Victims of crime and anti-social behaviour will have top priority throughout Ron Hogg’s second term of office, he announced this week. Emphasising this commitment, Ron said that he will now be known as Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington. Speaking at the ceremony to swear the oath of office, at Durham...

A round-up of the weekend's cricket action... Saturday 14th May – NYSD Division 2 Darlington 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was dry and sunny. Aycliffe lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 194 for 9 after 50 overs Sam Telford 62, Michael Howe 32 and Luke Telford 31 Darlington 2nd XI 195 for 5...

An ex-councillor has accused a former colleague of harassment and forcing him to resign. Former Great Aycliffe Town councillor Ray Bowman says Arun Chandran – who is being investigated by his own Labour Party amid allegations he tried to manipulate the outcome of the West ward by-election – bullied him into stepping down. Mr Bowman says...

Inspirational Newton Aycliffe resident Anna Louise Swabey has received County Durham’s top award – the Chairman’s Medal – following a nomination from the Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe. The story of Anna’s brain tumour research funding campaign is well known ---- having featured in local, regional and national press as well as on BBC...

One of Newton Aycliffe’s Labour councillors is at the centre of a political storm amid allegations he tried to manipulate a by-election. Great Aycliffe Town Councillor Arun Chandran (pictured) – secretary of the controlling Labour Group on Great Aycliffe Town Council – has been accused of trying to “split” the independent vote opposed...

Four people from Newton Aycliffe have helped to raise £40,000 for a homelessness charity. Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker (above, left), councillor John Clare (above, right), Gemma Siddle from Aycliffe firm Eldon Financial Planning and Newtonian Ian Outterson, sales director for Aycliffe firm Quality Hydraulics, have so far contributed...

International craft supplies company Crafter’s Companion has strengthened its UK team with the appointment of a new store manager who will head up the operations at its soon to launch flagship store in Newton Aycliffe. Deborah Anne Mason, 38, who is originally from Newcastle, will be taking on the role when the company’s first UK store...

Staff from Newton Aycliffe kitchen manufacturer PWS have helped to raise a whopping £250,000 for charity. The firm’s CEO Mark Stephenson together with four veterans, PWS colleagues and support riders completed the gruelling 320-mile Blood Sweat & Gears cycling. Their feat has helped them powered through their £250,000 fundraising...

Runners from Aycliffe Running Club took part in the Tees Barrage 10k earlier this month. Five Aycliffe competitors were among 405 runners in the Stockton race. First home for the club was Michelle Zamir in a speedy 00:44:50 (position 83rd overall), she was followed by Rob Jayne in 00:45:07 (position 85th), Dave Blewitt in 00:46:47 (position...

A week-long crackdown on speeding drivers saw more than 400 caught going too fast across the Cleveland and Durham police force areas. The joint Cleveland and Durham specialist operations unit (CDSOU) launched the operation on Monday, 18 April in support of a Europe-wide campaign aimed at reducing speeds and improving safety for all...