Ourtoonjohnstone.co.uk News, photos and chat from Johnstone Town, Renfrewshire

Take a stroll down Paisley’s High Street and the difficulties facing the town are clear for all to see.
Closed and boarded-up shops, a rash of ‘To Let’ signs and the growing number of discount stores all make for depressing viewing on what was once the jewel in Renfrewshire’s retail crown.

You may not recognise his name or his face but, if you live or work in Paisley, you can be sure that Crawford Russell has had an impact on your life.

WEST of Scotland MSP Annabel Goldie has criticised the council’s spending plans on education.
The Scottish Conservative leader, who lives in Bishopton, claims the council’s budget puts ideology before the best interests of pupils.

The safety of hundreds of school pupils will be put at risk as changes are to be made to the secondary school transport scheme, it has been warned.

Thousands of families across Renfrewshire will benefit from a council tax freeze – for the third year in a row.
But council house tenants will be hit hard as their rent is to rise by 4.5 per cent – more than double the current 1.9 per cent rate of inflation – each year until 2015.
And dozens [...]

People in Renfrewshire are being warned about a telephone scam designed to find out their bank details so that criminals can empty their accounts.

Furious workers are threatening to shut leisure centres in Renfrewshire after being handed an ultimatum by bosses.
The sports centre and swimming pool staff were told to agree to a shake-up of their terms and conditions or face the sack.

Over 120 miles of pavements and residential streets in Renfrewshire are being targeted for extra gritting in the latest phase of Renfrewshire Council’s programme to combat the big freeze.
The gritting is to be carried out over the next few days, subject to any further severe weather.
Renfrewshire Council is expecting delivery of 500 tonnes of salt [...]

The current wintry conditions are affecting communities across the country.
As freezing conditions continue, it’s important that we look after ourselves and pull together to look out for those in need.
This longest sustained period of cold weather in 30 years has presented major challenges to councils in the UK. Extreme conditions are putting a high demand [...]

Eight dedicated local heroes have been celebrating the perfect start to 2010 after they were named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.