Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman was convicted at Dungannon Crown Court for claiming benefits she was not entitled to. 
Kim Dickinson, 39, of Edenfel Park, Beragh claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £30,974 while failing to declare employment. She was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for three years.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Ballee Community High School To Close

The Ulster Unionist Party's North Antrim MLA Robin Swann has criticised the Education Ministers 'back door' announcement that Ballee Community High School is to close.

Mr Swann said: "The timing and manner of this announcement is an absolute disgrace, with the School Principal being contacted by the North Eastern Education and Library Board in the middle of Election Day to inform him Ballee High school was destined for closure.

"Perhaps the Minister thought making such an announcement on Election Day would be a good day to release bad news, in the hope that the media focus was elsewhere.

"If that is the case, I can assure him that as a Governor of the school, I for one will be demanding answers to a number of questions that have been posed by, pupils, parents and staff.

"The main question that needs answered and which should have been addressed at the same time as the closure announcement, is just what plans have the NEELB put in place for the pupils? After all, it is their future that is of the utmost importance here."

Road Resurfacing Scheme Announced For Cookstown

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a major resurfacing scheme of £250,000 at Fairhill Road, Cookstown.

Preparatory work began on 19 May on the scheme at Fairhill Road, Cookstown. The works extend from the entrance of Holy Trinity Primary School to Westland Road, a distance of approximately 660 metres.

The Minister said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway and footways on this busy link to the town centre."

To help minimise any inconvenience to the travelling public, local businesses and the school, the reconstruction of the footways is programmed to be completed using traffic control.

Road closures however will be required to facilitate the resurfacing of the carriageway. Two separate road closures are scheduled to take place on the 13 and 14 June and 18 to 20 June 2014.

During this period, traffic will be diverted via A29 Chapel Street, Cemetery Road and Westland Road South for south-bound traffic and Westland Road, Orritor Road and A29 William Street for north-bound traffic.

The one-way traffic system operational in Park Avenue will be changed to accommodate two-way flow during these closures.

(CD/JP)