December 2009

Pet justice

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 30, 2009

For first time, custody of a dog awarded to a charity after continual abuse. Here, a protest organised against the man

Demolition orders for a dozen expatriates in Spain

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 30, 2009

OLIVE PRESS EXCLUSIVE. The homeowners in Almeria vow to protest against the moves that will see their homes demolished in the new year. Here, John and Muriel Burns with order. Words and pictures by Jon Clarke in Albox

No more Lorca hunts

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 29, 2009

Hunt for dead poet’s remains to end despite new key report claiming he is buried 400 metres away

Kylie Spain visit sparks new wedding rumours

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 29, 2009

Pop princess spends week with her family in Australia before jetting to Spanish boyfriend’s home on Costa Brava

Further flooding as Spanish rainfall reaches record books

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 29, 2009

Record rainfall in Andalucia leaves reservoirs up 20 per cent on last year. Here, heavy rain in Jerez caused the River Guadalete to flood thousands of homes

The 12 days of Spanish Christmas

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 28, 2009

From El Gordo to the Three Kings… Confused about Spanish customs and the length of Spanish Christmas. Our Spanish Learning column should clear things up.

We need burglary skills and zoo licenses, say animal charities

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 28, 2009

The trials and tribulations of running an animal charity has been discussed at first big get together

Spain seizes record cocaine haul

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 28, 2009

Two tonnes of cocaine seized in air shipment of carnations and roses

Meet the man obsessed by money

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 28, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: Last month the Olive Press revealed that dozens of people are anxiously trying to chase millions of euros they invested with the services of Jose Luis Maseda. Here, Andrew Pearce, investigates the so called lawyer and estate agent, who has always been “utterly consumed with making money”

Welcome to my prison office

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 27, 2009

Disgraced mayor is ‘running town hall’ from his jail cell. Here, Juan Enciso is seen leaving court.

Crimeshare doesn’t pay

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 27, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: Multi-millionaire timeshare king Bob Trotta branded “a fraudster” in Spanish court case ambush

Ho ho ho for a festive break

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 26, 2009

Beat the lousy weather by heading for an Andalucian bolthole

‘Narco-sub’ that got blown out of the water

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 26, 2009

As dozen Algeciras dockers are nicked in drugs swoop – and UK and Spain work together on 375 million euro haul – court hears how two Andalucian businessmen funded an underwater smuggling operation that quickly sunk

Ex-pat pop princess tipped for the top

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 25, 2009

Watch out Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, Andalucia’s very own star in the making is coming after you!

Away in a manger, a sheep for a song

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 25, 2009

Couple put the perfect Christmas lawnmower up for sale

Spain nets 500 million euros of Christmas treasure

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 24, 2009

US treasure hunting company Odyssey must return ‘plundered’ spoils to Europe

Record rainfall sees worst floods since 1940s

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 24, 2009

Some of heaviest rain on record leads to flood chaos in Andalucia. Here, a submerged house in Jimera de Libar, near Ronda. Picture Karl Smallman.

A festive miracle in Spain

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 24, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: British family reveal they are ‘lucky to be alive’ after spending night on motorway hard shoulder in sub-zero temperatures

Magical Malaga lights match the best

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

Make sure to visit the Malaga Christmas illuminations, writes Ursula Jones

So sweet a Spanish Christmas

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

Forget Lapland… Andalucians all head for Rute, where even the world’s sweetest tooth can be satisfied. Here, the three chocolate kings arrive in time to meet marzipan Jesus

No Spanish Scrooges!

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

Despite the worse recession in over 60 years, Spaniards still spend big at Christmas time

Spain’s Greenpeace boss to spend Christmas in jail

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

Juan Lopez de Uralde was arrested protesting on the last day of the ‘failed’ climate summit

Check out those baubles!

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

Own goal for Frank Lampard as ex-wife becomes star of Christmas underwear

Are sickly Brits asking too much?

By Jon Clarke (Publisher) on December 23, 2009

The year started with reports on the healthcare threats for British pensioners in Spain. Now it is ending with protests over a 270 euro charge levied on expatriates in Valencia. Anna Nicholas is not impressed