Inside this week's Hastings Observer (March 17)

The paper leads on the tragic death of 93-year-old Sven Legnelius, who died after falling from a flat at Marine Court. Police launched a murder investigation and arrested a 54-year-old man, known to the victim, who has since been released on bail. Police are also hunting for a rapist after a 24-year-old woman was subjected to a distressing attack in Ore, and officers are investigating two knife-point robberies at two One Stop stores over the weekend. Another police appeal running in the paper this week seeks to find the people responsible for a cannabis factory cultivating more than 200 plants, which was discovered by firefighters called to tackle a blaze on St Leonards seafront on Tuesday. Also in the paper, the hit-and-run driver who killed a cyclist in St Leonards on New Year’s Day in 2015 has had his driving ban moved by top judges at the Court of Appeal in London. A moving story to feature in this week’s edition details a young mother with ‘incurable’ cancer who is making an impassioned plea for help to fund life-saving treatment in Turkey. The hot topic dividing opinion this week is the announcement former X Factor contestant Honey G will be starring in this year’s pantomime – we hear what the public and the White Rock Theatre has to say about the controversial recruit. Also in this week’s paper, there is a report and pictures from a major underground flood at the Source Park, an illuminated walk in memory of schoolboy Harley Simpson, the launch of a campaign for fair funding for schools in East Sussex, and a hotelier who ‘ignored’ numerous ‘serious’ fire safety breaches being fined more than £5,500 after a successful prosecution by the fire authority. In health news this week, local hospitals held numerous events last week to mark Swallowing Awareness Day, and the new provider of Sussex’s patient transport service has warned not to expect an ‘overnight turnaround’ when it takes over next month. The paper includes a two-page Behind the Headlines report on the future of High Speed Rail after the option was included in consultations on both the new rail franchise for the South East, and the future route study. Nine pages of sport leads on the Hastings Half Marathon this weekend, taking a look at the top contenders. A preview also runs earlier on in the paper, including timings, road closures, a route map and entertainment. This week’s nostalgia offering looks at the area around the site of St. Andrews Church and the former Gas Showrooms, while ten pages of entertainment listings includes the chance to learn from the best with a private masterclass from Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice during his upcoming tour. On top of that, there is the usual court listings, letters pages, puzzles and essential information. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.