Caithness Courier headlines for April 12, 2017


AFTER a succession of false starts and delays, the big move is finally under way to a new school campus south of Wick river. Removal vans have been loading items from the old Wick High and Pulteneytown Academy to the new £48.5 million complex which is to open on Wednesday April 26.

A FAR north charity that supports victims of domestic abuse, has blasted how new legislation is treating women who had had children as a resulted of rape. Caithness and Sutherland Women's Aid said it is refusing to 'collude' with a new policy that will cap child tax credit entitlement at two children, with the only exemption being if the woman can prove that she has been raped.

A CALL has been made for the lay-out and access at the new post office in Wick to be improved. It was made by a local community councillor after a disabled person complained about the lack of space for customers and staff. The member of the public who wished to remain anonymous also claimed there is no room for wheelchairs to manoeuvre when the shop is busy.

A LIAISON officer role is being piloted between Caithness General and Raigmore hospitals to assist far north mothers-to-be. The move emerged at the latest meeting of Caithness Maternity and Gynaecology Group. NHS Highland confirmed it had put in place arrangements to pilot the new role based a Raigmore in Inverness..

WORRIES about what changes at a Thurso hospital will mean for residents in north Sutherland, have been expressed by residents who are concerned they may face a 100 mile round trip to Wick to receive treatment in future. NHS Highland said it is "unlikely" services at Dunbar Hospital will remain the same, in the future as it faces challenges in hiring staff and meeting costs to run facilities.

THE number of passengers using Wick John O Groats airport fell by more than 40000 in the past year, according to figures which have just been released. The reduction from 27,937 in 2015/16 to 23,789 in 2016/17 had been attributed in part to reduced oil-related traffic to and from Aberdeen, according to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.

FLASHING slow down signs are to be installed around villages in the Tannach and District Community Council area, in a bid to get motorists to take more notice of their speed.

JANA EMBUREY will have mixed emotions when she leaves her job as co-ordinator at the St Fergus Gallery in Wick, tomorrow, after nearly five years in the post.

TWELVE months ago Wick Academy ended Brora Rangers' Highland League title challenge when they fought back from 2-0 down to grab a sensational 2-2 draw in one of the most dramatic far north derby games seen at Harmsworth Park. The Scotties could again prove the spoke in the wheel for the Cattachs who desperately need to harvest all three points from tonight's fixture at Dudgeon Park to retain a realistic chance of keeping their championship hopes alive.