A 29-year-old man has been charged in relation to alleged road traffic and drug offences following a vehicle pursuit on the A90 in the Newtonhill area at around 3pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 November).

A quantity of cocaine with an estimated street value of £4500 was recovered. It is anticipated that he will appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today (Wednesday 15 November).

Road Policing Sergeant Steve Manson said: “This operation involved specialist officers as well as officers from Road Policing.

“No one was injured as a result. Officers in the North East are committed to tackling the illegal supply of drugs and we are grateful for the support from the community.”

Aberdeenshire Council officers have just told me that owing to BT Openreach replacing a telegraph pole to restore customer service, it will be necessary in the interests of public safety to close the C30K country road which connects Hillside with Blairs.

This will take place on Thursday 23 November and the following day with work starting at 9.30am and finishing at 3.30pm.

I was asked by a resident to find out if there are any plans to resurface the A90 slip roads at Newtonhill and Portlethen. I have now had an answer from BEAR Scotland who maintain the dual carriageway for Transport Scotland:

“We don’t have any planned works for this financial year, We are however currently reviewing next year’s programme.

“I won’t be able to confirm works for next financial year until late January 2018.

Resurfacing work is to take place on the northbound carriageway of the A90 at Cammachmore.

Residents have received letters from BEAR Scotland saying that the work, costing £315,000, will begin on Monday 13 November at 7.30pm taking 10 nights. It should be completed by 6.30am on Saturday 25 November, with no work taking place on Saturday 18 November and the following night.

A convoy system will be in place to ensure the safety of the workforce.

I have had a response from Police Scotland following a report of a shooting incident last night on Cranhill.

They told me: “Police attended and I can confirm that both parties have been spoken to and suitable advice has been provided. Police Scotland Firearms Licensing Department have been notified and made aware of the circumstances of this incident.”

For background, a posting elsewhere on Facebook this morning read: “My partner was walking our dogs around Cranhill last night around 7.30pm when he felt and heard bullets and gunshot flying past his face. He shouted out and two guys who have permission to shoot on the landowners property came down and denied they were shooting downhill towards the public track. They most definitely were. My partner phoned the police and landowner to advise.”

Here is what the Press and Journal reported on Saturday 11 November:

Dog walker claims he was almost hit by rifle pellets

A delightful lunch today at the annual Aberdeenshire Council volunteers’ reception.

Among the many worthy recipients of the awards at Woodhill House were Anne and Alistair McNair from Newtonhill and Helen Sleeth and Lynne Erskine from Portlethen.

The McNairs are heavily involved in Rotary among other good works while Helen and Lynne set up Run Porty Run and now also lead the Sportlethen sports hub.

Pictured below (from left) me, Anne, Alistair, and Provost Bill Howatson.

The current synthetic pitch at Portlethen Academy is to be fully rejuvenated week commencing 20 November.

This will mean further short-term disruption to allow the works to be completed but it is hoped this should improve the condition of the pitch until a replacement is undertaken.

It is hoped this work will minimise the potential for disruption over the coming months and improve the quality of the pitch surface.

The pitch is due to be replaced by Robertsons as it is coming to the end of its life. Under their contract is would be on a like-for-like basis, but work is under way to see if Aberdeenshire Council can facilitate the provision of a higher standard pitch.

A free workshop entitled ‘The Nuts and Bolts of a Funding Application’ aims to explain and develop understanding of some of the jargon and phrases commonly used in application forms and guidelines.

It is being held on Saturday 18 November from 10am to midday in the St James Hall, Stonehaven.

To book a place (they will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis) contact Diane Strachan on 01569 7688323 or email diane.strachan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk