A fifth person has been charged as part of the Michael Wheeler murder investigation. South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch... and more.
A fifth person has been charged as part of the murder investigation into the death of Michael Wheeler. Angus Warner, aged 32 from Crewkerne, was charged with conspiracy to murder and appeared before Yeovil Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he was remanded in custody to appear before Bristol Crown Court on Friday 25 October. Four other men have been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old from Yeovil, whose body was found last week at a property in Yarlington after he had not been seen for more than a month. All have been remanded ahead of future court appearances.
South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. The government scrapped winter fuel payments for all pensioners apart from those receiving certain benefits. Mark Freeman is the chair of the library and thinks many may not be aware of what they can access if they are eligible for pension credit.
Waste going to landfill is at a record low, according to figures released by Somerset Council. The numbers for 2023-24 suggest 2,300 tonnes of material was reused - this includes smart tech collected via the ‘Fixy Project’. The council says Somerset’s recycling rate of 56 per cent puts it in the top 20 per cent of waste authorities in England.
The NHS and the UK Health Security Agency are asking people in the West to get their flu vaccinations. It's part of their 'Get Winter Strong' campaign that will also encourage people to get COVID-19 boosters. It comes as uptake in the region amongst the over 65s remains high at over eighty percent. But the number of pregnant women, infants and people with long term health conditions taking up the offer of the vaccine is much lower.
And there’s good news for rail users. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch, having installed over 2,000 new sleepers and 3,600 tonnes of ballast stone. The previous track was half a century old and prone to faults whilst the replacement is a so-called ‘continuously welded rail’, meaning fewer inspections and faults.
A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County.
Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more