The President of the Junta de Andalucía, Jose Antonio Griñán met with Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero last week at La Moncloa where the pair discussed the economy with particular regard to the cuts in public investment announced by the Ministry of Development and the joint reform of public employment services. After the meeting the Andalusian President described the talks as ‘most useful'. In a joint press conference Griñán said that both had talked in [...]

A 51 year old British man, resident in the Almería coastal resort of Garrucha, is believed to have been arrested by the Guardia Civil for abusing children. Police launched an investigation after parents of children who attended his football camp claimed he had been abusing their children. The man had been involved in a popular childrens' football camp nearby. So far, it is believed that three male English children aged between 11 and 14 have come forward to accuse the man, whose initials [...]

In the Almeria court of appeal last week five members of a drug trafficking gang have had their 18 year jail sentences confirmed. The gang were arrested by agents from the Guardia Civil when they tried to offload almost four tonnes of hashish on the beach at El Perdigal Almeria in the neighborhood of El Alquián in June 2008. The ruling saw two of the accused receive sentences of four years and six months while the rest, were jailed for three years and one day in prison. The five accused [...]

During the first six months of the year Almeria's Local Police have collected 4650 euros in fines from members of the public caught urinating in the street. This amounts to 3 times the amount collected during the same period last year. The vast majority of offenders were caught in the area around la plaza del Educador, Puerta Purchena and las 'Cuatro Calles' where residents say the constant smell of urine is disgusting. One individual told us that he is fed up of members of the public using the [...]

MAD mission statement : - We help anyone in need, irrespective of race, creed or status. At Las Torres Campsite, Puerto de Mazarron on the evening of 24th July, our first fundraising event was held and it was a grateful change from standing out in the heat of the day at a Table Top Sale! MAD wishes to thank CJ/DJ and Sue, of Calida Radio; for organising this Music Extravaganza; to everyone who donated their time freely, raffle prizes and those who attended, making this night such a success. [...]

Last week Guardia Civil officers in Nijar received a call denouncing hippies for camping on the beach, building makeshift homes and making fires in the Cala of San Pedro, a beautiful beach in the natural park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar. The denuncia came from the owner of the land on which this beach is situated, Daniel Navarro. It is actually the 40th complaint he has made to the police, in writing, about the situation. Last year the municipal government came to the conclusion that something must [...]

The Ministry of Health have said that they will be inspecting over catering 40 establishments in Almeria during the next 4 months in a new campaign that will focus on the accuracy of the weight of food, quality standards, prices and invoices. The establishments being targeted will include restaurants, supermarkets, cafeterias, bars, pubs, newsagents, disco's and clubs, virtually anywhere authorised to sell food or drink to the public. This year, inspectors say they will focus on ensuring that [...]

APSA has many lovely dogs just waiting for good homes. Please call 663 762 642 www.alboxdogrescue.com We raised €540 from the stalls and popular fashion show at the Arts and Craft Fair at the Almanzora Palace. Thankyou to all the helpers and stall holders and to everyone who supported the event on Sunday 8th August and good luck to the organisers of the Palace Restoration group who invited APSA to the event. APSA will be holding a coffee morning at La Parrilla restaurant in Albox, Tuesday [...]

The Mayor of Almeria, Luis Rogelio Rodríguez-Comendador (PP), has said he doesn´t rule out making changes to his government team, which presently holds a coalition with the Grupo Independiente de Almería (GIAL), before the next municipal elections in 2011. He has confirmed that he will be running as PP candidate for Mayor again. In a recent interview he explained that it is always good to keep people on their toes, especially councillors, and not allow people to get too [...]

National Police have arrested four members of a gang of robbers who allegedly committed five armed robberies in Almeria city. The men arrested are aged between 20 and 31, and one is a minor, all of them from Almeria. Investigations began on August 2 after a violent robbery was perpetrated on the Carretera de Malaga, when four hooded men armed with knives slashed the tyres of a vehicle in the area, attacked the occupants, and stole 300 euros and several personal objects. The occupants, a prostitute [...]

The National Police arrested an Italian fugitive who was reported to be on the run in the town of Roquetas de Mar on Friday. He was identified as CP, 29, and it is claimed by the Italian judicial authorities that he is wanted on charges of pimping minors. According to a police spokesmen, the arrest, made near his home, came following the delivery of a European arrest warrant for extadición (OEDE) issued by Italy. It appears that one of the victims of his sexual exploitation was his own sister. The [...]