The co-owner of the Old Mill Inn hotel has described the fire that tore through the premises as "another sad chapter" for the site.
Councillors have been urged to focus on the north-east's most vulnerable residents as the region continues its Covid-19 recovery.
A new tree has been planted in the grounds of a council headquarters to celebrate a climate-change workshop.
North-east council chiefs are preparing a repair bill for roads and bridges that have been damaged by heavy AWPR construction vehicles since the bypass project began.
A North-east councillor is looking at the possibility of walking across a large flyover on the AWPR.