Your morning briefing on all the latest from across the North East
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Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East – from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news that a fundraiser has been set up in tribute to a 15-year-old girl who tragically died following a suspected 'stabbing' in Hexham.
Family and friends are among floods of people to pay tribute to teenager Holly Newton of Haltwhistle in Northumberland. Flowers and teddy bears are among the tributes left at the scene of the horror attack near Pizza Pizza in the Northumberland town, which is deemed one of the 'happiest places to live'.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and remains in custody. Close relatives had visited the scene to lay flowers for Holly.
A note left by the teen's mother read: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much. Love mam and Lee. See you soon beautiful."
Another laid by her grandmother read: "Always loved never forgotten. You'll never be out of our thoughts. All our love Nana and Granddad."
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A disabled woman who moved 20 miles to be nearer to her family has spoken of her horror when she discovered her new home was "riddled with damp".
Susan Davis moved into the bungalow in Burradon, North Tyneside, just five months ago, but said almost as soon as she settled in, she noticed the walls were damp and the windows let in water every time it rained, which has led to mould growth in her home.
And the 58-year-old, who says she has a leaning disability, claims her asthma and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) have both become much worse since she moved into the North Tyneside Council home, leading to her doctor writing a letter to call for the repairs to be made, saying the mould could cause 'serious harm or threat to her life'.
"I'm very wheezy all of the time and I struggle to breathe," said Ms Davis. "I have had a few frightening times when I have dozed off and woke up choking, unable to catch my breath. I have suffered from asthma and COPD for years but I have never been as bad as when I moved into this bungalow."
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Wayne Wilson's weight loss journey not only improved his health, it allowed him to spend precious time with his mum before she passed away.
After learning that mum Hazel had bowel cancer and needed to lose weight before undergoing surgery to remove the cancer, Wayne and his sister decided to support their mum by joining Slimming World as a family.
And it's a decision he said he continues to be grateful for as it brought them closer as a family and allowed them an extra year with their mum, who sadly died on December 13, aged 72.
Wayne said: "I joined to support my mum so she was able to get the operation to remove a section of her bowel where the cancer was. She was able to go on and have the surgery and because of that we were able to spend another year with her.
"Unfortunately, it didn't cure her but it did give us more time with her."
The 50-year-old, from Dudley, added: "It's been quite hard over the last couple of weeks but thinking back [losing weight together] brought us closer because it meant I spent more time with her.
"Every week I would go to see her and we would go to the Slimming World class together and afterwards we'd go back to mum's and we'd chat about how we'd been getting on that week and we've have a laugh about whether she'd gone to the chip shop and things like that."
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And finally, we brought you news that Newcastle are ready to pay £45million for James Maddison, according to various reports. ChronicleLive understands two bids for the Leicester City star were rejected last summer but that has not cooled the Magpies’ interest.
Just 18 months left on his contract means the Foxes may consider selling the injured star, who has not played since before the World Cup break. Newcastle’s valuation is reportedly £10million shy of how much Leicester would accept.
Toon chiefs are well aware that Maddison’s price tag will drop drastically this summer. Patient attempts to sign Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon proves Newcastle are prepared to play the long game.
Read more about this story here
Read next
'I'll never get my childhood back, but I can look to the future': Cruelty victim's relief as abusive Longbenton stepdad finally jailed
Northumberland retired music teacher, 80, jailed for sexual activity with underage girl
Eight gun plot thugs guilty of UK-wide conspiracy which saw firearm blasted at home
North Shields man arrested in connection with alleged Albanian people-smuggling operation
Sunderland murder accused claims his friend killed teenager during row over money
