NEWS

A woman aged in her 90s has tragically died following a fire at a residential property in Lisburn, as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) issued an urgent home fire safety appeal after four fatal house fires across Northern Ireland in just three days. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed officers received a report of an ongoing fire in the Tansy Road area shortly before 6.30pm on Sunday evening, December 14. Police attended alongside colleagu

Castle Tower School in Ballymena has been confirmed among successful applicants for the Department of Education’s RAISE Programme. Ballymena projects have been placed firmly in the spotlight after Education Minister Paul Givan announced more than £3.7 million in funding to support Locality Led Projects under the RAISE Programme across Northern Ireland. A total of 61 projects have been selected to move forward to the next stage of the programme, which aims to raise educational

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has written to parcel delivery firm Evri after a growing number of constituents contacted his office to complain about failed deliveries and poor customer service in the critical run-up to Christmas. The intervention follows reports from residents across South Antrim of parcels not arriving at all, being left at incorrect addresses, or marked as delivered without adequate proof. In several cases, so-called proof of delivery images reportedly showed

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and  Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most

Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley is pictured with, Amber Kirkwood, who works in Crave café, Linda Gillen, who works at The Fern Restaurant and Logan Godfrey, who is employed by Wrightbus.  More than 1,200 people across Ballymena are set to benefit from a major £500,000 funding commitment announced by The Gallaher Trust, aimed at creating jobs, developing skills and supporting disadvantaged adults over the next three years. The independent Ballymena-based charity has con

This is absolutely the easiest way to cook your Christmas ham and it is ‘deeelicious’! This recipe is from my ebook ' Easy Christmas ' - you can visit my shop by tapping here ! I have a guide to adjust the cooking times depending on the size of your ham and also a guide for your turkey too. Enjoy! Jill Stewart ( @jillbakes_ ) INGREDIENTS… 1 gammon roast 150ml boiling water 2 eating apples, cut into large chunks 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp Demerara sugar INSTRUCTIONS… 1. Soak the raw

Inset: Councillor Alan Barr Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has urged the public to remain vigilant to the signs of domestic abuse during the winter months, warning that heightened financial, emotional and social pressures can place victims at greater risk across Mid and East Antrim. Councillor Barr said “domestic violence is a serious crime. It devastates lives and families. It can be carried out by both men and women on their partners. Sadly, children can also

A security alert in the Ballyclare area has ended following a major public safety operation involving police and Ammunition Technical Officers. Police confirmed they received a report of a suspicious object located outside a property in the Ballylagan Road area shortly after 9am on Sunday, 14 December. Officers attended the scene and established a number of temporary cordons while the object was examined. Detective Inspector Hanbidge said: “Our officers attended the scene tog

SuperValu and Centra Marketing Manager Jennifer Whyte with Santa Claws which will visit Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena this week. Shoppers in Ballymena are set for a festive treat this Christmas as SuperValu and Centra bring their nostalgic ‘Santa Claws’ arcade experience to Fairhill Shopping Centre, offering the chance to win instant prizes — and even a dream family trip to New York. On Thursday 18th December , the popular retail brands will host a festive community eve

Former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall Plans for valet parking at a former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The proposal seeks a change of use at the former parking site on Ballyemon Road in the village and has recently been lodged via the council’s planning portal. According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement, the proposal is linked to separate plans for alterations and an extension to th

Pictured at the Northern Trust Recovery College 10-year-anniversary event are Jacqui Armstrong, Transformation Lead for Intermediate Care and Integrated Discharge, Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services, Janice Gray, Service Manager, Joy Hammond, Head of Service, Mental Health & Recovery Services and Jen Hood, Interim Assistant Director. The Northern Trust Recovery College is marking a decade of supporting mental health and wellb

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with festive favourites, cookery titles and family-friendly reads proving especially popular as Christmas approaches. From Mary Berry’s celebratory new release to children’s classics and record-breaking annuals, the list reflects a wide range of tastes among local shoppers seeking thoughtful Christmas gifts. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books – With Descriptions 1. Mary 90 — Mary Berry A celebratory co

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced a series of festive service changes to ensure bin collections, recycling centres and key public facilities continue running smoothly over the Christmas and New Year period. A Council spokesperson said the temporary adjustments have been introduced “as we come together to celebrate the season,” adding: “These temporary adjustments to bin collections, recycling centres and public facilities will help ensure our services continu

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland, with forecasters cautioning that “periods of heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and some flooding” between 00:00 on Sunday 14 December and 06:00 on Monday 15 December 2025. According to the warning, “outbreaks of rain will affect Northern Ireland Sunday and clear away on Monday morning.” The rain is expected to be “heavy and persistent at times with accumulations of 20–30 mm expected to develop

Wrightbus CEO Axel J. Maschka meeting staff The newly appointed CEO of zero-emission public transport pioneer Wrightbus has brought together all 2,000 members of staff to share his strategic vision for the year ahead. Axel J. Maschka, who joined the Ballymena-based manufacturer from Hyundai Mobis at the beginning of December, addressed the workforce during a mass meeting on Wednesday (10 December). He opened by thanking employees for their contribution throughout 2025 but cau

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has paid warm tribute to the people of North Antrim after what he described as an “overwhelming” response to this year’s Christmas Appeal in aid of the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. Mr Burrows said he was “totally blown away by the generosity” shown by local residents, businesses, and community groups, whose contributions will provide vital support to the specialist palliative care facility. The annual appeal remains a cherished tra

Diane with her beloved girl Molly! A former stray dog who spent more than 700 days at Dogs Trust Ballymena is set to enjoy her first Christmas in a loving home after forming an unbreakable bond with her new owner. Ten-year-old Border Collie Molly arrived at Dogs Trust in June 2023 after being found wandering alone, with no clues to her previous life. Despite her uncertain past, staff quickly discovered a bright, affectionate dog who simply needed time, patience and trust to r

Tienán Heffron on stage Performing at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert Celebrities, supporters and rising musical talent gathered at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert in partnership with Cunard, with 25-year-old County Antrim singer Tiernán Heffron taking to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment. The event, filled with festive readings, l

North Antrim MP Jim Allister with TUV party colleague Timothy Gaston MLA, pictured with local staff at Royal Mail in Ballymena North Antrim MP Jim Allister has praised the dedication of postal workers in Ballymena following an early morning tour of the town’s Royal Mail sorting facility ahead of the festive rush. Mr Allister visited the operation with Timothy Gaston MLA , where he said he witnessed first-hand the efficiency of the centre as staff manage one of the busiest pe

Toomebridge-based manufacturer Uform has pledged its support to Cancer Fund for Children through a new strategic charity partnership aimed at helping families affected by childhood cancer this Christmas and beyond. Cancer Fund for Children provides vital emotional, social and therapeutic support to children and young people diagnosed with cancer, as well as to their families. For many, the impact of a diagnosis extends far beyond medical treatment, affecting mental health, ed