Wednesday 8th May

Wednesday, 8 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A woman driver has been told she faces a prison term for causing the deaths of two people in a crash on the A303. The AA says there are more potholes than ever on Somerset’s motorway network, leading to an increase in damage to vehicles. The new cancer treatment unit at Yeovil Hospital should be open before the end of the year...and more.

A woman driver has been told she faces a prison term over the deaths of two people in a crash on the A303 at Camel Hill near Queen Camel. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Jessica Higgs, aged 20, from Warminster, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing the deaths of Tony Mist and Thelma Huse by dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs when her van collided with the couple's car in May last year. She was released on unconditional bail and will return to Court in August for sentencing.

The AA says there are more potholes than ever on Somerset’s motorway network, leading to increased vehicle damage. The motoring association says the last 18 months have been the worst for call-outs to tyre punctures because of potholes, especially in lane one of the M5.

Train passengers in Somerset are facing more disruption on the railways. An overtime by the drivers' union, ASLEF, is in place on Cross Country and GWR services until Saturday.

Somerset’s Home Library Service is looking for people to lead its teams of volunteers in Yeovil, Chard and Crewkerne. Home Library Service is a free service available to people who are housebound, those who are carers, or people vulnerable because of their health.

According to one of the fundraisers on the project, the new cancer treatment unit at Yeovil Hospital should be open before the end of the year. Karina Parsons says raising the £2.5 million needed to build the centre has been an amazing journey and that, hopefully, it won't be too long before the unit opens.

Chard Rugby Club have appointed a new head coach. Steve Pape, who played as a second-row forward for Bristol, Gloucester, Rosslyn Park and London Scottish during a long career will lead Chard into the 2024/25 season.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.