Blood shortage, budget and swimming pool

Region Västmanland is raising the alarm about a blood shortage, with young men underrepresented among blood donors. The new political leadership in Sala is presenting a budget proposal to restore a deficit of around 90 million kronor, and Arboga wants to attract families with children. Kungsör's swimming pool has been forced to close several times.

Blood shortage – young men donate the least blood

The proportion of Swedes who donate blood is decreasing. In Västmanland, young men are underrepresented among blood donors, and Region Västmanland (the regional healthcare service) warned last week about the blood shortage and issued an urgent call for donors. Only 0.9 percent of guys aged 18–24 in Västmanland donated blood during 2024 and 2025, according to Socialstyrelsen and GeBlod.nu.

A process manager for blood donor care says that many think about becoming blood donors but don't find the time to do it. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

Sala: budget to restore 90 million

Sala municipality (the local public organisation) needs to restore a deficit of around 90 million kronor. The new political governing group "Coalition Sala" has presented its budget proposal. The proposal concerns increased procurement and competitive tendering, but also a greater focus on quality in the welfare services, according to the new governing group.

The budget proposes, among other things, language tests, reintroducing the choice reform in elder care, renovating school environments, and having safety teams in lower secondary schools. The municipal council (the municipality's decision-making body) is to decide on the budget on 30 November. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

Arboga wants to attract families with children through time

Arboga municipality is launching a new initiative to attract more people to move there. The image of Arboga as a medieval town is to be changed, or at least given new shades, with a new "place brand" in which the modern takes up more space. The target group is families with children from places such as Västerås, Örebro and Eskilstuna.

The municipal councillor (S) says you get more time and that the children are close to schools and leisure activities. The municipality is, among other things, looking at tandem recruitment, where one partner gets a job in Arboga and the other is to find work nearby. The school is decisive, and the work is long-term, not a quick-fix. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

Kungsörs swimming pool – appeal for a new pool

Kungsörs swimming pool is old and worn out and has been forced to stay closed several times in recent years. The pool has a 16-metre pool used for exercise swimming and swimming school. It was built in the 1930s and was last renovated 26 years ago, according to the municipality.

A swimming instructor at Kungsörs simsällskap wants politicians to invest in a new swimming pool and warns that swimming skills could deteriorate if the municipality is left without a pool. An e-proposal for a new, modern swimming pool has received over 100 votes, but the chair of the municipal executive board (S) says that it is not a priority at present. A new chlorine pump is to be installed this week, and the hope is that the swimming pool will soon reopen. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

Ica Skiljebo: fewer young shoplifters

Youth shoplifting at Ica Skiljebo has decreased sharply. The shop owner says that the store has built a relationship with the young people, and that they then do not want to steal. When the owner took over as the new shop owner at Ica Supermarket Skiljebo in 2022, the store had a turnover of 46 million kronor. VLT

VSK must pay SEK 175,000

Västerås SK must pay SEK 175,000 in fines after shortcomings in its safety work during the home match against Sirius in September. The Swedish Elite Sports Association Executive Board rejects the club’s appeal. It was the Swedish Football Association’s disciplinary committee that convicted the club following the match on 5 September.

According to the committee, the inspection of spectators and the search of supporter material were inadequate. A total of 171 pyrotechnic devices were ignited during the match, 102 of them in the VSK section. The club is disappointed and still believes it was wrongly accused, but sees no other consequences than the club becoming SEK 175,000 poorer. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

In brief

• VIK lost to Leksand on Friday 0-1, but the league continues. VLT
• Sveriges Radio's Christmas calendar ”Djuphavsjul” features illustrations by a cartoonist who has also created computer games, mobile apps and books. VLT