Local News Friday 17th December

    Hospitality businesses in Somerset are having bookings cancelled as concern grows over the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant. A Somerton man has been jailed for 18-years for sexually assaulting two girls. Carers in Somerset are set to get a pay boost following an investment of five million pounds in the sector by Somerset County Council and the NHS. Public health officials say they're confident of meeting the government’s target of giving booster jabs to 1.7 million people in the South West in the next two weeks. A project run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is helping local peopl

    Hospitality businesses in Somerset are having bookings cancelled as concern grows over the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Business owners say they’re facing a "cliff-edge" after Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, urged people to "think carefully" about attending social events before Christmas. 

    A Somerton man has been jailed for 18-years for sexually assaulting two girls. Alan Burnell of Brunel Flats in Somerton was appearing for sentencing at Taunton Crown Court after being found guilty of 11 indecency offences at a trial earlier in the year.

    Carers in Somerset are set to get a pay boost following an investment of five million pounds in the sector by Somerset County Council and the NHS. The proposed changes to carer's pay include a retention bonus of £250 to those who’ve been working in registered care for the last six months and a 9% uplift to domiciliary care providers who agree to pay all their staff a minimum of £10.50 per hour.

    Public health officials say they're confident of meeting the government’s target of giving booster jabs to 1.7 million people in the South West in the next two weeks. 2.3 million people have already had a COVID booster in the region. 

    A project run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is helping local people with severe mental health conditions get back into employment. A team of five specialist coaches has been assigned to work with people not in jobs or who are struggling to hold down a job. 

    Sherborne Post Office has been unexpectedly closed due to what’s been described as ‘health-related' issues. The branch shut on Wednesday and isn’t expected to re-open until Monday at the earliest. The nearest post office to Sherborne is Yeovil.

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    •  Thursday 24th April

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    • Wednesday 23rd April

      Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.

    • Tuesday 22nd April

      The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.

    • Thursday 17th April

      The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.

    • Wednesday 16th April

      Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more

    • Tuesday 15th April

      A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more

    • Monday 14th April

      A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 7°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 6°C

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