Review of the year
We look back at the highs and lows of another year in West Lothian
July
Cross-party MSPs joined forces in July to press the new health secretary Jeane Freeman to return the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital to a 24/7 service.
Selfless father Kevin Cooper, from Livingston, donated one of his kidneys to a complete stranger, giving the woman a new lease of life.
The family of a woman who died after being exposed to asbestos were awarded £360,000 in compensation. The relatives of Winifred Thacker, from Armadale, sued her former employee, the North British Steel Group.
People in Fauldhouse became the first in West Lothian to enjoy pedal power thanks to the launch of the Cycling without Age scheme.
August
Plans were revealed for 1900 new homes in Gavieside, near Livingston, by housebuilder Springfield Properties.
SNP councillor Moira Shemilt found herself in hot water over her tweet that stated Brexit was worse than the troubles in Ireland. She later said her comments had been taken out of context.
It was revealed that 500 sick children had been forced to travel to Edinburgh for treatment since the kids’ ward at St John’s reduced its hours the previous summer.
Heartless thieves stole a van that was vital to the work of the British Red Cross in Eliburn - the second time the charity had been targeted.
Plans for 900 new houses at the former Bangour Village site were revealed.
September
A mum told of the nightmare trip her family had to endure so her sick child could receive treatmet in Edinburgh. Mary MacKenzie, from Breich, urged NHS Lothian to reinstate a full kids’ ward service at St John’s.
We revealed how over 700 people had been forced to use foodbanks during the summer - a 30 per cent increase from the previous period.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was urged to intervene over the crisis at the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital. MSP ramped up the pressure.
October
A week later it was revealed that it could take years for the service at the children’s ward at St John’s to be fully reinstated. NHS Lothian bosses issued the warning in a bitter blow to campaigners.
A woman whose cat was poisoned warned it could have been a child that was killed. Carol Ferns was devastated when her cat Precious had to be put to sleep
the fourth cat to be poisoned in her street at Huron Avenue, Livingston, in four years.
Mollie Hughes, the youngest woman to ever climb both sides of Mount Everest, raised £2500 for Bathgate Academy students preparing for the Polar Expedition.
The number of children living in homeless accommodation increased by 33 per cent in October, compared to the previous period, leading to calls for action.
November
Figures revealed that there had been a shocking surge in the number of violent incidents in schools .The number of attacks had more than doubled in a year from 42 to 91.
Plans unveiled by West Lothian Council would see gritters head out to treat roads later in the day. Gritters could treat pavements at 8am instead of 5am in a move that would save £100,000.
West Lothian stopped to mark Remembrance Sunday and also the 100th anniversary of the Armistice in November. Several special events were held around the county to mark the anniversary.
Figures revealed by Police Scotland showed the number of hate crimes had increased by 36 per cent from April to August, compared to the same period the year before. Figures also showed vandalism had increased but anti-social behaviour and assault statistics had fallen.
Customers at Costa Coffee in Bathgate were outraged at receiving hefty parking fines and accused the company of not displaying parking regulations properly.
December
Jase Hyndman received a heartfelt message from the Royal Mail in December after he wrote a letter to his dad in Heaven.
Parents whose kids are ferried to school in Linlithgow from Winchburgh hit out at the state of the school bus.
Council bosses warned more misery is on the way and said there could be further cuts and job losses saying their settlement had been “reduced”.