The Week of Drenthe: WZA nurse on the loose and Vijlbrief visits Schoonebeek

Theodoor V. from Veenhuizen denies involvement in the death of corona patients in the Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen and the Printing Museum in Meppel seems to have to close its doors permanently. An overview of the most important news in Drenthe last week.

The 92nd edition of the Concours Hippique was held in Eext on Whit Monday. And according to Martin Hollenberg of the organization, the event in Eext has something special. “Whit Monday is always very well attended and that is mainly due to the harness horses. They are not present at every competition in the area, which makes it special.”

Winner of the 1.20 class, Elmer van Hoorn, fully agrees. “It’s a super event, super set up and enthusiastic audience. Great actually in one word.”

Tuesday was an important day for the residents of Schoonebeek. State Secretary for Mining Hans Vijlbrief visited the village to speak with various groups and to sign a document from the NAM.

The NAM wants to inject the waste water from oil extraction at three locations near Schoonebeek. During the visit, Vijlbrief promised to see to it that NAM fulfills its agreements with Schoonebeek, but the government is not responsible.

It has been a rollercoaster for the Drukkerijmuseum in Meppel the last few weeks. They were supposed to close permanently, but two weeks ago the province seemed to help the museum financially. But the money was not forthcoming and last Wednesday the museum decided to close its doors permanently from Thursday.

Nevertheless, the museum still holds a glimmer of hope to reopen. “Of course there is a chance that the dime will still fall in the right direction. But for the time being it does not look very favorable,” says board member Jan Schilperoord.

Nurse Theodoor V. from Veenhuizen is released because, according to the court, the suspicions against him are not strong enough. The former employee of the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen is suspected of involvement in the death of twenty patients.

On Thursday evening, V.’s lawyers said that he denies being guilty of criminal offences, let alone several homicides. The Public Prosecution Service continues to see V. as a suspect and is considering an appeal.

Care farms cannot meet the demand for shelters and vulnerable children are the victims of this. About 15 children can go to the care farm in Valthermond, but they received about thirty applications within the last few months.

At this farm, children who have dropped out of a regular school are supervised. “It is harrowing, really harrowing,” says Lieneke Talens, owner of Learning Training Center Talent in Valthermond. “It hurts me when I get a call that so many children need a place. But we don’t have more.”

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