Three-tier education could be retained in parts of Northumberland - three years after a huge petition to keep it.
A major review of education plans in the county could now ditch the controversial intention to scrap all 44 middle schools.
The original plan to convert the entire county to a system of primary and secondary education is likely to be scrapped as part of a revised Putting The Learner First (PLF) strategy.
A flourishing arts and culture organisation has taken another major step forward by acquiring its own arts centre and headquarters.
When Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Arts Forum was set up more than two years ago, one of its long-term goals was to make the village a place where artists could live and work in the community - in the same way as in arts communes in places such as Cornwall.
It was also hoped the group would give local people the chance to develop their own creative talents.
A replica of an iconic sculpture erected off the Northumberland coastline has been presented to the local council as a permanent reminder of a £12m coast protection project.
The Couple sculpture by artist Sean Henry was put on the end of a new breakwater built in Newbiggin Bay in 2007.
Two bronze mini-statues were commissioned by contractors Westminster Dredging, who carried out the maritime engineering scheme.
Community groups in Wansbeck are being offered a chance to cement their place in the district's arts and crafts network.
In the first few weeks of 2009, Voluntary Arts England will be delivering a series of training events across the district aimed at groups involved in activities such as art classes, embroidery, music, drama, photography or mat making.
A former joiner has unlocked a new career that is really opening doors for him.
Matt Rodger saw so many people lock themselves out of their home while he was working as a joiner for Wansbeck District Council in Northumberland, he decided to retrain as a locksmith after being made redundant.
He said: "I was amazed at just how many people locked themselves out of their homes. I paid to go on a professional course and really enjoyed it.
Almost 50 bids have been made as part of a pioneering project in Northumberland which will allow local people to decide how a £60,000 fund should be spent on community initiatives.
Wansbeck is one of only 12 districts across the country chosen by the Government to pilot the initiative, which could help a local neighbourhood, group, school or organisation turn its dream into reality.
A new partnership launched to drive forward economic regeneration work in some of Northumberland's most deprived areas has been welcomed by a local Labour MP.
The South East Northumberland Area Partnership - which will cover Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and part of Castle Morpeth - will have a key role to play following local government reorganisation in April.
Budget proposals - including proposed efficiency savings and likely Council Tax levels - for Northumberland's new unitary council will be discussed at a series of area committee meetings in January, which are open to the public.
The Blyth Valley meeting will be held in the Buffalo Community Centre, Blyth, at 7pm on January 14, the Wansbeck meeting at a venue yet to be confirmed at 10.30am on the same day, the Alnwick meeting in Rennington Village Hall at 10.30am on the 15th, the Berwick meeting in the Tweed Street CAB conference room at 10.30am on the 16th, the Castle Morpeth meeting in Stannington Village Hall at 2pm on the 21st and the Tynedale meeting in Hexham's Beaumont Hotel at 6pm on the 20th.
A fire chief has strongly denied claims that 999 cover is being over-stretched in Northumberland - although he admits that the service is currently operating with 19 firefighters short.
County chief fire officer, Brian Hesler, has slammed what he described as "scaremongering" over fire and rescue cover and an alleged shortage of front-line firefighters.
A Paralympic gold medalist is to visit Newbiggin to speak at an event aimed at encouraging local sport.
Stephen Miller, field athletics champion, will be taking part in the 2009 Community Sports Conference.
The event takes place on Tuesday February 3 at Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre.
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"As a resident of Newbiggin I am a bit perplexed at all the fuss over this stretch of beach. I am a d..."
"The beach is there for everyone to enjoy, and as such dogs and their owners should be able to do so..."
"15/08/09 3.00pm Lanercost Priory area. Grey crossing road in front of car...."
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