Tuesday 20th August

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Cameras connected to artificial intelligence that catch law-breaking drivers are being introduced on Somerset's roads. Police patrols have been stepped up at Millennium Wood in Castle Cary. A Somerset man has written a book about his father's role in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944...and more.

Cameras connected to artificial intelligence that catch law-breaking drivers are being introduced on Somerset's roads. It follows trials in Devon and Cornwall in which 117 mobile phone offences and 180 seat belt offences were detected within the first 72 hours of the system being switched on. Two cameras are used to take high-speed front-facing and overhead images of vehicles with AI detecting potential offences. The images are then verified by a real person to determine whether an offence has taken place.

Police patrols have been stepped up at Millennium Wood in Castle Cary after bird boxes and a memorial bench seat were vandalised. Police are treating the incident as criminal damage and ask that anyone with information, call the non-emergency number 101.

A Somerset insect expert says while there haven't been a lot of bugs around this summer, that's likely to change. Entemologist, Dee Patel says for the time of year, the combination of rainfall and heat has meant more ants, wasps, mosquitoes and slugs are now surfacing.

Young people struggling with their mental health are being offered extra support over the summer. Somerset MIND is running an out of hours youth safe space service for 13-to-25 year olds. Vicky Pool from Somerset MIND says it's teaching young people de-escalation techniques to reduce anxiety and stress.

A Somerset man has written a book based on his father's role in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. Frank Hughes was part of Operation Market Garden in the Glider Pilot Regiment, where he silently flew behind enemy lines. ‘Veteran’ by Tan Hughes a month ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

A Chard woman's planning a skydive to raise much-needed cash for the Ferne Animal Sanctuary at Wambrook. Jackie Dennis, who describes herself as a devoted animal lover, will descend the 15,000 feet from the skies over Somerset on September 20th.

Yeovil Town have a game tonight. They take on Ebbsfleet United in a National League fixture at Huish Park, kick-off at 7.45 pm.

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Friday 7th February

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Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
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

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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

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