Local News Thursday 7th October

Thursday, 7 October 2021 06:00

Avon and Somerset police have introduced new measures for the public to check an officer’s identity following the murder of Susan Everard by serving police officer, Wayne Couzens. It’s claimed 15,000 people in Somerset will be impacted by the 20-pounds-a-week cut in Universal Credit. The RSPCA in Somerset says it has rehomed thirteen hundred animals during the period of the pandemic. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with possession of a class-B drug and using threatening behaviour...and more.

Avon and Somerset police have introduced new measures for the public to check an officer’s identity following the murder of Susan Everard by serving police officer, Wayne Couzens. When asked, officers now have to give the person they have stopped their name and collar number. Officers also have to let a member of the public speak directly with the Police Control Room to confirm the officer is who they say they are.

It’s claimed 15,000 people in Somerset will be impacted by the 20-pounds-a-week cut in Universal Credit. The government has defended the move saying the uplift, introduced at the start of the pandemic, was always meant to be temporary

The RSPCA in Somerset says it has rehomed thirteen hundred animals during the period of the pandemic. The charity says the boom in pet ownership over the last 20-months is due largely to the public turning to animals for companionship. The RSPCA says, however, that anyone thinking of getting a pet should check they have the time, money, and lifestyle to care for the animal for the whole of its life.

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with possession of a class-B drug and using threatening behaviour. George Darch, 26, of Aldon Springs on Dorchester Road, pleaded guilty to having in his possession 6.8 grams of cannabis when searched by police.
Darch was made the subject of a restraining order and fined £70 with costs.

A conference is being held today (07-10) to discuss the new, one council for Somerset. Around 200 Parish and Town Council representatives are attending the event in Bridgwater organized by the County Council and four district councils. Somerset will have a single council governing the whole county from April 2023 with the County and four district councils all abolished.

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Friday 12th December

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Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,