Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news that councillors have raised major worries about the delayed refurbishment of the Tyne Bridge – and have warned against repeating mistakes that left it in such an abject state.
Our Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Holland wrote that the famous crossing is in an even worse condition than had previously been feared, as it awaits a long overdue restoration.
Adding the current inflation crisis to the extra repairs required means that the cost of the much-needed maintenance project is spiralling well above what was planned, while the works have been pushed back to autumn of this year.
A funding package of £41.4m, mostly funded by the Government, to repair both the Tyne Bridge and the Central Motorway was agreed last summer – but council bosses admitted in December that they may have to delay or abandon some of the motorway works to focus on the grade II* listed bridge. At Newcastle City Council’s overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday, Lib Dem councillor Nick Cott said the situation was an “urgent issue”.
Questioning where any extra funding needed for the works might come from, he said: “I would hope this is successful, but I know the Government is scaling back funding and projects. This is a really important issue – what is the likelihood of success and, if not successful, are there alternatives in the pipeline?
“Otherwise, are we going to be here next year and the year after and the year after that? We have talked about whether it is done for the centenary of the bridge [in 2028] and time is going by.”
Coun Cott, the committee’s chair, added: “In the old days, local authorities would have had the resources to be able to do many more of these things themselves. But with the way in which things work now, local authorities have very little resources to handle these things without getting money from central Government.”
Read more about this story here
Newcastle family's flat 'infested with disgusting cockroaches' in kitchen and under carpets
The family of a Newcastle mum who say they are living in a "disgusting" cockroach-infested flat has slammed the building's management for failing to act quickly to solve the issue.
Our Newcastle city centre reporter Sophie Brownson wrote that the single mum-of-three, who does not want to be named, claimed she was horrified to find a large number of cockroaches in her Baxterwood Grove flat when decorating. The cleaner claimed she made the grim discovery on Saturday, January 14 and found that they were in the boiler cupboard, her kitchen and under the carpets.
After speaking to her neighbours she claims they also said they had cockroaches and believe they are entering through the boiler system. However, Chronicle Live understands the resident has struggled to get any help for over a week from the building's management firm, Places for People.
Speaking on her behalf, brother-in-law Michael Harding, said: "We decided to give her a hand with decorating her flat but in the boiler cupboard, it came to light that she had cockroaches. It was absolutely disgusting.
"She lives on the third floor, the top of the block, so we knew then that it was an infestation in the block.
"She asked her neighbour two doors away if they had cockroaches and he said yes. They are going through the vents in the boiler system."
He continued: "It's something you never hear of. You see people with mould in the flats, but oh my God, the whole cupboard was just crawling with them.
"She has been killing them but when you read up on them they carry lots of diseases. On Sunday there were two next to the microwave so they are getting out of the cupboard."
Read more about this story here
Northumberland retired music teacher, 80, jailed for sexual activity with underage girl
A music teacher who groomed and abused an underage girl 60 years younger than him has been jailed.
Retired head of department Martin Fisher engaged in sexual activity with the girl from the age of 15 and she said he "destroyed" her teenage years.
Now the 80-year-old, never in trouble before, has been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court for having sexual activity with a child. Judge Penny Moreland told him: "You began grooming her and you began to abuse her when she was 15. This was an abusive relationship.
"You have done incalculable harm to her. She says you destroyed her teenage years."
The court heard they engaged in sexual activity before she was 16 and he had sex after she reached that age. At the time, the girl said what was happening made her feel "really grown up" and widower Fisher spoke of them getting married.
At one point police were involved after a report of concern for what was going on but she denied anything sexual was happening as "she cared for him and wanted to protect him". However she went on to disclose what happened to her after reaching adulthood after realising how young she had been when it first began.
In a victim impact statement, she said: "I wish to say this has been extremely difficult for me to deal with. I started having suicidal thoughts and it was a massive relief when he pleaded guilty.
"He should not be around children. He destroyed my teenage years for his benefit."
Read more about this story here
Anthony Gordon back at Everton as Newcastle await news from crisis talks with incoming Sean Dyche
Newcastle United may have to wait for the outcome of clear the air talks between Anthony Gordon and incoming Everton boss Sean Dyche.
The former Burnley boss is expected to be appointed as Everton manager today following talks in the last few days. Dyche was one of the front runners alongside Marcelo Bielsa but looks to have won the race for the job - and he will be tasked by the owners with a decision on Gordon, one way or another.
Despite Everton being resigned to losing Gordon, Dyche will still want a full examination of the circumstances and have his say on any potential departure. With no manager in place Gordon has missed two days of training without permission according to sources at Finch Farm but he was back to face the music today.
The saga has rumbled on in the last week or so after Frank Lampard was sacked and in the aftermath of Gordon being verbally attacked by Everton fans after the recent 2-1 defeat to Southampton.
A fresh round of reports today suggested that Everton's £60million asking price was set to be lowered closer to Newcastle's valuation of around £40m.
Read more about this story here
That's all from us for now, but check back at 5am tomorrow for your next North East Today update.
In the meantime, keep up-to-date with all the latest and sign up to our newsletters here.
Read next:
Documentary film charting impact of the historic Shields Ferry gets £50,000 go ahead
TUI customers' food poisoning 'hell' on New Year holiday at four-star Lanzarote hotel
The most unusual animal rescues by the RSPCA, including some from the North East
Stunning new images show how Newcastle's historic Pattern Shop will look
Bursaries launched to help get North East young people into archaeology on Hadrian's Wall
