Gateshead council puts forward budget proposals
The cabinet of Gateshead Council have announced their recommendations to plug a 30 million pound funding gap and make budget cuts.
West End play
Budding actors are being given a helping hand by professionals who are keen to keep talent here in the North East.
Confirmed January deals
Here's an overview of some of the key January transfers at North East clubs
Live updates
Family pay tribute to "shy, kind, caring and intelligent" man killed in Stokesley crash
The family of a man killed when he was knocked down by a teenager in a stolen Range Rover have paid tribute to a "fantastic son" and "best friend."
27-year-old Douglas Scott Robertson died after he was dragged more than 100 yards under the car when the driver lost control in the snow in January.
His mother, Jean North, released the following statement:
"Douglas was a shy, kind, caring and intelligent person. He was a fantastic son who helped me both practically and emotionally, and a best friend to his sister Tracey.
"He had worked himself out, found his niche in life, and knew just what he wanted to achieve. It is impossible to find the words to describe just how much he meant to us.
"To have him taken from us leaves a gaping hole in our lives that no sentence can overcome."
Middlesbrough teen convicted of death by dangerous driving
A 15-year-old who knocked down and killed a man while speeding in a stolen Range Rover has been detained for five years.
Charlie Tyers wept in the dock at Teesside Crown Court today when CCTV was shown of the moments leading up to the collision that killed Douglas Robertson in Stokesley in January this year.
Sam Halon, from Wingate, who was a passenger in the car when it crashed, was given a 12-month community order for aggravated vehicle taking.
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Teen named after death by dangerous driving conviction
A 15-year-old from Middlesbrough who knocked down and killed a man while driving a stolen Range Rover at 70mph in a 30mph zone, and then ran off from police, has been named.
Charlie Tyers has been detained for five years after he was found guilty of death by dangerous driving.
The teenager lost control of the stolen car in snow, crashing into Douglas Scott Robertson and dragging him more than 100 yards under the car. The 27-year-old died at the scene.
A judge lifted a ban on naming the teen after he ruled it was in the public interest to know the full details.
Tyers, of High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, sobbed uncontrollably when CCTV of the moments leading up to the collision and the loud bang that followed were shown.
Mr Robertson was walking to his local club in Stokesley's High Street on a snowy Saturday afternoon in January when he was mown down.
Teenager jailed for death by dangerous driving
A 15-year-old who knocked down and killed a man while driving a stolen Range Rover at 40mph over the speed limit, and who then ran away from police, has been detained for five years.
The court heard that the car smashed into a lamppost so hard the top section of the light ended in a tree 50ft away.
27-year-old Douglas Scott Robertson was dragged more than 100 yards under the vehicle after the driver lost control in snow.
He had been walking to his local club in Stokesley on the afternoon of the incident.
Police were looking for the car, which had been taken from a house party in the Stockton area that morning, after they received reports about it being driven badly.
The teenager fled from police after he had been spotted and asked for a help at a nearby house, saying men were chasing him.
– David Bradshaw, prosecuting"At the time the vehicle collided with the deceased he was walking along a footpath carrying an umbrella, minding his own business, making his way towards a social club.
"He was dragged 340ft over some waste ground until the vehicle went through a small wall and tree and hit the side of the working men's club."
Serious assault at Middlesbrough nightclub
Police are appealing for witnesses after a serious assault at a nightclub in Middlesbrough.
A 34-year-old man suffered leg and facial injuries in the incident in the smoking area of Slam nightclub in the early hours of this morning (Friday, May 17).
Detectives want to speak to two females who are believed to have been at the scene.
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
Retail therapy
The famous designer Wayne Hemingway is visiting Middlesbrough to meet local business owners and retailers' on the town's Baker Street.
It's part of The High Street Innovation Fund, a Government scheme in response to retail guru Mary Portas' Review of run-down high streets.
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Crash victim's thanks to Great North Air Ambulance
by Julia BarthramA man who was left in a coma after a head-on collision has said how grateful he is to the Great North Air Ambulance crew who saved his life. Steven Higgins is stil in hospital in Middlesbrough three months after the crash; but his friends are fundraising to show their gratitude.
Duchess of Cornwall visits Teesside
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall has visited Middlesbrough to see the work of two charities which she represents.
The Duchess first called at Middlesbrough's library for a literacy event before going to the town's branch of Barnardo's.
Investigations show that Teesside library fire was deliberate
Investigations into a fire at an old library in Middlesbrough have concluded that is was stated deliberately.
It happened on Beresford Crescent in Thorntree on Monday 29 April.
No arrests have been made in connection with the fire and enquiries are continuing.
Duchess visit to Middlesbrough
The Duchess of Cornwall is visiting Middlesbrough to meet people improving their reading skills.
The Duchess is Patron of the National Literacy Trust, which supports families learning to read together.
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