The criminal courts have broken new ground as families thrust into the criminal justice system by the murder or manslaughter of a relative have taken up the opportunity to speak in court about the crime.

Over the past 10 months, 21 families have asked the court to hear what the homicide victim was like and what their loss has meant.  It’s given the offender, the trial judge, barristers, the police, prosecutors and the public an opportunity, for the first time, to understand the crime from the perspective of the victim’s relatives. (more…)

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People living and working in two areas of Newport are being invited to have their say about issues that matter to them, in public meetings being held on 7th-8th March 2007. (more…)

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Together with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), UK retailers have agreed to reduce the overall environmental impact of their carrier bags by 25% by the end of 2008.

Today’s agreement covers carrier bags provided by retailers of both plastic and paper bags.  (more…)

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New water charges come into effect on 1st April 2007, local water watchdog, CCWater Southern, is advising customers to get fully briefed on the options available to help them manage the water and sewerage bills that will be landing on their doormats in the next couple of weeks. (more…)

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As part of its Scams Awareness Month the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is advising consumers not to waste money on ‘miracle’ health and slimming products which don’t do what they claim.  Consumers are being bombarded with mailings and emails from unscrupulous sellers of products promising miracle cures for all manner of problems. 

(more…)

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Today, wherever you look, people want to know how the weather will affect them, whether they taking a yacht out to sea, planning to take the children out for a day out, or simply hanging out the washing. (more…)

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Members of the public are being invited to have their say on proposals to reform 14-19 education on the Island.   A series of consultation evenings have been arranged across the Island, and written submissions can also be sent in.  The list of the public meetings are as follows (more…)

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A public meeting in the form of a Community forum is being held at 7pm tonight at the Riverside Centre in Newport.  People living and working in the Hunnyhill/Hookes Way areas of Newport are invited to have their say about issues that matter to them. (more…)

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Pupils at Newport Church of England Primary School are learning faster than many others and their results are above what is normally expected.  They also know how to stay safe and healthy and get involved in the school and local community. (more…)

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Diners will be able to see how hygienic restaurants and other eateries are before sitting down for a meal under a new rating scheme launched by the IW Council.
 
The “Scores on the Doors” initiative by the council’s environmental health team will urge restaurants to display the hygiene rating - from zero to five stars - they have been awarded following targeted inspections. (more…)

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From today motorists who break the law by using a hand-held mobile phones whilst driving, will for the first time not only incur an increased fixed penalty of £60 but will also gain three penalty points on their licence. 

See: Island Pulse 22nd January 2007   (more…)

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An event  being held today at the Quay Arts Centre aims to show those who work with children just how important an early relationship can be in life. The initiative — called ‘Being Connected’ — is being staged from 9am. (more…)

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Police are appealing for witnesses after a man indecently exposed himself in Newport on Monday, February 19th.  At around 9.47am, a woman who was walking her dog in the playing field at the back of Nine Acres Primary School, South View, reported seeing a man in the field. (more…)

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