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NEW YORK (AP) — Major U.S. stock indexes have surrendered an early gain and are falling sharply Tuesday as investors sell technology, industrial and retail stocks. Bond yields continue to rise and the 10-year Treasury note reached 3 percent for the first time in more than four years. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is one of the biggest losers after it reported greater revenue but also an increase in spending. KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 index sank 28 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,642 as of 1 p.m. Eastern time. It was up as much as 13 points earlier. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 380 points, or 1.6 percent, to 24,059. The Nasdaq composite dropped 111 points, or 1.6 percent, to 7,018. Small-company stocks held up better than the rest of the market. The Russell 2000 index declined 7 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,554. MISPRINT: Alphabet slid 4.76 percent to $1,024.07 after the company said ad revenue climbed, but expenses also rose. Google’s parent company benefited from strong digital ad sales as well as an accounting change. Facebook fell 3.5 percent to $160.10 and Microsoft skidded 1.8 percent to $93.65. Another market favorite, Amazon, shed 3.7 percent to $1,461.77. INDUSTRIAL WEAKNESS: 3M, which makes Post-it notes and industrial coatings and ceramics, shed 8.3 percent to $197.92 after it cut its annual forecast. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin sank 5.9 percent to $337.49 and Boeing lost 2.3 percent to $330.91. Appliance maker Whirlpool also surpassed expectations and rose 5.5 percent to $158.45 and it helped lead an early rally in the sector. Caterpillar said the strong global economy helped its sales of construction and energy industry machinery and it raised its forecasts for the year. It jumped in early trading but later fell 4.1 percent to $147.70. BONDS: Bond prices were little changed after an early dip. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note stayed at 2.98 percent, matching Monday’s close. Earlier it peaked at 3 percent for the first time since January 2014. Low interest rates have played an important role in the economic recovery of the last decade by making it cheap for people and companies to borrow money. The yield on the 10-year note is a benchmark for many kinds of interest rates including mortgages, and it’s been climbing because investors expect greater economic growth and faster inflation. Since the global financial crisis in 2008-09, a combination of low inflation expectations and a bond-buying program by the Federal Reserve have helped keep bond yields low, but they have climbed this year as inflation has picked up. SHIRE’S WILD RIDE: Drugmaker Shire rallied again as the company said it is considering a new offer from Japanese rival Takeda. Bloomberg News reported that the companies are close to a deal and the shares rose 2.2 percent to $163.53. Shire has rallied in the wake of Takeda’s earlier offers, which Shire said weren’t good enough. Shire briefly made big gains last week after Botox maker Allergan said it was considering making its own bid, but the stock dipped again after Allergan decided not to make an offer. SMALL GOES BIG: American consumers got more confident in the economy in April, according to a survey by the Conference Board. Its consumer confidence index is near 18-year highs. Meanwhile the Commerce Department said sales of new home jumped in March. That helped smaller company stocks, which rose early on and later took smaller losses than their larger peers. Among smaller banks, Simmons First National rose 4.1 percent to $30.15 and Banner gained 3.9 percent to $58.01. In the technology industry, electronics manufacturer Sanmina-ICU jumped 18.1 percent to $32.70. CURRENCIES: The dollar rose to 108.85 yen from 108.65 yen. The euro rose to $1.2229 from $1.2205. ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude oil added 1 cent to $68.65 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained 11 cents to $74.82 per barrel in London. OVERSEAS: Germany’s DAX lost 0.2 percent while the French CAC 40 added 0.1 percent. Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.4 percent. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.9 percent, helped by the weaker yen. The Kospi in South Korea lost 0.4 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 1.4 percent. ____ AP Markets Writer Marley Jay can be reached at http://twitter.com/MarleyJayAP . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/marley%20jay

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Four explosions have rocked Texas’ capital in less than three weeks and authorities say a serial bomber is likely to blame. But they don’t appear closer to making any arrests. Three package bombs left on doorsteps over 10 days starting on March 2 killed two people and injured two others. Then, on Sunday night, an explosive triggered by a nearly invisible tripwire wire injured two more. Police originally pointed to possible hate crimes, but the victims have now been black, Hispanic and white and from different parts of the increasingly diverse city. They looked for common threads among those hurt and killed, but now concede that a tripwire means who gets hit could be totally random. Investigators have been left with more questions than answers, as fear spreads through Austin.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Intelligence officials believe North Korean agents assassinated leader Kim Jong Un’s exiled half brother, but if the whodunit seems settled, a very big question still looms: Why now? Kim Jong Nam, reportedly killed by two female agents in a cloak-and-dagger operation in a Malaysian airport, had long been an embarrassment to North Korea’s government — humiliated during a failed attempt to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland and outspoken in opposing the rise to power of his brother, who had his uncle executed after taking over. But the overweight gambler and fading playboy had kept his head down in recent years from his base in Macau. Kim Jong Nam was seen by many outsiders as only a minor distraction for North Korea’s leaders, and certainly not an existential threat worth the risk of a potentially embarrassing assassination caper on foreign soil. The spotty South Korean intelligence community ascribed the North’s motivation in killing Kim Jong Nam, without any elaboration, simply to Kim Jong Un’s “paranoia.” There is a more intriguing possibility floating around Seoul, however: The tipping point in North Korea’s bloody calculations may have been a largely ignored South Korean news story from last week. A national daily, the Kyunghyang Shinmun, reported that Kim Jong Nam tried to defect to South Korea several years ago and had served, in the 2000s, as a middleman between disgraced current South Korean President Park Geun-hye and officials in North Korea. Kim Jong Un may have clenched his teeth and carried on when he heard reports of his half brother’s exploits in Macau casinos, and even when Kim Jong Nam, often photographed in an expensive, untucked, button-down shirt and newsboy cap, questioned in 2010 the need for a third generation of the Kim family to rule in Pyongyang. But public reports in rival South Korea of alleged close dealings between a direct relative of North Korea’s ruling dynasty and high officials in Seoul — and possible attempts to defect to the South — could have represented a serious challenge to a leader who portrays his family as the only legitimate power on the Korean Peninsula. If a person with the blood of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung flowing in his veins was considering defecting to prosperous, democratic South Korea, what message did that send to North Korea’s elite, or to the millions of poor and dissatisfied? South Korea’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, which has a spotty record in reading the goings-on in North Korea and often tries to paint the leadership as unbalanced, denied any defection attempt by Kim Jong Nam. But Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, raised the possibility that the assassination was linked to the newspaper report, which cites interviews with anonymous officials from the Europe-Korea Foundation, where Park served as a board member for a decade before stepping down ahead of the presidential election in late 2012, and computer files and emails that showed exchanges between Kim Jong Nam and the foundation’s officials. The newspaper reported that Kim Jong Nam, who was then living in Beijing, delivered a letter that Park wrote to Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s second leader and Kim Jong Un’s father, in 2005. The letter, according to the newspaper, showed Park requesting help on cultural exchange programs pushed by the foundation. Jeong Joon-Hee, the spokesman of South Korea’s Unification Ministry, previously said the government doesn’t believe such a letter from Park, who has been impeached over a corruption scandal, was delivered to North Korea. The newspaper also cited anonymous sources to report that Kim Jong Nam explored the possibility of defecting to South Korea, and also to the United States and Europe, in 2012 before giving up. The sources said Kim’s talks with South Korea and the United States eventually fell through because of his excessive demands. While the South Korean news report is a fascinating potential explanation for Kim Jong Nam’s death, there are other possibilities — including that Monday’s killing was the culmination of years of effort by North Korea. Seoul’s spy service told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea had for five years tried to kill Kim Jong Nam, who had kept a low profile since his uncle and former protector, the North’s former No. 2, Jang Song Thaek, was executed by Kim Jong Un in 2013. The NIS, according to lawmakers, cited a “genuine” attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, but didn’t elaborate. The lawmakers said the NIS told them Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said, “I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide.” Kim Jong Nam’s links with China may have also played a role. Beijing had long protected Kim Jong Nam, according to South Korea’s intelligence service. China may have been interested in propping up Kim Jong Nam as a future North Korean leader should the current government in Pyongyang collapse. Kim Jong Un would not have been pleased by knowledge that his brother was being used by Beijing as a pawn and potential replacement.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — As a meeting last August in the Oval Office to discuss sanctions on Venezuela was concluding, President Donald Trump turned to his top aides and asked an unsettling question: With a fast unraveling Venezuela threatening regional security, why can’t the U.S. just simply invade the troubled country? The suggestion stunned those present at the meeting, including U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and national security adviser H.R. McMaster, both of whom have since left the administration. This account of the previously undisclosed conversation comes from a senior administration official familiar with what was said. In an exchange that lasted around five minutes, McMaster and others took turns explaining to Trump how military action could backfire and risk losing hard-won support among Latin American governments to punish President Nicolas Maduro for taking Venezuela down the path of dictatorship, according to the official. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions. But Trump pushed back. Although he gave no indication he was about to order up military plans, he pointed to what he considered past cases of successful gunboat diplomacy in the region, according to the official, like the invasions of Panama and Grenada in the 1980s. The idea, despite his aides’ best attempts to shoot it down, would nonetheless persist in the president’s head. The next day, Aug. 11, Trump alarmed friends and foes alike with talk of a “military option” to remove Maduro from power. The public remarks were initially dismissed in U.S. policy circles as the sort of martial bluster people have come to expect from the reality TV star turned commander in chief. But shortly afterward, he raised the issue with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, according to the U.S. official. Two high-ranking Colombian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid antagonizing Trump confirmed the report. Then in September, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Trump discussed it again, this time at greater length, in a private dinner with leaders from four Latin American allies that included Santos, the same three people said and Politico reported in February. The U.S. official said Trump was specifically briefed not to raise the issue and told it wouldn’t play well, but the first thing the president said at the dinner was, “My staff told me not to say this.” Trump then went around asking each leader if they were sure they didn’t want a military solution, according to the official, who added that each leader told Trump in clear terms they were sure. Eventually, McMaster would pull aside the president and walk him through the dangers of an invasion, the official said. Taken together, the behind-the-scenes talks, the extent and details of which have not been previously reported, highlight how Venezuela’s political and economic crisis has received top attention under Trump in a way that was unimaginable in the Obama administration. But critics say it also underscores how his “America First” foreign policy at times can seem outright reckless, providing ammunition to America’s adversaries. The White House declined to comment on the private conversations. But a National Security Council spokesman reiterated that the U.S. will consider all options at its disposal to help restore Venezuela’s democracy and bring stability. Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S., Canada and European Union have levied sanctions on dozens of top Venezuelan officials, including Maduro himself, over allegations of corruption, drug trafficking and human rights abuses. The U.S. has also distributed more than $30 million to help Venezuela’s neighbors absorb an influx of more than 1 million migrants who have fled the country. For Maduro, who has long claimed that the U.S. has military designs on Venezuela and its vast oil reserves, Trump’s bellicose talk provided the unpopular leader with an immediate if short-lived boost as he was trying to escape blame for widespread food shortages and hyperinflation. Within days of the president’s talk of a military option, Maduro filled the streets of Caracas with loyalists to condemn “Emperor” Trump’s belligerence, ordered up nationwide military exercises and threatened with arrest opponents he said were plotting his overthrow with the U.S. “Mind your own business and solve your own problems, Mr. Trump!” thundered Nicolas Maduro, the president’s son, at the government-stacked constituent assembly. “If Venezuela were attacked, the rifles will arrive in New York, Mr. Trump,” the younger Maduro said. “We will take the White House.” Even some of the staunchest U.S. allies were begrudgingly forced to side with Maduro in condemning Trump’s saber rattling. Santos, a big backer of U.S. attempts to isolate Maduro, said an invasion would have zero support in the region. The Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Brazil and Argentina, issued a statement saying “the only acceptable means of promoting democracy are dialogue and diplomacy” and repudiating “any option that implies the use of force.” But among Venezuela’s beleaguered opposition movement, hostility to the idea of a military intervention has slowly eased. A few weeks after Trump’s public comments, Harvard economics professor Ricardo Hausmann, a former Venezuelan planning minister, wrote a syndicated column titled “D Day Venezuela,” in which he called for a “coalition of the willing” made up of regional powers and the U.S. to step in and support militarily a government appointed by the opposition-led national assembly. Mark Feierstein, who oversaw Latin America on the National Security Council during the Obama administration, said that strident U.S. action on Venezuela, however commendable, won’t loosen Maduro’s grip on power if it’s not accompanied by pressure from the streets. However, he thinks Venezuelans have largely been demoralized after a crackdown on protests last year triggered dozens of deaths, and the threat of more repression has forced dozens of opposition leaders into exile. “People inside and outside the administration know they can ignore plenty of what Trump says,” Feierstein, who is now a senior adviser at the Albright Stonebridge Group, said of Trump’s talk of military invasion of Venezuela. “The concern is that it raised expectations among Venezuelans, many of whom are waiting for an external actor to save them.” ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow Goodman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APjoshgoodman

WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (AP) — With a lengthy highway construction project looming that could turn one of the Northeast’s worst traffic bottlenecks into the stuff of post-apocalyptic fiction, local officials whose towns could be overrun by frustrated motorists say they’re still in the dark on some aspects of the plan. When lanes will be closed on the busy Route 495 viaduct connecting the New Jersey Turnpike to the Lincoln Tunnel is one unanswered question. In recent weeks the state Department of Transportation has said its $90 million project to rebuild the bridge and roadway will require closing a lane in each direction beginning in “mid-summer.” On Tuesday, a department of transportation spokesman said it would be “later this summer.” Several local officials involved with discussions with the department said community outreach efforts are still underway and questions linger about handling traffic overflow, an indication the start could be some time away. The pothole-ridden 80-year-old viaduct cuts through parts of Secaucus, North Bergen, Union City and Weehawken and accommodates more than 150,000 motorists daily. Local officials acknowledged the need to replace the bridge structure, which is considered structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. But some expressed concerns about logistics. Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, whose town squats over the entrance to the tunnel, said he hasn’t been given a firm starting date for the lane closures, and has yet to meet with top state transportation officials about the project, though he expects that will happen soon. “We’re very concerned about the impact on traffic, and the resulting traffic jams on our local streets,” Turner said. “We are extremely concerned about emergency vehicles getting through.” Turner noted that on a Saturday last month, a delay on Route 495 leaving New York left traffic at a standstill and forced many motorists onto the cramped streets of his town and others. That doesn’t bode well for traffic during the bridge reconstruction, when the lanes will be closed 24/7, he said. “I can’t imagine what is going to happen on a weekday,” Turner said. According to the department’s website, the work can’t be performed solely during nighttime hours because the nature of the bridge work makes it impossible to replace portions each night and then allow traffic back on it during the daytime. The department’s plan includes detours for cars and trucks using Routes 1 and 9 northbound and southbound, where ramps from 495 will be closed off. That is likely to clog streets in Secaucus in a part of town that is home to outlets and big-box stores. Turner and Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli both said the state hasn’t committed to reimbursing their towns for police overtime that likely will be required for traffic management. Gonnelli said the traffic overload has the potential to be “a nightmare either way.” “We’re downstream from where this is happening, but we are affected anytime something happens, and we’re affected badly,” he said. “I try to take my wife out to eat on a Friday night, and you can’t get out of town.”

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — When Oregon lawmakers created the state’s legal marijuana program, they had one goal in mind above all else: to convince illicit pot growers to leave the black market. That meant low barriers to entry that also targeted long-standing medical marijuana growers, whose product is not taxed. As a result, weed production boomed — with a bitter consequence. Now, marijuana prices here are in freefall, and the craft cannabis farmers who put Oregon on the map decades before broad legalization say they are in peril of losing their now-legal businesses as the market adjusts. Oregon regulators on Wednesday announced they will stop processing new applications for marijuana licenses in two weeks to address a severe backlog and ask state lawmakers to take up the issue next year. Experts say the dizzying evolution of Oregon’s marijuana industry may well be a cautionary tale for California, where a similar regulatory structure could mean an oversupply on a much larger scale. “For the way the program is set up, the state just wants to get as many people in as possible, and they make no bones about it,” Hilary Bricken, a Los Angeles-based attorney specializing in marijuana business law, said of California. “Most of these companies will fail as a result of oversaturation.” Oregon has nearly 1 million pounds (453,600 kilograms) of marijuana flower — commonly called bud — in its inventory, a staggering amount for a state with about 4 million people. Producers told The Associated Press wholesale prices fell more than 50 percent in the past year; a study by the state’s Office of Economic Analysis found the retail cost of a gram of marijuana fell from $14 in 2015 to $7 in 2017. The oversupply can be traced largely to state lawmakers’ and regulators’ earliest decisions to shape the industry. They were acutely aware of Oregon’s entrenched history of providing top-drawer pot to the black market nationwide, as well as a concentration of small farmers who had years of cultivation experience in the legal, but largely unregulated, medical pot program. Getting those growers into the system was critical if a legitimate industry was to flourish, said Sen. Ginny Burdick, a Portland Democrat who co-chaired a committee created to implement the voter-approved legalization measure. Lawmakers decided not to cap licenses; to allow businesses to apply for multiple licenses; and to implement relatively inexpensive licensing fees. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which issues licenses, announced Wednesday it will put aside applications for new licenses received after June 15 until a backlog of pending applications is cleared out. The decision comes after U.S. Attorney Billy Williams challenged state officials to address Oregon’s oversupply problem. “In my view, and frankly in the view of those in the industry that I’ve heard from, it’s a failing of the state for not stepping back and taking a look at where this industry is at following legalization,” Williams told the AP in a phone interview. But those in the industry supported the initial decisions that led to the oversupply, Burdick said. “We really tried to focus on policies that would rein in the medical industry and snuff out the black market as much as possible,” Burdick said. Lawmakers also quickly backtracked on a rule requiring marijuana businesses have a majority ownership by someone with Oregon residency after entrepreneurs complained it was hard to secure startup money. That change opened the door to out-of-state companies with deep pockets that could begin consolidating the industry. The state has granted 1,001 producer licenses and has another 950 in process as of last week. State officials worry if they cut off licensing entirely or turn away those already in the application process, they’ll get sued or encourage illegal trade. Some of the same parameters are taking shape in California, equally known for black-market pot from its Emerald Triangle region. The rules now in effect there place caps only on certain, medium-sized growing licenses. In some cases, companies have acquired dozens of growing licenses, which can be operated on the same or adjoining parcels. The growers association is suing to block those rules, fearing they will open the way for vast farms that will drive out smaller cultivators. Beau Whitney, senior economist at national cannabis analytics firm New Frontier Data, said he’s seeing California prices fall. In contrast, Washington knew oversupply could draw federal attention and was more conservative about licensing. As the market matured, its regulators eased growing limits, but the state never experienced an oversupply crisis. Colorado has no caps on licenses, but strict rules designed to limit oversupply allow the state to curtail a growers’ farm size based on past crop yields, existing inventory, sales deals and other factors. In Oregon, cannabis retail chains are emerging to take advantage of the shake-up. A company called Nectar has 13 stores around the state — with three more on tap — and says on its website it is buying up for-sale dispensaries too. Canada-based Golden Leaf Holdings bought the successful Oregon startup Chalice and has six stores around Portland, with another slated to open. William Simpson, Chalice’s founder and Golden Leaf Holdings CEO, is expanding into Northern California, Nevada and Canada. Simpson welcomes criticism that he’s dumbing down cannabis the same way Starbucks brought coffee to a mass market. “If you take Chalice like Starbucks, it’s a known quantity, it’s a brand that people know and trust,” he said. Amy Margolis, executive director of the Oregon Cannabis Association, says that capping licenses would only spur even more consolidation in the long-term. The state is currently working on a study that should provide data and more insight into what lies ahead. “I don’t think that everything in this state is motivated by struggle and failure,” she said. “I’m very interested to see … how this market settles itself and (in) being able to do that from a little less of a reactionary place.” For now, Oregon’s smaller marijuana businesses are trying to stay afloat. A newly formed group will launch an ad campaign this fall to tell Oregonians why they should pay more for mom-and-pop cannabis. Adam Smith, who founded the Oregon Craft Cannabis Alliance, believes 70 percent of Oregon’s small growers and retailers will go out of business if consumers don’t respond. “We could turn around in three to four years and realize that 10 to 12 major companies own a majority of the Oregon industry and that none of it is really based here anymore,” he said. “The Oregon brand is really all about authenticity. It’s about people with their hands in the dirt, making something they love as well as they can. How do we save that?” ___ Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle, Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles and Kathleen Foody in Denver contributed to this report. ___ Flaccus is a member of the AP’s marijuana beat team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gflaccus. Follow complete AP marijuana coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/LegalMarijuana

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — First came the ping of bats, a familiar sound of the leafy neighborhood’s morning. Then the crack of gunfire, which isn’t. It started with a single pop, which for a split second was not alarming to the Republican members of Congress who had gathered for a final practice before a charity baseball game with Democrats this week. As one lawmaker would later note, it could have been a car backfiring. Then, after a pause, the gunshots came in quick succession and the horror unfolded in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, home to many federal workers, lawyers and lobbyists who commute across the river to Washington. A congressman, two Capitol police officers, a lobbyist and a legislative aide were wounded as lawmakers, some fighting back tears, sought to understand what had happened and why. In a hail of bullets, police killed the gunman. “You never expect a baseball field in America to feel like being back in a combat zone in Iraq,” said Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup, an Army reservist who served as a combat surgeon in Iraq and was on the field Wednesday when the shooting began. “But this morning it did.” They had gathered on this muggy morning, trading suits and ties for sneakers and baseball caps, to practice for Thursday’s annual left-right match-up, a friendly Democratic-Republican rivalry for charity in a capital otherwise poisonous in its partisanship. Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks had bicycled nine miles to make the 6:30 a.m. start. The baseball park, home to the T.C. Williams High School Titans, sits in a lively part of Alexandria. On weekdays, locals head off to work and school. People come and go at the nearby YMCA. Homeowners stroll the sidewalks, walking their dogs. So it hardly seemed unusual when a man approached Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina in the baseball field parking lot. His question was pointed: “‘Excuse me sir, who’s practicing today? Democrats or Republicans?'” Duncan recalled. “And I said it’s the Republican team. He said, ‘OK, thanks’ and turned around.” Duncan then left, saying later, “It was the guy they’ve identified as the shooter.” Rep. Steve Pearce of New Mexico was taking swings in the batting cage along the first base side when he noticed a bystander near the third base dugout. Within seconds, as Pearce left the batting cage and headed toward the dugout, the shooting started. “I saw the shooter clearly with his rifle, aimed and shooting around one corner of a building,” he said in a video statement. Chaos ensued. Lawmakers dove for cover. Gravel bounced as shots hit the ground. From inside Swing’s coffee shop directly across from the field, manager Jon “Scott” Mosel described the popping of gunfire. “Then a wave of players frantically running. It was absolutely frantic. We didn’t know if they were being chased.” The players ran from the first base side of the field across a basketball court and either jumped a fence into a nearby dog park or ran up the hill and crossed the street toward the coffee shop, he said. Brooks hit the ground with a few others behind the batting cage, but quickly realized that didn’t provide much cover. The gunman wasn’t spraying bullets but rather taking aim, so there was a “little bit of time between shots.” Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the third-ranking Republican in the House, was fielding balls on second base when a gunshot crumpled him, Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake said. The 51-year-old Scalise, serving his fifth congressional term, dragged himself 10 to 15 yards into the outfield to try to get away, Flake said, leaving a bloody trail. Marty LaVor, a retired Capitol Hill worker, was taking pictures by first base when he saw a man holding a rifle behind a chain-link fence by third base. LaVor saw Scalise go down, then a Capitol police officer. “Almost within an instant, and I don’t remember the time, somebody saidm ‘Get in the dugout.’ And they said it with such authority. You remember when you were a kid, and your parents said something? This was that sound.” LaVor got in the dugout. The 911 call went out at 7:09 a.m. To those in the line of fire, it seemed an eternity before city police arrived, but in reality it took just three minutes. Brooks said the Capitol officers were armed only with pistols, and “taking on a guy with a rifle from 90-120 feet away. It wasn’t a fair fight.” When Capitol police began firing, Brooks said, they were so close that he initially feared a second shooter was involved. Congress members helped apply a tourniquet to the injured leg of Zachary Barth, legislative correspondent for Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, as the shooting continued. Scalise, too, was attended to by his colleagues on the field. Katie Filous, an attorney who was walking her dogs near the field, dropped to the ground when she heard “a lot of shots.” A uniformed officer got out of a car, drew a handgun and shouted something to the assailant, she said. She saw the officer get hit with a bullet, and later evacuated by helicopter. Three hours after the attack, Brooks still wore a batting glove, with dirt from lying face first in the dugout still smeared across his navy blue T-shirt, as he and other lawmakers at the scene described the attack to the AP. Falisa Peoples, who teaches an exercise class at the YMCA, was walking to her car when she saw a man in shorts and a T-shirt firing. She thought, at first, it was a drill or a paintball game. “He was very calm,” she said. “He was just walking and shooting as if it was just like he was practicing.” She recalled no other noise until she heard a police officer command, “Get down!” Peoples dropped her belongings and ran back to the Y, banging on the side door until someone let her in. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee passed the shooter on his way into the dugout to hide. “He decided not to shoot me,” he would later tell CNN. “The fear factor was horrific. There was blood all over, it was horrible.” He said if the gunman had come after them in the dugout, “we would have been sitting ducks.” It was over in a matter of minutes. Members of Congress credited the Capitol police officers with shooting the gunman, though authorities did not immediately confirm who shot him. He died in the hospital. Scalise underwent surgery for a wound to the hip, and was in critical condition. Matt Mika, the lobbyist and a former congressional aide, was also in critical condition, with multiple wounds. Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner of the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as Barth, were expected to recover fully. The attacker was identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Illinois. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said on the Senate floor that Hodgkinson apparently was a volunteer for his campaign last year. Police are investigating the attacker’s motive, his associates and his social media posts. Hours later, surrounded by crime scene tape, the field was still set for batting practice. A mobile backstop curved behind home plate, near metal bats. A crate full of baseballs sat near the pitcher’s mound, and balls were scattered on the field among medical bags and supplies. Behind first base, next to a large medical bag, sat a single baseball shoe. Off the field on the first base side, a medical gurney. ___ Associated Press writers Chad Day, Matthew Barakat, Kevin Freking, Michael Biesecker, Ben Finley and Erica Werner contributed to this report. Woodward reported from Washington.

TORONTO (AP) — The first victim publicly identified after a van plowed down a Toronto sidewalk and killed 10 people worked at an investment management firm and enjoyed sports and volunteering. Other victims included a Seneca College student, a citizen of Jordan and two Korean nationals, though the names of most of the victims were not immediately released. Anne Marie D’Amico, 30, worked at Invesco, which is near the scene of Monday’s incident. Toronto City Councilor Cesar Palacio said D’Amico was a friend of his daughter, and he remembers her as “a brilliant young girl” who was interested in improving society. On Tuesday he spoke with her parents, who live in his ward. “You can imagine the nightmare, the living nightmare they’re going through at this moment,” he said. D’Amico volunteered at a Canada-based international humanitarian charity called Live Different. She helped build houses in the Dominican Republic in 2015 and 2017, according to Dave Hamilton, the charity’s manager of school partnerships. He remembered her as “super-positive, always smiling, a funny person, always up for a challenge, and really wanted to help people out.” D’Amico also volunteered with the nonprofit Tennis Canada association, working at the Rogers Cup tournament since the age of 12. She started out as a ball girl and worked her way up to be an “integral” part of the volunteer team, most recently leading a committee on stadium control, the association said. She was voted volunteer of the year in 2016. “Anne Marie lived for working at Rogers Cup and seeing her fellow volunteers each summer,” said Gavin Ziv, the association’s vice president of professional events. “The tournament was such a large part of her life, and we were so lucky to have her on our team each summer.” Others killed included Munair Najjar, a citizen of Jordan who was in Toronto visiting family, according to state-run news agency Petra. Jordan’s embassy in Ottawa is in contact with Najjar’s family, the agency said. No other information about Najjar was released. Seneca College said one of its students was killed, but declined to identify her, citing privacy reasons. President David Agnew confirmed the death in an email to students and staff in which he said two other students suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. “Along with the rest of the city, and world, we were stunned by yesterday’s news,” Agnew said. Two South Koreans were among the dead, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing government officials. A third South Korean national was injured. The Korean consulate general office in Toronto declined to confirm the report.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rallying Monday morning as the tensions between the U.S. and North Korea that flared last week appeared to ease. Technology companies and banks are making some of the largest gains as stocks bounce back from their losses with some of the biggest gains the market has seen this year. All 11 industrial groups in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index are moving higher. KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 jumped 24 points, or 1 percent, to 2,466 as of 11:15 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 147 points, or 0.7 percent, to 22,005. The Nasdaq composite added 73 points, or 1.2 percent, to 6,329. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies climbed 14 points, or 1.1 percent, to 1,388. Last week was the worst for stocks since late March, as the S&P 500 fell more than 1.4 percent. Rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea startled investors out of the complacency that has weighed on the stock market for most of this year. That eased Monday after officials said fighting is not imminent. The top U.S. military officer said the country wants to resolve the standoff peacefully. Thursday was the worst day for stocks since mid-May, and Monday is shaping up to be the best day since late April. LEADERS: Technology stocks rose in early trading. Apple added $1.88, or 1.2 percent, to $159.36 and Microsoft picked up $1.07, or 1.5 percent, to $73.57. Western Digital advanced $2.77, or 3.5 percent, to $82.67. Chipmaker Nvidia rebounded after two days of sharp losses. It rose $6.32, or 4.1 percent, to $162.28. Competitors like Micron Technology and Analog Devices also rose. NEW BUYER NETS NEFF: Equipment rental company Neff said it received a buyout offer worth $25 per share, or $596 million. It did not say who made the offer, but Neff said its board has decided the new offer is superior to a bid from H&E Equipment Services that the company accepted last month. H&E Equipment has the right to match the new offer and is entitled to a breakup payment if Neff it acquired by another company. Neff climbed $3.85, or 17.6 percent, to $25.70. H&E’s offer valued Neff at $21.07 a share. H&E Equipment lost 48 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $21.11. FRIENDLY NABORS: Drilling technology developer Tesco said it will be acquired by drilling contractor Nabors Industries in an all-stock deal. The companies said Tesco is being valued at $4.62 a share. Tesco added 43 cents, or 10.9 percent, to $4.33. Nabors lost 33 cents, or 4.8 percent, to $6.48. STICKER SHOCK? Fiat Chrysler climbed after Automotive News reported that a Chinese car maker offered to buy the company. It did not identify that company and said Fiat Chrysler rejected the offer because it wasn’t high enough, but investors hoped another bid would come. Fiat Chrysler stock gained 88 cents, or 7.6 percent, to $12.50. RHIMES AND REASON: Netflix signed a deal with Shonda Rhimes, the creator of popular television series such as “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” She will leave ABC and make shows for Netflix, although those shows will remain on ABC. Financial terms were not disclosed, but recently Netflix has started shelling out more money to try to get own and develop shows that more people will watch. Its stock dipped 23 cents to $171.17 Monday. ENERGY: U.S. crude oil rose 18 cents to $49 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the international standard, picked up 11 cents to $52.21 a barrel in London. BONDS: Bond prices turned lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.21 percent from 2.19 percent late Friday. That helped banks, as higher bond yields mean higher interest rates and greater profits on mortgages and other loans. Bank of America climbed 48 cents, or 2 percent, to $24.35 and JPMorgan Chase gained $1.21, or 1.3 percent, to $92.63. CURRENCIES: The dollar rose to 109.45 yen from 109.04 yen. The euro fell to $1.1785 from $1.1824. OVERSEAS: Germany’s DAX jumped 1.4 percent, as did the CAC 40 in France. In Britain, the FTSE 100 index added 0.8 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 1.4 percent and the South Korean Kospi rose 0.6 percent. Japanese stocks fell sharply as investors played catch-up after an extended holiday weekend. The Nikkei ended 1 percent lower. ___ AP Markets Writer Marley Jay can be reached at http://twitter.com/MarleyJayAP His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/marley%20jay

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s record-setting day finished with a carry just as valuable as any of the franchise-record 66 passes he threw. As the Pittsburgh Steelers poured onto the Heinz Field turf to celebrate a frantic 39-38 victory over Baltimore that wrapped up their third AFC North title in four years, Roethlisberger grabbed the familiar No. 50 jersey of injured linebacker Ryan Shazier and joined in the party. An emotionally draining week for the Steelers ended with Shazier recovering from spinal surgery in a nearby hospital but still very much in the middle of things. Just like always. “We love our brother,” Roethlisberger said. “We wanted to get this one for him, and I’m glad we did.” Barely. The Steelers (11-2) blew an early 14-point lead and found themselves trailing by 11 going into the fourth before exploding for 19 points over the final 15 minutes, the last three coming on Chris Boswell’s 46-yard field goal with 42 seconds left. “I think championship teams find ways to win,” Roethlisberger said. Having an offense that is starting to peak after a sleepy start certainly helps. Roethlisberger threw for 506 yards and two scores to become the first player in NFL history to go over 500 yards passing three times in his career. Antonio Brown caught 11 passes for 213 yards to fuel an MVP candidacy that no longer feels so far-fetched, including gains of 57 and 34 yards in the fourth to spark Pittsburgh’s comeback and running back Le’Veon Bell finished with 125 total yards and three scores. “It’s an amazing feeling, especially for Ryan Shazier,” Brown said. “One of our brothers couldn’t be out here today. Obviously, he is watching.” Shazier suffered his injury in the first quarter of a victory over Cincinnati last Monday. He underwent surgery on Wednesday and Roethlisberger visited him on Thursday. “When you walk in and see him and see the smile and give him a huge, it really has taken that weight off and let us breathe a little easier,” Roethlisberger said. The Steelers have done their best to let Shazier know is very much a part of their run. Linebacker James Harrison borrowed a page from Shazier’s pregame routine and warmed up shirtless even with the temperature hovering around freezing. Shazier’s helmet and jersey spent the game on the bench and several Steelers wore cleats with a special design featuring Shazier’s face and the popular #Shalieve hashtag. “It was very emotional,” linebacker Arthur Moats said. “Any time you can bring something to him that brings him some type of joy, some type of happiness, that’s good. At the end of the day we’re just trying to make sure he’s good.” RAVENS ROCKED Baltimore (7-6) meanwhile, saw its surge back to contention blunted after its defense spent the fourth quarter fruitlessly chasing Brown from one side of the field to the other. “This is going to sting for a while,” Ravens safety Eric Weddle said. “Especially the guys on defense because we care so much and we hold ourselves to a high standard.” The Ravens certainly didn’t meet it after giving up 545 yards to the Steelers. Pittsburgh scored on its last four possessions. It’s not like the Steelers were taking advantage of a short field. All eight of their scoring drives went at least 50 yards, including two of 80 or more. “I think in the fourth quarter the defense dropped the ball tonight,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “That’s kind of been our thing all year, consistency.” SUPER SHOWDOWN The win sets up the AFC game of the year next Sunday when Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots visit. New England beat the Steelers twice last season, including a lopsided 36-17 blowout in the AFC title game. “We’re going to give respect where respect is due now,” Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey said. “But they’re not Superman. They lost this season, right?” ALL-AROUND EFFORT Brown, Bell and Roethlisberger hardly did it alone. Boswell has hit four game-winning field goals in the final minute in four of Pittsburgh’s past five games. Tight ends Jessie James and Vance McDonald combined for 14 receptions for 149 yards. Even fullback Roosevelt Nix got in on the act, scoring his first career touchdown on a 1-yard reception in which he basically pulled the ball off Baltimore safety Tony Jefferson’s chest as they tussled in the end zone. “AB is gonna do what he do, I’m going to do what I do, Ben’s gonna do what he do,” Bell said. “But it’s the guys who don’t get the credit always that are the ones making the plays.” UP NEXT Baltimore: Needs to win out if it wants to reach the postseason. The good news? Their final three opponents are a combined 8-34, including the 0-13 Cleveland Browns, who the Ravens visit next Sunday. Pittsburgh: The Steelers have beaten Brady at Heinz Field just once in his career, a victory in the 2011 regular season. ___ For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman might want to ask some questions if she tries to borrow someone’s urine again to pass a drug test. WTOV-TV reports 24-year-old Kiana Wallace was sentenced to 18 months in prison Monday, in eastern Ohio’s Belmont County, after submitting a borrowed urine sample that tested positive for drugs. Wallace pleaded guilty earlier this month to attempted tampering with evidence. Judge Frank Fregiato called the failed urine swap “bizarre” and told Wallace he wouldn’t allow her to make a mockery of the drug and alcohol testing system. Records show Wallace was sentenced to six months in jail followed by probation in January 2017 for drug possession. Wallace’s public defender declined to comment Tuesday.

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — A morgue official in Sierra Leone’s capital says more than 200 bodies have been brought in following heavy flooding and mudslides. Sinneh Kamara, a coroner technician at the Connaught Hospital mortuary, told the national broadcaster early Monday that the number of corpses brought in has overwhelmed the facility. He told the Sierra Leone National Broadcasting Corp. that bodies were on the floor of the morgue. Kamara also called on the health department to deploy more ambulances, saying his mortuary only has four. Footage on television showed family members digging through mud in a desperate bid to free their loved ones. Many of the impoverished areas of Sierra Leone’s capital are close to sea level and have poor drainage systems, exacerbating flooding during this West African country’s rainy season.

The new chief of Lincolnshire Police has described the force as coming to a ‘crossroads’ as it awaits a Government announcement over funding. Chief Constable Bill Skelly, who officially took on his role on February 1, said the Government’s decision over funding will create two options for police bosses. He said: “We will know a lot more as to what the impact of that will be towards the end of spring/start of summer. “That will be a crossroads because either it will allow us to continue to have the resources that we have in terms of people and blue lights or we will need to have a review of where we are in the next three-four years.” He said, however, that he would be looking to maintain officer numbers. Mr Skelly joined the force from Devon and Cornwall Police, where he had been Deputy Chief Constable since December 2013. He said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The last seven days have been a really warm welcome and it’s been really good to meet some of the partners as well. “It was also an amazing start as we had Princess Anne visit headquarters on the same day.” Mr Skelly has started exploring his new territory and has already met with officers in the custody suite at Boston. “I’m still in the process of exploring the area and getting out within towns and local villages,” he said. “I’m very much at the start of the process.” Mr Skelly thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, who has recently agreed to a 1.9 per cent increase in the police precept, and his predecessor Neil Rhodes. He said he was privileged to have joined ‘at this time’. Recent HMIC inspections have gone ‘very well’ he observed and he said he would be looking at a number of issues - guided by the public. “I’d be very keen to hear from members of the public and our partners as I go around the county on how we can work together to reduce those issues,” he said. He added: “Many of these issues are long standing and won’t necessarily cease to be or dealt with overnight.” He doesn’t feel that having a uniform on the street is necessarily the best way to increase visibility - with other methods such as social media being used instead. He said: “Visibility is an important element to the service in Lincolnshire that can take many forms, not just someone in a florescent jacket walking down the street. “It’s not necessarily the best use of resource to reduce crime or harm. “It’s a conversation I’m expecting to have and will welcome having to reassure communities the service is looking to be more visible but that doesn’t necessarily mean people walking round in visible jackets.” Mr Skelly acknowledged that many issues faced around the county are also faced in other parts of the country, for example by farming communities. He added: “Hare coursing is an area of priority concern.” He also said the force would be looking at how they can better work with partner organisations to intervene in some issues, such as those involving alcohol. Mr Skelly praised a downward trend in crime figures nationally, and said Lincolnshire was doing ‘fantastically well as a force area’. He said a rise in recorded violent crime was impacted by offences such as bullying and harassment, which are now classed as violent crimes.

Lincolnshire’s deputy Police and Crime Commssioner has taken on a role in a national campaign fighting to prevent vulnerable people falling prey to scams. Deputy PCC Stuart Tweedale has taken on a role in the Friends Against Scams campaign as one of only 45 SCAMbassadors across the UK. Friends Against Scams aims to inspire action, highlight the scale of the problem, change the perceptions of why people fall victim to scams and make scams a local, regional and national topic. The role of SCAMbassadors, is to use their influence to raise the profile of this problem amongst agencies and the local residents in a drive to prevent people falling victim. Each year cons cause cost UK residents between £5bn and £10bn. In addition to the financial impact, scams can have a severe emotional and psychological impact on victims. Mr Tweedale will be touring the East Linsdsey area with PCSO Nigel Wass and Principle Trading Standards Officer Emma Milligan on Tuesday August 22 to warn local communities about the dangers and methods of these tricksters. “I am honoured to have been selected to take on this role. I have been passionate about tackling the dangers of scams for years and delighted I can now play a role in this campaign,” said Mr Tweedale. “The people who are behind these cons are despicable. They deliberately prey on the most vulnerable in society and those that become victims are less able to cope with both the financial and emotional damage caused. “It is a problem that we must stamp out and I will be doing everything in my power to inform people, influence agencies and support those tackling the issue to eradicate it from society.” Louise Baxter, Team Manager, National Trading Standards Scams Team said: “The tactics used by scammers leave victims socially isolated and ashamed of telling their friends and families what’s really going on behind closed doors. “It is fantastic to have such an influential figure in the community to help us tackle this problem on a local, regional and national level and I would encourage all those that are interested in showing their support to join the campaign and be part of our growing SCAMbassador network.”

Psychic Sally Morgan is on the road for a record-breaking tenth consecutive year to bring amazing moments and spooky insights to audiences, including Lincoln on Tuesday, November 14. Sally Morgan’s 2017 tour, “Kisses to Heaven”, builds on her years of experience as the UK’s most popular touring medium. She is back for her tenth year in front of live audiences sharing her remarkable gift in a show which is unique to every venue, bringing her trademark sense of fun and intrigue in an interactive stage show that will leave New Theatre Royal Lincoln audiences gobsmacked. Sally said: “Be ready for tears, laughter and a journey into the unknown. “I am so looking forward to seeing my fans at Lincoln for what will be an unforgettable evening for all.” Sally’s emotional sell out theatre shows were the subject of Sky LIVING’s hugely popular television series Psychic Sally: On The Road, which followed her gruelling tour schedule showcasing her phenomenal ability to speak with people beyond the grave. She was also the star of ITV’s Star Psychic and has written several best-selling books, including the latest instalment of her amazing life story Call Me Psychic. Her straight-talking, down-to-earth style and bubbly personality demystifies the world of spirit and she is credited with bringing mediumship into the 21st Century. Sally had her first psychic experience at the age of four when she saw her first ghost and has grown up with the ability to receive messages from spirit world. It is well-known that she read for Princess Diana for over four years and she has given readings for countless celebrities and public figures. She has been linked with stars such as George Michael, Katie Price and Helen Flanagan. She has appeared on television shows such as Loose Woman, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, Celebrity Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Juice. “My Ability” Sally explained “Allows me to harness the energy around individuals in the audience and pass on messages from their loved ones who have passed with incredible accuracy. “I call every message validated a wonder moment. So take your seats relax, be open minded and ready to come forward if you think the message is for you. “Sometimes messages are shocking, sometimes they are heart-breaking and sometimes they are just plain bizarre, but they are always entertaining and ultimately hopefully the audience will be uplifted and leave full of hope.” To buy tickets, priced at £25, visit www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk or call 01522 519999.

The Met Office is warning there may be more snow on the way in eastern and south Midland areas today and have extended the area and timeframe where it may fall. A spokesman for the Met office said: "With cold conditions and some snow lying over parts of England, as well as further rain pushing in from the southeast during the second half of the night, icy stretches have formed on untreated surfaces. "At the same time some snow will fall over parts of southeast England this morning and early afternoon as well as over parts of East Anglia in the afternoon. However, most accumulations here should be above about 100 m. "This is only a low impact warning with impacts much less widespread and less significant than across parts of England and Wales on Sunday. "This is an update to extend the warning into Monday afternoon, pull this a little southwards and to make this a combined snow and ice warning."

Rural crime cost Lincolnshire a staggering £2.5m in 2016, up five per cent from £2.4m in 2015. The figures form part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report, published today, revealing that despite the UK seeing a 4 per cent drop last year, the cost of rural theft has risen sharply in the first half of 2017. According to NFU Mutual’s 2017 Rural Crime Report, early theft claims statistics for the first half of this year show a sharp rise of over 20 per cent nationally, raising concerns that a new wave of rural crime is hitting the countryside. The items most commonly targeted by thieves across Lincolnshire over the last 12 months were ATV (all terrain vehicles) and quad bikes, tools and 4x4s. Sue Green, NFU Mutual Senior Agent in Lincolnshire, said: “Although the figures for rural crime in Lincolnshire are down, countryside criminals continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment. “In some parts of the county, farmers are having to turn their farmyards into fortresses to protect themselves from repeated thieves who are targeting quads, tractors and power tools. They are using tracking devices on tractors, video and infra-red surveillance in their farm yards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers.” The report reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas, according to the leading rural insurer. Criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, quad bikes, tractors, tools and livestock despite increased security on farms. Sue added: “The threat of becoming a victim of rural crime, and regular reports of suspicious characters watching farms is causing high levels of anxiety amongst farmers who know their rural location makes them vulnerable to attacks. “Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police.” • For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area, view and download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime

One of the region’s leading property lawyers, Wilkin Chapman Solicitors, has warned of a ‘tidal storm’, which is set to hit the buy-to-let market. Reports suggest that the number of landlords planning to reduce their property portfolios has hit a 10-year high – a trend which the National Landlords Association attributes to tax changes. The changes include the withdrawal of mortgage interest relief for high and additional tax payers, a three per cent surcharge on purchases of additional property, and the introduction of a ban on up-front letting fees for tenants. Before April 2017, landlords could deduct their mortgage interest costs from their income when calculating their tax bill. And up until now, tenants have tended to foot the bill for tenancy agreements, referencing and credit checks. But under the announced changes, these costs will be passed on to landlords, explains Jonathan West, a Partner and specialist in property related litigation at Wilkin Chapman solicitors. “Many landlords have taken advantage of low interest rates over the last 12 years and have bought buy to let properties with the benefit of a mortgage. “The return on investment was worthwhile when interest payments could be offset for tax purposes. “The changes mean some landlords could actually be losing money now. “There are options to restructure a property portfolio for example setting up a company if you a landlord with a number of properties rented out.” These changes come on top of landlords’ fears over the implications of the Universal Credit roll-out. Mr West said: “The well-documented concern for all landlords is that these changes could result in an increase in the number of possession claims for ‘rent arrears’.” He explained how landlords may well look at other legal measures open to them to manage tenants who build up arrears. These options include the serving of a ‘Section 8 Notice’, which allows for swifter eviction of tenants if they have accrued arrears over a two month/eight-week period. Mr West said: “Many landlords are aware of their right to claim possession of a property using the Section 21 Notice - giving a tenant two months’ notice to leave. “However, when a tenant is in arrears it would be understandable for any landlord to consider how, giving them at least a further two months in the property, will only serve to increase the losses, and this is where the Section 8 Notice comes in. “Overall, there are certainly some challenges faced by this sector, which – combined with a relatively fragile housing market and continuing uncertainty over Brexit – could prove too many waves for a number of landlords to be able to ride it out. “Seek out good professional advice - to look at options to safeguard businesses in the future. “As a nation, it must be ensured that good quality provision is offered in the rental property sector.”

Weddings can be expensive affairs but high street retailer B&M has released a new selection of wedding accessories to make your big day that bit more affordable with prices starting at just one pound. The new wedding range includes items to take shoppers from the hen do to the ceremony with novelty selfie wedding props (£1.49) and wooden ‘love’ confetti (£1.49) all included. The range also includes white rose button (two pack) for £2.49 and even a wedding bouquet for just £1.00. The discount retailer is also selling ‘Happily Ever After’ wedding flutes for £5.99 so couples can raise a toast to celebrate their nuptials. The latest bridal accessories comes after its competitor Poundland launched a wedding range last year.

You’re going to have yourself a time. There have been plenty of games in the past which have merely piggybacked on the name of a TV show or movie. The role play element allows lots of depth with you levelling up powers and gaining team mates along the way to help you take on enemies like the Sixth Graders. Damien Lucas, gaming columnist Some of them have been epic - think Die Hard - others epic fails - think E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (one for the 80s gamers out there). I can happily report that South Park: The Fractured But Whole sits comfortably in the former. Having not read much on the new South Park game in the build up to its release and not being a die hard fan of South Park - although I loved it as a teenager - I wasn’t sure what to expect from the game. But from the off the toilet humour jokes and sketches hit the spot and the graphics were as good as the cartoon series. You take the role of the new kid thrust into a neighbourhood battle of monumental proportions. With an entire town of people to meet for selfies to increase your status and a costume wardrobe bigger than a Lady Gaga concert, South Park has lots to offer. The role play element allows lots of depth with you levelling up powers and gaining team mates along the way to help you take on enemies like the Sixth Graders. There are plenty of places to search for collectibles to help you craft items which aid in your battles and boost your power. There are also secret locations to find for items and of course the obligatory quest items to collect. If all of this isn’t enough then you can always visit various locations to use their toilets to do a number two using a combination of stick movements and button taps (yes seriously). Overall South Park The Fractured But Whole is a South Park fans’ dream. There are plenty of jokes along the way and the actual gameplay mechanics and combat system holds up against some of the top games in the class with some amazing super powers to behold.

A tribute band to Pink Floyd are coming to Lincoln, the former home of keyboardist in the band. What The Floyd will be at New Theatre Royal Lincoln this Sunday, November 19, at 7.30pm. The band are the brainchild of Australian guitarist and Pink Floyd authority Daniel Bowles. What the Floyd will have audiences rocking out to classic hits from the iconic progressive rock group, Pink Floyd. They have been playing to packed houses across the UK and this is their first trip to Lincoln, however Richard who plays the Keyboard in the band has lived in Lincoln so is very excited to be returning with his band. The band has a reputation for a uniquely energetic and accurate recreation of the Floyd sound. Using high technology and a fantastic light show, their set features all the hits, and a few rarities, including Another Brick in the Wall, Money, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here and Comfortably Numb. What the Floyd’s mission is to capture the true sonic experience of an original Pink Floyd concert and prides itself on meticulous attention to sonic detail and breath-taking, energetic performances. Escape the machine and take a trip back in musical time and space with this fantastic show at New Theatre Royal Lincoln. To buy tickets, priced at £18, visit www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk or 01522 519999. Alternatively you can visit the box office at the theatre in Clasketgate to book.

HRH The Prince of Wales was greeted with smiles and flags on his visit to Tattershall Castle and the neighbouring Holy Trinity Church this afternoon (Monday). Prince Charles first enjoyed a tour of the castle, where he admired historic graffiti scratched into the stonework and viewed tapestries. HRH Prince Charles in Tattershall. Prince Charles then climbed to the very top of the castle to take in the majestic views of Coningsby and Tattershall itself. Maggie Everington, the visitor experience and volunteering manager at Tattershall Castle, said: “It is brilliant to have him here but also, as he is the president of the National Trust, it’s even more important that he has come to see what is a very important site and part of our portfolio. “It’s been great to have him here as support for us and so we can tell him all the fantastic things we have been doing.” On his arrival, Prince Charles was greeted by pupils from Highlees Academy, in Peterborough, who donned homemade crowns for the occasion. HRH Prince Charles in Tattershall. One pupil said: “We gave him our letters, we wrote questions about what it is like to be a King and what it is like in Buckingham Palace.” Another said: “It was amazing (to meet Prince Charles).” Following his tour of the castle, Prince Charles visited the nearby Holy Trinity Church. He met school children from Tattershall and members of the Bain Valley Group. HRH Prince Charles in Tattershall. The Rev Sue Allison accompanied Prince Charles during his tour of the historic church. Rev Allison said: “It was an absolute honour and pleasure to meet him and show him our wonderful church. “It is a real honour to think he would want to come to our beautiful church.” Pupils from Tattershall Primary presented Prince Charles with a homemade ‘bat box’ - paying homage to the hundreds of bats which call Holy Trinity Church their home. HRH Prince Charles in Tattershall. Catherine Richardson, deputy head teacher at the school, said: “The children are very excited about meeting Prince Charles.” • See more in this week’s Horncastle News.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill has again called on health bosses to reveal their plans for the future of services in the county in more detail following Tuesday’s CQC report. ULHT was rated as ‘requiring improvement’ overall following inspections which took place earlier this year. It actually received ‘good’ ratings in 72% of the inspection areas, but this was not enough to move the trust up more than a notch. The report has seen the trust say it is ‘moving in the right direction’, however it remains in special measures. Speaking on Tuesday, County Council leader Martin Hill praised the good news, however, he said the report demonstrated “what we already know about our hospitals in Lincolnshire.” He said it was ‘encouraging’ to see the trust progressing. However, he said: “I think there still remains a concern particularly at Boston around children’s services and indeed some issues at Lincoln. “It is good that there’s good progress, and they are beginning to get themselves into a better place.” He added recruitment was still the major problem the trust has, but repeated that it was ‘imperative, now more than ever’ that future plans for services were revealed. The Sustainability and Trasformation Plan (STP) process started in 2016, but health bosses said it won’t be ready until 2019, despite £1.2 million being spent on it already. Martin Hill said: “If you want to sort out recruitment and give confidence to the public and to employees, please come out with your plans for the future so there is confidence that there is a good NHS services in the future. “I do get get frustrated that nationally the NHS takes some time to bring forward plans. Things will be different, but if you’re going to have to change, be open about it and come forward as soon as possible with what you’re planning to do.” In the CQC report Lincoln County Hospital was rated overall as ‘requires improvement, and Boston as ‘inadequate’, while Grantham and Louth were both rated as ‘good’. The comments follow a letter sent by Councillor Hill and leader of South Kesteven District Council Councillor Matthew Lee on Monday asking them to reveal their plans for the future of Grantham A&E, which remains closed at night due to staffing shortages.

Lincolnshire Police have launched an investigation after three people wearing masks assaulted a taxi driver in Mablethorpe. Police say the incident happened at around 11.45pm on Monday, July 2, at the entrance to Mablethorpe Caravan and Chalet Park, in Links Avenue. According to Lincolnshire Police, the driver was in his vehicle when three people, all wearing black hoodies and masks, ran towards it. They then smashed the driver side window and windscreen of the taxi, with the weapon believed to be a baseball bat. The men then used the same weapon to hit the driver on the head several times before running off. Police say the driver sustained bruising, swelling and cuts to the side of his face. Lincolnshire Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or saw three people in the area before or after the attack to email force.control@lincspolice.pnn.police.uk with incident number 553 of July 2 in the subject line. You can also call 101 quoting the above incident number, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Almost a dozen deaths on roads in south-east Lincolnshire have contributed to the highest number of fatalities in the county for a decade, new figures have shown. The number of people killed on the county’s roads during 2016 were 59, according to figures from Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. It represents the worst death toll since 2007 when 79 people died, but falls well short of the 2003 total when 104 people were killed. Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, Operational Lead for Roads Policing at the East Midlands Operational Support Service which serves Lincolnshire, said: “It’s been a particularly bad year on the roads in Lincolnshire during 2016. “Although the number of people seriously injured has fallen, the number of fatalities has gone up and, individually, each one of these is a tragedy for the families concerned. “There is no single cause that we can put our fingers on but when we do investigate collisions, there are usually two or more factors that have come together, including an element of inattention or a fault on the part of the driver. There is no single cause that we can put our fingers on but when we do investigate collisions, there are usually two or more factors that have come together Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, Operational Lead for Roads Policing at the East Midlands Operational Support Service “In the majority of cases, it’s the driver who makes an error and we do see that older road users, pedal cyclists and motor cyclists are over-represented in road traffic collisions. “But equally, the younger, more inexperienced road user is someone we need to be renewing our efforts to educate.” Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “All deaths on the roads are tragic and our thoughts are with those who have lost someone. “We take road safety extremely seriously and spend millions of pounds each year on keeping our highways in good condition. “After any serious accident, we carry out an investigation with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) to see whether anything can be done to prevent future ones. “However, this year we haven’t really found any common factors between the accidents we have seen and although there has been a rise in fatalities this year, we are still well below the 80 to 100 deaths we were seeing annually at the start of the millennium. “However, we will be working with our colleagues at the LRSP to ensure that the downward trend continues.”

Louth motorcycle racer Peter Hickman maintained his stunning form by cleaning up at Ulster GP with four wins and a second place. Following from his British Superbikes victory at Thruxton by claiming with the Man of the Meeting award for the second weekend running aboard the Smiths Racing BMW at the high-profile international road race meeting. Hickman said: “A massive thanks to the team as everything’s been spot on throughout. “I’m obviously over the moon with a hat-trick of wins in what were extremely tough, close races and that’s always the case at the Ulster GP. “To win a race here, you know you’ll have to fight all the way to the end and getting a break is near impossible.” He took a lights to flag victory in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race on Thursday and became the world’s fastest road racer when he set a new outright lap record of 134.210mph. Next up was the six-lap Superstock race where he got away quickly with Dean Harrison. The Lincolnshire rider pulled clear from Harrison and brought the Smiths Racing BMW home for his second win of the weekend. In the first of two Supersport races, Bruce Anstey was quicker out of the blocks but Hicky, on the Smith’s Racing Iron Maiden Trooper Beer Triumph, took the lead halfway around the first lap. The pair pulled away from the pack and places were frequently exchanged until the final lap when Hicky went ahead at Deer’s Leap and held his line at Lindsay hairpin to win by just a 10th of a second. The day’s big race was the Superbike race and Hicky got the hole shot from Conor Cummins, Bruce Anstey, Dean Harrison and Dan Kneen in a five-man break. Cummins took the lead and then Anstey before Hicky took over in a close and exciting race. But Anstey just staved off a last corner attack from Hickman to take the win by two 10ths of a second. The second Supersport race was just as close as the first with Hickman leading from Michael Dunlop and Anstey. A red flag halted the race and at the restart Dunlop hit the front, but Hicky snatched the lead away mid-lap. He led throughout, but was chased all the way by Harrison, Anstey and Lee Johnston with just half-a-second separating the four riders. But Hickman held off the challenge to cross the finish line just 0.3secs ahead of Anstey, with Harrison following in third. The final race of the day didn’t go to plan when Hickman got the hole shot and built a small lead, but the BMW engine let go and he was forced to pull in. Hickman returns to domestic duty this weekend in the MCE British Superbikes at his home track of Cadwell Park. Timetable: Friday - free practice one 10.15am, free practice two 3.15pm; Saturday – free practice three 10.05am, qualifying 4.02pm; Sunday – warm-up 9.40am, race one over 18 laps 1.30pm, race two 4.30pm.

Police are appealing for help in tracing a missing man last seen two days ago in the Billingay area. Glenn Brookes, 27, is said by police to have been last seen on Billinghay High Street on April 22. Mr Brookes, who lives in Lincoln, has links to Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Norfolk. If you do know where he is, contact Lincolnshire Police by email: force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk adding crime reference 57 of April 22 in the subject box. Or you can call 101, quoting the incident number. Or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Have your say The results of the recent poultry show at Revesby, staged by the East of England Poultry Club, have been published. There were 118 entries with 30 plates of eggs, plus four different breeds of geese. It was a repeat of the results at Heckington show the previous weekend. The Betts from Yarborough won all the sections, except the rare breeds. • Champion: black Pekin bantam shown by Richard Bett, from Yarborough near Louth. • Reserve Champion: A birchenModern Game bantam, from Richard Bett. • Best Waterfowl: white call duck from Richard Bett. • Best Large Fowl: Gold Brahma from Richard Bett. • Best Bantam: Gold Brahma bantam from Richard Bett. • Best Juvenile: James Bett with a white call duck. • Juvenile Reserve: James Bett with a Gold Brahma bantam. • Best Rare Breed: Sandie Hildreth with a white Sultan male. • Best Eggs: Sandie Hildreth with a painted egg. • Best Juvenile egg: Jennifer Dixon, from Stixwold, with a decorated egg.

The family of 29-year-old Gareth Bailey, whose death last week sparked a murder investigation in Ingoldmells, have paid tribute to their ‘wonderful’ son. The statement, released today (Monday), said: “Gareth was a wonderful, go happy man. “His heart was always in the right place, he was loved by everyone who knew him and lived every day to its fullest. “He lived for his three children, cherished his brother James, his beautiful sister Rachael, and did anything for his mum and dad. “We are going to miss you and love you very dearly. Rest in peace son, forever in our hearts.” Steven Feeley, 39, of Eudo Road, Skegness is accused of the murder of Gareth Bailey in Chapman Court, Ingoldmells, on December 6. A 25-year-old woman who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released from police custody, but remains under investigation.

1829 - The first regular scheduled bus service in Britain began. It ran between Marylebone Road and the Bank of England in London. 1848 - The Communist Manifesto was published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. 1892 - James Kier Hardie became Britain’s first Socialist MP. 1918 - Bolsheviks killed Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family. 1941 - Coal rationing began. 1952 - Britain scored its first No 1 hit in the United States, with Vera Lynn’s ‘Auf Wiedersehn Sweetheart’. 1954 - Fourteen years of food rationing in Britain ended when restrictions on the sale and purchase of meat and bacon were lifted. 1981 - Britain’s worst week of rioting began in Toxteth, Liverpool. A number of copycat riots followed. 1981 - After a string of 41 victories, Bjorn Borg’s record-breaking Wimbledon run ended when he was beaten by John McEnroe. 1984 - Dog licences were abolished. 1999 - David Beckham married Victoria Adams. 2001 - An American patient became the first person to receive a totally mechanical heart replacement.

When clearing up common garden weeds, the last thing you expect to find is a rare sculpture - which could have been hidden for half a century. Discovered recently in the Louth area, the ceramic piece of The Lily Maid is said to be the work of English sculptor Gilbert Bayes. It is now set to go up for auction in Lincoln on July 18 and could make between £2,000-£5,000. Alastair McPhie-Meiklejon, Art and antiques specialist from Golding Young & Mawer said the condition of the piece was ‘remarkable’, but added it was designed as an outside piece, so it was expected to have weathered well. He said that it probably had a lot of protection from the overgrowth of the weeds. The vendors’ grandparents enjoyed collecting art, but had no idea this piece even existed until it was found. Mr McPhie-Meiklejon added: “Gilbert Bayes only produced limited numbers of items at best and we still don’t know for sure how many pieces are out there. “This piece is absolutely beautiful. “Whilst this isn’t the most valuable thing we have ever found, it really is very exciting. “Afterall it is a stunning piece of work by one of Britain’s most celebrated ceramicists.” 1For more information about the auction, visit: https://goldingyoung.com.

A repeat offender from Louth with a ‘total disregard for the law’ has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after being caught drink-driving, and driving while disqualified. Carl Adam Chappell, 31, of Bowers Avenue, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court last Monday (May 21) where he pleaded guilty to the two offences. Chappell pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Bolingbroke Road, Louth, on May 15 - despite being within the operational period of a driving ban due to previous similar offences. For this offence, Chappell was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison due to the serious and repeated nature of the offence. The court stated that his ‘total disregard for the law’ was taken into account for sentencing, adding that this was the sixth time Chappell had been convicted of this type of offence. Chappell was handed an 18 month driving ban and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge for this offence. He picked up a further six month driving ban after he also pleaded guilty to drink driving in New Lane, Louth, on May 20, with 83 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Chappell’s imprisonment comes just weeks after he last completed a custodial sentence for similar offences, having been sentenced to 22 weeks in prison at the same court in December last year. Following Chappell’s conviction last week, Lincolnshire Police Sergeant Mike Templeman tweeted: “A male from Louth has just been convicted at court and received 18 weeks in prison for driving whilst disqualified and driving over the prescribed limit for alcohol after only just being released from prison for the same offences, meaning safer roads. Some people never learn!” Sgt Templeman signed off his tweet with the hashtag ‘Fatal 4’, in reference to the four main causes of fatalities on the roads: motorists travelling at excessive speed; motorists who fail to wear a seatbelt; motorists who drink and drive; and motorists who use their mobile phone while driving.

Ann Boulton rounds up the Lincs ECB Premier action... As Bracebridge Heath marched on at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League, Grantham and Bourne hung on to second and third places by the skin of their teeth. Grantham scored a one run victory over Sleaford while Bourne’s win against Lindum came off the penultimate ball of the match. At Gorse Lane, a sixth wicket partnership of 62 between Dan Webb and James Keast helped Grantham to 224 for eight after tight bowling from Sleaford had restricted the run rate. Webb hit 66 but Sleaford also found batting form on Grantham’s good track, Andy Hibberd putting together stands of 49 with Jack Wilson and 72 with Shaun Morris. When Hibberd went for 93, Sleaford needed 17 to win off 21 balls but with two runs needed to win off the final delivery, Adi Sreeharan was run out, giving Grantham the narrowest of victories. At Lindum, Richard Bishop hit 61 of the home side’s 165 for eight while Tom Lindsay was unbeaten on 41 at the close. Bourne were 66 for three when Sam Evison and Carl Wilson got together to add 48, but the next three wickets went for just five runs, including Evison for 44. Quewin O’Connor and Rob Bentley added 26 and Tom Dixon then joined O’Connor to inch his side towards a three-wicket victory which came of the fifth ball of the final over. Spalding scored a welcome win over Alford, who bowled the home side out for 167 only to collapse to 94 all out. Spalding stay bottom, having been deducted points for playing an ineligible player, but Grimsby Town are still in danger in 11th place following defeat at Market Deeping. Ali Sharpe took five wickets as Grimsby were bowled out for 133 and Nick Green added another 72 to his growing total of runs as Deeping claimed a four wicket win. Boston moved up a place in the table after Paul Deans took five Woodhall Spa wickets to help bowl the home side out for 171, a total Boston overtook for the loss of six wickets. Bracebridge Heath once again topped the 300 mark at Louth, Matt Lineker hitting 118 and Matt Carter 69 in their side’s total of 337 for seven. The home side were then bowled out for 110, Alex Willerton taking five wickets. Results: Bracebridge Heath 337-7 (Lineker 118, M Carter 69), Louth 110 (Willerton 5-30); Grantham 224-8 (Webb 66), Sleaford 223-8 (Hibberd 93); Grimsby 133 (Sharp 5-50), Market Deeping 135-4 (N Green 72); Lindum 165-8 (Bishop 61), Bourne 169-7; Woodhall Spa 171 (Deans 5-49), Boston 172-6; Spalding 167, Alford 94.

Have your say An artist from New Zealand is set to be performing in Louth - promoting her new album ‘Preservation’ as she embarks on her European summer tour. Nadia Reid will be at the Pump House in Thames Street, Louth on Sunday, August 20. Her beautifully warm vocals coolly wrap around feelings of turbulence, and exude a gently improved confidence. Her performance at the Pump House will kick off from 7pm.

Enjoy a journey through the history of upholstery in the UK by visiting the latest exhibition at the National Centre for Craft and Design (NCCD) in Sleaford. Second Sitters present Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution, at the NCCD, in Navigation Wharf, until Sunday, April 15. A spokesman from the NCCD said: The show maps the changes within upholstery since it was formalised as a ‘trade’ almost 700 years ago and includes techniques, materials and upholsterers stories. Works in the exhibition include furniture, photography and film. Featured upholsters include Jude Dennis, Hannah Stanton, Polly Granville, Miss Pokeno, Electra Read-Dagg, Mick Sheridan and Guerilla Upholsterer to name a few. Workshops and sessions will be taking place at the NCCD alongside the latest exhibition. These include a half-term family workshop, drawing classes, a footstool upholstery masterclass, chair caning and much more for visitors and art lovers to enjoy. For more information, or to book your place at a workshop visit www.nccd.org.uk or call 01529 308710. The exhibition is supported using public funding by the National Lottery, through Arts Council England.

The most famous bagpipe band on the planet is taking to the stage at Lincoln’s Drill Hall this month. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers bring bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent in a show that carries its own health warning. Since their formation in 2002, the band’s achievements have reached incredible heights with their ground breaking fusion of traditional Scottish music and rock/pop Anthems which they proudly call “Bagrock”. The Chillis have collected together an impressive group of musicians from Scotland and further afield, many holding World Championship titles and all are seriously good players with impressive credentials and qualifications. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be at Lincoln’s Drill Hall on Thursday, November 16. Tickets on 01522 873894 or via www.lincolndrillhall.com

For the first time ever, more than 40,000 visitors were welcomed through their gates – a 10 per cent increase from last year. Since National Trust took on full management of the site in 2012, visitor numbers have more than tripled; which is a tremendous achievement and is hugely beneficial for the local economy. Gunby visitor experience manager Astrid Gatenby said: “We’re delighted to have broken a new record with our visitor numbers this year. “Our excellent staff team and small army of volunteers have worked their socks off to make sure visitors have a brilliant time with us. “We try to keep offering something new, like changing art exhibitions in Orchard Gallery and new and popular events, to give visitors something new to come back for. “Next year promises to be extra special for Gunby as the team will be celebrating the life of Gunby’s Emily Massingberd as part of National Trust’s national theme for 2018 ‘Women and Power’, which commemorates that a hundred years ago women got the right to vote. “Emily Massingberd was a remarkable political and social pioneer and we look forward to telling her story with special exhibitions and events from May 2018 onwards.’ Gunby Hall will now close its doors to visitors until Saturday, February 10. The season starts with a much anticipated art installation in the basement of more than 2,000 clocks called ‘Harrison’s Garden’ by artist Luke Jerram and from Monday, February 12, to Sunday, February 18, members of Gunby’s garden team will lead ever popular snowdrop walks daily at 11:30am. Booking is essential on 01754 890102. For more information about Gunby, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gunby-hall

Louth Indoor Bowls Club’s Mixed A team were crowned champions of their County League section after a 103-85 aggregate shots victory at home to Stamford. The team, captained by Alan Watson, needed 10 points from the game to go above Horncastle, but it was not an easy match against Stamford who themselves needed six points to avoid bottom spot. A pause for thought at the county finals EMN-180423-132946002 In the end, Louth won on three rinks, Allan Dent, Paul Hayman, Jean Holdsworth and Sue Page claiming the biggest margin of victory, 30-8, while the other two were won 27-22 and 18-15. With two points for a rink win, and an extra eight points for the overall aggregate, Louth finished champions by five points. * On Sunday, Louth IBC were proud hosts of the Lincolnshire Indoor Bowling Association men’s and ladies’ county finals. The 14 matches were spread across three sessions, starting at 9am and running through to 8.30pm, with the spectators treated to some excellent bowling from some of the county’s players. * The club knockout finals saw a mix of close games and comfortable wins. Tony Musson eased to a simple victory over Alan Dent (junior) in the Open Sets Singles, winning both sets, and repeated the victory against his opponent in the men’s open singles, winning 21-7. There was a simple victory for Anne Burchell and Rachael Stanley in the ladies’ pairs where they beat Carol Kelly and Jean Dracass 22-10. Rachael had earlier played in the ladies’ fours alongside Carol Smith, Liz Draper and Irene Bailey and they led 12-9 before their opponents – Gill Leverton, Carol Kelly, Barbara Shufflebotham and Tina Reeson – hit a rich vein of form to triumph 20-13.

The Evening Fours league at Louth Indoor Bowls Club has lost one of its title-chasing teams following the withdrawal of Rockset. But it has not lessened the battle for top spot as the Chalkers’ team of Russ Dent, Simon Dent, Barrie Scott and Kev Stamford maintained their three-point advantage with a 17-14 win against Humberstone. Blossom Way hung on to second spot with an important 21-18 victory over Fast Shippers who slipped one place to fourth, and APS moved up to third as they beat Wayouts 19-11. * In the Ladies’ League, Canaries opened a four-point gap at the top after surviving a fightback by Birdies to win 12-11, while Flyers beat Jaytones 13-12 to pinch second spot from their opponents. Waltham extended their lead at the top to four points as they won 19-5 against Crackerbarrels. Second-placed Castaways didn’t have a game, and Webbos moved within three points with a good 16-12 victory over JCB. In Division Two, just one point separates the top four teams as the top two both lost, with leaders Wise Guys outthought in a 16-7 defeat against third-placed Scorpions. Fledglings lost 12-8 to fourth-placed Pips. * Last Friday’s games in the Afternoon Triples saw Taylor Made take a big step towards retaining their title as they beat Poachers 17-9. They opened a nine-point gap over SOS who were beaten 20-6 by Dodgers for whom Deb and Neil Castle with Paul Smith all played well. In the second division, the battle of the top two saw Squirrels move two points clear as they enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable 22-5 win over Webbos. * The club’s Christmas party on Saturday night was well attended with excellent entertainment from vocalist Chris King. The event was well organised by club manager Simon Reeson, helped by wife Tina and the catering team.

A major new touring production of Noël Coward’s comedy masterpiece, Private Lives comes to Lincoln New Theatre Royal this month - November 16 to 18. Set in 1930 France, two newly-married couples occupy adjoining hotel honeymoon suites, but when a familiar voice singing a forgotten song is overheard, an old spark reignites, with spectacular consequences. For tickets, call the box office on 01522 519999 or visit www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk

Lincolnshire County Council has put aside more than £18.6 million to address concerns over future funding of health services in the county, despite the government’s recent promise for an extra £20 billion a year by 2023 for the NHS. Councillors on the authority’s executive committee agreed on Tuesday for £18,665,000 be put into the council’s volatility reserve which currently totals £32,340,000. Council leader Martin Hill said: “We know extra money has been allocated to the NHS and there is a concern nationally that other services are wondering whether there will be limited extra money for them. “There was some noise from defence last week, but local government is in the exact same position, so looking forward we need to be sure that we can carry on for some years to come.” He said there would be a ‘financial risk’ over the next few years, but explained local authorities were hoping the government might resolve the problem either by changing the way adult care is funded, or by continuing to respond positively to the ‘fairer funding’ campaign through which the county hopes to get a fair slice of the funding cake. He added: “Nothing is safe until it’s in the bag. There are two areas where there is hope, but with all this money going to the NHS, which we all recognise, it does mean there is a concern from the rest of the public services about where their own funding is going to come from, and extra funding is going to come from.” The council hopes to get an extra £160 million a year if its ‘fairer funding’ campaign is successful. However, it faces continued cuts in central government funding, with the £210 million grant it received in 2010 decreasing to just £20 million by 2020. Councillors also agreed to allow departments which underspent in the last financial year to keep 1% of that money. This created new reserves for highways, employee leave and schools capital projects totalling £1,188,000 and will carry forward £3,880,000 for bids including meeting insurance liabilities, supporting the council’s heritage services and work on its corporate support contract, and to address the adverse weather overspend from the harsh conditions in the past year. Daniel Jaines , Local Democracy Reporting Service

Pantomime season is upon us and there is still time to go and see a classic at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln. It tells the story of a young woman going to a royal ball, dances with a handsome prince, loses her glass slipper and then the search is on to return it to her - You’ve guessed it, it’s the story of Cinderella. But there are a few obstacles along her way, including her stepmother and stepsisters. Will she get her happily ever after? Why not find out. Tickets for the classic tale of Cinerella are still on sale up until Sunday, January 8, 2017. There are two shows on per day. The performance even includes reality star and singer Kerry Katona, who plays the fairy godmother. For ticket prices and bookings, please visit their official website: http://www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

Lincolnshire Police say no-one was seriously injured after an RTC shut a main road near Louth last evening (Monday). The incident - on the A157 at Legbourne - involved two cars and a motorbike. Emergency services - including the Lincolnshire and Notts Air Ambulance - attended the scene. According to police, the road re-opened at around 6.30pm. It was the second time the Air Ambulance had landed in the area yesterday. Earlier in the day, the crew attended what police described as a ‘medical incident’ in Mablethorpe. No further details have been revealed.

A former police officer from Louth, who was dismissed for gross misconduct following a drink-driving conviction earlier this year, has been hired in a new role with Lincolnshire Police. Rebecca Stevenson was dismissed without notice less than six weeks ago - on August 30 - after admitting gross misconduct, following a drink-driving conviction in court (July 18) following the incident in Saltfleetby on July 2. Since then, Ms Stevenson has been re-hired in a new capacity as a ‘civilian investigator’ at Louth Police Station, although this location has not been confirmed by Lincolnshire Police. Deputy Chief Constable, Craig Naylor, said: “Ms Stevenson pled guilty at magistrates court to a charge of drink-driving, and was convicted and sentenced. Ms Stevenson’s conviction for drink driving led to a disciplinary hearing chaired by the Chief Constable, at which the fact of ‘gross misconduct’ was accepted. “The outcome was that the conviction was not compatible with her role as a police constable and the warranted powers that the role holds. “She was dismissed without notice from that position. There was substantial evidence, heard in private due to its sensitive nature, that supported the view that the actions of Ms Stevenson displayed behaviour for her that was both exceptional and rare. “Lincolnshire Police takes the wellbeing of its staff very seriously, and believes that the public should be treated with empathy and compassion. “Ms Stevenson applied for a role as a member of staff and it was felt that, in this exceptional case, it was mutually beneficial for the Force and the public of Lincolnshire to put her 12 years of knowledge and experience to good effect.”

Peter Hickman battled through a difficult free practice and qualifying at Brands Hatch to record two top 10 finishes in round two of the MCE British Superbike Championship. Starting the first 30-lap encounter from a sixth row grid position on Easter Monday, the Louth racer got away to a flyer on the Smiths Racing BMW and was up into 11th by the end of the first lap. He tailed Glenn Irwin, eventually passing him on lap five and became embroiled in a battle for eighth place. He completed the race in ninth place, but his fastest lap gave him a much better grid position for race two later in the day. Once again he got away to a fantastic start, finding himself up in fourth on the first lap. He was running in close company to defending champion Shane Byrne who finally overtook him on lap 11, and one lap later Byrne’s team-mate Glenn Irwin also went past, demoting Hicky to sixth place. But Irwin crashed a few laps later, followed on the next lap by Byrne at the same spot, which gifted Hicky sixth place once again. In the final stages Honda Racing rider Dan Linfoot made a move on the Lincolnshire rider, demoting him to seventh with three laps left and he held station until the finish line for nine championship points. “I was nowhere all weekend, but on race day things started to come together and full credit to the team,” said the 30-year-old. “They worked so hard and the changes we made helped to move me forward. “During qualifying, it was really tough and I had to go well out of my comfort zone to do the lap times whereas on race day I was a lot happier. “It still wasn’t easy, but it was a lot better than it was and to say I’m pleased with the outcome would be an understatement. “I’ve done my best-ever lap of the Indy circuit and have more points than after two rounds in 2016 so we can go away happy.” Hickman moved up to fifth in the overall standings on 37 points with the next round at one of Hicky’s favourite circuits, Oulton Park, on May 1.

The annual Colin Moody Memorial five-mile road race, hosted by Cleethorpes Athletic Club, took place last Wednesday evening. This year’s event attracted 80 participants from a wide age range; the youngest competitor being 17 and the eldest 75, and is a favourite race for Mablethorpe Running Club members Sharon Margarson and Elaine Wilson. They were both delighted to cross the finish line with personal bests after many attempts at the race. Sharon finished 51st in 42min 16secs, while Elaine crossed the line 57th in 43.13. The race was won by Gary Thomas (Wolds Vets) in 27.43, and first lady back was Natalie Burns (Lincoln Wellington AC) in 29.26 for fifth overall. * Wolds Veteran Runners Club have hosted the Tealby Trail Run for many years. The challenging event, situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, raises funds for the club’s designated charity, the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The nine-mile route has beautiful scenery, but very demanding hills which, combined with the heat, tested runners to their limit. These factors did little to deter Mablethorpe RC veteran runner Janine Stones who was first lady home, and 10th overall, in 1hr 17min 35secs. Nick Martin (Caistor RC) made light work of the challenging terrain to win in a time of 1.03.52.

National news sources are claiming a feud between rival Minecraft gamers is the reason why 24,000 threatening emails were sent to schools and colleges in the UK. Hundreds of schools were on alert and some evacuated their buildings, telling parents to collect their children after receiving messages containing what police described as a “bomb hoax”. Police forces around the country have said there are not believed to be any “viable threats”. Minecraft is one of the most popular video games on the planet with more than 144 million copies sold across all platforms, making it the second best-selling video game of all time. The creative and building aspects of Minecraft allow players to build with a variety of different cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world. Other activities in the game include exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat. Following the widespread reports of bomb hoaxes across the country, Sky News is reporting that the emails were spoofed to look like they had been sent by a gaming network known as VeltPvP. The malicious emails were designed to result in the domain being suspended for abuse. VeltPvP is a Minecraft player-versus-player server - a type of server run by businesses that sell items in-game to players. Those involved in the conflict, which centres around the Velt server operators, claimed their opponents have engaged in illegal activities to harass each other.

The Prince of Wales has learned about innovations in recyclable alternatives to plastic packaging during a visit a Boston food factory this morning (Monday). As part of a tour of five locations around the eastern side of Lincolnshire, the Prince paid a visit to the Freshtime UK factory on Marsh Lane in Boston to celebrate the expansion of the business which employs 550 people locally. The Prince of Wales on his tour of Freshtime UK in Boston. The company produces convenient fresh produce and salads for high street retailers, with much of its ingredients sourced locally. Having been greeted by chairman of the business, John Richmond and Mayor of Boston, Coun Bernard Rush, His Royal Highness was keen to be shown around the departments responsible for the firm's green credentials having invested £1.5m in renovating the site, operating a zero waste to landfill policy and staff talked him through their efforts towards creating fully recyclable packaging as well as using recycled materials. It has saved 200 tons of plastic going to landfill over the past two years by changing the packaging it uses and making the plastic thinner, working with its main customers. The Prince said: "The problem is how you get the balance between convenience and finding a way of reducing plastic. The difficulty is finding an adequate alternative. Have you tried making them from waste products like tomato stalks, I have heard." Prince Charles meets Mayor of Boston Bernard Rush and Freshtime chairman John Richmond. Head of Procurement John Stokes showed packaging soon to go into a major chain of coffee shops and said: "There are three things to deal with - shelf life, people need to be able to see it and it has to transit fairly well." The Prince also met excited office staff before visiting the new product development kitchens where a range of pasta, grains, fruit and vegetable ingredients were on display. He was particularly fascinated by the rustic coloured carrots and romanesco broccoli and learning which vegetables were grown in the UK. Naturally he was keen to know what products were organic. Moving on to the factory canteen, Prince Charles met apprentices training in all sections of the business as well as a selection of long-serving staff who have been with the firm for over 20 years. To conclude he unveiled a plaque which will mark his visit to the redeveloped site. On his departure he was presented with a picture of the town by a local 75-year-old artist and a book documenting the history of the local agricultural industry before shaking hands and bidding farewell to factory workers and whizzing off by car to his next engagement at Age UK in Boston. Prince Charles tours the offices at Freshtime UK. Freshtime chairman John Richmond said it had been a 'wonderful honour' to meet the Prince: "For the people that work within the business and the community at large. "The Prince himself is very interested in agriculture and how produce gets to the consumer and he was particularly interested today how packaging was being used and what is being done to reduce the amount of plastic in packaging. "Everybody concerned is absolutely delighted that the Prince was able to spend time with us today, particularly having invested in the renovation of the factory." Technical Manager Michaela Thorpe met the Prince as part of the team that makes sure all food that leaves site if safe and of good quality and even managed to grab a Royal 'selfie' with him before his departure. She said: "We talked about the constraints on recycling and what effects that has on the food industry. The Prince learns more about recyclable packaging research Freshtime. "It has been a real honour to meet the Prince of Wales. You see him on TV a lot and you don't think you are actually going to meet him. He was such a down to earth person and engaged with a lot of staff here as well, which is really nice. If he is speaking to you, you feel you are the most important person in the room." Will Chalmers was one of the operations and manufacturing apprentices the Prince met. He said it is a university foundation degree which he hopes will see him rise through the ranks of management. He said: "I think he was quite surprised at the amount of people Freshtime has on apprenticeships as it is a business looking to invest and develop its people for the future. "He was very pleasant and very interested in what we do locally and what we do in the business. When I knew I was meeting him I was very nervous. It is such a milestone for a company like Freshtime and I think everybody has come together and embraced it." Meeting staff in the product development kitchens. Inspecting a rustic carrot. The Prince meets some of Freshtime's apprentices. The Prince puts the Freshtime apprentices at ease. Meeting more Freshtime staff in the canteen.

A chef from Louth has devised a new ‘Wimbledon-themed’ afternoon tea - and it’s just in time for the start of the championships. Renowned locally for creating seasonal and themed afternoon teas, Steven Bennett and his team of chefs have created a new menu, written by Healing Manor’s Junior Sous Chef, Daniel Parkes. The afternoon tea, which gives a delicious hit to all things tennis and summer is available now. This afternoon treat comprises seasonal and locally sourced produce and is presented in miniature, including both savoury and sweet. Sandwiches include; Scaman’s free range eggs and watercress sandwich and another British classic, coronation chicken. Other savouries include picnic staples such as pork pie, quiche and vegetable crudities with pea hummus. Junior Sous Chef Dan has created his own special recipe for a delicious Pimm’s infused jam packed with strawberry’s, orange, cucumber and a delicate hint of mint - the jam accompanies an orange blossom scone and clotted cream. Foraged from the grounds and woodland at Healing Manor, elderflower which is rife in Lincolnshire at this time of year, delicately sweetens and flavours a pistachio sponge which is decorated as a tennis court. Other sweets include a strawberry Bellini jelly as a nod to all the strawberries and champagne enjoyed at Wimbledon. A white chocolate and coconut mousse is dressed as a tennis ball and a fruity summer tart with a sweet glaze finishes off this themed afternoon tea. Whilst afternoon tea is traditional enjoyed with a pot of tea, the Manor has teamed up with Silent Pool gin to offer a gin and tonic twist, and are also featuring their newly launched tea which has been created using dehydrated botanicals used to distil their rather British gin. The Wimbledon Afternoon Tea is available Thursday–Sunday until July 22. Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian menus are also available. E For more information on price or to book: please email: charlotte@healingmanorhotel.co.uk. Or you can call the hotel on: 01472 884544.

In the wake of the heavy snowfall that descended on the UK over the weekend, experts have today (Monday) revealed the formula for building the perfect snowman. Indeed, while 92 per cent of Britons admit they love making snowmen, almost the same number, 87 per cent, don’t feel confident in their snowmanufacturing. Commissioned by MORE TH>N, mathematician Dr James Hind’s - of Nottingham Trent University - formula takes in several variables when assessing snowman supremacy, including height, number and diameters of snowball tiers, freshness and purity of snow, accessories, outdoor temperature and the ‘golden ratio’ Phi, which is used as a marker for beauty and determines the visual appeal of objects. According to his findings, the perfect snowman must: • Be precisely 1.62m in height • Be made up of three tiered balls of snow with diameters of 30cm (head ball), 50cm (body ball) and 80cm (leg ball) respectively, following the golden ratio • Wear three accessories: hat, scarf and gloves • Have three buttons on the snowman’s chest each at an equal distance from one another • Have a nose made from a carrot that is exactly 4cm long • Have eyes no more than 5cm apart • Have four distinct limbs (such as arms made from sticks or snow and cleft legs) • Be made using fresh, litter free snow that has just fallen • Be built while the outdoor temperature is at or below 0°C According to research by MORE TH>N, the majority of snowmen built in the UK don’t wear a hat (64 per cent) or scarf (59 per cent) and the average snowman height is 1.1m (3.65ft) - meaning they are 32 percent shorter than the perfect snowman calculated in Dr. Hind’s formula. MORE TH>N subsequently put the formula to the test by evaluating some of the nation’s favourite fictional snowmen against it. While Olaf from Frozen is one of the nation’s favourite snowmen, with 36 per cent of Britons favouring the popular Disney character over any other, his design is the furthest from perfection, according to the formula, with the science scoring him just 15 out of 100. Conversely, while his snowman sadly melts away at the end of the story, the little boy in The Snowman can perhaps take solace in the knowledge that the flying figure from Raymond Briggs’s classic tale is one of the closest to meeting the criteria for the perfect snowman, scoring 73 out of 100. Here are the top five fictional snowmen and how they rank against the formula: • Jack Frost (Jack Frost, 1998) - 80 • The Snowman (The Snowman, 1978) - 73 • Frosty the Snowman (Frosty the Snowman, 1969) - 49 • Leon (Elf, 2003) - 20 • Olaf (Frozen, 2013) - 15 Graham Nicholls, head of home insurance at MORE TH>N, said: “Building snowmen is one of the classic winter pastimes and a great opportunity for friends and family to come together. “What’s more, snowmen can actually help to prevent household flooding, with their shape and construction slowing the melting of snow, which subsequently reduces the amount of water produced when the temperatures rise. “The closer the snowman’s shape and size is to Dr Hind’s formula, the better its chances of curbing flood risk at home. “With this in mind, and with experts forecasting plenty of snow this year, we’d encourage households everywhere to get out in their gardens and start building the best snowmen ever.” Away from fiction, real life snowman makers have some way to go to meet the high standards of the formula. Dr James Hind, of Nottingham Trent University, said: “There are many contrasting opinions about what makes the perfect snowman, but this research should settle the debate, as it outlines the definitive blueprint for the ideal snowman according to science. “All the signs point to snow falling this festive season and hopefully this formula will see households all over the UK inspired to create mathematically marvellous snowmen.”

Dozens of military aircraft took to the skies yesterday (Tuesday) for their final rehearsals ahead of the flypast over London next week to mark the centenary of the RAF. The rehearsals took place at RAF Cranwell, near Sleaford, yesterday afternoon ahead of the main event in London next Tuesday (July 10). Around 100 aircraft, including Dakota, Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane and the Red Arrows, will fly over The Mall on the day. Meanwhile, a parade of more than 1,300 servicemen and women will take place on the ground below. The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152124001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152136001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152147001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152158001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152209001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152220001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152231001 The RAF 100 practice flight over RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire ahead of the main flypast over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 10th. EMN-180407-152242001

Lincolnshire’s Gunby Hall and Gardens is hosting its ever popular annual Apple Day this Sunday (October 8). The National Trust property in Spilsby will have impressive displays of 50 plus varieties of apples, with lots to see and sample on the day. Enjoy a fun family day out from 11am-5pm. There will also be opportunities to buy apple trees and bags of apples, freshly plucked from the trees. Furthermore, visitors can bring their own ‘mystery’ apples from their garden to have them identified by their experts, who can give advice on how to best look after the tree they came from. Trade and craft stalls will also be dotted throughout the gardens and courtyard, with something on offer for every taste. This year you can even try your hand at pressing apples and drink some fresh juice you’ve pressed yourself. Admission is £8.75 for house and gardens and £6.25 for gardens only. For more info, please visit: www.national trust.org.uk/gunby-hall.

Louth Tractors are running free ‘AFS’ training days for farm machinery operators working across Lincolnshire. The courses are on March 21 at Limber village hall and March 22 at Belchford village hall. The sessions will start at 9am. Places are limited. Email admin@louthtractors.co.uk, call 01507 605441 or visit www.louthtractors.co.uk.

Community psychiatric nurse for Louth, Mark Challinor, had the task of presenting care workers with certificates, following their completion of an Alzhemier’s disease course. Pictured with Mark at Fir Close Nursing Home at the time, raising a glass to their success was: Julia Barnes, local state enrolled nurse, Heather Collins, Sarah Martin, Sandra Smyth, Margaret Turner and matron Pam Caldicott.

For their December play, Louth Playgoers are re-telling the classic story of ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’. The new adaptation uses multi-rolling, puppetry, projection and a minimalist set to tell the story William Beech and his journey from London to Little Weirwold. Set during the dark and dangerous build-up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows sad young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside where he builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London. The show runs from Saturday, December 5 to Saturday, December 9, with performances at 7.30pm nightly, plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets from 01507 600350 or louthriverheadtheatre.com.

Concern is growing for a man missing from his home in Mablethorpe. Police are appealing to 38-year-old Michael Allen to make contact with officers so they know he is safe and well. Michael is missing from his home address in Mablethorpe and hasn’t been seen since early Thursday evening (10th August). Michael is described as a white male of stocky build and approximately 6’ 2” tall. Michael was last seen wearing a black waterproof coat, black joggers and black Nike trainers riding a blue mountain bike. Michael if you see this or if you know of Michael’s whereabouts, please contact police on 101 quoting reference: PID93081. Alternatively, you can speak with The Missing Persons Helpline on 116 000.

A local doctor has spoken of his fears for a ‘recipe for disaster’ at Louth County Hospital after claiming there were ‘no doctors available’ to deal with a baby. ‘Doctor A’, who does not wish to be identified, told the Leader that the baby had been taken to the hospital on Sunday, December 18. However, he said that there had been no doctors available at the time. He claimed that in the absence of any available doctors, the baby’s condition (which has not been revealed) was diagnosed by a nurse instead. He said that he had to re-assess the child the following day. Although there were no serious repercussions, Doctor A told the Leader that the situation could have been prevented – and condemned what he called the ‘scandal’ of insufficient NHS doctor provision. He added that with tens of thousands of people in an NHS ‘catchment area’ of hundreds of square miles, the situation was a ‘recipe for disaster’. The NHS has denied the allegations and claimed that a doctor was on duty, or available on-site, at all times on the day in question. Craig Mclean, deputy director of operations at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “Urgent care services at County Hospital, Louth, provide a doctor and advanced nurse practitioners. “The on-site Out Of Hours service provides advanced nurse practitioners overnight and an on-site doctor who can be called upon at all times if required. “On Sunday, December 18, the Urgent Care Centre provided a doctor and advanced nurse practitioner service up to 6pm. “The on-site Out Of Hours service provided advanced nurse practitioners throughout the evening and overnight plus a doctor until 6pm - with access to the doctor, who is available on-site, throughout the evening and overnight if required. “County Hospital, Louth, does not provide a paediatric service.” Mr Mclean added: “Although we are unable to comment on individual cases, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns individuals have about the care they have received in order to support our commitment to continued service improvements.”

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has welcomed a new associate non-executive director to its Board. Alan Kent brings more than 30 years’ financial expertise to the role, having worked both within the NHS and the private sector. A qualified accountant and management consultant, he has worked with most types of NHS trusts, including provider and commissioning organisations, and is also a lay member with South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group. Alan said: “I am very pleased to have joined the Board at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust and look forward to working with its teams in continuing to deliver great care, close to home. “Having previously worked with many NHS organisations, I have a good understanding of the challenges they face in delivering excellent care while ensuring good value for money.” Alan has been appointed until January 31, 2020. LCHS Chair, Elaine Baylis, said: “Our non-executive directors are responsible for scrutinising and challenging our quality, finance and performance within the trust and bring a significant amount of experience and leadership from their relevant fields of expertise. “They also play a role in acting as a liaison between the Board and our communities, visiting our teams and services and supporting patient participation, including 15 Steps visits. “We welcome Alan and look forward to working with him in the coming months.”

Experience the power of thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums, mysterious masked choreography, synchronisation timed to perfection, post-apocalyptic martial imagery and infectious humour – all in a spellbinding display of sheer energy. The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers are joined by master drummer from Japan Hiroshi Motofuji, for their November 2017 tour, which stops off at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal Tonight (Friday, November 10). Mugenkyo are the UK’s most successful touring taiko group, renowned for their high-octane energy, contemporary look & sound, and gritty passionate style. Hiroshi Motofuji is one of the top taiko artists in Japan, formerly a frontman of the world-renowned Oedo Sukeroku group, and highly regarded for both his precise technique and as a pioneer of a new hard-hitting direction in taiko currently sweeping across Japan. To buy tickets for the show visit {www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk|www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk|www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk) or call 01522 519999. Tickets cost £22, with concessions £20, children £12.

Lincolnshire Police has warned convicted drink-drivers that they will be named and shamed ahead of a county-wide campaign over the festive period. The force’s ‘Think Don’t Drink’ campaign will start on Monday 18 December and run into the New Year and will see those convicted of the offence named by the county’s officers. The identities of people found to be driving under the influence of drugs will also be released. The aim is to make people think twice before getting behind the wheel. Inspector Ewan Gell from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Drink-driving is still a problem in Lincolnshire but we are very good at catching offenders. I sincerely hope we don’t have to name a single person over these two weeks. Driving under the influence can be deadly, claims and ruins lives but is easily avoidable. “Do not consume a drop if you are driving and be wary the morning after as you could still be over the limit. If we pull you over the consequences could be a losing your licence, a criminal record or even a prison sentence.” Lincolnshire Police has made more than 1,000 arrests for drink-driving in the last year and more than 150 arrests for driving under the influence of drugs. Over the same period 706 people were charged for drink-driving and 51 for drug-driving during. A recent study by the Press Association found that the force charges more offenders than anywhere else in the UK. John Siddle from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said: “Drink drivers cannot turn back the clock however, almost all those arrested wish they could. “They stand to lose so much when they make that decision to get behind the wheel – their livelihood, life, other people’s lives and possibly their liberty if they are sent to prison. “The knock-on effects of that will be loss of job, possible loss of home (who pays the mortgage) car insurance increase, possibly a re-sit of the driving test. Despite this some people still choose to drink or drug drive, so I welcome Lincolnshire police’s decision to name those charged with driving whilst impaired, through drink or drugs, which adds to the list of deterrents already in place.” The police are asking concerned citizens to call 101 or 999 in an emergency if they suspect someone is about to drive under the influence.

Week two of the Louth Snooker league Jubilee Knockout served up joint leaders in the Town and Country Club Group. NT Shaw Citroen were held to a 6-6 draw against Louth Travel Centre, with Pete Willoughby putting the hosts in front only for Keith Ingamells to level the scores for the visitors. Sibjon Builders joined them at the summit after they won 8-4 away against Louth Building Supplies. Steven and Martin Kemplay both won for the visitors. In the other game this week, PH Mountain Cardboard Services drew 6-6 with Warren’s Team. Jack Westerby and Sid Bett got on the scoreboard for the hosts only for Tom Garlick and Craig Machin to draw the visitors level. In the Conservative Club group, there are new leaders, with Kitchen Solutions sitting top after they beat Dales Poultry and Game 7-5. Russ Howard and Chris Parker found form for the hosts before Jez Swaby pulled back two consolation frames for the visitors. Top Lads started their campaign with an 8-4 victory against Louth Volks World, with Matt Chandler and Henry McSpadden winning for the hosts. * In the Billiards Knock-out, ABC Riding Wear stayed top despite a 2-1 defeat against MA Stephensons Autos. Mike Rice put the hosts in front, only for Hayden Gavey and Brian Greenfield to clinch victory for the visitors. Marris Carpets moved up into third place after they won 2-1 away against Moran Travel. Darren Merry and Mark Parrinder gave the visitors an unassailable lead before Ray Charlton managed a consolation frame for the hosts. Henry McSpadden put Top Lads in front against Naulls and Dales, but Andy Dunn and Phil Marshall clinched a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

Origins of a new era for Assassin’s. I’m a big Assassin’s Creed fan and even I was growing tired of the copy and paste nature of the series. ACO is quite simply stunning and boasts more mission variety than any other game in the series. The new combat system is infinitely better and rewards thought over button mashing. Damien Lucas, gaming columnist Yes you could argue the formula works so why make drastic changes but it has at times felt like all that has changed is the location. Well Assassin’s Creed Origins changes all that... and then some. As far as I’m concerned this is comfortably the best, most engrossing, engaging, fluid and enjoyable Assassin’s yet in the finest setting. Egypt is brought to life in breathtaking style with great thought to the various cultures in a wonderfully well-woven storyline. The awesome level of detail and sheer expanse makes just watching someone else play an enthralling spectacle. The story and script is the bedrock of everything good about ACO, though. The lead character keeps you fully engrossed in the main story thread while there are also lots of memorable side-events and missions to enjoy along the way. The combat system has been overhauled while the RPG element of the game is more advanced and prevalent than every before. In previous AC titles I have become quickly frustrated with the clumsy camera/controls/parkour system. Although approaching missions in stealth mode is the weak link this time around, all other areas are vastly improved and leaping up structures is now much smoother and less buggy. Egypt can at times be sparse - perhaps a by-product of trying to make things a little too realistic - which is another negative but in no way spoils the overall experience. ACO is quite simply stunning and boasts more mission variety than any other game in the series. The new combat system is infinitely better and rewards thought over button mashing. Levelling up and weapon variety all add to the allure and despite encountering the odd annoying glitch I always wanted to keep playing so good was the storyline, a lot like the best in class Grand Theft Auto games.

Acclaimed American acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter Brooks Williams makes his debut at Faldingworth Memorial Hall this Saturday, November 18. Hailing from Statesboro Georgia - made famous by the blues legend Blind Willie McTell - his style combines roots, jazz, blues, classical and folk, all enhanced by his ‘beautiful’ voice. These talents have enabled him to work extensively for 25 years, making 24 CDs in the process. Some of his CDs are of contemporary folk and some are entirely instrumental. He combines his own songs with carefully selected covers. Support at Faldingworth will be from Lincoln-based Richard Gray The concert starts at 8pm and tickets cost £10, which can be reserved from Andy Watkins on 01522 535770 or email:watkins.folk@gmail.com.

Hold onto your hats, the ladies are back in town! And this time they are tackling Shakespeare. Members of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society (aka The Horncastle Theatre Co) are here with their latest spectacular production. Spurred on by their indomitable President, Mrs Reece, this dedicated band of thespians aims to bring a little culture to the local community, and at the same time celebrate the Bard’s 400th anniversary. This will be Macbeth as you have never seen it before - it is unlikely even Shakespeare would recognise it as one of his great masterpieces but it’s the thought that counts. The ladies will be creating chaos and mayhem at the Lion Theatre in Horncastle from November 29 to December 2. Tickets are available from Horncastle Music Shop in The Bull Ring, 01507 526566.

Two starving donkeys rescued from almost certain death have been saved - by eating Mars bars. Smokey and Twiglet did not even have the strength to stand up when they were rescued by Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary in Huttoft. Volunteer Ross Clarke with Twiglet - so named because of how thin he was when he was rescued. The emaciated pair were left to starve in the Yorkshire area - before staff at the sanctuary heard their plight and set out to help them. But the two animals were so weak, they no longer wanted to eat. “The donkeys hadn’t been fed or looked after in three months and were kept in a yard where they didn’t even have grass to eat,” said sanctuary owner Tracey Garton. “If we hadn’t received the call about them when we did, they would be dead now.” The animals had pressure sores all over their bodies where they had been laid down for so long. Volunteer Ross Clarke gives the donkeys a Mars bar treat “We brought them back here and put them in a stable but we couldn’t get them to eat anything,” said Tracey. “They just had no interest in living anymore.” Staff tried various things, leaving buckets of food in their stables overnight, but the pair just wouldn’t eat. “Then I remembered years ago I had tempted a sick donkey to eat with a Mars bar so we tried that and it worked. It’s not ideal food to give donkeys, but it was better than nothing at that stage.” Once the pair were interested in food again and gained some energy they were given proper feed. Sanctuary volunteer Chelsie Healey with 'Beryl' - one of the resident chickens. They have now gained weight and are living a healthly life grazing among the sanctuary’s other reisdents - 49 donkeys, four zebra-cross donkeys, two mules, two horses, three ponies and various chickens and cats. Tracey added: “They are doing really well - but still request a Mars bar every day. However, we only give them as an occasional treat now.” The sanctuary is appealing for funds to help them pay for their rising vet bills after a number of the animals recently underwent costly veterinary treatment. They are also looking for donations of prizes and bottles of drink for their tombola. If you can help, visit their website where you can make a donation via Paypal.

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital after a collision in Louth late yesterday evening (Tuesday). The incident took place near the junction between St Bernard’s Avenue, Eastgate/Eastfield Road, and Riverhead Road shortly after 10pm. It involved two vehicles, one of which is reported to have been a motorcycle. The rider was taken to hospital with ‘injuries that are not life changing or life threatening’, according to Lincolnshire Police. If you witnessed the incident, contact police on 101 and quote incident number 433 of July 3.

Louth Indoor Bowls Club’s ladies’ team put in a valiant effort in a county league match at Lincoln, but returned with little to show for their efforts. Despite missing one or two regular players, they had led by 10 shots after 16 of the 21 ends, but could not maintain the momentum and eventually lost by 109 shots to 81 with one rink win. At club level, two more winter league champions were confirmed last week. In the Monday Lunchtime Triples League, Kestrels clinched the title when overcoming a poor start to beat Big Bird 20-11. And Taylor Made secured the Afternoon Triples title when narrowly edging to a 13-11 victory over second-placed S.O.S. * The keen battle at the top of the Evening Fours continues with second-placed APS seemingly the favourites after they squeezed through 15-14 against Roundheads. It kept them two points behind Fast Shippers, but with three games in hand. Shippers were given a tough game by Stags, but hung on for a 16-15 win. * It’s also tight in the Ladies’ League where a comfortable 27-3 victory over Woodentops saw Canaries open a three-point gap. Tyros slumped to a 24-6 defeat against Flyers and dropped to third, allowing Follies to move into second spot after beating Anglers 11-10. * There was a surprise defeat in Division Two of the Friday Mixed Pairs League where leaders Lorraine Evans and Malcolm Wade were edged out 12-11 by Eileen Rayner and Graham Wood. They still remain top the table by one point. There was also defeat for Division Three leaders Anne Burchell and Ian Bertram who were thumped 20-8 by Janet Norman and Robin Barrow. The loss saw their advantage cut to two points as Gill and Pete Fletcher saw off Pat Morley and Malcolm Pearce 19-6.

A new medical school is to be established in an exciting collaboration between the University of Lincoln and the University of Nottingham to offer first-class medical education in Lincolnshire. The universities today (Tuesday) announced the new University of Nottingham Lincoln Medical School will go ahead after a successful joint bid for more funding to increase medical school places. When at full capacity in a few years’ time, the new school will deliver medical training to around 400 undergraduate students in the historic city of Lincoln. Students will study for a University of Nottingham BMBS medical degree at the University of Lincoln site on the Brayford Pool. Clinical placements will take place at hospitals, GP surgeries and other healthcare units in the county in collaboration with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The announcement follows a successful bid for funding to the Higher Education Funding Council England and Health Education England last year in which the Government invited bids from new or existing medical schools for allocation of an extra 1,000 new undergraduate medical education places in England. The expansion of undergraduate medical training is part of a plan to increase the number of UK-trained doctors to ease staffing shortages in the NHS. The universities of Lincoln and Nottingham have secured funding for an initial 80 first year undergraduate places in September 2019 with a further 80 per intake in subsequent years. As the second largest county in England with a rural and ageing population, Lincolnshire has traditionally struggled to recruit and retain doctors and other healthcare professionals. The shortage of doctors in the past year at the county’s hospitals and GP surgeries has been described as critical by health bosses, especially during winter months. Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science at the University of Lincoln, Professor Libby John, said: “The University of Lincoln has been working for some time with our local health community to develop a medical school for Lincolnshire. We are delighted we can announce that, with our partners the University of Nottingham, we are achieving that ambition. “The University of Nottingham Lincoln Medical School in partnership with the University of Lincoln will help to widen access to the study of medicine across the local region. We want to encourage students in local schools to think about studying medicine here with us. In the longer term this will develop a pool of high-quality medical experts within the Lincolnshire community. “The Medical School will make a huge difference to the people of Lincolnshire who will benefit from the establishment of this hub of medical expertise. It will be underpinned by the University of Lincoln’s outstanding infrastructure, research and employer partnerships. I am grateful for the enormous support we have had from the Lincolnshire community in our bid to establish a medical school for the region.” Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, Professor John Atherton, said: “We are very pleased and excited to announce this historic collaboration between two leading providers of education in the healthcare sector. “We have been training doctors at Nottingham for almost 50 years and as a result standards of healthcare in the East Midlands have risen dramatically in that time. “Our popular and pioneering medical degree is delivered by teachers who are also hands on clinicians and often world-leading clinical researchers in their field.” Efforts to fill vacancies in rural areas in recent years have included recruitment from abroad and the retraining of doctors from overseas who arrived in the UK as refugees. It is hoped the new Medical School in Lincoln will address future projected shortages of doctors by offering first class training that will encourage graduates to complete their junior doctor training locally and apply for jobs in the region. Jan Sobieraj, Chief Executive at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted a Lincolnshire medical school has been announced. This is fantastic news for the University, the NHS and our patients. I like to say well done to the universities for all their hard work in making this happen. Lincolnshire has a severe shortage of doctors in a range of specialities, and ULHT is greatly affected by this. We believe a local medical school will help us in the longer-term with recruiting doctors and keeping them in county, as people tend to stay in the areas where they train.” Prospective medical students will be able to apply through UCAS for the five year University of Nottingham BMBS medical degree (A100) at Lincoln from September 2018 for entry in September 2019. Both universities have a strong commitment to widening participation to a career in medicine and have additionally established a six year degree with a Foundation year (A108), designed to widen participation in medicine, will also be available to applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. Applicant interviews will take place in Lincoln at the Sarah Swift Building, Brayford Pool campus, which also houses the University of Lincoln’s Schools of Health and Social Care, and Psychology.

This week we’ve got this rather different photograph of Mablethorpe thanks to one of our readers, Martin Turner. It’s a shot of the beach, but has been captured through a glass sphere, making it a bit different and giving it a very special effect. Do you have a landscape or nature photograph of the local area that you would like to share with us? Please email your pictures to: chloe.west@jpress.co.uk, and next time it could be your photograph appearing on our page.

A South Somercotes woman will tackle a gruelling half-marathon in just two weeks time, raising money for her friend who sadly died at the age of 18 earlier this year. Hollie Jo Topliss, 21, is preparing to take part in the Great Birmingham Run - the UK’s second biggest annual half marathon event - on Sunday October 15. Jake Havercroft. Hollie Jo, who currently studying at Birmingham University, will raise money for two causes that are close to her heart: the Teenage Cancer Trust, and the mental health charity Young Minds. She was inspired to run in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust following the death of her friend, Jake Havercroft, who sadly died on August 9 following a short battle with cancer. At the time of his death, Jake was just one week away from receiving his A-Level results at Monks’ Dyke Tennyson College. Hollie Jo told the Leader: “I have known Jake for a long time, since we were young. “My friend is with his brother, and my boyfriend is his cousin. It is a tragedy that Jake died so young - he was a legend. “When I was deciding which charities to run for, I chose to help raise awareness as Jake suffered with a rare form of cancer which doesn’t usually occur in men before around 40 years old.” Hollie Jo chose to support her other charity, Young Minds, as it is close to her heart due to the personal battles with mental health that she and her sister, Amy, have faced. Hollie Jo is currently in the final year of her three year university course in mental health nursing. She said: “I started running over a year ago, since I started university. “I decided to take my running a step further, and started training towards the half marathon in May this year. I am now able to run the 13.1 mile distance.” At the time of the interview, last week, Hollie Jo said she was hoping to raise around £200 for each of her two charities. However, thanks to the generosity of her friends, family and well-wishers, she has now raised around £300 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and almost £150 for Young Minds. She added that she was ‘super happy’ with this sum, and wishes to thank everyone who has kindly made a donation so far. If you would like to sponsor Hollie Jo, visit her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/teams/Hollieshalfmarathon. From there, you can follow the links at the bottom of the web page to donate to either the Teenage Cancer Trust or Young Minds.

Lincolnshire Police are backing calls for action to cope with thousands of visitors clamouring to see the annual birth of seal pups at Donna Nook. They say the repercussions of emergency vehicles struggling to access gridlocked roads are ‘incomprehensible.’ Last year was a record breaker for the birth of the pups, with reports that one weekend in November attracted 11,000 visitors - and 3,000 cars. PC Rich Precious, Community Beat Manager for Louth Rural and The Wolds, has warned unless action is taken, the ‘consequences could be incomprehensible.’ He said: “Concerns and fears from the community of North Somercotes and the surrounding villages were brought to my attention in November regarding the growing numbers of people and associated vehicles that were travelling to Donna Nook. “Whilst for local businesses - and from an economic point of view - this is extremely positive, it’s appeared we had got to a point that at the height of the season where the road networks and the management of that traffic simply could not cope.” Signs were put up to advise motorists of a one-way system, but there have been claims they were ignored. PC Precious revealed he had seen vehicles tailing back over three miles. He said: “One of my biggest concerns is, should an emergency vehicle need access it would simply not be possible. “The repercussions of this very real scenario are incomprehensible. It is not acceptable and something needs to be changed.” North Somercotes Parish Council is concerned the seals have become too popular, especially for the single-track roads. Neil Drewery, vice chairman of the Parish Council said last season (November-December) was the biggest and busiest he had seen. He added the site access needed improving but had ‘no clue’ who would take responsibility. A multi-agency meeting was called last November to explore ways at how visitor numbers could be better managed. PC Precious said a number of proposals were made. A further meeting has been arranged for early March. PC Precious reassured residents he was doing everything possible to improve the situation. Coun Richard Davies, executive member for Highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The seals can put the whole area into a gridlock during peak times so discussions are underway to make things better for the future. “For example, as part of some work being planned by the Environment Agency, there is a planning condition to widen Marsh Lane, which is the access road to the car park. “We’re also considering putting formal traffic regulation orders in place, including enforced parking restrictions and implementing a one-way system. “These, combined with local people and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust looking into solutions for the areas they manage, would resolve the problem so that the area can handle the influx of visitors.” A spokesman for the Trust said they did not want to say anything until after the March meeting.

Employees at the Lincolnshire-based Tanglewood Care Homes are one step closer to winning a coveted prize as part of the 2018 Care Home Awards. In June, employees will be heading to the final round at an award ceremony in London. Here they will find out if they have won awards in the group or individual categories during the Health and Care Show. Tanglewood is shortlisted in the following categories: • Best Small Care Home Group • Best Non-Clinical Facilities • Best for Garden and Outdoor Space • Best for Specialist Care • Best Care Home in a Group Tanglewood Care Homes have facilities in Coningsby, Horncastle, Alford, Boston and Spalding. Tracy Ann Shelbourn, founder and director of Tanglewood Care Homes, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be finalists for not one, but five awards at the Care Home Awards this year. “It’s always rewarding to see that the Tanglewood team is being recognised for our caring commitment to the entire Tanglewood community. “We are looking forward to attending this year’s event and to celebrating the very best in social care with our industry colleagues. “We sincerely hope that another coveted award will accompany us back to Lincolnshire.” The nominations follow a host of recent award wins for Tanglewood employees, who picked up two awards at the Lincolnshire Care Awards in February and were also highly commended in a third category. The Care Home Awards recognise excellence and innovation in care homes and suppliers across the UK. Organiser of the awards, Matthew Davies, said: “There’s a real sense of mounting anticipation as the entries go forward to the final stages of judging. “There are some wonderful stories being told and in some categories the judges will have their work cut out in trying to finalise the results. “I’m not one of the judges but even I understand just how brilliant some of the work is that’s being initiated and carried out by care homes.” • At last year’s ceremony, Tanglewood scooped the award for the best non-clinical facilities.

With temperatures set to plummet well below zero degrees tonight the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice for the evening and tomorrow morning. A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Ice is expected to form on some surfaces from late Monday afternoon and last overnight into Tuesday morning. The warning from the Met Office "There will probably be icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths with some injuries possible from slips and falls. "Temperatures are likely to fall rapidly below freezing later on Monday across much of the area. This will lead to icy stretches, particularly where snow melt has occurred during the day, or where a mix of rain and snow has fallen across the south of the area." The Met Office weather warning is in force between 4pm today, Monday, and 11am tomorrow, Tuesday December 12. RELATED: 10 key DOs and DONTs of snow and ice driving

They say the key to a good marriage is truth and love, but if Chris and Polly Hunt’s round in the Newton Trophy was anything to go by, a shared talent for golf doesn’t do much harm either. An outstanding 39 points gave them the prestigious trophy from Spencer and Donna Wood who finished second with a respectable tally of 35, followed by Past Captains Cup organiser Jenny Cutts (left) and winner Sue Sykes EMN-170814-102626002 Graham and Sue Sykes (34pts). In the competition for non-married couples, Ron Irwin and Wendy Green stormed to 43 points, leaving their opponents in the distance with an impressive eight-point lead from Dermot Dreelan and Karen Archer. * After two days of torrential rain, the Kenwick Park course was in good condition for 11 former lady captains as they played an individual stableford for the Past Captains Cup. Sue Sykes played well to win with a good score of 35 points. As well as presenting the cup, Jenny Cutts generously provided afternoon tea in the clubhouse for everyone taking part. * In the August Medal, Daniel Mountain (10) won Division One with a nett score of 69, while In Division Two, Kevin Cowdroy (16) took the top spot with a stunning nett 62. Les Bullen (26) shot nett 68 to win Division Three. The event was one to remember for Wayne Melton who recorded his first hole-in-one at the second, striking his 165-yard six iron straight into the bottom of the cup.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary at a home in Marshchapel. The home in Sea Dyke Way was broken into some time between September 15 and 18, A lock was broken to gain entry and jewellery was stolen. Officers investigating the burglary would like hear from any witnesses. If you can help them quote incident 265 of 18 September.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in identifying a group of people who may be able to help with their investigation into the fire at Hubbards Hills earlier this week. The fire - which is being treated as arson - took place on Monday evening (May 28), and resulted in a wooden rain shelter being destroyed. The arson sign was put up at Hubbards Hills after the fire earlier this week. (Picture: Twitter/Louth Fire Station). Today (Wednesday), a police spokesman said: “We believe the people in the photo may be able to help with our enquiries. “We would like anyone who can help identify who they are or anyone who has information to call us on 101.”

A Louth man has taken a novel approach to the traditional sponsored head shave - by only having half of his hair removed until he reaches his next target. As reported in last week’s edition, Cheyne Leftley-Walker, 41, decided to have half of his head and face shaved after surpassing his £100 target for ‘Decembeard’, helping to beat bowel cancer. Cheyne said: “My original target was £100, and I was surprised how quickly I reached it. I have honoured that target, but I have decided to continue raising funds. “My next target is £250, and if I reach that stage I shall do a full head and face shave. I shall then continue raising funds throughout December for a further target - which I shall not reveal just yet! “I decided to raise funds for Decembeard as cancer is something that has touched my family in unfortunate circumstances. “It is such an ugly disease and there are so many unknowns about it. “Whilst there are many charities who do amazing fundraising for cancer related benefits, Decembeard is a charity that I could really connect with as a long- standing bearded man.” • If you would like to find out more, or make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cheyne-leftley-walker-decembeard-2016

Waltham Windmill‘s first table top sale of the New Year will be taking place at St Giles Big Hall in Church Lane, Scartho, on Saturday, January 14. Sellers can set up from 8.15am (tables provided). Buyers can enter from 9am. Adults entry is 20p and children are free. Plus there will be hot drinks and bacon buns on sale. All tables must be pre booked by phoning 01472 823444 or 01472 316597.

Applications are now open for the 2018 series of The Great British Bake Off. If you are brilliant with brioche, marvellous with meringue or super with Sponge, then why not put your baking skills to the test? Contestants and stars of the Great British Bake Off 2017 SUS-170825-150836001 Producers of the show - which controversially moved to Channel 4 from the BBC ahead of the last series - are looking for a fresh batch of brilliant, amateur bakers to ‘dough’ battle and enter the tent for the ninth series of The Great British Bake Off. Channel 4 confirmed earlier this month that Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will return to front the show next year. “If you or someone you know, is ready to sieve the dream,” say the producers, “then why not take a whisk and apply now?” Deadline for all applications is Sunday 7th January 2018. You can apply online at www.applyforbakeoff.co.uk, phone 0207 067 4837 or email applyforbakeoff@loveproductions.co.uk

Horse racing fans can get their hands on tickets for the big Boxing Day fixture at Market Rasen Racecourse on Black Friday at a discount of 25 per cent! For 24 hours on Friday, November 24, Tattersalls enclosure badges will cost £30 for two - the standard price is £20 each. With accompanied children admitted free of charge, it makes for a very affordable day out. Boxing Day racing at Market Rasen is always a great chance for families and friends to continue the festive feeling, with many people in Lincolnshire enjoying a once-a-year chance to go to the races. It’s as much a part of Christmas in Lincolnshire as turkey, mulled wine and crackers. Such is the meeting’s popularity that the attendance has topped 9,000 spectators in each of the last three years. There’s a packed programme of jump racing, including the annual Clugston Lincolnshire National. Like the ultimate Aintree race – the Randox Health Grand National - stamina is crucial for the Lincolnshire National, which is run over a distance of three and a half miles. Further details about Market Rasen Racecourse, including ticket purchases, can be found at marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk

Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group is urging people to look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours this winter, and make sure they have the support they need during the winter months. Older people and those with long-term health conditions are particularly susceptible to illness and isolation at this time of year, yet it can sometimes be difficult for those at risk to admit they need help. Sarah Southall, Deputy Chief Nurse at the Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Winter is a time when communities should come together to support people in need and encourage them to seek medical assistance before illness becomes so serious they need to be admitted to hospital. “All too often elderly and vulnerable people end up in hospital for lengthy stays with symptoms that might not have become so serious and could have been managed at home if only they’d sought and received help. “This is often as a result of people trying to push on through adversity because they don’t want to cause inconvenience to their families with something they feel is insignificant. “However, for those people aged 75 or over, or with long-term conditions such as a respiratory illness, it is important not to wait when you feel ill – you should get help straightaway. “Local pharmacists are a great source of advice and will be able to recommend an over the counter medicine to alleviate your symptoms or tell you if you need to see your GP. “If you have a friend, neighbour or relative who is vulnerable you can do your bit by checking in on them regularly and making sure they have everything they need to stay well this winter. Lincolnshire East CCG has come up with the following tips on how to help elderly and/or vulnerable people you might know: • Drop in to see them and check if they are well at least once a week – more often if the weather turns cold. • Check they are feeling well and don’t let them brush off your questions if you are concerned they are trying to hide an illness, particularly if they don’t seem their usual self or they look unwell. • If they are feeling ill, encourage them to visit their local pharmacist without delay and give them a lift if you can. • Ask if you can collect any prescriptions they need or take them to their GP for any appointments. • Tell them to call 111 if they feel unwell when pharmacies are closed – a trained NHS healthcare adviser will be able to help. • Make sure their home is heated to at least 18-21 degrees C throughout the winter. • Ensure they are eating well and have a good supply of essential and store cupboard food to keep them going, and offer to help them with shopping if they struggle with mobility. • Encourage them to get heating and cooking appliances safety checked – and recommend a trustworthy gas and heating engineer or electrician if you know one. • If it snows clear their path, front steps or doorway areas for them – or better still, encourage them to stay in. For more information on staying well this winter, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell

A clever quizzing quartet from King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth recently won second place in the national schools University Challenge. The team, which included Rowan Roddick, Jack Leeming, Fraser Whittock and Ben Jeffrey have been able to hone their skills during their time at King Edward’s which has helped them get through the different rounds and into the finals which were held at the University of Lincoln. To get to the finals, the team beat last year’s winners St Ivo school and also beat the team from the independent sector’s Nottingham High School. Headmaster at the grammar school in Louth, James Lascelles praised the performance of the team. “Rowan, Ben, Jack and Fraser have always been keen quizzers and debaters,” Mr Lascelles said. “It is great to see how their confidence has developed over the years through the many opportunities they have had to engage in public speaking.” There were 10 teams in total in the final rounds; the majority from the independent sector. The different rounds included history, general knowledge, science, art, architecture and many more. In the finals King Edward’s were pipped at the post by an excellent performance from Southend High School for Boys. The King Edward’s team only missed out on four key questions, which resulted in them ending up with a final score of 280, compared to the winning total of 315. Mr Lascelles added that the students pulled out a really impressive performance that was one to be proud of.

Excitement is growing ahead of the opening Jockey Club Live event this Friday, June 1, at Market Rasen Racecourse. Musical maverick Plan B will be taking to the stage at the end of the race meeting, which features seven jump races, sponsored by Drayton Motors of Lincolnshire. Brit Award winner, acclaimed director and actor, Ben Drew released his fourth album, Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose, last month. Now the stage is set for a live open-air performance at Market Rasen. Nadia Powell, General Manager, Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “Jockey Club Live concerts are now hugely popular annual events in Lincolnshire - with racing and music fans. “Our visitors have enjoyed seeing superstars like Tom Jones, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs and Kaiser Chiefs in recent years, attracting record crowds. “Plan B is a marvellous attraction and thousands of his fans have been snapping up tickets for the racing and the concert. “We are also delighted to welcome Drayton Motors of Lincolnshire as sponsor of all the horse races during the afternoon.” Visitors are being encouraged to enjoy the racing ahead of the concert, which will take place after the final race scheduled for 5.20pm. Tickets for Jockey Club Live are for both the racing and the concert. The racecourse is made up of three enclosures during racing - County, Tattersalls and Lawn Enclosure. The first horse race is at 1.40pm, with gates open two hours before. Tickets can be booked online at marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk or call 0344 579 3009. Delays can be expected leaving the racecourse car park after the event. The racecourse closes at 8pm. • The second Jockey Live event at Market Rasen will see Brit-award winning singer Paloma Faith bring her unique sound to the Legsby Road course. Tickets for the event on Saturday August 18 are on sale now; details as above.

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Police are appealing for information that could help them with an investigation into a theft-from-shop incident that took place on Wednesday (December 6). Two men entered the Boyes store in Mercer Row, Louth, and have taken a display of branded jumpers and hoodies. Do you know either of these men? Both men have returned to the store later in the afternoon only to be challenged by staff on this occasion. The first man was described as being of average height, with shaved light brown hair, and described as wearing all dark clothing, approximately 30-40 years old. The second man was described as of a similar age, taller than the first man, with dark stubble, and described as wearing all dark clothing, and a dark coloured knitted hat. If you recognize the people in the photos, call Lincolnshire Police on 101 as the two men may be able to help with their enquiries. If you have any information, including being approached by somebody selling branded jumpers and hoodies in the last few days, contact 101 and state that this is under incident 256 of December 6.

Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Marshchapel, and are warning residents to be vigilant. A home in Sea Dyke Way was broken into at some point between the September 15-18, and the police launched a public appeal this week. A lock was broken to gain entry and jewellery was stolen. Officers investigating would like hear from any witnesses, who should call 101 and quote incident reference number 265 of September 18.

Boyer + Brandy + a jar of peanut butter... What could be weird about that? Earlier this week, Boyer revealed an intimate, heart-felt secret. Boyer admitted that his heart goes out to his beloved dog(wife) Brandy because, since she's spayed, she will never experience the joys of motherhood. To make her heartache a little less for what she'll never be, Boyer lets her lick his face clean just like she would a pup of her very own. "When I realized my dog Brandy would never know the motherly joy of having puppies, I decided I would lie in bed and allow her to lick my face clean like she would one of her young, needy, beautiful offspring. A portion of the joy of motherhood would be hers." This is a peek inside that loving experience...

No doubts that you've heard of The Golden Rule or perhaps a Golden Shower, but have you ever heard of the Golden Ratio of Beauty? It's a bit math-y and a tad science-y, but in a nutshell, the Golden Ratio are the measurements that, according a couple of really, really old Greek guys, are the most aesthetically pleasing proportions for our human eyes to look at. [If that wasn't a technical enough definition, here you go.] For example, George Clooney has been deemed to have the world's most handsome face, according to the science of the Golden Ratio. [But did you really need science to tell you that?] From 'not bad' to 'you are good looking!', here's how the DSC crew measured up to the Golden Ratio: Want to see how you measure up? Check it out right here!