Friday 7th March

Friday, 7 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more

The Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. It follows Somerset Council’s decision to increase its share of council tax by seven-and-a-half percent from next month.

A group in Somerset that supports men with prostate cancer says it is still important for men to get screened amid fears that rapid testing for prostate cancer might not always give an accurate result. Somerset Prostate Support Association says kits, sold as a way to make a quick check for prostate cancer at home, can give inconsistent and inaccurate findings.

A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset. The Sentinel-1C satellite, launched in December, has already delivered key data for monitoring the extent of flooding in the County with the data used to support local decision-making during emergencies.

Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle serious violent crime in Somerset. It’s launched a new website and is asking people to report activities such as knife crime, gun crime, and the exploitation of vulnerable people. Crimestoppers is also asking people to use the website to report on illegally imported guns, converted blank-firing guns, and 3D-printed weapons and parts.

Ten nature reserves on the Mendips have installed a series of painted wooden adders to help prevent disturbance during the protected species' breeding season. At this time of year, the species comes out of hibernation and is more likely to be seen when out walking.

Entries are now open for this year’s Minster Miles 10K event, which takes place on Sunday, April 6th. Organisers hope to exceed last year’s record of 270 runners.

More from News

Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.
Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.
Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more
Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.