Local News Friday 17th December

Friday, 17 December 2021 06:00

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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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more