Tuesday 1st October

Tuesday, 1 October 2024 06:00

A fifth person has been charged as part of the Michael Wheeler murder investigation. South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch... and more.

A fifth person has been charged as part of the murder investigation into the death of Michael Wheeler. Angus Warner, aged 32 from Crewkerne, was charged with conspiracy to murder and appeared before Yeovil Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he was remanded in custody to appear before Bristol Crown Court on Friday 25 October. Four other men have been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old from Yeovil, whose body was found last week at a property in Yarlington after he had not been seen for more than a month. All have been remanded ahead of future court appearances.

South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. The government scrapped winter fuel payments for all pensioners apart from those receiving certain benefits. Mark Freeman is the chair of the library and thinks many may not be aware of what they can access if they are eligible for pension credit.

Waste going to landfill is at a record low, according to figures released by Somerset Council. The numbers for 2023-24 suggest 2,300 tonnes of material was reused - this includes smart tech collected via the ‘Fixy Project’. The council says Somerset’s recycling rate of 56 per cent puts it in the top 20 per cent of waste authorities in England.

The NHS and the UK Health Security Agency are asking people in the West to get their flu vaccinations. It's part of their 'Get Winter Strong' campaign that will also encourage people to get COVID-19 boosters. It comes as uptake in the region amongst the over 65s remains high at over eighty percent. But the number of pregnant women, infants and people with long term health conditions taking up the offer of the vaccine is much lower.

And there’s good news for rail users. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch, having installed over 2,000 new sleepers and 3,600 tonnes of ballast stone. The previous track was half a century old and prone to faults whilst the replacement is a so-called ‘continuously welded rail’, meaning fewer inspections and faults.

More from News

Tuesday 12th November

New figures have shown a sharp rise in crime in Chard in the last six months. A retired RAF pilot in Somerset has been speaking about the joys of being a foster parent at the age of 88. Councillor Pauline Parsons has been honoured for her 40 years service to the local community...and more
Monday 11th November

A man has been arrested in connection with an unlicensed music event held near Bruton. Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash involving a tractor and car in Yeovil. Accommodation providers are being urged to put themselves forward to provide lodgings to actors and film crews visiting Somerset...and more
Friday 8th November

The Leader of Yeovil Town Council is calling on the public to treat the town centre with more respect. Somerset Waste Partnership is asking householders not put blister packs or, pill packets as they’re called, out for recycling. Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash near Ilminster in which a learner motorcyclist was seriously injured .... and more
Thursday 7th November

Somerset Council says 900 miles of the County’s roads will be gritted on a regular basis this winter. Work will start soon to strengthen Chard Reservoir to protect local communities from flooding. The first advent calendar produced by the charity Mind in Somerset has gone on sale...and more
Wednesday 6th November

St Margaret's Hospice says increased employer’s national insurance contributions will cost them an extra £300,000 a year. A man has been arrested after more than 200 cannabis plants were found in a Yeovil property. Voting will take place on November 21st in the Blackmore Vale to fill a vacant seat on Somerset Council...and more
Tuesday 5th November

The A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford can now be used as a dual carriageway for the first time. People living in rural parts of South Somerset may not get high-speed broadband until 2027. Plans have been submitted to build 150 new homes on the site of the former Horlicks Factory in Ilminster...and more
Monday 4th November

Farmers in Somerset are warning of increased food prices and farmers going out of business as a result of last week’s budget. Police have released pictures of items stolen in a raid on Montacute House. A Somerset man has completed the 630-mile-long South West Coast Path, raising money for the RNLI...and more.
Friday 1st November

Somerset Council is looking at new ways to ease traffic congestion on the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton. Bridgwater and Taunton College and Strode College in Street have announced plans to merge. The Westland Entertainment venue in Yeovil is selling tickets at £3 to make its shows more affordable for low-income families...and more