Latest news with #Elgin-based
Daily Record
3 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Moment tattooed thug arrested at work after battering mum to death in her bed
Kiesha Donaghy was battered to death with what is thought to be a claw hammer in her home in Elgin. The moment a tattooed thug is arrested for the slaughtering of a mum in her own bed has been captured. Kiesha Donaghy, 32, was discovered battered to death with what is thought to be a claw hammer in her home on Anderson Drive in Elgin at 7.20pm on November 16, 2023. A new BBC documentary series, Murder Case: Who Killed Kiesha, has revealed detectives looking for her killer snaring her friend Own Grant at his Elgin-based workplace. Grant, 43, is caught saying: 'You've got to do what you've got to do but I've not done nothing.' Before he is taken away in handcuffs, he adds: 'What about my job?' The revealing programme has disclosed that investigators initially suspected the mother-of-two had been murdered by drug dealers as loved-ones told of how she was being chased for a drug debt worth around £20,000. A Scouse enforcer labelled Joe Bloggs warned Kiesha that his 'Two Amigos' would be visiting her and "They will not meet you anywhere else. It will be in your house and you will be alone', revealed in messages on the show. Kiesha's aunt Rachel said: 'When we found she had been murdered I thought to myself this is Joe Bloggs, this is his amigos.' However, the show noted that Grant carried out the killing to steal the £770 that she had stashed in a wardrobe - gathered to pay Joe Bloggs. CCTV showed Grant, who claimed he was in bed, on the night in which Keisha died and not the Two Amigos. More footage showed him flaunting a large amount of money during the time he was struggling to pay his rent. Although a murder weapon was never recovered, CCTV showed Grant dumping something in a bin outside a shop. Police arrested Grant at his work after a bloody handprint in Kiesha's home was identified as his. Detective Inspector William Grant said: 'He would have known that he was starting to become of significant interest to the police. "This is a man that's committed a violent murder in a relatively low crime area of Scotland, We can't allow him to be walking the streets." Grant was convicted in May and jailed for 24 years. Kiesha's aunt Rachel said: 'I wish he had never been in Elgin and I wish he had never met Kiesha. 'I can't believe he killed her for the money, It's a disgusting thing to do. "If he asked her for money she would have given it to him. It was just that he knew she had that money and he wanted it to feed his habit. 'He's in jail now but we've got to carry on. It's never going to be the same without her." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Press and Journal
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
'I won Olympic gold, Moray Leisure Centre ice rink closure will rob generations of kids realising dreams'
Young curlers in Moray have access to coaching from some of the finest curling minds in the world. This training is being led by Elgin-based Olympic champion Janice Rankin, who has a connection with the ice rink that is a huge part of her life. This link between the elite level of competition and Moray's grassroots could be severed after Moray Leisure Centre's decision to temporarily close the ice rink. It follows their original decision to shut the rink entirely after rising energy costs had forced the gym, ice rink and leisure facility to try and cut costs. Mrs Rankin graced the top step of the podium in 2002 after competing with her team in the Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City. She was part of the Rhona Martin-led rink that had nearly 6 million TV viewers gripped until nearly midnight before finally claiming gold. However, she has also achieved medal-winning results in World, European and Junior championships after first picking up curling in Edinburgh. Moving to Inverness in 2000 and then to Elgin in 2003, after the birth of her first child, Mrs Rankin has had a long history with Moray Leisure Centre's ice rink, practising there 'whenever I had the chance.' Since pulling back from international competition, she has continued to support her children's passion for curling and stepped into the world of coaching. Her role within Moray Junior Curling Club has expanded over the years, becoming club secretary during Covid and landing the role of head coach in the last two years. Curling is available between Monday and Wednesday at the rink, and she told us: 'Every day that curling is available, I am there.' Having spent years with the juniors, watching them grow and develop their curling, she has found it 'heartbreaking' to learn of the rink's uncertain future. Mrs Rankin said it had been amazing to watch children come and develop on the rink as curlers, but also as people. She calls the game a 'life skill sport', which gives youngsters a chance to mix with other schoolkids and adults from across Moray. She said: 'It's brilliant for the kids here, because curling is such an inclusive sport. 'Children can play against adults, boys play against girls, boys and girls play together. 'I see the changes in some of the kids as the years go by. It's just so good to see their confidence improve and the way they interact with others.' Of the young curlers, some come from further afield towns like Forres and Keith. Many then form teams and compete in adult leagues, all of which will become harder to organise if the rink closes for good. With the nearest ice rinks in Inverness or Aberdeen, curlers will be limited by the amount of training they can do and Mrs Rankin thinks the majority of junior curlers would give up the sport. She said: 'To drop down from two days to one day, it might not sound a lot, but it will make a big difference to their progression and consistency. 'A few parents have said to me 'My child doesn't get excited about anything but they love curling.' 'To have that taken away from them, I think it will just be so, so, sad because it's great to hear that they've found something that they love.' Despite her extensive voluntary role as part of the junior curling club, Mrs Rankin also dedicates some of her time to Scottish and British curling coaching. This gives young curlers in Moray access to training also being taught to the best curlers in the country. Mrs Rankin explained: 'I see what the higher end are doing and then I try and bring that to the kids here. 'But it's difficult because none of the other coaches are getting the exposure to all the stuff that I'm getting. 'I do my lesson plans and distribute them to the other coaches, so we're roughly doing the same so it's quite difficult to get it all sort of coordinated, but we get there. 'The most important thing is that the kids enjoy it and they keep coming back.' Mrs Rankin told the P&J she has several special memories of her time of the rink. Her eldest son Jamie was selected to curl at the 2020 Youth Olympics in Switzerland, and during that period were both able spend time at the ice rink together in their respective Team GB kits. She also spoke of a 'relaxed' ice rink period during an annual Christmas Bonspiel, and always looked forward to curlers coming together to celebrate the festive period. But ultimately, Mrs Rankin said her most fond time at the rink has been her experience coaching the juniors every week. She said: 'I've invested a lot of time in them. 'I just love seeing all the juniors playing, learning and interacting with one another. 'I just look at them out on the ice every week and I'm like, this is so good to see, you know? Seeing them happy and enjoying themselves. 'If it closes permanently, I'm going to miss them. It is one of the highlights of my week when I get to see everyone on a Wednesday.' Mrs Rankin agrees with Moray Leisure Centre's assessment there are not enough users of the ice rink, especially during the day. Curlers fill the rink Monday to Wednesday in the evenings, but as the ice has to be resurfaced during the week for the switch to skating and hockey, the rink goes empty for long periods during curling days. She is hoping for more school involvement and corporate sessions coming back into the rink to fill empty slots during the day, should it reopen again in October. But she also finds it 'unfair' that national level curling sees a disproportionate level of funding to the grassroots game, and hopes more support can be found to keep Moray's rink alive. She said: 'It's really tough because when you see British Curling, you see the top level players and the amount of funding that they get. 'I totally understand that. But you see that level, then you see the level that we're working at in comparison – there's nothing. 'There's a beautiful facility in Stirling and all the rest of it and then it's like our ice rink might close. 'It just seems so unfair.'
Chicago Tribune
22-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
East Dundee OKs spending $508,000 to remove lead water lines
East Dundee plans to spend more than a half million dollars this year removing lead service lines that bring water into village homes and businesses. The $508,000 earmarked for the first year of the Lead Service Line Replacement project will pay for the removal of pipes leading to 36 of the 300 properties known to have lead service lines, said Phil Cotter, director of public works. A service line is one that connects a home or business to the village's water main line below the street. Communities throughout the country have been mandated to replace the lines by the state and federal Environmental Protection agencies by 2037. While the pipes are typically safe because calcification encases the lead, the substance can be released into the water when the pipes are disrupted, experts say. Lead has not been detected in East Dundee's drinking water. However, the potential for water contamination is dangerous because of the physical harm it can cause if consumed. The greatest risk is to children because it can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to slow growth and development and learning and behavior problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This week, the East Dundee Village Board voted to waive bidding requirements and award the service line removal contract to IHC Construction Cos. based on competitive bids obtained this year by West Dundee, Cotter said. Typically the village would seek its own bids but since East Dundee is only doing 36 removals this year, it made sense to go with what West Dundee had already received, he said. IHC Construction's unit price is within the average cost to replace lead service lines, which is between $12,000 and $15,000, Cotter said. West Dundee is replacing 224 lead service lines. IHC is one of two companies that bid for its project and was the lowest bidder. IHC is an Elgin-based firm that has done the same work in Elgin, Cary, Glen Ellyn and Oak Park, Cotter said. East Dundee has hired Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers to oversee the project. Cotter said the village submitted its replacement project plans to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and plans to start work this year. The work will be paid for with $500,000 earmarked in the village's water and sewer operating budget for 2025. East Dundee also increased its water rate by 10% and its sewer rate by 3% this year to pay for line removal work, he said. They're hoping to secure state or federal funding or loans as the program continues, Cotter said. This year's funding will cover line removal for: IHC will do the work ahead of upcoming street improvement projects to be done in those areas, Cotter said.
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: Gail Borden Public Library holding comic book panel discussion; Elgin author to discuss Agatha Christie lingo, references
'Sound + Vision,' a rock 'n' roll comic panel discussion, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the Gail Borden Public Library in downtown Elgin in advance of its 16th annual Comic Book Mania event on Saturday, Aug. 2. During the program, graphic novelists Steve Horton and Russell Lissau will talk about the relationship between musical artists and comic books and sign copies of their books, according to the library's website. The Comic Book Mania Convention in August, scheduled for noon to 4 p.m., will feature comic artists and vendors, photo ops with superheroes and comic book characters, a comic book costume contest and a drawing class. For more information, go to and Elgin-based author and historian Kate Gingold and her husband, Don, a publisher at Gnu Ventures Co., will present a program on 'The Long Lost Lingo of Agatha Christie' from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Oak Crest Residence in Elgin. Kate Gingold's book, 'Agatha Annotated' offers a glossary database of obscure terms and historical references found in the works of Agatha Christie, according to a news release. She was invited to speak on the subject at the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, England, in September 2024. Since then, Gingold has added to the talk with memories of the festival and the experts she met while researching the terms. Don Gingold, a voice and community theater performer, will be reading passages from the novels that include the obscure terms his wife will define. Complimentary refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The event is free but freewill donations will be accepted. The center is at 204 S. State St. To make a reservation to attend, call 847-742-2255. For more information, go to A tropical island event featuring live music and dance performances will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Wing Park Family Aquatic Center, 1030 Wing St., Elgin. Evening admission to the family event is $5 for Elgin residents and $6 for nonresidents, according to a social media post for the event. For more information, call 847-289-2542. Elgin History Museum will be hosting the Elgin Arts Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 28, at the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House, 302 W. Chicago St., Elgin. The free event is designed to bring area creative and arts supporters together for a casual, welcoming gathering, according to a social media post. 'No agenda, no sales pitch, just snacking, sipping and being in the same room with our creative community,' the post says. The event is open to anyone age 21 or older. Alcohol will be available. Future happy hours are being planned for the last Monday of each month. For more information, call 847-742-4248.
Press and Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Johnstons of Elgin posts £305k loss after tough year for luxury market
One of Moray's most historic employers, Johnstons of Elgin, reported a pre-tax loss of £305,000 last year after what it called a 'challenging year' for the global luxury sector. The result marks a sharp decline from the £4.6 million profit the family-owned company posted in 2023. Johnstons, a cornerstone of Elgin's economy for over 225 years, saw annual sales fall by 6% to £94.2m, down from £100m the previous year. The company had flagged the slowdown in September when it announced jobs were being cut at its Elgin mill. Newly filed accounts show that demand fell more sharply than expected in 2024, forcing Johnstons to restructure parts of its business and absorb increased overheads, including wage inflation. Despite difficult trading conditions, there were bright spots. Its retail division performed strongly, growing its turnover by 4%. The growth was fuelled by improved online sales and strong footfall at its flagship stores – including a new location at London's prestigious Burlington Arcade. Managing director Johanna Wallace said the business entered 2024 expecting further growth, but demand quickly fell away due to global economic uncertainty and changing consumer behaviour. 'It took time to react to the subsequent downturn shift in the market, resulting in inefficiencies in our mills and some restructuring costs,' she wrote in the company's strategic report. The firm said it expects the luxury market to stabilise over time, but that growth will likely be slower than in recent years. 'We continue to invest in additional capacity to meet future growth demands of our private label clients and the Johnstons of Elgin brand,' added Ms Wallace. The Elgin-based manufacturer produces high-end cashmere and woollen garments, both under its own Johnstons of Elgin label and for major international luxury brands. Products are made from start to finish in Scotland, with spinning, weaving, finishing and embroidery all carried out at its Elgin and Hawick sites. Despite the downturn, chief executive Chris Gaffney said the company remains focused on long-term strategy. This includes investing £4.7m in capital projects, including expanding capacity at both mills and upgrading machinery. Mr Gaffney also highlighted a £5.4m improvement in the company's cash position, driven by tight control over working capital. 'Following consistent growth averaging 25% per annum in the three years after the pandemic, the volumes that were forecasted for 2024 did not come to fruition due to the well-documented slowdown in the luxury market,' he said. 'Our cost structure is now aligned with our forecast for 2025 and we are budgeting for a return to profit this year. 'We expect the luxury market to return to more normal levels of growth in the coming years and are well positioned to benefit from our vertically integrated, made in Scotland, supply chain. 'Everything we sell is either woven, knitted or made into garments by our talented craftspeople in our own mills.' Johnstons of Elgin currently employs 1,185 staff across its operations, with most roles based in Elgin.
