Monday 3rd February

Monday, 3 February 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. The body of Michael Wheeler was found at Yarlington, one month after he was reported missing. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court, Mark Roberts, aged 38, Angus Warner, aged 32, Reuben Clare, aged 18, David Garland, aged 39, and Jack Rance, aged 28, each pleaded not guilty to murder. They also denied a charge of conspiracy to murder Mr Wheeler between August 1 and August 25 last year. All five were remanded into custody ahead of their trial, set for April 28th.

Data shows that around 350 people who attended A&E at Yeovil Hospital and Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital in December had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen. NHS Somerset says it was due to bed blocking, where no follow-on care was available to discharge patients, and also a higher number of people being unwell in December, and requiring hospital treatment.

Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in the Triangle in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP, Adam Dance. The area, which includes seating for 100, a water feature and a big TV screen, is part of the £24 million Yeovil Refresh Project, aimed at smartening up the look of the town centre and attracting new investment.

Longleat on the Somerset/Wiltshire border will be joining in with celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday this year. It’s thought Jane Austen visited the estate and that some scenes described in her books may have been inspired by the visit.

A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested after two people were stabbed in Yeovil. Police say the teenager has been arrested on suspicion of affray and being in possession of a bladed article in a public place. It follows an incident in Raglan Terrace last Wednesday when a man in his 50s, and a teenage boy were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds. A 15-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and affray.

The Village Agents scheme in Somerset says the decision by the government to cut winter fuel payments has hit people really hard in Somerset. They say hundreds of people have been in touch asking for help with paying their heating bills.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more