Thursday 26th September

Thursday, 26 September 2024 06:00

A body has been found in the search for missing Michael Wheeler from Yeovil. The Met Office has issued another yellow rain warning for the region. Ilminster’s hopes for a banking hub has been raised... and more.

A body has been found in the search for missing Michael Wheeler from Yeovil. Police say the discovery was made during a search of a property in Yarlington near Wincanton on Wednesday afternoon.

Four men have appeared in court charged with murder in connection with his disappearance. 39 year old David Garland and Jack Rance who’s 28, both of no fixed address are charged with murder, along with 38 year old Mark Roberts and 18 year old Reuben Clare, who are both from Yeovil. They have all been remanded in custody, pending a further appearance at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow. Specialist officers are supporting Michael’s family.

The Met Office has issued another yellow rain warning for the region. Up to 60mm of rain could fall across the UK over the next 36 hours, with the possibility of roads being affected and further flooding in Yeovil and South Somerset. This follows heavy rain which swept across the area at the end of last week. Flood water left some roads closed and the National Grid reported a number of power outages. The warning is in place from this evening through to 10am tomorrow morning.

Ilminster’s hopes for a banking hub appears to have been raised, after the town council met with Link and Cash Access UK to discuss a new application. This follows vital criteria appearing to change in the town’s favour. Lloyd’s was the last bank to announce its closure in Ilminster, earlier this year.

A new pedestrian crossing between a major housing development and Chard town centre is not being considered by Somerset Council. Tilia Homes is currently in the late stages of building 200 new homes on the Snowdon Grange development. The Council says it currently has no plans to provide a new crossing over the A358.

And a Wincanton woman has described her shock at finding an eight-and-a-half foot boa constrictor in her garden last weekend. The snake, christened ‘Lucky’, is being looked after by a snake expert and both Lucky, and the town resident who found him, are both reported to be doing well after the initial fright!

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Friday 18th July

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more
Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.