FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond yesterday put plans to scrap the council tax at the centre of his government’s legislative programme for the coming year.

A PERTHSHIRE man found slumped at the wheel with his car full of empty bottles was so drunk he could have died, writes Dave Lord.

SERIOUS STAFFING pressures could result in Perth Royal Infirmary’s children’s ward being shut down, The Courier can exclusively reveal.

DISGRACED FORMER Dundee priest Joseph Creegan will this month wed the woman he counselled during her marriage breakdown.

THE SITE manager at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital last night insisted parking charges do bring some benefits to patients.

THE FORMER high school teacher of Sonya Todd has criticised the High Court verdict of culpable homicide against her killer David Craigie (24), who whipped her to death with a dog lead on March 23.

NORTH-EAST MSP Alex Johnstone has pledged full backing for the Mearns campaign for a flyover at the A90 junction at Laurencekirk with the A937 Montrose road.

CAMPAIGNERS WHO want to reinstate Scotland’s infantry regiments are considering fielding a candidate in the Glenrothes by-election, The Courier can exclusively reveal.

A NEW study revealing that Scotland has enough untapped hydro potential to power a quarter of the nation’s homes could prove hugely lucrative for Perth firm Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

DUNDEE BUILDERS WH Brown Construction were yesterday remaining tight-lipped about their decision to axe around 30 jobs from the payroll at their Ainslie Street premises.

MSPs OF all parties last night set aside their differences to unite behind calls to improve the A92 in Fife.

FOUR NEW NHS dental centres costing £2 million will open in Fife within the next three months, creating 68 new jobs, while improving service provision for the region’s patients.

HUNDREDS OF pupils will still be able to enjoy tours of Dundee’s botanic garden thanks to a deal announced yesterday, writes Grant Smith, education reporter.

A DUNDEE WOMAN whose late husband was failed by NHS Tayside cancer services is preparing to donate cash to cancer research in the city, writes Marjory Inglis, health reporter.

THE DEVELOPERS of Perth City Hall were yesterday told to “put up or shut up” at a Perth and Kinross Council committee meeting.

AN INTERNATIONAL Youth Tattoo in Perth next year could prove a major tourist attraction, councillors heard yesterday.

FIFE COUNCIL has confirmed it plans to build two more park-and-ride schemes to try to ease congestion on the Forth Road Bridge.

CULROSS PRIMARY has achieved some of the highest marks recorded in a Government inspector’s report in Fife for years.

DUNDEE LAST night added its voice to calls for the freeing of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the ending of the country’s repressive military regime.

STAFF AT Carnegie Library in Dunfermline have organised two months of events to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

STUDENTS AT Perth Grammar School were visited by MP for Perth and North Perthshire Pete Wishart yesterday.

AN ARDLER Village Trust charity shop opened its doors in the Dundee housing estate yesterday to provide low-cost clothes and goods for locals and generate funds for trust projects.

THE CHURCH of Scotland’s National Youth Assembly is being held at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee this weekend.

A PARK in East Perthshire is in line for a £500,000 upgrade, it was revealed last night.

A SOAP-LOVING seagull is causing a flap by swooping down on the home of a Fife pensioner to see his favourite shows.

AN INSIGHT into how the wheels of justice turn will be on offer at a special sitting of Forfar Sheriff Court on Saturday as staff turn out to support Doors Open Day, when buildings in Angus will welcome the public.

GLENROTHES BAND Sergeant are celebrating after being told they have been chosen to support Oasis on the Scottish leg of their tour in November, writes Rocktalk’s Alan Wilson.