Pollution is a frequent cause of concern for the regional newspapers and the Westmeath Examiner leads its front page with the headline "Over 50 per cent of Brosna polluted". It is over a report which reads: "The River Brosna (which flows into Lough Ennel) is either slightly or moderately polluted for over 50 per cent of its length, according to a major report issued last week.
"The final report of the Lough Derg and Lough Ree Catchment reveals that while there has been an overall improvement in water quality there is still a long way to go."
The Westmeath Independent carries a headline which says: "Causes of Lough Ree pollution still in place".
"As none of the remedial measures prescribed for the lake catchment are in operation yet, this improvement must be largely attributed to the activities of zebra mussels in the lake," Dr Jim Bowman of the Environmental Protection Agency noted.
On a related subject the Western People has a lead report under the headline: "Objections to £5 million Erris sludge plant".
The report says: "Opposition is mounting in the Erris area to the setting up of a £5 million sewage sludge processing plant in the former briquette manufacturing facility at Muingmore, Geesala. A public meeting attended by about 200 people decided unanimously to oppose the industry."
The Roscommon Champion refers to the same report and says: "The river Hind is by far the most polluted Shannon tributary, mainly because of just one industry in Roscommon town, according to a new report on the Lough Ree and Lough Derg catchment area. Almost three-quarters of the river Hind is seriously or moderately polluted, according to the report."
Kerry's Eye carries news of a local meeting. "Over 90 people attended the meeting which was organised by the Caragh Lake Environment and Nature group (CLEAN) which was formed last year with the sole purpose of regulating quarry processing in the area. The case of a sand and gravel pit operating near Caragh Lake was the focus of attention."
A list of 10 questions on the subject is being sent to the Kerry County Council.
The question of new roads and their location is a constant item of news reports. The Leinster Express carries a lead headline which says: "Road standoff continues".
"The impasse between landowners, the National Roads Authority, the Department of the Environment and the Laois County Council has deepened as preliminary work on the proposed new M7 and M8 routes has come to a stand still," the report says. "Farmers in south Laois are meanwhile continuing with the policy of non-co-operation with the NRA and Laois County Council and refusing entry to all farmland."
The Donegal People's Press turns its attention to the problem of teenage drinking and reports: "The Donegal Interagency Drug Group this week welcomed the launch of the second phase of the National Alcohol Awareness Campaign, the theme of which is `Keep Kids Safe From Drink' and its aim is to make alcohol less easy for under-age drinkers to get hold of."
The Press and the Donegal Democrat focus on the fallout for the tourist industry from the foot-and-mouth crisis. The People's Press welcomes a busy time in the trade during the Twelfth of July weekend but goes on to say: "However the general outlook for the county's tourist trade up until [that weekend] has not been healthy. The foot-and-mouth restrictions have had a major impact on the tourism business across Donegal."
The Democrat's Daniel Browne reports: "As the repercussions of the foot-and-mouth scare on the tourist trade become apparent, many operators in Donegal are facing the hardest season ever and some may even close."
On a brighter, note the paper reports: "Donegal County Council has confirmed that planning permission has been granted for the new fishing port development in Killybegs, said to be the largest ever development of its kind in the history of the State. The £35 million project will see half a kilometre of pier built in the fishing port."
The Waterford News & Star gives front-page coverage to the rescue of 15 people from a fire in a flats complex with a colour photograph of two smiling gardai who were involved in the rescue.
The caption reads: "Garda Heroines - Gardai Helen McSweeney and Janet O'Neill who were instrumental in saving lives during the rescue of 15 people from a city centre complex" in the early hours of the morning.
The Nationalist and Leinster Times also reports the fire and rescue and says the gardai "are expected to be commended within the force for their bravery". The flats complex has been closed down.
Court cases are a staple diet for considerable attention in the regional papers and an unusual one appears in the Mayo News. The headline reads: "Garda saw barefoot Belmullet man fleeing across bog with stolen boat engine on his back". The report said the man before the court claimed the engine had been stolen by his son. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 for damage to the engine.