Three-tier education could be retained in parts of Northumberland - three years after a huge petition to keep it.
A major review of education plans in the county could now ditch the controversial intention to scrap all 44 middle schools.
The original plan to convert the entire county to a system of primary and secondary education is likely to be scrapped as part of a revised Putting The Learner First (PLF) strategy.
In Division One of the Morpeth Sunday League, the top two both won at home to keep their title hopes up.
Current leaders Traveller's Rest, Choppington saw Steven Young grab a brace in their 2-0 win over Stobhill Social Club.
Lynemouth, three points behind with a game in hand, scored six without reply as they hosted Alnmouth Argyle. Andrew Spratt scored four, along with goals from Pascal Butters and Iain Nickalls.
Ashington manager Andy Gowens was pleased his side managed a point from their First Division 1-1 draw against neighbours Bedlington Terriers - but his opposite number Tony Lowery was disappointed.
Gowens said: "We went down to 10 men after an hour when captain Paul Hutchinson was sent off for a second bookable offence.
"After that we got at them in the last 30 minutes, but it took a penalty by Alan Hogg to level the scores.
Campaigners battling to restore passenger services on a rail line are hoping for progress following a Government-promised boost for transport spending.
Chancellor Alistair Darling announced £3bn investment in infrastructure projects in his Pre-Budget report, which will include funding for transport, housing, education and other construction schemes.
Now campaigners for the reopening of the Ashington Blyth and Tyne freight line to passenger trains are hoping the long-awaited project will benefit from a recession-busting spending spree.
Ambitious golfers have defied the global credit crunch to complete a £500,000 deal to buy their Northumberland course and clubhouse.
The 739 members of Bedlingtonshire golf club have an extra reason for raising a glass or two in celebration this Christmas after becoming the proud owners of the 18-hole course.
They have completed a historic deal to buy the facilities from Wansbeck District Council.
A Catholic priest from Bedlington yesterday appeared in court charged with a string of sex offences against young boys.
Fr David Taylor, 59, is alleged to have committed five counts of indecent assault in the Holy Island and Seaham areas during the 1980s.
Taylor, of Northumberland Avenue, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and did not enter a plea.
Community groups in Wansbeck are being offered a chance to cement their place in the district's arts and crafts network.
In the first few weeks of 2009, Voluntary Arts England will be delivering a series of training events across the district aimed at groups involved in activities such as art classes, embroidery, music, drama, photography or mat making.
Almost 50 bids have been made as part of a pioneering project in Northumberland which will allow local people to decide how a £60,000 fund should be spent on community initiatives.
Wansbeck is one of only 12 districts across the country chosen by the Government to pilot the initiative, which could help a local neighbourhood, group, school or organisation turn its dream into reality.
A new partnership launched to drive forward economic regeneration work in some of Northumberland's most deprived areas has been welcomed by a local Labour MP.
The South East Northumberland Area Partnership (SENAP)- which will cover Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and part of Castle Morpeth - will have a key role to play following local government reorganisation in April.
Budget proposals - including proposed efficiency savings and likely Council Tax levels - for Northumberland's new unitary council will be discussed at a series of area committee meetings in January, which are open to the public.
The Blyth Valley meeting will be held in the Buffalo Community Centre, Blyth, at 7pm on January 14, the Wansbeck meeting at a venue yet to be confirmed at 10.30am on the same day, the Alnwick meeting in Rennington Village Hall at 10.30am on the 15th, the Berwick meeting in the Tweed Street CAB conference room at 10.30am on the 16th, the Castle Morpeth meeting in Stannington Village Hall at 2pm on the 21st and the Tynedale meeting in Hexham's Beaumont Hotel at 6pm on the 20th.
John Potts Fencing & Sheds -
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