Tuesday 18th February

Tuesday, 18 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Conservationists are celebrating after two barn owls have returned for a third year to their nestbox on the Blackdown Hills. DEFRA is urging farmers to stay vigilant as the restriction zone for the virus Bluetongue has been extended to South Somerset. Rail travellers are being advised that no services will run on the West of England Line between Yeovil Junction and Salisbury this coming weekend...and more.

Conservationists are celebrating after two barn owls have returned for a third year to their nestbox on the Blackdown Hills in South Somerset. The owls Finn and Trude are being monitored by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. You can watch them live on Owl Cam via the Trust's website.

A man has been arrested for exposing himself in Yeovil. He was seen acting suspiciously in Ninesprings Country Park on Sunday at around 3.30 pm. Police were called and he was arrested for outraging public decency and resisting arrest. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has phone footage is asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

DEFRA is urging farmers to stay vigilant as the restriction zone for the virus Bluetongue has been extended to South Somerset. The virus spreads amongst cattle and sheep and can cause skin problems, mouth ulcers and complications in pregnancy. It rarely affects dogs and isn't a risk to human health or food safety.

Rail travellers are being advised that no services will run on the West of England Line between Yeovil Junction and Salisbury this coming weekend. A replacement bus service will operate between the stations on Saturday and Sunday. The closure is to allow Network Rail to complete repairs to the line.

Sixty children in Somerset have been taught by unaccredited online schools in the last year, costing Somerset Council more than £400,000. Online teaching is provided to children with special needs who can't manage in mainstream schools. The government says local authorities should only use accredited online schools but Somerset Council says it has to use unaccredited providers to cope with the numbers of children needing online teaching.

A member of 40 Commando in Somerset has been speaking after taking part in the first ever winter Invictus Games in Canada. Major John Whiteman, who suffers from PTSD, was competing in rowing, swimming, skiing, and sitting volleyball for Team UK. He said he had an amazing experience.

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