Local News Tuesday 23rd March

    Meteorite Fragment (Library Photo)

    Scientists are asking the people to keep a lookout for fallen fragments from the meteor that was the cause of a huge sonic boom over South Somerset at the weekend. The RSPCA says it's facing hard times financially. More than 500 members of staff at Yeovil Hospital have been taking part in a Covid-19 research project....and more.

    Scientists are asking the people to keep a lookout for fallen fragments from the meteor that was the cause of a huge sonic boom over South Somerset at the weekend. It’s almost certain the space rock broke into tiny particles as it entered the atmosphere. As yet, where the particles fell and over how wide an area is not known. After studying video footage, experts say the loud bang at around 3 pm on Saturday, heard across the whole South West, including parts of Wales and the Channel Islands, was almost certainly caused by a meteorite, falling to earth.

    The RSPCA has dealt with more than two thousand cases in Somerset in the past year. The charity says it's had to work differently during the pandemic in order to cope. With RPSCA shops temporarily closed and fundraising events cancelled, the charity says it's facing hard times financially. 

    More than 500 members of staff at Yeovil Hospital have been taking part in a Covid-19 research project. The SIREN study has tested thousands of NHS staff across the country since June last year. They're looking at antibodies, and how prior infection with the virus can protect against future infection.

    The fire service says they’re satisfied that the blaze in a garage at Wincanton in which motorhome and two cars were destroyed was accidental. Crews from Wincanton, Castle Cary and Mere, spent more than four hours tackling the blaze at Bayford Hill at the weekend.

    More from News

    • Friday 13th March

      The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more

    • Thursday 12th March

      A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more

    • Wednesday 11th March

      Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more

    • Tuesday 10th March

      Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more

    • Monday 9th March 

      Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more

    • Friday 6th March

      Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more

    • Thursday 5th March

      Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more

    • Wednesday 4th March

      A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 12°C | Low: 9°C

    • Wincanton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

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