Tuesday 9th January

Tuesday, 9 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Extra charges are being levied on empty properties and second homes in Somerset. Tributes have been paid to Somerset councillor Dean Ruddle who has died at the age of 59. Yeovil Town's game away to Taunton Town tonight is completely sold out...and more

Extra charges are being levied on empty properties and second homes in Somerset. More than 2,600 properties are currently unoccupied in the County, including nearly 100 that have been empty for ten years. To encourage owners to bring them back into use, Somerset Council is imposing a 100 per cent council tax premium on properties empty for more than one year. Additional charges are also being levied on second homes.

Tributes have been paid to Councillor Dean Ruddle, who died at 59. Known to his colleagues as “Mr Somerton”, Cllr Ruddle was Lead Member for Adult Services on Somerset Council and also Chairman of Somerton Town Council.

One person had to be taken to hospital following a three-vehicle crash near Chard. It happened on the A358 at Hornsbury Hill at midday yesterday. The road was closed for more than an hour. The condition of the injured person is not known.

A new way of dealing with women, arrested for the first time for low-level offences, is being tested in Somerset in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police. 'Project She' run by the Nelson Trust offers women who admit to wrongdoing, the chance of training and support, rather than a court appearance.

A new £3 parking charge has come into effect at the Westhay Moor Nature Reserve, near Langport. Up until now, parking at the Reserve has been free, however, entry to the Reserve itself remains at no charge.

An audiologist in Somerset claims hearing aids help people to stay fit and active in older age. Laura Lewis, who works for T T M Hearing Services, says she's not surprised that a study has found hearing aids can delay the onset of dementia and help people to live longer.

Yeovil Town will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run of six games when they take on Taunton Town away at Wordsworth Drive tonight. The Glovers, who are ten points clear at the top of National League South, beat Taunton 4-1 at Huish Park on Boxing Day. Tonight’s game, which is sold out, kicks off at 7.45 pm.

More from News

Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more
Friday 11th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in Yeovil in which a man riding an e-bike was injured and later died in hospital. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the number of false alarm calls it receives is on the increase. A new micro-pub opens in Chard next week...and more
Thursday 10th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for more targeted support for schools in Somerset. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident near Wells in which a cyclist died. Plans have been approved to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a house of multiple occupation...and more
Wednesday 9th April

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for stabbing another man in a pub in the town. Work is underway to help minimize the flood risk at Chard Reservoir. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-six new homes at Sparkford. A new Town Crier is needed in Glastonbury...and more
Tuesday 8th April

Work is underway to demolish the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving for a third time. Somerset Council has paid £35,000 in compensation for failing to deliver the right support to children with special educational needs. Another shop in Yeovil town centre is closing for good today...and more