In this week's Westmeath Independent

The second-ever compact edition of the Westmeath Independent is out now and is packed with 96 pages of unrivalled local news, sport and photography.

Some of our featured stories include:

* Man to plead guilty to child rapes

* Gardai probe local hoax 'bomb' delivery

* Social workers 'not involved' in Roma Boy's removal

* X-Factor star Shayne bids for festive hit with Foster & Allen

* Local TD ran marathon on fractured foot!

* 'Ridiculous' lack of clean water for up to 6,000 people

* €300,000 overrun in Luan Gallery cost

* Mount Temple's Nancy Dolan is profiled in our Independent People series

* Athlone soccer coach making waves in Canada

* Brilliant St Brigid's cruise to another Connacht decider

* Eamon Dunphy book launch goes down a treat in Athlone

* In his new sports column, well-known goalkeeper Shane Curran assesses the task facing Westmeath manager Paul Bealin

All this and much more can be found in this week’s paper, which is available in local outlets and can also be accessed in the ePaper format (for more on this option, see: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/epaper/#undefined)