Wonder If The Trial Will Reveal The Truth?

The family of Aidan released a tribute to him as the murder investigation continued. They said: 'Aidan was the best son, big brother, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend anyone could have. He was a massive part of so many people's lives and is loved very dearly by all.

Clearly, not by one person. Not if police suspcions that this was deliberate are correct.

'He was a kind, caring, funny and sometimes shy boy, who was always polite and had respect for others. Aidan will be so missed by so many people.'

He wasn't missed by the driver. Who, I suspect, as is often the way with these things, would have a somewhat different view of the deceased to the family. We shall see at the trial. 

I Beg Your Pardon?

'Dramatic'? *adopts Paul Hogan accent* That ain't dramatic, mate...this is dramatic! 

And, worryingly, a road I know well! What sort of speed you'd have to be doing to end up there I can't imagine.

An Appeal For A Functioning Spellchecker?

It would seem to be sorely needed...

H'T: Ian J via email

News Manipulation

That was the headline for the story. So the casual viewer probably flicked past it without even noticing a crucial point - it should have said 'claimed', not 'revealed'. 

Those two words do not mean the same thing. As the article makes clear.

And yesterday, we had this:

Surely the word they were looking for there was 'murdered'? 

And it's not just the MSM, the locals are at it as well:

The 'victims' in this case were the thieves who stole the bike. Some might say that disqualified them from the status. 

I Beg Your Pardon?

Errr, that's pretty comprehensively stopped, officer....

A drink driver was arrested after crashing into another carcrashing into another car at a junction in Oakridge.

A police spokesperson told the Gazette: "We were called shortly after 7pm yesterday (Saturday 25 May) to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Oakridge Road.

"A 20-year-old man from Basingstoke was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit and driver of a vehicle fail to stop after a road accident.

"He remains in police custody at this time.”

I can only assume they mean the Beemer driver fled on foot, because that car's going nowhere unless it's on the back of a wrecking vehicle.... 

H/T: Ian J via email

Still No Spellchecker, 'Echo'..?

It's been a long time since I visited the pages of the Southend 'Echo'...nice to see some things don't change!  

Excuse Me Sir, But That's Not A Bug...

A young autistic man has been given a golden opportunity to share his passion for bugs and reptiles at the 2024 Devon County Show.

Ned’s mother, Jane Riley, explained that her son is finding it tough transitioning from education to a career: “He would love to work in an environment where he can use his passion to earn a living, but, as with many other neuro-divergent young adults, he simply doesn’t have the confidence to go to interviews, nor does he have a CV to back up his skills.”

Has he considered journalism? It seems to be a career that requires absolutely no skills or knowledge  whatsoever. 

H/T: IanJ via email

Do Local News Editors Count On Their Fingers?

"In the early hours of Tuesday morning, October 13, 1914, a train of fifty trucks, filled with goods destined for the London shops and markets, and pulled by the latest pattern engine from the Eastleigh works, crashed headlong into a stationary line of trucks on the same line near Andover Junction."

Mathematicians (no, not you Diane, sit down!) will be quick to spot the glaring error there. Where have 10 years disappeared to? 

Aha! Found them and updated the website.

Whew! I'm sure no-one noticed, Andover Advertiser... 

H/T: Ian J via email

Companies Might Want To Reconsider Using Local Newspapers For Free Advertising...

...because getting your brand into the papers only helps if you don't have to hold the rag up to a mirror! 

A supplier of building materials is opening a new branch in Norfolk, in a move that will bring dozens of jobs to the area and help lessen supply chain issues for local construction firms.

Let's hope this doesn't lead to a reversal of fortune, eh EDP Photo Editor? 

H/T: Dave Ward via email

Normal For Norfolk Journalism?

It's impressively wrong even by 'Daily Mail' standards!

It's an antelope, not a deer, it's an African animal not an English one, and it's a species, not a breed.

'Titanic' Discussions At Local Council Meeting!

After its meeting in January descended into chaos, one councillor, who has not been named, suggested that a change to the seating arrangement would 'stop councillors talking to the public during the meeting'.

Strange - thought that was a councillors' raison de etre! 

H/T: Ian J via email

And The Forecast Wasn't Accurate Either!

Perhaps the Leap Year threw them off?

H/T: Ian J via email

Measurement Issues...

Really? Maybe have a word with your photographer then...

Where did the other 40 inches go?!

H/T: Ian J via email

"Hey Boss, Any Difference Between A Rockfall And A Landslide?"

"Why?"

"No reason..."

H/T: Ian J via email

Reported In The EDP...

...not that they can really afford to throw stones at this particular glasshouse:

But of all the professions you'd expect to have multiple levels of proofreading...!

H/T: Dave Ward via email

So, Where Else Would They Go?

A set of traffic lights on a busy city road are set to be replaced in February.

Oh? Thanks for the information, EDP. Any more?

 Ummm, thanks?

H/T: Dave Ward via email

It's Like 'Spot The Ball' But...Not!

A "large flume of smoke" has been reported in Paignton. Motorists are being urged to approach the A380 Kings Ash Road with care. According to traffic monitoring site Inrix, the road is blocked in both directions. There is slow traffic near the A385 Totnes Road.

 What did they do before 'grabbing a screenshot from Googlemaps' became an option?

H/T: IanJ via email

EDP Editor: "Are We Sorted For E's..?"

EDP photo monkey: "No, boss..."

H/T: Dave Ward via email

Measurements Are Difficult...

When the collar doesn't match the cuffs! Check the URL...

H/T: Dave Ward via email

Don't Forget The 'E's...

No, not an instruction to a teenage Friday night party planning session...

*sighs* They can't make the effort to proof-read even the good news stories, can they?

H/T: Dave Ward via email