Inside this week's Westmeath Independent

Here's a look at some of the stories you'll find in this week's Westmeath Independent, which is out now:

Hundreds try to rent eight Athlone homes

Fight for DMD drug approval is brought to Dáil

Detail on Athlone Castle works "too loose and easy"

New committee sought to organise Moate St Patrick's Day parade

Athlone records 'a very solid' performance in litter survey

Athlone Christmas Market gets biggest sum in festival grants

Retired GP Dr McCormick: Life as a GP 'a great privilege'

Enrolment growth at first local multi-denominational school

Entries up as Athlone Agri Show declared 'a fantastic success'

Ballymore dad faces MND diagnosis: 'This is about more than myself'

"Our housing system is broken": Up to 80% of calls to local counillors relate to housing

Athlone trio "saddle up" for five-country charity cycle from Germany to Italy

AND IN SPORT:

Westmeath "could have made slightly better decisions" - McCabe

Healy's point sends Westmeath crashing out of Tailteann Cup

Late burst denies Garrycastle in wonderful league decider

Home club claims top honours at record-breaking regatta