Monday 5th August

Monday, 5 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A woman motorist, convicted of drug driving and causing the deaths of two people on the A303 near Wincanton, has been jailed. Yeovil Hospital has been criticised for what it charges visitors to park on the hospital site. A woman in Chiselborough is participating this week in the Global 6K Walk for Water challenges...and more.

A woman motorist, convicted of drug driving and causing the deaths of two people on the A303 near Wincanton, has been jailed for three and a half years. Thelma Huse and Tony Mist both died after a Mercedes driven by Jessica Higgs struck their Fiat 500. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Higgs of Imber Road in Warminster, was also banned from driving for six years and eight months. In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said the accident was yet another painful reminder that driving under the influence of drugs is a deadly decision that puts innocent road users at serious risk.

Yeovil Hospital has been criticised for what it charges visitors to park on the hospital site. It follows a Freedom of Information request by the Royal College of Nursing that showed Yeovil Hospital collected £40,300 in parking charges last year from motorists using the multi-storey car park, opposite the main hospital building. Speaking at a meeting of the NHS Somerset integrated care board, Ray Tostevin, a Yeovil and District Trades Union Council member, called for parking charges at Yeovil Hospital to be reduced, and eventually abolished.

A Somerset woman has swum the English Channel from Dover to France raising money for Yeovil Hospital. Hannah Litchfield completed the crossing in 12 hours and four minutes and raised £1,500.

A best scarecrow competition is taking place in the village of Barrington with rivalry between homeowners to win first prize. Scarecrows on display include Woody from Toy Story, Spiderman, and Beefy Botham.

A woman in Chiselborough is taking part in the Global 6K Walk for Water challenge. Hannah Lefeuvre is walking 6 kilometres every day this week, helping to bring clean water to vulnerable children and their communities. Hannah has so far raised £500 for World Vision UK who organise the Global 6K Walk for Water challenge.

More from News

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