Page 4 - Cal Mac News Today

A FORMER justice secretary has launched a campaign for a new fund to ensure Scotland has direct ferry links to Europe.

Fall River tourist attraction owners and directors expect an increase in visitors in the new year.

The Scottish Socialist Party conference will take place on 22-23 February in Glasgow. Angela Paton reports A mix of issues will be debated at the SSP's conference, from the contentious motions on Israel/Palestine to mundane and unnecessary reaffirmation of existing policy, from the downright bizarre to the sensible motions, reflecting the life of a proper political party. Here are the low/highlights:

It’s why we elect them. So why isn’t that happening? There’s clearly demand to live on islands – there just isn’t a healthy supply of building plots or warm, affordable homes so enterprising locals can create jobs, develop green energy systems and give their distinctive cultures and languages a fighting chance of reaching the next generation. Of course, Westminster not Holyrood is to blame for failing to connect the islands to the mainland by subsea connectors. So even as we a...

FALL RIVER — Local businessman and three-term City Councilor Cliff Ponte announced on Wednesday his bid for mayor in the upcoming November citywide election.  Ponte, 32, the Council president, is challenging first-term incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan, 68, who also returned his nomination papers Wednesday.  Ponte made his announcement from his restaurant, Almac’s Diner, after stopping at Government Center’s elections office to pick up his nomination papers.  Ponte sat down with...

Western Isles Council leader Roddie Mackay has written to the Prime Minister to intervene and provide a "sustainable solution".

This story is called “Sou’ West by South,” says the elderly man, his voice crackling on the old recording. I can picture him now, leaning…

A look at The Herald News stories that resonated most with our readers last week.

Almac completes new £5 million research and development centre in Craigavon Almacs new £5m research and development centre will house 100 employees at its Craigavon campus. Ryan McAleer Tom Moody, Almac Sciences. THE Almac Group has announced the completion of a £5 million research and development centre at its Craigavon headquarters. The new 21,500 sq ft two-storey facility will house 100 employees of the Almac Sciences division, providing space for additi...

­FALL RIVER — Remember Tim Hortons on Newton Street? It’s been at least 10 years since the Canadian fast food, coffee and ice cream, sit-down and drive-thru restaurant was in business. By late spring or early summer the vacant building will once again be operational, according to City Council President and entrepreneur Cliff Ponte. Some Fall Riverites might be tempted to call it "Son of Al Macs." And it wouldnt be much of a stretch. Ponte, who is also broker and operating principal of the...