Thursday 26th September

Thursday, 26 September 2024 06:00

A body has been found in the search for missing Michael Wheeler from Yeovil. The Met Office has issued another yellow rain warning for the region. Ilminster’s hopes for a banking hub has been raised... and more.

A body has been found in the search for missing Michael Wheeler from Yeovil. Police say the discovery was made during a search of a property in Yarlington near Wincanton on Wednesday afternoon.

Four men have appeared in court charged with murder in connection with his disappearance. 39 year old David Garland and Jack Rance who’s 28, both of no fixed address are charged with murder, along with 38 year old Mark Roberts and 18 year old Reuben Clare, who are both from Yeovil. They have all been remanded in custody, pending a further appearance at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow. Specialist officers are supporting Michael’s family.

The Met Office has issued another yellow rain warning for the region. Up to 60mm of rain could fall across the UK over the next 36 hours, with the possibility of roads being affected and further flooding in Yeovil and South Somerset. This follows heavy rain which swept across the area at the end of last week. Flood water left some roads closed and the National Grid reported a number of power outages. The warning is in place from this evening through to 10am tomorrow morning.

Ilminster’s hopes for a banking hub appears to have been raised, after the town council met with Link and Cash Access UK to discuss a new application. This follows vital criteria appearing to change in the town’s favour. Lloyd’s was the last bank to announce its closure in Ilminster, earlier this year.

A new pedestrian crossing between a major housing development and Chard town centre is not being considered by Somerset Council. Tilia Homes is currently in the late stages of building 200 new homes on the Snowdon Grange development. The Council says it currently has no plans to provide a new crossing over the A358.

And a Wincanton woman has described her shock at finding an eight-and-a-half foot boa constrictor in her garden last weekend. The snake, christened ‘Lucky’, is being looked after by a snake expert and both Lucky, and the town resident who found him, are both reported to be doing well after the initial fright!

More from News

Wednesday 17th September

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police...and more
Tuesday 17th September

Plans have been submitted to build 61 new homes between Montacute and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Organisers of Langport Triathlon say it’ll be a few more days before they’re able to give out the results in the cycling section following a medical emergency in the crowd at Sunday's event. A new town crier is wanted in Wells...and more.
Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more
Tuesday 9th September

People are being asked to comment on proposals to introduce Sunday charges at Somerset Council-run car parks. A Pilton man has been jailed after cannabis valued at £28,500 was found at his home. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has started an appeal to raise £1 million...and more.
Monday 8th September

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more