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The top stories from the KentOnline news team
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
A mum has taken her three children out of a school in Medway after her eldest son was attacked.
The 16-year-old had to go to hospital after it happened at Greenacre Academy.
Also in today's podcast, if there's an outbreak of Strep A at your child's school, the whole class could be given antibiotics.
Health officials have recommended the rare move as nine children have now died from the bacterial infection, which causes scarlet fever.
In other health news, find out when ambulance workers in Kent are set to go on strike.
Three climate protesters have been sentenced after staging a demo at an Amazon warehouse in Dartford.
Extinction Rebellion blockaded the site on Black Friday in November last year. They spoke to our court reporter following the case at Medway Magistrates' Court.
You're being asked what you think about England's first secure school being set up in Kent.
Work on transforming the old youth jail in Rochester started in the summer and the aim is to have it open in early 2024.
We've been speaking to Steve Chalke who is the founder of Oasis, the group behind the new facility.
Three people from Kent who are living with long Covid have been sharing their stories to encourage everyone to get the vaccine.
It's almost two year since the first jab was administered in the county as the vaccine programme got under way.
Find out which Kent town has been named as one of the unhappiest in the UK.
And, the team at our sister radio station kmfm have spent a second day giving out the thousands of presents you donated to their Give a Gift Appeal.
The toys and games are going to youngsters in hospital or care, and to children's charities, ahead of Christmas.
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Tributes have been paid to a young woman who died in a crash in Canterbury.
Lucy Billingham, 18, was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta that ploughed into a pub in the early hours of Saturday.
We have the latest on the police investigation.
Also in today's podcast, a mum from Chatham has been given compensation after living with a mouse infestation for years.
Laura Clout says her three-storey property in Hardstown has been riddled with mice since she moved in seven years ago.
A butcher from Medway has been reduced to tears over the cost of living crisis.
Hear from the manager of Denis Hills Quality Butcher in Strood who is worried about the impact of rising energy bills.
The KentOnline Podcast has been told how care homes in Kent are losing staff to McDonald's and Aldi because of poor pay and low morale.
Now there are calls for extra funding to make the job more attractive and reduce the need to call in expensive agency staff.
A former department store in Kent has been given a new lease of life as a family entertainment centre.
Husband and wife entrepreneurs Alex and Monique Souter started a panic room in Gravesend in 2016 and have now converted the former BHS in the town.
The first presents donated by you to kmfm's Give a Gift appeal are being delivered across the county.
They'll be going to children in hospital or care and to children's charities this festive season.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following their 3-0 defeat to Salford City at the weekend.
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
A man has staged a peaceful protest at a GP surgery after struggling to get a face-to-face appointment.
We hear how busy doctors are right now.
Also in today's podcast, a former Kent MP has admitted possessing and distributing indecent images.
Paul Clark used to represent Gillingham and appeared at Medway Magistrates Court earlier.
The parents of a Margate boy who died after being bullied for being autistic say he was let down by a lack of support.
Stefan Kluibenschadl passed away in hospital in March, but a coroner says it's unclear whether he intended to take his own life. His dad has paid tribute.
The Kent test has been discussed in the House of Lords today.
A bill calling for the selective system to be scrapped has been having a second reading. We've been speaking to campaign group Comprehensive Future.
A charity says just punishing drug use doesn't solve the issue, as it's emerged Kent Police deal with an average of almost 500 offences involving under 18s every year.
Since 2018, there've been more than 17-hundred reports involving cannabis, heroin and cocaine.
A Sittingbourne mum who lost her baby at 32 weeks says a teddy bear with her daughter's heartbeat in has helped her come to terms with the grief.
Lizzie Phillips knew from early on her pregnancy that baby Penelope was unlikely to live - she's been telling her story to the Podcast.
A Margate charity is celebrating 20 years of providing opportunities to young people in Kent.
Pie Factory Music was set up in 2002 and has supported 50,000 people through youth work, music and arts projects, pastoral care and counselling.
Hear from their managing director ahead of a celebration this weekend.
And, our features writer Sam Lawrie looks ahead to everything going on in Kent this weekend.
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
Thursday Dec 01, 2022
A man has been found guilty of murdering two women, including a mum from Kent who went missing just over a year ago.
Alexandra Morgan from Sissinghurst was last seen on Remembrance Day 2021 - her remains were later found on a farm in East Sussex.
The body of Leah Ware, who disappeared six month earlier, has never been found.
Hear from our reporter who was in court to hear the verdicts come in. We've also spoken to the CPS and have audio of the time Mark Brown from St Leonards-on-Sea was arrested.
Also in today's podcast, workers at the ambulance service covering Kent have voted to go on strike.
You're being urged to make sure your children have had the flu vaccine amid a rise in the number of under 5s ending up in hospital...
Nationally, more than 200 youngsters were admitted after suffering serious complications linked to the virus in the week to November, 20.
A bus station in Maidstone's been left covered in mould just a year after a £1.5 million revamp.
Water's leaking down the wall leaving an ugly mark next to The Mall - hear from bus passengers and what the council have to say.
Parents are calling for plans for a 5G mast on school land in Westgate to be scrapped until proper research has been done on whether they affect our health.
The 20 meter tall mast could be built on part of the playing field at St Saviours primary in Elm Grove.4
The KentOnline Podcast has been told more about a multi-million pound dance studios that's opened on an industrial estate in Ashford.
The Jasmin Vardimon Company have already welcomed their first cohort of dancers before officially opening next week.
And in sport, it's been a great day for Kent cricketer Zak Crawley. Find out how he got on as England start their first tour of Pakistan since 2005.
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
A mum from Gillingham says she will continue to fight for answers about a mystery condition that has left her daughter disabled.
Hallie Spree was born in March 2019 but still has the muscle tone of a one-year-old.
It means she struggles to hold her own weight or get around. Hear from her mum Rachael - we've also got a statement from medics.
Also in today's podcast, a man's been arrested in connection with the deaths of at least 27 asylum seekers in the Channel last November.
A rubber dinghy sank as they tried to make the dangerous journey to Kent from France.
The amount we're paying for food is continuing to go up according to new inflation figures out today.
It comes as a charity that helps feed people in Whitstable announces it's expanding to support even more who're vulnerable.
Hear from the founder of Food Friends which works by connecting people who love to cook with a neighbour who's in need of a hot dinner.
A school's trip to the panto in Canterbury this Christmas is in doubt - because of rail strikes.
Pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary in Aylesham are due to go and see Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre on December, 13.
A Kent hairdresser's launching a free training academy to help young people get a job amid the cost of living crisis.
Sarah Ayonmike is teaching youngsters at her salon in Chatham.
Off the back of England's World Cup win last night, we've been hearing how Harry Kane's helping veterans in Aylesford.
The England captain's commissioned Royal British Legion Industries Factory to create products for his online shop which raises funds for his foundation.
And in sport, could an American property tycoon be about to take over at Gillingham?
Brad Galinson is a businessman based in Florida - and what's known as a 'registration of a charge' over Priestfield Stadium has been filed under his name with Companies House.
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
More than 18 months after a serving Met police officer from Kent killed Sarah Everard, further changes are being made at the UK's biggest police force.
An anonymous hotline has been set up to report corrupt or abusive officers.
Hear from the man who's going to be leading a new command group.
Also in today's podcast, our reporter Sam Lennon has been in Sandwich where a large emergency response was spotted earlier.
He has a statement from police.
The government says a 'robust' screening process has been set up following concerns about an outbreak of diphtheria at an asylum processing centre in Kent.
50 cases have been confirmed, and a man who died after being held at the Manston site also had the disease.
We've been speaking to the man behind plans for film studios in Ashford.
Mark Quinn has revealed when work should be getting under way and what it'll bring to the town.
Firefighters have told the KentOnline Podcast they have been to more than 200 accidental kitchen fires so far this year.
And now they want us to try and reduce that number. Hear about their latest campaign.
A Whitstable man who was told he was too skinny to be a professional footballer has now won a major body building competition.
Tom Thorman has been speaking to our reporter Brad Harper.
And in sport, find out who Gillingham could play in the third round of the FA Cup.
The draw was made last night, although Neil Harris' side still need to beat Dagenham and Redbridge in a replay.
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Monday Nov 28, 2022
The people behind plans for a surf resort in Kent have been revealing more details.
Planners are hoping to have the inland surfing space, which will generate artificial waves and be known as The Seahive, open by 2025.
The development would also include a luxury hotel.
Also in today's podcast, it's emerged a man who died after being held at an asylum processing site in Kent had diphtheria.
Now public health officials are worried those being moved from Manston to hotels haven't been screened properly.
Hear from a refugee charity and a doctor who explains what the highly contagious disease is.
A Tenterden shop owner says she feels the town has been abandoned by the police.
Emma Pinfold has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stock in recent years following a series of breakins. We've been speaking to her and have a response from police.
A man who once took to socials to blame Kent for mutating Covid and ruining Christmas, has now turned his attentions to Sheerness.
Phil Carr's TikTok tour of the town has already had more than 145,000 views and 13,000 likes. Hear what he had to say and the response from Sheppey resident and KentOnline reporter John Nurden.
A Folkestone toy company has made a massive donation to the Give a Gift appeal being run by our sister radio station kmfm.
Hear what happened when they popped in to kmfm breakfast with Garry and Chelsea.
And Gillingham are in the draw for the third round of the FA Cup - but they're going to need another replay if they're going to get there.
Hear from manager Neil Harris following their draw with Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend.
Friday Nov 25, 2022
Friday Nov 25, 2022
A Sevenoaks man who attacked a woman - then claimed she injured herself - has been sent to prison.
48 year-old Scott Shipwright, from Stone Street, punched and strangled his on-off girlfriend after returning home from a trip to the pub with friends in May.
Our court reporter talks us through what happened.
Also in today's podcast, a farmer in Rochester has turned his land into a habitat to support local wildlife.
Inspired by the driest summer on record, Alex Bates has been working with the RSPB and environmental consultants EPR to create 80 hectares of wetland.
He's been telling us how he's working to turn the clock back.
Meanwhile, dozens of schemes by schools across Kent and Medway have been recognised in this year's Green School Awards.
The seventh annual awards, organised by the KM Charity Team, has looked at the efforts made by students, staff and volunteers to make a difference to our environment - we speak to a school about their wellbeing allotment.
With many of us looking for a bargain on Black Friday - the KentOnline Podcast's been told it's more important than ever to shop local.
Many independent businesses in the county are struggling amid high inflation.
Floortje Hoette, the Chief Executive of the food and drink champion Produced in Kent, is urging people to support them and boost the county's economy.
And in football, Gillingham head to non-league Dagenham and Redbridge in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend.
Our sports reporter caught up with manager Neil Harris ahead of tomorrow's action.
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
There are calls for a charge to be introduced for people who own holiday lets in part of Kent to cover the cost of collecting their rubbish.
Because they're registered as businesses they don't have to pay council tax, and many are exempt from business rates too.
There are just over 180 short-term lets in Folkestone and Hythe - hear from Labour group leader, Connor McConville, who doesn't think they should be getting services for free.
Also today, a year on from the deaths of dozens of asylum seekers in the English Channel - the KentOnline Podcast's been told another tragedy is highly likely.
At least 27 people lost their lives when an inflatable dinghy capsized near Calais, as they tried to make the dangerous crossing.
We hear from a friend of someone who died, the MP for Dover, and refugee charity Care4Calais.
It's claimed GPs across the county are seeing more patients than ever before.
According to the Kent Local Medical Committee, doctors had more than 800,000 appointments in September.
Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks has told us they're doing the best they can to see everyone who needs help.
Lecturers in Kent are joining colleagues across the country in going on strike today.
Staff at the Uni of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church have been walking out in a dispute over pay.
Students in Medway have been sharing their thoughts with us.
And, hear a snippet of Meghan Trainor's appearance on our sister station kmfm following the release of her last album 'Takin It Back'.
The single 'Made you look', meanwhile, is all over TikTok.
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
A mum from Edenbridge who spent 18 months in agony has finally been diagnosed, after flying to Poland to see a doctor.
Agnieszka Gray spoke to her GP, a gynecologist and even went to A&E four times - but says no one took her pain seriously.
A doctor in Poland almost immediately realised she had endometriosis which affects the ovaries - hear from her and our reporter who covered the story.
Also in today's podcast, there's been a sharp rise in the number of households in need of emergency housing in Kent's most deprived district.
A total of 542 people in Thanet have had to be given the support during the last financial year - that's almost double than the previous one.
Chris Thomas from homelessness charity Porchlight warns of a "crisis" this winter.
The Home Secretary says it's becoming incredibly difficult to find accommodation for asylum seekers who are crossing the Channel in small boats.
A controversial processing site in Thanet has now been cleared following concerns about overcrowding and poor conditions.
Suella Braverman's been giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee in Parliament.
The MP for Dartford has called for Just Stop Oil to be classified as a criminal organisation.
Gareth Johnson's spoken out in the Commons after two men climbed the Dartford Crossing last month as part of a climate protest.
The winter season is officially under way for the people who make sure our roads are clear of frost and snow over the next few months.
The KentOnline Podcast's been told how almost 120 gritters are on standby along with more than 63,000 tonnes of salt.
We've been chatting with Matt Salt from National Highways.
And in football, hear from manager Neil Harris following Gillingham's draw at Crawley Town.
It means the Gills have been unable to climb out of the League Two relegation zone.