John O' Groat Journal headlines for May 5, 2017

A DIVER, who was rescued after drifting in the Pentland Firth for more than 11 hours said the sight of the rescue boats and helicopters looking for him, kept him going. Ivan Doycheve was recovering in Caithness General Hospital in Wick yesterday after he went missing from his dive boat off Burwick in South Ronaldsay early on Wednesday evening.

FEARS have been expressed that a bus company could pull out of a town service in Thurso due to ongoing parking problems. Local community councillors are worried Stagecoach could withdraw from the route around Pennyland Drive.

A TOTAL of £30 million will be invested in the far north line by 2019 according to Network Rail. A spokesman for the rail operator said it was investing in the route with a five-year plan which began in 2014.

A CAITHNESS man raised £2,700 for charity by taking part in the London Marathon. Paul Wares who is 24, and lives in Springpark, Thurso, was participating in his first-ever marathon and completed the 26.2 miles in just under his four-hour target.

A CALL has been made for senior NHS Highland managers to come to Caithness to outline future plans for Dunbar Hospital in Thurso. It came from local community councillors who are concerned about the long-term prospects for the hospital which has lost around half of its inpatient beds.

THE powerhouse of the Highlands and Islands is essential to Scotland meeting its future energy needs, a conference in Inverness has heard. MSP Paul Wheelhouse, minister for business, innovation and energy, was speaking at the eight annual Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference organised by law firm Harper Macleod.