Evening Times

Charity's Plea for City Volunteers

CHARITY chiefs today appealed for volunteers to help Glasgow stroke victims at a centre set to open in Shettleston. The Eastbank Health Promotion Centre, being launched by Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, needs good communicators who would be prepared to give up some of their time.

Gunman Jailed for Shop Raid

AN ARMED robber who returned to the crime scene and lied that he'd chased the culprit has been jailed for two years. David Kennedy's crime went undetected but he couldn't bear the guilt and shame and tried to take his own life.

Family Find Dead Man's House Raided

THIEVES raided the home of a man who had died days earlier. Relatives returned to the flat in Maltbarns Street, Saracen, a week after his death to find the television, washing machine and fridge freezer, as well as personal effects and other electrical items, had been taken.

Firm Is Raided After Music Scam Hunt

AN ENGINEERING factory is today at the centre of a probe into an alleged illegal music scam. Police and music industry investigators revealed they had raided the Honeywell site at Newhouse, near Motherwell, in Lanarkshire.

Schools Close As Joint Campus Plan Begins

ACONTROVERSIAL schools shake-up, which will see Catholic and Protestant children share the same campus, is about to get under way. Dozens of pupils will return after the summer holidays to share the same state-of-the-art building following the closure today of Wishaw's St lgnatius Primary and Wishaw Academy Primary.

Fopp Shuts Music Store Jobs Threat

HUNDREDS of jobs were under threat today as Glasgow-based discount music chain Fopp closed its doors. Company boss Gordon Montgomery was in talks with Ernst & Young after funding talks with bankers failed to secure the future of the group.

City Plans Major Education Blitz and Says There Are to Be 'No More Excuses' for Mediocrity We Finally Know What Makes Good Schools Tick

EVERY teacher is to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to pupils who struggle with the 3Rs in a new push to end underachievement in Glasgow. The move is aimed at ensuring children who fall behind are identified as early as possible and given the specialist help they need.

Report Was One of Most in-Depth Ever

A LARGE number of experts took part in the two-year commission, billed as one of the most in-depth studies carried out for many years. The commission was set up in 2005 to find out why Glasgow had such chronic levels of underachievement in schools.

Three Face Cour T Over City Knifing

THREE men have been arrested followinganattackona young man in Glasgow city centre. The 24-year-old suffered serious stomach wounds after being stabbed early yesterday in Queen Street.

Scots to See Specialists 'in 18 Weeks'

PATIENTS in Scotland will be treated within 18 weeks of being referred to more specialist care by their GP, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has promised. She pledged to bring in a new waiting times target for patients as part of an NHS plan.

Postal 'Chaos' As Staff Walk Out for 24 Hours

POSTAL services across Scotland would be "crippled" by today's national 24-hour strike, union chiefs warned. Around 130,000 Royal Mail workers across Britain - including 24,000 in Scotland - walked out at 3am in a dispute over pay and job cuts.

Families Flee As Blaze Hits New City Flat Block

MORE than a dozen people were evacuated after fire broke out at a block of flats under construction. The early morning blaze tore through the partially-built property in Maryhill, Glasgow, and forced people in neighbouring homes to flee.

Football Boss in Hospital

FORMER Falkirk player and boss Alex Totten is still in intensive care in hospital after contracting septicaemia. The ex-Kilmarnock manager, who was also assistant boss of Rangers in the mid-1980s, is seriously ill with blood poisoning.

Dangerous Drivers Targeted

DANGEROUS drivers will be targeted by police during a 17-day crackdown. The high visibility policing operation, called Operation Route Masters, started in Lanarkshire today and will run until July 15.

Gang Steals Man's Medicine

POLICE are hunting a gang who robbed a man of his medication. The 57 year-old was waiting at a bus stop opposite St Michael's Church in Gallowgate, Glasgow, at 10am yesterday when he was approached by four or five youths.

Stab Frenzy Murderer Jailed for Life

A knife fiend who stabbed a man to death over a GBP20 loan has been jailed for life for his murder. Temporary judge Michael O'Grady QC said Anthony Duffy, 33, should serve at least 14 years.

Mother's Tribute to 'Hero Action Man' Killed in Iraq Scots' Deaths Leads to Plea for Brown to Bring Troops Home

THE mother of a Scottish soldier killed in a bomb blast in Iraq has called on new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to bring British troops home as she paid tribute to her "hero". Private James Kerr, 20, from Cowdenbeath, Fife, was one of three servicemen killed yesterday when a device exploded as they were patrolling in Basra.

Open-Air Cinema Plan for City Park

AGIANT open-air cinema is planned for Kelvingrove Park this summer. The proposal by three Glasgow film buffs could see classic movies screened to audiences of up to 700 people.

Child Sex Beast Facing Jail

A SERIAL child sex abuser who indecently assaulted four girls for almost two decades faces years behind bars. Ralph Bryce, 67, of Airdrie, was found guilty of five out of six charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards the four, one of whom was aged just two when the abuse started.

School Report Deserves to Get Top Grades

THE findings of the Education Commission into standards in Glasgow are a wake-up call to every teacher and parent. It has identified serious deficiencies and has offered potential solutions.