Local News Thursday 10th August

Thursday, 10 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Crewkerne man who drove his car on the wrong side of the M5 crashing head-on with another car and seriously injuring a passenger has been sentenced. Somerset Council says its commercial investments are not providing any net income due to rising interest rates. Organisers of South Petherton Carnival are appealing for more entries for this year’s event...and more.

A Crewkerne man who drove his car on the wrong side of the M5 crashing head-on with another car and seriously injuring a passenger has been given a sixteen-month suspended prison sentence and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years. Ryan Physick, aged twenty-seven, of Langmead Road, Crewkerne, admitted causing injury by dangerous driving and having no insurance. Exeter Crown Court was told that Physick failed a roadside breath test and told officers he’d been drinking to celebrate his birthday.

Somerset Council says its commercial investments are not providing any net income due to rising interest rates. Somerset's former four district councils, including South Somerset and the County Council, spent two-hundred-and-ninety million pounds buying properties with the aim of using the rental income to fund public service. Somerset Council, who took over ownership of the properties in April, says the returns are now less than the original borrowings and are losing money rather than generating income. It says the value of the properties, which include the Wilko store and Marks and Spencer store in Yeovil, have dropped by twenty-five million to two-hundred-and-sixty-five million pounds.

Organisers of South Petherton Carnival are appealing for more floats for this year’s event. South Petherton is the first illuminated carnival on the South Somerset circuit and takes place on Saturday 9th September. It’s free to enter and details can be found on South Petherton Carnival Facebook page.

Station Road in Crewkerne will be closed for three days next week. Work to resurface the road starts on Monday and should be completed by Wednesday. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained with a diversion in operation.

Ilminster Town Council is appealing for the return of a waste bin that’s disappeared from the Shurdrick stream at Ladymeade. They that until the bin is returned, people in Ladymeade should take their litter home with them.

More from News

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