Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
UNDERGROUND COAL FIRE FORCES KIDS INDOORS
Concerned Coatbridge residents have been forced to keep their children indoors for six months due to health concerns relating to an underground coal fire on their back doorstep. The site of the fire – which used to be full of trees, greenery and...
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MARATHON MAN MARKS MILESTONE
A remarkable University Hospital Monklands porter has clocked up an incredible 100 marathons after his kind colleagues helped him on the road back from a heart attack. Jim Waddell, 63, has the Airdrie site’s cardiology team to thank for being able to...
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STALKER TERROR
A young Coatbridge mum is living in fear for her life after a sick stalker torched her car outside her home while she slept just metres away with her child. Courtney Mcbride (pictured), 27, has opened up on her ordeal at the hands of a man who has...
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SICK BEAST IN PHOTO BLACKMAIL THREAT TO CHILD
A vile paedophile who tried to blackmail a stricken young girl over explicit photos has been jailed for five years. Connor Simpson got the child to send him images of herself then warned her he would pass them on to her family and friends unless she...
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THANK YOU
The cracking community has once again dug deep to ensure the 2025 Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal is the “most successful in recent times”. More than 600 items were handed into the donation points, with organisers even having to “dig deep” to gather in...
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FRESH PROBE INTO ETHAN DEATH AS MUM COLLECTS HIS DEGREE
University funding chiefs have ordered a fresh probe in the case of a Coatbridge student who took his own life after being wrongly told he’d failed his degree. Ethan Brown, 23, died on what should have been his graduation day after a tragic grading...
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OPERATION MONKLANDS
The project to create Monklands’new hospital has reached its most important milestone yet after NHS Lanarkshire board members approved its Full Business Case. They agreed that the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) case should now be submitted to...
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MAKE IT A MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH TOY APPEAL
The popular Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal is back for another festive season – and organisers hope to collect “500-plus” items. Once again, generous Advertiser readers are asked to help make it a merry Christmas for youngsters across the...
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WEIGH TO GO AS CLAIRE WINS TITLE
A remarkable Airdrie mum- oftwo who decided to lose weight to achieve her dream of starting a family has shed an astonishing 18st 7.5lbs to be crowned Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2025. ClaireKane’ s extraordinary transformation has also hugely...
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CLOSE TO MY SISTER
A Coatbridge woman fighting to have her sister re-homed in Monklands so she can help with her care has found herself at loggerheads with the local authority where she lives. Esther Baker, 55, claims that the care plan in place for her younger sister...
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FLORIST’S FATAL LUNG CONDITION LINKED TO JOB SPARKS PLEA FOR ORGAN DONORS
The Coatbridge family of a florist whose job may have caused her fatal lung condition have called for more organ donors to come forward. Kay Robertson (pictured) sadly passed away aged just 57 while she was waiting for a life-saving double lung...
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BOY, 10, BURNED IN FIRE PIT HORROR
A 10-year- old boy suffered severe burns as he was engulfed in flames from an Airdrie restaurant’s fire pit during a nightmare incident. The child and his sister had been toasting marshmallows when a 16-year-old waitress poured liquid fuel over the...
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I’M SORRY FOR FAKING BABY
The woman at the centre of a bizarre fake baby scandal that rocked Airdrie has addressed the incident that stunned social media, saying: “I’m so sorry.” Kira Cousins, 22, has been accused of attempting to convince her loved ones and friends into...
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THUG JAILED FOR TRAIN RAMPAGE
A drunken passenger has been jailed for four months after “disgraceful” behaviour on a train as he returned from a weekend in Blackpool. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Aaron Achter, from Coatbridge, threatened to stab a woman he was sitting beside and...
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PRISON FOR BRUTE WHO CHOKED WOMAN UNCONSCIOUS
A violent brute who choked his partner until she passed out has been jailed for 28 months. Kyle Potter will be under supervision for a period when he is released from jail and Sheriff Derek Livingston imposed a 10-year non-harassment order, forbidding...
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1...2...3... off to nursery we go !
A Monklands nursery celebrated a triple triumph as it welcomed its first set of triplets in 15 years. Hayley, Olivia and Aaron Dorman are settling into life at Chapelhall’s St Aloysius Honeywell Nursery very nicely. Proud parents Louise and Bryan...
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MOIRA BODY MAY BE IN A MINESHAFT
There are calls for a new search for the body of Coatbridge schoolgirl Moira Anderson amid claims she may be buried in a mineshaft. Sandra Brown, who believes her dad Alexander Gartshore murdered 11- year-old Moira in 1957, has been made aware of...
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FIONA’S 10,000FT LEAP OF FAITH AFTER MND AGONY
A daredevil Airdrie mum plunged 10,000 feet from the skies to honour the memory of her father who lost a brave battle with motor neurone disease (MND). Fiona Drummond completed a thrilling skydive challenge at Skydive Strathallan in Auchterarder and...
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SEX OFFENDER HID HIS SOCIAL MEDIA FROM COPS
An Airdrie sex offender has got into more trouble after failing to tell police about his social media accounts. Martin Grimason, 35, should have kept officers up to date about his online activity as he was on the sex offenders’ register. Kevin...
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HEALTH CHECK UNCOVERED RARE CANCER
A Coatbridge man has revealed how a routine health check uncovered unco a lifethreatening illness. Back Bac in 1997, Bill Mcgugan, MCG then 42, had been feeling unusually unu tired and was sent for a medical by his employer. Further F tests confirmed...
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BABY ASHES TRAGEDY MUM IN IN BBC AWARD FINAL
A Coatbridge mum who waited 13 years to be reunited with the ashes of her stillborn daughter has been recognised for her work helping grieving parents. Julie Morrison, 44, and her husband Bryan launched the Baby Loss Retreat in February 2018 and in...
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WOMAN’S FACE AND FEET BITTEN IN HORROR EX ATTACK
A woman had her face and feet bitten and was left covered in bruises after a vicious attack by her ex-partner. Brute Kieran Lindsay, 33, punched the victim “over and over” and choked her during the horrific assault. Lindsay appeared at Airdrie...
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CARER GUILTY OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH CLIENT
A heinous carer who engaged in sexual activity with a vulnerable client has only avoided prison due to her parental responsibilities as a mum of two. Megan Neilson, 28, of Whiterigg Place, Airdrie, was instead put under social work supervision and...
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I SHOOK OZZY’S HAND DAYS BEFORE HE DIED
An Airdrie artist wowed legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne with his portrait of the Black Sabbath frontman just days before the icon passed away. Ozzy was a “hero” to David Mcdonagh, who runs his own business, Lewy L. Paintings, and works on comic book...
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NEW LOOK TIME CAPSULE MAKES A SPLASH
It’ s time for Monklands families to make a splash during the school summer holidays as Coatbridge’s popular Time Capsule complex has reopened ahead of schedule. The water park was closed earlier this year for important upgrade work but returned with...
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DRONE CAPTURES HUGE SITE OF NEW HOSPITAL
The latest look at the new Monklands Hospital gives people a bird’s eye view of the site of the £700m facility. An eye-catching drone video just released allows viewers to soar above the landscape at Wester Moffat in Airdrie that will become home to...
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SOUNESS KICKS OFF AS HUGE PLAN BLOCKED
Football legend Graeme Souness has launched a furious attack on councillors who blocked his controversial plans for an industrial development in Monklands which could have created thousands of new Amazon jobs. The frustrated former Rangers and...
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DEPRAVED PAEDOPHILE GIVEN 20-YEAR CHILD BAN ORDER
A depraved paedophile whose horrific stash of child abuse images left stunned police officers needing counselling has been jailed for four years. Repeat offender Gerard Buchanan, from Glenmavis, told another pervert he loved “to see babies being...
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IN DEEP WITH £1M BILL FOR POOL REPAIRS
Local politicians have hit out at the council after it confirmed Airdrie’s John Smith Pool will be shut for at least another two months – as repair costs could hit £1m. The popular town centre leisure venue has been closed since December amid...
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COUNCILLORS REJECT 1000 EUROPARK HOME PLAN
Politicians have backed North Lanarkshire councillors’ move to kick out a controversial plan to build hundreds of new homes on greenbelt land near Airdrie. The massive Orchard Brae development, which proposed to construct almost 1000 new homes on the...
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FREE PAIR OF WRISTBANDS
We’ve teamed up with M&D’S Scotland’s Theme Park to give every reader two FREE wristbands. Take up this offer and you will enjoy a fun family day out. That’s not all – you can step back in time with a Jurassic adventure into the world of...
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New homes taking shape
One of North Lanarkshire Council’s largest new housing developments is now on site in Coatbridge – and is set to bring 127 new homes to the area. Construction is underway on the £26.8 million project, which will be delivered by CCG Scotland, on the...
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PERVERT ‘LOVES SEEING BABIES TORTURED’
A vile paedophile whose stash of horrific porn included 1200 child sex abuse photos and films told pals the internet is helping to “bring about the reign of Satan”. Gerard Buchanan’s depraved collection was so bad specialist police officers had to...
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MARATHON MAN LEE HOPING FOR A BETTER BREAK
A fight i n g - f i t Coatbridge man is hoping for better luck when he takes on the Edinburgh Marathon for the second time this weekend — after breaking his foot on his first outing. Lee Dornan, 36, is an accountant for the humanitarian charity the...
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NEW GUIDI’S RISING FROM THE ASHES
A popular Ai rdr i e restaurant destroyed by a devastating fire four years ago is on the way back – with an extra tasty treat. Following months of planning, ground has been broken on the rebuild of the new Guidi’s at its site on Deedes Street. The...
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ULTIMATE TEST FOR CANCER SURVIVOR
A brave and battling Chapelhall man conquered the Highlander Triathlon alongside 16 of his friends – just over a year after finishing treatment for stage 3 stomach cancer. Michael Gallacher, 38, was diagnosed with the illness in October 2023 and...
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Fighting my way back to health
A Coatbridge professional boxer who suffered a bleed on the brain during his final fight and was placed in an induced coma told of his“long road to recovery”at the relaunch of a brain injury group. Gary Murray shared his story with those who attended...
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GUN THREAT THUG IN 10-HOUR ARMED POLICE SIEGE
A man who caused a 10-hour siege opposite firearms officers in Coatbridge has been jailed for 15 months. Airdrie Sheriff Court heard that James Barclay, 28, warned police he had a gun and “would put it through your head”. The 38-year-old appeared...
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BREAKING GROUND ON NEW HOSPITAL
The new Monklands Hospital took one step closer to serving the area’s medical needs after groundworks started on the site. An incredible one million cubic metres of earth will be moved as land is levelled off to provide a platform for the new...
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ROAD RAGE SWORD TERROR
An aggressive sword-wielding killer from Airdrie was caught on camera leaping from a car before threatening a stunned female motorcyclist. John Bingham, 59, who was previously cleared of murder after admitting stabbing a love rival to death in 2013,...
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MUM TO SUE JAIL AFTER SON’S SUICIDE TRAGEDY
A grieving Coatbridge mum is to sue the prison where her son was left to die alone in his cell after multiple suicide attempts. Janice Burns has accused the justice system of “serving a death sentence” on her son Jordan, 22, who had been facing an...
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BABIES COULD’VE BEEN SAVED HAD THEIR MUMS RECEIVED PROPER CARE Series of failures by NHS staff led to tragedies
An inquiry has found that three babies who died within hours of being born may have lived if their mums had been given proper health care. One of the babies who tragically lost his life, newborn Leo Lamont, died at Monklands Hospital on February 15,...
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‘BARBARIC’ OWNER WHO STARVED DOG TO DEATH HANDED PRISON TERM
A “barbaric” Coatbridge man who failed to feed his stricken dog, resulting in its horrible death, has been jailed for 60 days. Cruel Kieran Cassidy, pled guilty to failing to provide his dog Poser with a suitable diet. Inspectors from the Scottish...
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BUILDING THE FUTURE
Construction has officially started on the new Gartcosh Community Hub, a major project set to provide modern education and community facilities for the village. The hub aims to create a modern, sustainable space that meets the needs of both the school...
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HAVEN OF PEACE IN BABY LILY’S MEMORY
A kind-hearted Coatbridge couple who tragically lost their baby daughter have helped create a special hospital room where other bereaved parents can share a haven of peace and quiet as they grieve. Greg and Suzanne Russell raised funds in memory of...
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NO CUTS BUDGET WILL CREATE‘NEW SCHOOLS AND JOBS’
Monklands will be home to one of three new community hubs being built after North Lanarkshire Council confirmed major investment plans as part of a budget slammed by opposition parties as “poor decision making”. The hubs, which will include state- of-...
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HUGE 10% HIKE IN COUNCIL TAX
Monklands residents are being hit with a 10 per cent council tax rise. North Lanarkshire Council finance convener Andrew Duffy-lawson acknowledged the increase could alarm some people but insisted the local authority have ambitious plans for...
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CRAIG’S FAMILY DESERVE THE TRUTH
Private detectives investigating the death of Coatbridge man Craig Mallon have delivered a dossier detailing 13 potential new witnesses to prosecutors. A team led by retired Strathclyde Police detective David Swindle, bottom, have been probing the...
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FAREWELL TO KIND AND SMILING ANNE
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a beloved member of staff at a Coatbridge school after she lost her brave battle with a brain tumour. Anne Pryce Sheridan, who was an additional support needs assistant at Langloan Primary for eight years, sadly...
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Honouring our history
Airdrie’ s historic buildings and community spirit are at the heart of a new initiative to rejuvenate the town. Re discovering Airdrie aims to use the town’s rich architectural and social heritage as a springboard for physical, social and economic...
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CALLTO ARMS INSCHOOL BUSBATTLE
A determined Monklands mum is calling on parents of high school children to voice their opinions at a public meeting as the campaign to reinstate free school transport continues. Marissa Cloughley has been campaigning relentlessly against the changes...
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MOVES BEING MADE TO SUPPORT HOME BUYERS
Taylor Wimpey West Scotland is kicking off the new year by hosting a Moving Made Easier event in Monklands. The gathering, aimed at helping to make things as simple, stress- free, and straightforward as possible for prospective first-time buyers,...
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NURSE DIES AFTER TAKING WEIGHT LOSS JAB
A beloved nurse who worked at Monklands Hospital died after just two low doses of a weight-loss jab. Days after her second jab, Susan Mcgowan suffered severe stomach pains and sickness and went to A&E at Monklands, where her colleagues battled to save...
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TRIBUTES TO JAMIE AS MAN IN COURT ON MURDER RAP
A man has appeared in court charged with Jamie Lucas’ murder as heartbroken family and friends paid tribute to the“heavily missed” Airdrie resident. Jamie, 33, was found injured on Stirling Street in Airdrie town centre at around 2.45am on December 22...
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THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
It’s time to say thank you once again to the people of Airdrie and Coatbridge for their generosity and kind hearts in backing the latest Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal to the tune of 500 donations. More items are still flooding in and the current 2024...
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TOWER BLOCK KNIFE ATTACK TERROR
A man was stabbed repeatedly and restrained with a metal bar across his throat during a shocking tower block attack that saw two men both jailed for two years. Stewart Mcdonald used the metal bar and Douglas Barclay carried out the horrific blade...
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Home sweet home at last
Tenants are settling into their new council homes in Gartcosh before Christmas thanks to an “off-the-shelf” project with Bellway Homes. The 12 new properties are within the £1.8 million Cloverhill development, on the site of the former Mount Ellen...
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GOLF CLUB ATTACK AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA ROW
A woman was hit by a golf club in a vicious attack brought on by a row on social media. Caitlin Lees, 24, of Plains, admitted assaulting the female in Affric Avenue on February 21. The court heard the victim went to Lees’ home after the pair had...
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FIGHT GOES ON DESPITE TRANSPORT U-TURN
Campaigning parents have insisted the fight will continue over North Lanarkshire school mileage limits despite a council U-turn on primary school routes. Last week, the council confirmed that primary school kids in Monklands who receive school...
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LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS CHRISTMAS
The last few years have been challenging to say the least, with the UK in the throes of a cost of living crisis. But one thing that will remain is the popular Monklands Christmas Toy Appeal. Donation points have already been set up at Airdrie...
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WOMAN DIES IN CRASH HORROR
A woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Coatbridge on Saturday. A 57-year-old pedestrian was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she later died. Police are appealing for information and dash-cam footage following...
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LITTLE GIRL PARALYSED BY STROKE
A brave, battling five- year- old girl from Coatbridge has been left paralysed after suffering a rare stroke after open heart surgery – and a fundraiser to support her parents has raised nearly £7000. Little Grace Grogan was born with half a heart and...
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I WAS WIDE AWAKE DURING BRAIN OP
A brave Coatbridge woman underwent a highly-specialised brain operation – while she was awake. Earlier this summer Brooke Macfadyen, 24, underwent awake craniotomy, a procedure used to remove primary brain tumours. Brooke said the run- up to the...
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TRIBUTE TO DAD KILLED IN TOWN CENTRE SMASH
The Th family of a man who tragically died di following a crash in Airdrie town to centre on Friday afternoon have ha paid tribute to the“much loved husband, hu father and grandfather”. Francis (Frank) Hooper, 58,was involved in an incident at around...
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FRAUDSTER FORCED TO SELL HOME TO PAY BACK FIRM’S £55K
A brazen crooked Coatbridge office manager who helped herself to Celtic tickets and other treats with a company credit card has vowed to sell her home to repay her former bosses. Karen Fitzpatrick, 53, siphoned off cash from PBR Building Services for...
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Prize-winning poetry
A word- perfect Airdrie poet scooped a top national accolade for her debut book. Len Pennie’s Poyums won the Scots Language Award for Scots Book of the Year. The brilliant book is a collection of 64 powerful poems – many of which are written in the...
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