Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Some of today's big headlines include an emotional interview with June Tron, who saw son Philip Tron killed during the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. June told ChronicleLive how it was agonising to learn that MI5 had been aware of the risk posed by the bomber.
Read more: The courageous Newcastle boy, three, who cannot walk or talk and suffers 15 seizures a day
Also in the news is a Tynemouth mum's astonishing months-long wait for a refund for a festival that has never happened, another episode in the tale of a criminal who has already accrued 390 convictions, and some useful consumer information for anyone struggling with their fuel bills ahead of a week that is set to be truly freezing.
From a Newcastle United perspective, we've also heard from Eddie Howe about his team's worrying barren spell in front of goal. This is your morning North East Today update.
'To think they had him on their radar': Mum of Manchester bombing victim on agony at knowing atrocity might have been stopped
Robbed of her precious son by a terror attack that might have been prevented, June Tron will spend the rest of her life making sure the lessons of Manchester are not forgotten.
Philip Tron, from Gateshead, was among the 22 people to lose their lives when Salman Abedi detonated his suicide bomb in the packed foyer at Manchester Arena almost six years ago.
The atrocity might have been prevented if MI5 had not missed a “significant opportunity” to stop the bomber, it was revealed this week.
Tynemouth mum slams Northumberland festival after waiting months for refund for tickets bought in 2020
A Tynemouth mam has slammed the organisers of a Northumberland festival after it took her months to get a £244 refund on tickets bought over three years ago.
Julie Marsh bought a family ticket for the Corbridge Festival in 2020 for herself, husband Phil, and daughters Eve, 14, and Ellie, 12 on January 4 2020. Understandably, the festival, which was due to be held at Tynedale Rugby Club, was postponed in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and once again in 2021.
Initially, NHS worker Julie said she was happy for the organisers to keep the money and roll it over until the festival could safely go ahead. However, when that was pushed back again in 2022 due to not being able to find a "suitable venue", she asked for a refund - last November, but says that her emails were "stonewalled" by both SSD Concerts and TicketLine.
Relentless shop thief with 390 convictions caught shoplifting - two days after prison release
A relentless thief with 390 convictions on his appalling record was caught shoplifting - just two days after being released from prison.
As previously reported on Chroniclelive, Neil Ganjel was given a suspended sentence in November last year after stealing from stores 17 times in a month. However, just a day after being given that chance, the 33-year-old was caught carrying stolen goods and locked up for 20 weeks.
The career crook was initially released from prison in January this year but was recalled soon after and served the remainder of his sentence, only regaining his last month. But Ganjel proved he wasn't yet ready to change his spots when, just two days later, he was back up to his old tricks.
Full list of winter energy payments that you could still get
The Government's £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) payments have come to an end this month, but there's still a few ways you might be able to get cash to help with your heating bills as we get ready for wintery weather forecasted for this week.
The support could be a welcome boost this year to many families on low incomes, as energy bills soar amid the cost of living crisis. Even with the £2,500 energy price guarantee scheme (EPG) in place, the average household is still paying nearly double the £1,277 a year it was paying last year.
Although there are rumours that the £500 a year hike to the EPG may be scrapped next month amid growing pressure from charities and pressure groups, the cost of energy for the average UK household is currently still due to rise to £3,000 from April 1, at the same time as the energy bills support scheme (EBSS) is due to stop. And remember the £3,000 is for an average family - use more and you'll pay more.
Eddie Howe underlines Newcastle United's biggest concern after barren run continues
Eddie Howe admitted that Newcastle United's run of three games without a goal is a big concern.
Speaking in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat against Man City, when a host of chances were missed in both halves, Howe indicated that the team's confidence and well-being hinged on getting back to goalscoring ways. Howe's team were flowing with goals and confidence before the World Cup notching up a string of four-goal victories at one stage.
Reflecting on the barren run, Howe said: "I’m not going to lie and say it’s not a concern, because of course it is, but I think if you’re still creating them, and we did today, then that’s a positive."
READ NEXT:
- Greggs factory worker's 1,215 mile Land's End to John O'Groats hike for mental health causes
- Family's heartbreak as renowned Northumberland artist and 'amazing' grandmother dies of cancer
- 'No coincidence' North East has highest rate of unpaid carers in England says charity boss
- Tot was 'hours away' from death after common cold led to heart failure - now she's waiting for a transplant in Newcastle
- Paramedic's stark knife crime warning after seeing 'devastation' it causes first-hand
