Evening Times

Riddle of the Nursery Cash

According to the Scottish Executive, all three and four-year- olds are entitled to 15 hours-per-week free nursery education. Whilst the dispute with the nursery nurses drags on, the Executive continues to fund councils for the unused nursery places.

Times Past; Red Flag in George Square, 1919

FROM firefighters to football fans, many have had reason to gather in George Square. But all these pale in comparison with the scenes in 1919 when 10,000 workers descended on the square after they went on strike for a shortened 40-hour week.

Court Hears Fraud Charge

A ROOFER has appeared in court accused of charging a pensioner (pounds) 34,000 for repairs worth only (pounds) 63. Alexander Allan is alleged to have taken the money from an 88- year-old man last year in return for minimal roof repairs on a house in Kilmarnock.

Parents Get Say On School Plan

THOUSANDS of parents have convinced education bosses to let them have a bigger say over a (pounds) 100million plan to improve schools. More than 18,000 people in East Dunbartonshire have returned questionnaires and another 1000 turned out to three public meetings about the public private partnership proposals.

Tc Delivers Probe Call to Police Hq; Campbell Demands Apology After Appeal

ONE OF the men cleared of Glasgow's Ice-Cream War murders has demanded a face-to-face meeting with Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Willie Rae. Thomas 'TC' Campbell is demanding a direct apology from Strathclyde Police in a letter he delivered to force headquarters in Pitt Street today.

City's Hi-Tech Services Get (Pounds) 42m Revamp; Council's Communications Network to Be Overhauled

GLASGOW council bosses will spend a staggering (pounds) 42million revamping the authority's communications network. The project, to be rolled out over the next six years, will see equipment and infrastructure in around 400 locations, across the city, replaced or upgraded.

Bosses to Get Tough On Bad Tenants

GLASgow Housing Association has promised to stamp out neighbours from hell and now has legal powers to force tenants to behave. Housing associations were granted the right last year to pursue anti-social behaviour orders through the courts.

So Is This Woman the Worst Neighbour in Glasgow?; Residents Say She's a Nightmare - but She Insists She's No Thug; Exclusive: We Meet First Tenant to Get Anti-Social Behaviour Order From Gha

THIS is the neighbour from hell who has become the first tenant in Glasgow to be given a full anti-social behaviour order by a housing association. Kelly McJimpsey, 26, has been accused of conducting a "reign of terror" on a Dennistoun tower block, including threatening neighbours, playing loud music, dropping litter and vandalising property.

Victory for Beggs in Fight Over Pc Privacy

'Limbs in the Loch' murderer William Beggs will get access to a computer in prison so he can work on his appeal. The Scottish Prison Service has agreed to try and obtain a 'kiosk- built computer' by the end of April for for Beggs' use.

Cash Offer to Fans After Blu Cuts Short Gig

FURIOUS fans of sultry singer Blu Cantrell are being offered their money back after she cut short a "terrible" Glasgow performance. Fans paid (pounds) 13 to see the show but were kept waiting almost three hours before the R'n'B artist turned up and they couldn't believe it when she abandoned the gig after just four songs.

New (Pounds) 3.7m Hospital Is Set to Open Up

WORK on a (pounds) 3.7million hospital for the elderly should be completed on target by the end of next month, say health bosses. The new Stonehouse Hospital in Lanarkshire will feature quality accommodation for long-term care.

Hiding Behind Westminster Is Becoming More Routine; Ministers Pass the Buck

DUCKING scrutiny of legislation because "Westminster knows best" is in danger of becoming a Holyrood hallmark. Naturally, the Nationalist government in waiting - and that may be a long wait - want to empower the Scottish Parliament as much as possible.

2000 Oaps Learn to Beat Conmen; Special Police Event Helps Fight Against Bogus Callers

TWO thousand pensioners took up a police offer to learn tips on how to beat bogus callers. Now senior officers hope the success of the event will reduce the number of vulnerable people who fall victim to doorstep conmen.

Scots Cop Lands Top Aviation Safety Job

A SCOTS police officer has landed a top job in policing the aviation sector. Inspector Brian McKelvie has taken up the role of chairman of the UK Airport Commanders Group and is the first chairman to come from a Scottish force.

Glasgow in (Pounds) 44m Bid to Be Sports Capital; National Stadium Plan for East End to Spearhead Health and Jobs Campaign

A (pounds) 44 million plan to make Glasgow Scotland's sporting capital is unveiled today. The centrepiece of the ambitious city council blueprint, which could breathe new life into deprived areas, is a new (pounds) 24m national indoor arena in the east end.

Pipe Bomb Attack On (Pounds) 30,000 Mercedes; Fears Over Criminals' Turf War As Explosion Rocks City Centre Street

A MAJOR police probe was under way today after a car was blown up by a pipe bomb in Glasgow. It's feared the Mercedes, bearing false number plates, may have been targeted as a warning to a criminal trying to muscle in on the city drug scene.

Vicky's Diary

Evening Times writer Vicky Davidson, who is a first-time 10k runner, is keeping a diary of her training progress EVERYTHING hurts! Okay, it's my own fault.

Time to Step Up Pace for Race; Countdown to the Women's 10k

THERE are just eight weeks to go before the start of the UK's biggest all-female race. Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the 10k on Sunday, May 16.

Seven-Year Business Ban for City Pub Boss

A DIRECTOR of a west end pub which went bust two years ago has been barred from owning or running a business for seven years. Nicholas Stewart, 31, who ran up debts of around (pounds) 87,000, is no longer allowed to hold directorships or take any part in company management.

School Plan for Boots Factory Site

A NEW multi-million pound primary school is likely to be built on the site of the doomed Boots factory in Lanarkshire. The high street giant is locked in talks with council bosses over the future of the 50-acre site in Airdrie.