FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 EDITION: The first shop opened this week in a new era for a Dewsbury shopping parade recently taken over by community activists.
Sama Flora launched at The Arcade selling colourful handmade gifts by self-taught Sam Hirst - and a baby clothes and toy store is due to open in there tomorrow (Fri).
Community group Dewsbury Pioneers signed a five-year lease for the building with its landlord last month.
A mini retail survey show that while Dewsbury still has too many empty shops, some units, including the long-vacant former Game store on Longcauseway, are now taken.
Meet crafty Sam and read why the town's new 20-year revival masterplan could be mis-named only in our exclusive story.
Elsewhere, a Cleckheaton vicar is doing a sleepout in aid of the homeless – in a farm stable with a disco and party food supplied by local traders.
On the theme of homelessness, a once struggling Batley artist forced to 'sofa surf' is now a successful businesswoman.
Campaigners in the town fear traders will be 'systematically' condemned' if plans for an Islamic education centre in Healey is approved.
Fellow activists in Dewsbury are close to hiring a lawyer for another looming planning battle after a series of successful fundraisers.
And after MP Jo Cox abstained in a crucial parliamentary vote, she explains he views on the situation in Syria.
In sport, Dewsbury Rams chairman Mark Sawyer would consider a repeat of last season a successful campaign in 2016.
Sawyer also talks about improvements to the Tetley's Stadium – find out what has been done in The Press.
And Batley Bulldogs have got their target Chris Ulugia for 2016, but they had to do it the hard way.
The centre wasn't allowed a visa to sign for Batley permanently, but he will remain on loan at the club for 2016.
Elsewhere Mirfield Stags kept up their 100 per cent start to the Pennine League Championship.
And in rugby union Cleckheaton secured their third win of the season at home to Birkenhead. They look for their fourth win at Rossendale Saturday (2.15pm).
But our football sides have had mixed fortunes, Liversedge and Ossett Town both lost their last league games, but club of the month for November Ossett Albion have climbed to fifth in the Evo-Stik First Division North and reached the semi-finals of the West Riding Cup after consecutive victories.
And find out why former WBA and IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan will be in Dewsbury tomorrow night.
It's all in The Press, the only newspaper which has North Kirklees covered.
