NEWS

The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club has expressed “deep disappointment and frustration” after the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) once again refused to grant permits needed to reopen their river hatchery — a conservation project aimed at restoring dwindling salmon and Dollaghan trout populations in the Kellswater River system. The group said the hatchery could have played a vital role in protecting native fish and educating local sc

Mid and East Antrim is gearing up for a spine-tingling celebration as Halloween approaches, with a packed programme of eerie entertainment and family-friendly fun across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne . From haunted houses and ghost tours to pumpkin patches and spooky storytelling, the borough is promising something for everyone – whether you’re chasing chills or simply after a night of frightful fun. “Mid and East Antrim is your one-stop-shop for all things Halloween,”

A Ballymena-based mental health charity that has supported nearly 1,500 people in crisis in recent years has warned that it may be forced to close within months unless sustainable government funding is secured. Turning Point NI, a community crisis intervention and mental health hub founded in 2015 within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises across Mid and East Antrim. Its mission i

Deputy Mayor of Mid & East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey The Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey, has publicly offered his support to a Portglenone man who has been issued a Noise Abatement Notice by council officers for practising the Lambeg drum. Councillor Hoey explained that the constituent, Gary, had been contacted him at the start of September regarding the noise complaint. “At the start of September, I was contacted by a constituent of mi

Concerns about fake references being submitted for agency healthcare workers were brought before the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board following an alert earlier this year. During the most recent Trust board meeting, Paul Turley, a non-executive director , told members that fraudulent references had been submitted for agency posts, with a “small number specific to the Northern Trust”. According to the meeting minutes, the Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) — w

Overall winner of the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch William Mawhinney, centre, pictured with, from left, judge Noel Mullholland and Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A Carrickfergus entrepreneur has sailed to success after making The Ultimate Pitch to win investment for his innovative new business that carries out vessel hull inspections. William Mawhinney wowed judges at the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succ

Is this the most classic bake of all time!? It's the easiest bake there is and an absolute staple at childhood birthday parties so T had to be for top hats . I've been making them with my two-year-old nephew lots recently (he's a big fan) and when you make them with good quality chocolate, they are actually so good. The big question is... do you choose a white or pink marshmallow one? Has to be white for me!! Jill Stewart ( @jillbakes_ ) INGREDIENTS… Makes 12 110g share bar

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday. North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has called for urgent departmental funding to support a Ballymena-based crisis intervention charity, warning that the collapse of Extern’s community crisis intervention service in the north-west could soon be repeated elsewhere. Speaking during Assembly proceedings on Tuesday (October 14), Mr Gaston said the closure of Extern’s service “will leave a g

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew speaking in the Assembly earlier this week. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has announced overwhelming public support for his proposed Individual Duty of Candour Bill, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, 14 October, Mr Frew confirmed that 94% of respondents to his 14-week public consultation backed the proposal. “I place on record my a

(L-R): Martina Reynolds, EA EdIS Project Lead; Richard Pengelly, EA Chief Executive; Frances Meehan EdIS Programme Director; Eve Bremner, EA Chief Education Officer; Seamus Bradley, EA Assistant Director; Mervyn Storey, EA Chairperson; Jane Murphy, Principal of Killicomaine Junior High School; Barney Jenkins, Managing Director Softlink; pictured with pupils of Killicomaine Junior High School, Portadown. A new and innovative school library system led by the Education Authority

Chamber President Mark Wiggins with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Jackson Minford with representatives of local businesses sponsoring the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards The names of the finalists for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards have been announced, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and community spirit of local businesses across the Ballymena area. Organised annually by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Ind

From Stephen Walker’s acclaimed political biography David Trimble: Peacemaker to Mary Berry’s inspiring new release Mary 90 , Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed this week’s Top 10 bestselling books — alongside fresh half-price offers, family storytime fun, and details of its next book club event. This week’s Top 10 bestsellers Leading the chart this week is David Trimble: Peacemaker by Stephen Walker , a compelling and deeply researched biography of the late Northern Iris

A town centre street in Ballymena was closed on Saturday afternoon after firefighters responded to reports of a blaze in the area. It is understood the incident involved rubbish that had been set alight to the rear of a property on Castle Street. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using one hose quickly tackled the blaze and brought it under control. A smoke clearance fan was also deployed to ventilate the affected area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a r

High Street, Ballymena A young mother who moved to Ballymena to rebuild her life has spoken of her terror after a burglar broke into her home while she slept — just metres away from her bed. The woman, who lives in the High Street area of Ballymena, said the incident happened in the early hours of Monday, 13th October, and has left her frightened to return home with her five-year-old daughter. She had moved to the town only recently, hoping to give her child a safe and stable

Damage to the Ballymena shop after a vehicle was driven through the window. Police investigating a single-vehicle road traffic collision in the Grove Road area of Ballymena have charged a woman to court. The incident, which occurred on Friday, 17th October, involved a vehicle crashing into the local Spar shop, causing significant damage to the premises and injuring a customer who was trapped inside. Emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire crews, attended the

North Antrim UUP MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has expressed “serious concern” after a local drummer was issued with a Noise Abatement Notice by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for practising the traditional Lambeg drum. The Ulster Unionist representative said the situation highlighted a worrying trend of councils using environmental enforcement powers in ways that could, in his view, restrict cultural expression and heritage traditions. Mr Burrows explain

Police in Ballymena are appealing for witnesses and information after a vehicle crashed into a shop on Grove Road on Friday evening, leaving a customer injured and causing significant damage to the premises. The incident occurred at the local Spar supermarket. Sergeant Courtney said: “We received a report at around 7pm on Friday, 17th October of a vehicle crashing into a shop. “Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the North

DUP MLA Paul Frew and Cllr William McCaughey DUP MLA Paul Frew and Cllr William McCaughey have called for renewed momentum on long-awaited improvements to the Broughshane Road and Woodside Road junction in Ballymena, citing growing safety concerns among local residents. Mr Frew said he had been in “contact with DFI Roads Officials regarding this stretch of road for some time now” and welcomed the fact that plans are in place to improve the junction and road leading to the E

Fairhill Shopping Centre’s £10 million redevelopment has reached a major milestone with confirmation that Primark will officially open its new Ballymena store on Friday 5th December at 10am. The long-anticipated arrival of Primark marks a turning point for Fairhill and a renewed sense of optimism for Ballymena’s retail sector. The major fashion retailer’s new 29,000 sq. ft store is set to become the centrepiece of Fairhill’s multi-million-pound investment programme, which has

Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla