Hospital waiting times have risen because of the pandemic.

The Manx Independent this week reveals more.

Also on page one, we report on a Manx businesswoman who’s about to appear on Dragons’ Den.

Also this week:

The Manx SPCA says it is disappointed that a new animal welfare law has been rejected by MHKs.

A group of Maughold parishioners tell the Independent about their concern about the way that the church’s ancient stone crosses are stored.

A grand reopening of the newly-restored first section of Queen’s Pier in Ramsey is being planned.

A page of photos of the visit of the Duke and Edinburgh and the Queen visit in August 1955.

Drink-driver Belinda Anne Roberts, who crashed her car into a hedge, has been punished.

Investing in care homes in the west of the island is ’overdue’, according to a candidate in this year’s general election.

A promise from the Steam Packet designed to reassure passengers.

How an old tip is being transformed into a nature reserve in Laxey.

New bathing standards for sea water have come into effect.

Motorist Daniel Mark Ward, who injured a cyclist after being blinded by the sun, has been sentenced.

Ross Samuel, who exposed himself to two women as they were delivering the Courier newspaper, has been punished by a court.

An investigation has been launched into the destruction of long stretch of hedgerow, as part of a housing and bypass scheme.

Football referee Neshko Marinov is back on the road after the island’s community rallied to replace the bike he had stolen at the end of February.

Meat Plant chairman Tim Baker MHK has been grilled in the House of Keys over why the accounts for the abattoir have not been published for the last two years.

Teenager Caleb Douglas has been fined £250 for modifying the exhaust on his Ford Fiesta.

A Manx social media campaign to publicise issues for female victims of abuse around the world has raised hundreds of pounds.

In Island Life, our section about leisure and pleasure in the Isle of Man, we meet thriller writer Rona Halsall, learn about a Celtic festival in Australia, visit the art exhibition at the Hodgson Loom Gallery and review the Gaiety production of Shrek.

There is also lots of sport, plenty of community news, a page of your letters, Pullyman’s column, our puzzles pages and a seven-day television guide.

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But you don’t have to go to a shop to buy a copy.

You can also read it online if you buy the digital edition. It should be uploaded by 7.30am.

To find out how to buy it, go to the ’Digital Editions’ section of the website on the grey line near the top of this site or watch the video below.

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