In this week's Westmeath Independent

This week's Westmeath Independent is out now and contains 96 pages of the best local news coverage, sport, features and photography. 

Our stories include: 

* Future of Portiuncula's maternity services under threat

* Child rapist to be sentenced in March

* Jobs boost for Athlone as new firm starts hiring

* WIN: A holiday for 2 to Turkey in our fantastic competition

* Reporter Kieran Galvin tackles the burger-eating challenge at Murphy's Law pub!

* Nicky McFadden receives Athlone IT’s highest honour

* End of an era on Mardyke Street as Noel Ryan retires

* Photos from 'Trad on the Prom' at Hodson Bay, and the civil partnership of David Nally & Neil Ashe

* Vote for your local sports star of the year

* A look ahead to the Ireland under-20s clash with Scotland in Athlone on Friday

* Westmeath and Roscommon gear up for start of league campaigns

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, click on 'ePaper' at the top of this page).