In this week's Westmeath Independent

This week's Westmeath Independent is now on the shelves and features 88 pages of the best local news, sports, features and photography coverage. Our stories include:

* €15m science building 'to bring capacity for 1,000 more students' at AIT

* Bealnamulla sheep farmer counts cost of savage dog attack

* Region escapes worst effects of ex-Hurricane Ophelia

* Residential development will 'rejuvenate' Monksland

* Major sewage tunnel under Shannon gets green light

* Death occurs of Athlone-born tenor Louis Browne

* Jewellery worth €3,000 taken in Drumraney house burglary

* FIRST DAYS AT SCHOOL: We have photos from Ardkeenan NS, St Ronan's NS, Castlesampson NS, Camcloon NS, St Paul's NS, Cornamaddy NS, Tubber NS, Horseleap NS, Clonbonny NS and Ballinahown NS. 

* PHOTOS: The wedding of Lena Bracken and Paddy Malynn; and Tommy Tiernan's show in the Dean Crowe

* Manager Roddy Collins says he's committed to staying at Athlone Town

* We preview the Roscommon county final between St Brigid's and Roscommon Gaels

* Blistering start helps book Athlone's place in Westmeath minor final

All this and more is included in this week's edition, which is in shops now and can also be accessed online, through the ePaper link at the top of this page.