In this week's Westmeath Independent

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

* Man dies after falling into the River Shannon in Athlone

* Local residents set to protest Lough Ree water extraction plan

* Plans lodged for major extension to town's cinema

* Decree for €160,000 in Athlone Town stadium court case

* TD Naughten says there's a 'ticking time bomb' over Monksland boundary issue

* Portiuncula ward plan could be affected by children's hospital cost overrun

* Plan predicts population growth of 8,000 in Athlone

* Dean Crowe panto promises lots of laughs for all the family

* PHOTO SPECIALS: Tang carol service; Roscommon Tidy Awards ceremony; Westmeath Cathaoirleach John Dolan's Christmas Dinner; Ganly's Christmas Party, The Best Reader's Pictures of 2018; Garrycastle GAA's Derek Daly memorial 5k Walk/Run.   

* Christmas creative writing, our annual Christmas Quiz, and Christmas cards from Cornafulla NS 

* Cooney pleased with Westmeath players' attitude as Kildare await

* Clann na nGael hold off Brigid's rally to secure U-20 football title

* Details of the annual Westmeath Independent Sports Awards night later this month 

All this and more is in this week's paper, which is out now.