Local News Tuesday 16th February

Thursday, 18 February 2021 17:32

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal crash. Citizens Advice in Somerset is calling on the government to better regulate broadband companies. A Sherborne man has been charged with an alleged offence related to the Hunting Act and Yeovil College is celebrating the work of 50 of its apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal crash between a car and a lorry on the A303 Ilminster by-pass at the weekend. The collision happened close to the South Petherton roundabout at around 5:30 pm on Sunday. The driver of the car, a 24-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone who can help is asked to call 101.

Citizens Advice in Somerset is calling on the government to better regulate broadband companies, in a bid to make it more affordable and more accessible to people in rural areas. The charity is arguing that it is an essential utility that people need for not just home schooling and shopping but also to claim benefits and apply for jobs.

A woman whose body was found in a lake at Yeovil Country Park has been named as Jean Osborne, aged 78, of Rivers Road, Yeovil. An inquest has been opened and adjourned into her death. The inquest was told that the cause of death remains unclear but they are no suspicious circumstances and general enquiries by the police are on going. The inquest is scheduled to resume in May.

More than 1,000 homes are standing empty in South Somerset, according to latest figures. 133 of the properties have been empty for between two and five years and 62 empty for more than five years. South Somerset District Council is taking the opportunity of ‘Empty Homes Week’ to raise awareness of the support it provides to owners to bring empty properties back into use.

A Sherborne man has been charged with an alleged offence related to the Hunting Act following an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police. Mark Hankinson is due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on March 4th charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence under the Hunting Act 2004. (Story courtesy of Chard and Ilminster News).

Yeovil College is celebrating the work of 50 of its apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week. Each student has been given a National Apprenticeship Week Award including 39 health and social care apprentices who’ve been working on the front line during the pandemic at Yeovil Hospital.

More from News

Monday 15th December

Toolstream in Yeovil has been put into administration, threatening the jobs of dozens of employees. NHS Somerset has issued a last chance call for people to get a flu jab after hospital admissions increased by 76% in a week. Police are investigating the theft of a bike valued at £7,000 in Sherborne... and more
Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
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