A DECISION on a large housing development for a Ross-shire village was put on hold this week by Highland councillors.

TWO talented young musicians from Easter Ross will be joining the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland this summer.

NORTH Star letter writer Duncan L Macdonald, is to be congratulated on his research into the Highland Council's need for suitable incinerators (three devices for burning rubbish) throughout the council's area.

COUNTY'S six summer signings help kick off a new era for the club on Saturday when they face the friendly fire of Highland League side Huntly at Christie Park.

NOWADAYS we hear only too often that the younger generation don't give a jot about what's going on around them, preferring a life of fun, frivolity and countless computer games to the real issues that surround them.

A ROSS-shire man is preparing to get on his bike and cycle more than 680km across Central America as a payback to a cancer charity which provided invaluable support to him and his family.

HAVE you a blog you think deserves a wider audience? This is your opportunity to get it known. We don't mind what you write about as long as it keeps us interested or entertained and the subject or the author is from our area.

TWO newsletters landed on my desk this week with one from the Scottish Badgers group with eight pages. The other was the Summer Newsletter 2009 from Butterfly Conservation Scotland, with 15 pages.

CALLING all local musicians: the North Star wants you – and your music – on our website.