Local News Wednesday 17th November

Wednesday, 17 November 2021 06:00

Yeovil Hospital is only allowing patient visits in exceptional circumstances due to an increase in the number of people being admitted with Covid. A man who carried out two robberies in Yeovil has been jailed for six years. Police are investigating an incident in which it’s claimed a firework was deliberately thrown at people attending a public firework display. Somerset County Council has outsourced some of its social care work to help clear a backlog of cases and a Yeovil pub has been praised for the quality and standards of its toilets.

Yeovil Hospital is only allowing patient visits in exceptional circumstances due to an increase in the number of people being admitted with Covid. Visiting appointments are available for families in certain circumstances; such as for those receiving end-of-life care or for carers to patients with specific needs that require the support. Yeovil Hospital says that, otherwise, people should not visit the hospital.

A man who carried out two robberies in Yeovil has been jailed for six years. Taunton Crown Court was told that Valentinas Michailovas of Marl Close used a knife to force a man to withdraw money from an ATM before making off with the cash. Michailovas pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery, one of handling stolen goods and one of fraudulently using another person’s bank cards. In passing sentence, Judge James Townsend said Michailovas had previous convictions for “not dissimilar” offences in his native Lithuania.

Police are investigating an incident in which it’s claimed a firework was deliberately thrown at people attending a public firework display. It’s said to have happened at Somerton Recreation Ground on Sunday, November 7th. No one was injured but Police say the incident is being treated as an act of anti-social behaviour.

Somerset County Council has outsourced some of its social care work to help clear a backlog of cases. A contract, costing around 1.2 million pounds, has been awarded to an unnamed provider. The Council says it will free up staff to focus on new applications for care support, which have increased during the pandemic.

A Yeovil pub has been praised for the quality and standards of its toilets. The William Dampier Wetherspoons pub in Middle Street has been presented with a platinum award in the Loo of the Year Awards following an undercover visit by inspectors.

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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
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,