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.

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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more