Oxford and Oxfordshire news, sport and information updated throughout the day

Stories for 24 February 2006

Oxfordshire News

Brainbox blues

Having sat through a gruelling two-hour IQ test one Sunday afternoon, I was disappointed to learn I will not be joining the elite ranks of Mensa, writes Mail reporter Andrew Alexander.   more...

Spending rises

County councillor Liz Brighouse rightly chastises the Liberal Democrats for failing to produce a budget at last week's county council meeting, but does not listen to things she does not want to hear.   more...

What's the point

We are being told that we must recycle more of our rubbish. The city council (Labour) will be fined by the Government (Labour) if it fails to reach a target of something like 25 per cent by 2008.   more...

Climate control

A climate change officer and a sustainability officer will be hired by Oxford City Council on salaries costing £210,000 over the next three years.   more...

Death 'elated' accused medic

A nurse on trial for murdering two patients looked "elated" and had "bright wide eyes" when he was told that one of his victims had stopped breathing, a jury heard.   more...

`Don't shun city on protest day'

Shoppers are being encouraged not to stay away from Oxford tomorrow, despite fears that violence could erupt when animal rights activists and supporters of Oxford University's new research laboratory clash.   more...

Seven-day late licences turned down

Two bars in Oxford's Cowley Road have been refused permission to open until 1.30am seven days a week because of fears about noise.   more...

`Let them jail me over door'

A disabled woman faces jail after refusing to meet this week's deadline for paying a court fine over her plastic front door.   more...

County among gay hotspots

Oxfordshire is officially one of the top `gay wedding' hotspots in the country.   more...

Heroin addict is jailed for assaults

An airgun-toting heroin addict who stormed into his girlfriend's house and attacked her and two police officers in an attempt to see his two children was jailed for four-and-a-half-years at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.   more...

Widower's pain over burglary

Thieves stole irreplaceable jewellery, medals and a family heirloom when they ransacked a Didcot house in broad daylight.   more...

Friday, February 24: Caught in red tape tangle

While truancy teams have been out scouring the streets for skivers, one 11-year-old girl, desperate to get to school, has been left to her own devices at home for five weeks.   more...

'Nuisance' mail thief avoids jail

Magistrates admitted they were disappointing a thieving teenage vandal's victims yesterday -- by not locking him up.   more...

Tenant fumes at landlord's refusal to build ramp

A woman with a debilitating illness claims she is housebound because her landlord has refused to install a ramp for the shed where she stores her invalid buggy.   more...

How to solve water crisis

In all the talk about the water companies creating new large reservoirs, one gets the impression that they have somehow 'lost the plot'.   more...

Bureaucracy keeps girl out of school

An 11-year-old girl has lost out on five weeks of education because of a stand-off between two Oxfordshire secondary schools over the release of her records.   more...

Uncle is guilty of crash deceit

A man has been found guilty of lying to police to protect his nephew who was involved in Oxford's tragic Eastern Bypass crash.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Football: Young Bradie on bench

BRIAN Talbot has decided against bringing in a goalkeeper on loan to cover for crocked Chris Tardif.   more...

Football: Banbury boss

wants repeat BANBURY United manager Kevin Brock has praised the efforts of his players after they brought down Southern League Premier Division leaders Salisbury - and wants more of the same against Bedford Town tomorrow.   more...

Fixtures: The sporting week ahead

TOMORROW   more...

Football: Helby eyes North Leigh return!

NORTH Leigh hope to welcome back a fully focused Andrew Helby for their GlS Football League Premier Division trip to Pegasus Juniors tomorrow, after the midfielder missed Tuesday's defeat against Shrivenham with an eye problem.   more...

Rugby: Hicks unfussed by league gap

WITNEY skipper Jez Hicks says they have every reason to be confident for Sunday's Oxfordshire Cup semi-final with Henley Wanderers (2.30).   more...

Badminton: Thirds break duck

OXFORDSHIRE enjoyed a rare double success when they entertained Bedfordshire in the Inter-County Championships at Radley College.   more...

Tennis: Greenland in Corby cruise

TOM Greenland continued his fine form by winning the Corby leg of the Tropicana British Tour.   more...

Football: Potter targeted

OXFORD City's Chris Potter could be on his way to Brackley Town.   more...

Football: Tyler sits it out

ROSS Tyler is ruled out for AFC Wallingford when they travel to Netherne in Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division 1.   more...