In this week's Westmeath Independent

This week's issue of the Westmeath Independent is on the shelves in all the local shops now, and once again we have another jam-packed issue for you featuring the best round-up of news, features, sport, property and photographs from around your local area.

Here are some of the highlights from this week's edition:

* A new €21.5 million development of 76 private houses gets underway in Arcadia, and the first six houses go on sale this week in REA Hynes Auctioneers.

* Athone retains its runner-up spot for the second year in the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey.

* Well-known local butcher shop, Fergie's Family Butcher on Sean Costello St, closes its doors after 25 years. Read our interview with the man who has been at the helm of the popular business since 1994, Fergie Jameson.

* AIT graduate, Yewande Biala, is one of the 12 contestants on ITV2's 'Love Island.' Read all about her this week.

* Spotlight on Domestic Violence: Read the first instalment of our three-part series on the serious societal issue of domestic violence and control.

* Plans for a major expansion to the Athlone IMC Cinema, including four new screens and a resturant, have referred to An Bord Pleanala for final decision.

* We feature a page of wedding pictures from the recent wedding of Westmeath Independent Sports Editor, Kieran Galvin, and his new bride, Helen Heery.

* Read about Moate native, Fiona Bracken, who works as the Arts and Design Co-ordinator in Moate Business College in our Independent People feature.

* PICTURES: It's First Communion season around our readership area, and this week we feature a full page of photogaphs of communicants and their families from Cornamaddy National School.

* We also have two pages of pictures from Flanfest, a page of pictures from Roscommon Races, and of course we also have our regular round-up of the best pictures from our readers in our weekly page of Reader's Pictures.

* SPORT: Joe goes pro! Read all about the decision of Joe Ward to turn his back on amateur boxing, and opt for a career in the professional ranks.

* We also preview this weekend's Connaught Final clash between Roscommon and Galway.

* Full coverage of last weekend's victories for the Westmeath senior footballers and hurlers 

* We look ahead to this weekend's Athlone Regatta at Coosan Point

All this and more is in this week's edition, which is out now. A digital edition can be purchased through the ePaper link at the top of this page.