deficit.

THE Caithness Relay for Life organisers are elated after the fundraising total from last weekend's event is set to top £43,000. About 300 people thronged the Caithness Showfield at Thurso East, on Saturday, to take part in the night-long relay in memory and celebration of loved ones they have lost, those currently battling of those who have survived cancer.

WICK pool had to be evacuated following a chemical spillage. Emergency services were scrambled to the HIgh Life Highland -run facility on Monday after disinfectant leaked in the plant room, causing a strong smell of cholrine. A swimming class of 24 youngsters and a total of five adults were ushered out of the building but no-one was injured and the pool re-opened yesterday afternoon.