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

Friday 4th October

A care provider in Yeovil says hospital patients are being affected by the town's roadworks. A tractor has been completely destroyed, after its trailer of silage burst into flames. The carts roll into Ilminster tomorrow night, with carnival season well underway... and more.
Thursday 3rd October

A Yeovil house has been boarded up for three months due to anti-social behaviour. A Chard woman is a finalist at the Stevie Awards for Women In Business. A farm shop started by two Somerset schoolgirls has its first permanent home... and more.
Wednesday 2nd October

Only one person in Somerset has been prosecuted for fly-tipping in the last two years. A new law governing tips could make local service industry staff better off. Traffic was severely held up yesterday afternoon, after a collision on the A303... and more..
Monday 30th September

Yeovil Town are mourning the passing of former-manager, Barry Lloyd. The NHS in Somerset is urging more people to become organ donors. The family of an Ilminster man, awarded the Albert Medal, are looking for a museum to house the honour... and more.
Friday 27th September

Bleed kits have been installed in Yeovil this week. Herne View Primary School has been awarded the Skills Builder Partnership Gold Award. Somerset's Trading Standards says there are new scams doing the rounds linked to parking charges... and more.
Thursday 26th September

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.
Wednesday 25th September

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a missing Yeovil man. The purchase of Glover’s Walk has been successfully completed by Somerset Council. A new ‘silent book club’ is coming to Chard next month. A special school is celebrating 20 years of being rated as Ofsted 'Outstanding'...and more.
Tuesday 24th September

Somerset doctors are urging us to look out for children with asthma as temperatures begin to drop. A local organisation is celebrating an award of nearly £20,000. A new traffic management system will affect drivers on the A303 this weekend... and more.