Wednesday 15th January

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. A Community Fridge in Shepton Mallet says it saved ten tonnes of unwanted food from going to landfill in the run-up to Christmas. Somerset Council has started collecting empty toothpaste tubes for recycling at the kerbside for the first time...and more

A Yeovil man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Avon and Somerset Police say the man, who hasn’t been named, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation and released on conditional bail to allow for further enquiries.

Somerset Council is reassuring people that just because land is identified for development it doesn't mean the site will be built on. Somerset Council is seeking to identify sites for potential development as part of a new county-wide Local Plan. It comes as Somerset Council has been put under pressure to identify potential building sites to meet the government's new housing targets.

A community fridge in Shepton Mallet says it saved over ten tonnes of unwanted food from going to landfill in the run-up to Christmas. Volunteers at the Shepton Mallet Fridge Project spent December handing out the food to those in greatest need.

Somerset Council has rejected a request from Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, to carry out works to lessen the flooding risk in Donyatt. Heavy rain and wet weather often cause the River Isle to flood the A358, preventing traffic from passing through the village. Mr Dance says better drainage and regular river maintenance are needed to reduce the risk, but Somerset Council says it has no plans, at the moment, to tackle the problem.

Somerset Council, through its collections contractor, SUEZ, have started collecting empty toothpaste tubes for recycling at the kerbside. Changes to the materials used in the production of toothpaste tubes have meant that provided it says recyclable on the tube, empty toothpaste tubes can now be put out for recycling.

The Candlelight Inn in Bishopswood, Chard, has been named in a list of the best eight restaurants in Somerset. The Candlelight was praised in a public vote on Trip Advisor for sourcing local home-grown ingredients for all its dishes.

More from News

Tuesday 14th January

Police are appealing for witnesses after two people died in a car crash near Shepton Mallet. A new passing loop could be introduced on the rail line between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill stations. St Margaret’s Hospice has thanked the public for making this year’s Christmas Tree Recycling project their most successful ever...and more
Monday 13th January

Plans to build forty-six new homes in Castle Cary have been rejected for a third time. Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has no plans to step down from his dual role as a member of Somerset Council. Rug Ratz in Yeovil is closing permanently today, leaving the town without a children's soft play space...and more.
Friday 10th January

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street this week to hand in a petition calling for action to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season... and more
Thursday 9th January

Police say three children, missing from their home in Essex, have been found safe and well in Wincanton. Yeovil Hospital is asking visitors to A&E to wear facemasks to help avoid the spread of infection. Long traffic queues can be expected in Chard over the next nine months. A new arts and music performance space has opened in Crewkerne...and more.
Wednesday 8th January

Police are appealing for witnesses to a hit-and-run accident in Yeovil. Somerset Council says it's monitoring the weather closely following a Yellow Warning of snow across the County. A public inquiry is to decide the future of a Somerset shopping centre. Plans to build 30 new homes in Keinton Mandeville have been turned down.
Tuesday 7th January

Firefighters have used a boat to rescue a man trapped in a submerged van in floodwaters at Isle Abbots. Businesses in Somerset say there was a return to High Street buying over Christmas. The search is on locally for places where new homes and business premises could be built. Astro-tourism took off in Somerset last year, with hundreds coming to the County to view the Northern Lights...and more.
Monday 6th January

Police are treating, as deliberate, a fire at the former Oscar Mayer factory in Chard. The owner of an American diner says her takings are down 75 percent since the opening of the new dual carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester. Yeovil-born England women’s rugby union team captain, Marlie Packer, says she’d like to captain the national side at this year's World Cup series...and more.