Local News Friday 19th February

    The leader of Somerset County Council has defended increasing its share of council tax. Final designs have been announced to up-grade the look of Chard town centre. Fire has destroyed a garden shed in Yeovil. It happened in Parish Mews. Police are asking for help in tracing a woman who attacked another woman in a Chard supermarket and more...

    The leader of Somerset County Council has defended increasing its share of council tax by nearly 5 percent from April. It was agreed as part of the Council's budget for the next financial year and will add 64 pounds to the annual bill for an average 'Band D' home. Leader of Somerset County Council, David Fothergill, says the increase is line with what was allowed by the government and is needed to help fund the provision of adult social care and children’s services both of which continue to be under enormous financial strain.

    Final designs have been announced to up-grade the look of Chard town centre. The plans will see the creation of a larger public space in Holyrood Street with new seating and open views towards the Baptist church. More disabled parking will be provided in Fore Street. A government grant of one-million pounds has been given for the improvements, which also include new shop fronts and repairs to a number of historic buildings.

    Fire has destroyed a garden shed in Yeovil. It happened in Parish Mews. The soffits and guttering of a neighbouring property were also damaged.

    Police are asking for help in tracing a woman who attacked another woman in a Chard supermarket. She was grabbed around the neck by the woman and sustained scratches to her face and neck. The incident happened on Sunday, January 10th but has only just been made public by the police. CCTV images of the woman police want to speak to can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

    A care home in South Petherton has been celebrating the birthday of its oldest resident. A special party was held at Burnworthy House in South Petherton for the 104th birthday of Gwyneth Isaccs earlier this week. Gwyneth, who was born in Swansea during the infamous Spanish flue pandemic of 1917, lived for many years in Martock.
     

    More from News

    • Wednesday 5th February

      The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.

    • Tuesday 4th February 

      Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.

    • Monday 3rd February

      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.

    • Friday 31st January

      A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more

    • Thursday 30th January

      Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more

    • Wednesday 29th January

      New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more

    • Tuesday 28th January

      Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more

    • Monday 27th January

      A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 10°C | Low: -1°C

    • Chard

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 9°C | Low: -1°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 9°C | Low: -1°C

    • Somerton

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      High: 9°C | Low: -1°C

    • Wincanton

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      High: 11°C | Low: -1°C

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