A top headteacher has been appointed to take charge of a huge new school in Northumberland.
Phil Hearne, who will lead the joint primary and secondary school academy in Ashington, was the head of Edgware School in London when it became a city academy.
During his time there it was ranked "outstanding" by Ofsted.
A care worker suspended amid allegations she advertised herself as an escort threatened to publish compromising photographs of a colleague.
Mandy Graham was working as a residential child care officer with Northumberland County Council when the allegation surfaced and she was suspended.
Four months later she sent an anonymous email to the authority's executive director Trevor Dougherty in a bid to wipe the claim from her work references, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Bosses at Northumberland's new super council have been accused of failing to comply with an independent regulator's guidance by providing an 0845 number for people who need to contact the authority.
Bob Watson is unhappy that Northumberland County Council's new number is premium rate
Members of the public who telephone the all-purpose council - which came into being on April 1 following the switch to unitary local government - now have to use a single number, 0845 600 6400, to speak to call handlers.
A multi-million pound education project in Northumberland has been temporarily put on hold - amid fears it might not deliver enough benefits for the recession-hit local economy.
Opposition county councillors are concerned that the £48m investment to create a new academy school in the Hirst area of Ashington might not provide sufficient employment or training opportunities for local people.
They are pressing for safeguards to ensure that the national company awarded the lucrative contract delivers a much-needed boost for the economy of the area.
A mum was left stranded with her twin babies and wheelchair-bound mother after a bus driver refused to let them on.
Christine Smith, 26, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, was left fuming when she was not allowed to board an Arriva no 35 bus at Ashington bus station.
Christine Smith, 26, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, with her twins, Leah (left) and Charlie, 9 months, daughter Lani-Sky Smith age 4, and mother Linda Chaplin
The double-sided bus was big enough for the tandem buggy of her twin eight-month-old girls Charlie and Leah and her wheelchair-bound mum Linda Chaplin, 47, who suffers mini-strokes.
Caretaker arrangements have been put in place for eight new parish councils in south east Northumberland, which have now become a reality.
The new authorities are in Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington, East Bedlington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, North Bedlington, Seaton Valley and West Bedlington, and elections will be held on June 4 to decide their membership.
Candidates' nomination papers are now available from elections offices in Ashington (01670-532290) and Blyth (01670-542210).
Four people were arrested and drugs with a street value of £1,000 seized after suspected criminals in two Northumberland towns were targeted as part of a major police crackdown.
Large numbers of Northumbria Police officers in riot-style vans descended on Alnwick over two successive nights.
Operation Fossick - the latest phase of the force-wide Operation Payback campaign - saw officers carry out raids on pubs and domestic premises in the town centre on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Volunteers behind plans to launch a community radio station in Northumberland remain determined to make their dream a reality - despite the recession hitting vital fundraising efforts.
A five-strong team behind the proposed Synergy station - which would broadcast to about 130,000 people on the FM frequency - need to raise up to £60,000 to get it on the air.
Now hopes of launching the first of two trial broadcasts this summer are fading fast because of difficulties in securing grants, donations and sponsorship during the economic downturn.
What is your favourite food from the county of Northumberland?
After getting votes for your top castle, building and natural landmark, this week we're asking for your favourite food.
The poll gives you the options of Cheviot lamb, Craster kippers, honey from Horncliffe, Cornhill potatoes, Coanwood chillies, Blagdon cheese, Lindisfarne oysters or ice cream from Doddington or Warkworth.
You can vote on the local poll below for the next two weeks. Results will be revealed on May 1.
Nomination packs are now available for people who want to stand as candidates for the eight new parish councils which are being created in south east Northumberland.
The new councils will cover Ashington (21 members), Blyth (16), Cramlington (12), East Bedlington (11), North Bedlington (nine), West Bedlington (nine), Newbiggin by the Sea (eight) and Seaton Valley (nine).
Elections for the 95 parish councillors will be held on June 4 and nomination forms must be returned to the relevant election officer by 4pm on Thursday May 7.
Packs for the Wansbeck area are available from Jackie Brodie on (01670) 532290 or Jackie.brodie@northumberland.gov.uk and packs for the Blyth Valley area are available from Judith Peverley on (01670) 542209 or Judith.Peverley@northumberland.gov.uk
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