Wednesday 8th May

Wednesday, 8 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A woman driver has been told she faces a prison term for causing the deaths of two people in a crash on the A303. The AA says there are more potholes than ever on Somerset’s motorway network, leading to an increase in damage to vehicles. The new cancer treatment unit at Yeovil Hospital should be open before the end of the year...and more.

A woman driver has been told she faces a prison term over the deaths of two people in a crash on the A303 at Camel Hill near Queen Camel. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Jessica Higgs, aged 20, from Warminster, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing the deaths of Tony Mist and Thelma Huse by dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs when her van collided with the couple's car in May last year. She was released on unconditional bail and will return to Court in August for sentencing.

The AA says there are more potholes than ever on Somerset’s motorway network, leading to increased vehicle damage. The motoring association says the last 18 months have been the worst for call-outs to tyre punctures because of potholes, especially in lane one of the M5.

Train passengers in Somerset are facing more disruption on the railways. An overtime by the drivers' union, ASLEF, is in place on Cross Country and GWR services until Saturday.

Somerset’s Home Library Service is looking for people to lead its teams of volunteers in Yeovil, Chard and Crewkerne. Home Library Service is a free service available to people who are housebound, those who are carers, or people vulnerable because of their health.

According to one of the fundraisers on the project, the new cancer treatment unit at Yeovil Hospital should be open before the end of the year. Karina Parsons says raising the £2.5 million needed to build the centre has been an amazing journey and that, hopefully, it won't be too long before the unit opens.

Chard Rugby Club have appointed a new head coach. Steve Pape, who played as a second-row forward for Bristol, Gloucester, Rosslyn Park and London Scottish during a long career will lead Chard into the 2024/25 season.

More from News

Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
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