Yesterday was cold enough to freeze flames in non-compliant fireplaces across the Bay - the now scarcity of which is lamentable, writes Mark Story.

It was disturbing to hear reports of a sporting incident recently where an 11-year-old boy decided the best plan of action was to attack the referee, writes Roger Moroney.

many homeless suffer from some form of addiction, and/or mental or physical impairment, so unless there is an holistic approach it can only provide a bed, not a life, writes Bruce Bisset.

It is quite heartening the way our readers have responded to our Limitless Emergency Shelter Appeal to help the Swannell Family, writes andrew Austin.

Tommo's Restaurant on Stortford Lodge is no more. At 35-odd- years young, the quirky piece of Hastings architecture was demolished via excavator. Change is inevitable, says Mark Story.

As much as it seems designed to distract from the increasingly bizarre political life, debate on whether to change the flag threatens to consume more of our time, writes Bruce Bisset.

Our region has received a big boost with the news that extensions to the Napier and Hastings iWay network will be built sooner than planned.

Last week we heard from a young brave woman who took the stand to give her side of an argument that unfolded after a throwaway comment about a young man, writes Tracey Chatterton.

I have already declared the Highlanders the 2015 champions regardless of who may go down in the history books as the titleholders, writes Anendra Singh.