Registered blind David McWilliams, 74, lost his battle with coronavirus in hospital in Southport, having been airlifted to Merseyside following a fall at his home in Clagh Vane, Ballasalla.

Also inside this week’s issue:

The government cannot guarantee the security of Manx waters after the end of the Brexit transition period.

Don’t miss the voucher for our 12 Gifts of Christmas prize draw.

Police and prosecutors have welcomed lengthy sentences imposed on a drugs gang - and say they will provide a deterrent to others.

A prison officer who smuggled a mobile phone into jail for the ringleader of an drugs gang could have put his colleagues in danger.

Figures released in the House of Keys show there is fewer GP partners in general practice now than there were in 2011

Almost half of vehicles stopped during this year’s winter police checks were found to have defects.

There will be an emergency meeting of the Commissioners’ board in Port St Mary next week to discuss the future of the village’s post office.

The building of a new high school in the south of the island has been pushed back.

A drink-driver who crashed into a parked car and shunted it through a wall has been banned from driving for three years.

New hybrid buses purchased by Bus Vannin were not subject to an equality assessment as one is not required.

More will be done to help victims of domestic abuse receive help and to escape their situation, the Home Affairs Minister has pledged.

A former chief minister is calling for his town’s GP surgery to ease its strict Covid-19 restrictions.

Only a minority of GPs are ’exceptionally enthusiastic’ about the planned introduction of prescribing medicinal cannabis.

A £200,000 design contract for a new airport fire station has been awarded to an on-island company after a successful appeal.

Tynwald members were called back for an extraordinary sitting on Tuesday to approve Brexit measures.

Christine and Peter Quayle, from Port Erin, have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a twist.

A 25-year-old man who received £2,200 worth of cannabis in the post has been handed a suspended sentence.

Health Minister David Ashford has formally launched the Hospice’s findings from its needs assessment report titled ’Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care for the Isle of Man 2020’.

The London Manx Society is celebrating its 125th anniversary this Saturday, having been founded in 1895.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly says there are signs of UK interest in the concept of the island becoming a ’trial isle’ for technology.

Strange and mythical creatures have appeared all along the length of the newly-laid heritage railway line over the past few months.

Also in Island Life, Hundreds of dance students both young and old will hit the stage next weekend for an exciting and unique show, comic and TV personality Sarah Millican is to appear on the Royal Hall stage on Saturday, August 14 and much more.

The leisure and pleasure section also includes a gig guide and lists which films are at the pictures.

There are 10 pages of sport altogether.

There is also plenty of community news, as well your letters, our puzzles page and a seven-day television guide.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

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.

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