THE CLOSE-KNIT forces’ community in Arbroath suffered fresh heartbreak at the weekend with the news that yet another serviceman from the town has lost his life in Afghanistan.

MORE THAN 400 Tayside Police officers are set to receive special payments totalling almost £750,000 for carrying out “demanding” jobs.

ONE WEEK on from the last confirmed sighting of Slovakian Ludo Gonda, Tayside Police officers were back at the cliffs at Arbroath on Saturday to try to glean more information that could help establish his whereabouts.

THE CHAIRMAN of Brechin community council, Douglas Murray, has voiced concern that along with the arrival of hundreds of eastern European immigrants in Angus has come an unwelcome culture of violence.

CLAIMS THAT the case for the Beauly to Denny power line is flawed have been welcomed by conservation groups.

A DISABLED Dundee mother last night hit out at city council housing chiefs after her eight-year-old son was left in need of medical attention as a result of inhaling fungal spores in their damp-infested home.

THE LAST known descendant of real-life Robinson Crusoe Alexander Selkirk has spoken of her proud connection to the colourful character.

THE £11.8 MILLION restoration of Dundee’s landmark McManus Galleries (pictured) is soon to enter its final phase—but it could be another year before the museum opens its doors to the public, The Courier has learned.

MEMBERS OF Tayside joint police board will be formally asked today to “note” the speeding offence committed by Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson on the A9.

A GRIM warning has been given by Fife Council leaders that the local authority could face an exceedingly tough time in 2010/11, because of a likely significant cut in UK public expenditure.

TRIBUTES WERE last night paid to Frances Nelson (pictured), an indefatigable champion of people’s rights, who died yesterday at home with her family.

TO READ the contents of letters sent to prison inmates could contravene their human rights, a sheriff has concluded.

A FORMER Montrose coastguard has issued a heartfelt appeal to the people of Montrose to keep in place an old second world war mine as collection box in support of former mariners and fishermen in need.

OFFICIALS AT the Royal and Ancient Golf Club have voted their 19th annual referees’ school—attended by 70-plus delegates from 33 nations—a massive success.

A LITTLE piece of Shropshire will forever be Glamis after a touching tribute was paid to the man behind the Angus open-air proms.

PLANNING PERMISSION for a house to be built on land at Balgove Steading by Montrose, which was turned down by Angus Council, has been given the go-ahead on appeal.

TWO YOUNG Montrose men suffered an inauspicious start to a six-month mission in Malawi, it has emerged, with ice and failing engines hampering their flight and then an unexpected night in the bush with no provisions.

A DUNDEE businessman is urging customers to try local produce, to support the area’s small businesses.

PROSPECTIVE HOUSE buyers will this week be given the opportunity to view and buy a little bit of Arbroath history when the redevelopment work carried out at one of the town’s most iconic buildings is finally unveiled.

MONIFIETH LOCAL History Society is looking to the future after renewing the lease on its premises.

CUSTOMERS AT Asda Milton in Dundee received a Valentine’s Day treat with four dancers from Ceroc Scotland showing off their moves.

COWDENBEATH councillor John Simpson has hit out at Fife Council’s decision not to re-open the town’s public toilets.

SOME 9000 PEOPLE took to the Scottish slopes on Saturday, the vast majority skiers and boarders.

A SPECIAL event at Stanley Mills yesterday offered people the chance to give garden birds a helping hand.

DUNDEE UNIVERSITY has taken delivery of one of the world’s most powerful microscopes that will allow researchers to explore a world that until recently has been invisible to the eye.