Headlines from this week's paper include:
A plea to protect wooden bridges which a local councillor says are being left to rot
The Deerbolt Independent Monitoring Board annual report reveals how warnings were sounded after staff shortages almost saw the prison reach a "tipping point"
Plans have been submitted for a children's home at Hamsterley
Proposals for holiday lodges at Rokeby have been rejected
More volunteers are needed to help the dale's Marie Curie fundraising group
Chippy staff in Barney are hoping to cook up cash for Sport Relief
Staindrop's bid to become the fittest village in the country is gathering pace
There's full coverage of last week's Teesdale Business Awards
Find out what's coming up with four pages on what's on and events news
In rural news, tributes were paid to two of the founders of Farmwatch at the group's 30th anniversary while we headed up the dale to meet the farmer who has introduced Dalesbred sheep to his flock
In sport, cricketers' thoughts are turning to the new season – despite the weather
Plus all your letters, community news, business and jobs, family notices and much more... all in this week's Mercury
