Local News

Woman opens up on bipolar disorder struggles before 'turning her life around'
Ruth Lord, 41, saw her life disintegrate and was 'in and out' of jail cells as she struggled with bipolar disorder.

Local messages

County Durham Honours Local Heroes with Chairman’s Medal
Volunteers across County Durham have been recognised for their outstanding services to the community. Durham County Council has awarded a Chairman’s Medal, which is the highest civic honour that can be granted in the local authority area, to volunteers from the Open Door Church in Willingto...


North East Mayor Launches Major Bus Stop Upgrade Plan for Passengers
Thousands of bus passengers will see new bus stops as North East Mayor Kim McGuinness backs them with real transport improvements. The North East mayor pledged to put bus passengers at the centre of her transport plans, and has already capped North East bus fares and guaranteed a £1 flat fare for e...

Get Weekly Updates
Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

North East motorists before the courts after their driving created danger on the roads
Here's a round-up of the most serious driving offences committed by North East motorists recently

County Durham cocaine dealer caught out by incriminating phone messages
A woman involved in “social” dealing of drugs to a local network of buyers will be leaving prison immediately after receiving a “walk-out” prison sentence.
HMP Frankland: KC appointed to lead review after guards 'doused in oil' and 'stabbed'
The Government has appointed Jonathan Hall KC to lead a review into how Hashem Abedi was able to carry out an attack on HMP Frankland prison officers.

Durham County Council Rated Outstanding for Children’s Services by Ofsted
‘We used to be on the outside looking in; now we are very much behind the wheel driving things forward alongside leaders.’ These are the words of a young person who has been supported by Durham County Council, which is celebrating after being rated Outstanding for the services it delivers to chi...

£1.8m pledged to improve hundreds of County Durham bus stops and raise satisfaction
Hundreds of County Durham bus stops will be improved and enhanced in the hope of improving passenger trust in local services.
'Rare' snake 'thought extinct in the region' spotted in parts of North East
Wildlife experts and nature enthusiasts have reported rare sightings of grass snakes in County Durham.
Newly elected County Durham Reform UK councillor slammed for 'appalling' X posts
Deputy leader of Durham County Council's Reform Group, Darren Grimes, 'will not apologise' for his social media posts, which have been criticised by opponents.
Addict bit police officers arresting him after ten-day County Durham crime spree
Russell Emerson Dixon assaulted a shop manager who tried to prevent him stealing items from the Spennymoor branch of Farm Foods and days later bit two police officers who were trying to arrest him for criminal damage after he smashed a house window in the town
New 'innovative' centre for children's books opens in Durham
Two Tales, a new centre for children's books offering gallery space, interactive storytelling, and educational workshops is opening in Durham
Darlington thug strangled police officer and attacked guards at County Durham prison
A man building up a record for violence is to be assessed for his perceived “dangerousness” ahead of being sentenced for six separate assaults.
Manhunt launched for County Durham man wanted in connection with burglary
Officers from Durham Constabulary want to speak to Steven Williams, 45, about a burglary in Blackhall, County Durham, in May 2024.
Police concerned for welfare of County Durham teenager as urgent appeal launched
Isaac Crutchley, 16, was last seen on the evening of Wednesday (May 14), in the Berwick Hills area of Middlesbrough, although he lives in the Durham area.
Fire crews continue to battle major blazes at two County Durham sites
Fire crews are currently tackling separate fires at Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate in Stanley and Waldridge Fell in Chester-le-Street.

North East Pupils Start the Day Right Thanks to Karbon Homes and Greggs Breakfast Club Partnership
Over 700 children across the North East are fuelling their school day with Greggs’ Breakfast Clubs, thanks to new Unlocking Social Value funding from Karbon Homes. Karbon’s £60,000 community investment over the next two years will feed pupils in a total of 11 primary schools from Seaham to Wyla...

Who is Andrew Husband? Durham Reform leader interested in 'common sense' politics
Becoming a county councillor for the first time may have come as a surprise to some Reform UK members in County Durham, but the party’s new leader has spent several years gaining political recognition.
Reform UK announces Durham leadership set to run county council
Newly elected Reform councillor Andrew Husband has been selected to lead the party in County Durham.
Two Ferryhill women jailed for robbing lone and vulnerable men in their homes
Tracey Cornish, 46, and 27-year-old Bethany Carr are now serving sentences totalling 81 months and 40 months, respectively, for the offences committed on lone male householders in Ferryhill a month apart last year.