NEWS

Police and forensic officers are in attendance today (Wednesday, 24 December) at the scene of a sudden death in Ballymena. Officers were called to a residential property on Moat Road, in the Harryville area of the town, earlier today. The area remains cordoned off while enquiries continue. Witnesses reported seeing police vehicles and forensic personnel at a home in the Moat Road area, prompting concern among local residents. The incident has drawn attention in what is typica

Drumtara estate in Ballee, Ballymena Police have arrested a man following a reported assault in the Drumtara area of Ballymena earlier today (Tuesday, December 23). Officers attended the scene shortly after a report of an altercation involving two men was received mid-morning. Emergency services were called as a precaution, with both men requiring hospital treatment for their injuries. Detective Sergeant Crothers said: “Shortly after 10.30am, officers received a report of two

Mervyn Millar and Jaxon (5) from Galgorm, Ballymena . Families from Ballymena and surrounding areas were among more than 80 Northern Ireland children to enjoy a magical trip of a lifetime to Lapland this Christmas, thanks to the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT). Local families from Galgorm, Cullybackey, Rasharkin and Ballymena joined the special journey, which departed from Belfast International Airport on Wednesday 17 December, bringin

Northern Regional College student Luke Kirkwood, who was awarded the Spirit Award at this year’s Study USA graduation ceremony. A Ballymena student who spent an academic year studying in the United States through the Study USA scholarship programme is encouraging other eligible students to consider applying, describing the experience as “an opportunity that can genuinely change your future”. Luke Kirkwood, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at Northern Regional

Pictured outside the newly expanded JAQ Group facilities in Randalstown is Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, and Managing Director, Connor Martin. An innovative Northern Ireland e-commerce fragrance company is creating dozens of new jobs after significantly expanding its manufacturing and logistics operations in Randalstown, County Antrim. The JAQ Group has invested in a major extension of its facilities at the Craigstown Industrial Estate to meet

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

Sarah and Paul Thompson, owners of Ballymena-based embroidery business Ted & Stitch, and co-founders of Tedberry Market Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector has received a significant boost following the latest Tedberry Market, which helped participating businesses generate an estimated £650,000 in combined sales. Running for the first time over a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, the event attracted more than 9,000 visitors, according to a post-event survey of

90 years young: Ernie O’Hara (Images: David A. Scott Photography) Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club has paid tribute to one of its most devoted members, Ernest (Ernie) O’Hara, as the club came together to celebrate his 90th birthday and honour more than seven decades of unbroken service. The milestone celebration was held on Wednesday 29 November 2025, bringing together past and present office bearers to recognise a man whose commitment has helped shape the club for generations.

As the festive season approaches, Ballymena Elim Church on Castle Street is opening its doors to the local community with two special Christmas services designed to bring people together in celebration and reflection. The church is hosting a traditional Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 21 December at 6.30pm , followed by a poignant Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday 24 December from 6.30pm to 7.30pm . In a heartfelt message, the congregation emphasised their d

The Farmers’ Choir has enjoyed a highly successful and uplifting Christmas season, delighting audiences across Northern Ireland with a programme of festive music, warm humour and community spirit — while raising thousands of pounds for local charities along the way. The choir’s Christmas celebrations began with a festive concert in First Larne Presbyterian Church, hosted by Larne Foodbank. Performing a range of much-loved Christmas favourites, the choir entertained a warmly

Cahal Bradley, a charge nurse based at Antrim Area Hospital As families across Northern Ireland prepare to gather for Christmas and New Year, a frontline nurse at Antrim Area Hospital has appealed to the public to take simple but meaningful steps to protect loved ones, vulnerable patients and overstretched health services. Cahal Bradley, a charge nurse based at Antrim Area Hospital , said small acts of consideration — such as staying at home when unwell and planning ahead — c

John McClintock and Pamela Steele from Northern Regional College; Patrick McNeill, former FutureMakers Academy participant and Clarke employee; MTF chairman David Watson; Logan Godfrey, past FutureMakers Academy participant and Wrightbus employee; Donna McCullough from Northern Regional College; and Donna Morrison from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A fully funded skills programme aimed at helping people into sustainable employment is offering a new route into manufactur

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, has reflected on a year of resilience, generosity and progress across the Borough in his Christmas message to residents. As festive lights illuminate towns and villages across Mid and East Antrim, the Mayor spoke of the “joy and warmth of Christmas” and the strong sense of community that has defined the past year. “It has been a true honour to serve as your

Pictured with John Read, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Mid and East Antrim is Samantha Peden, Community Development Officer and participants of the Christmas coffee morning provided by Cullybackey Community Partnership. Also represented at the event was the board of directors, Cullybackey Men's Shed and members of Cullybackey community. All the catering equipment for the event was funded by the Housing Executive. A gift of coffee-making equipment from the Housing

Suspended jail term for 71-year-old woman who was more than twice drink drive limit when she crashed her car through a shop window in Ballymena injuring customer A 71-YEAR-OLD woman who was more than twice the drink drive limit when she crashed her car through the window of the Grove Road Spar shop in Ballymena, injuring a customer, has received a suspended jail sentence, reports Court News NI . Marion Connolly, of Carnwood Hall, Ballymena, was at the town's Magistrates' Cour

Riverside Retail Park, Coleraine A Ballymena-based property company headed by local businessman Ryan Walker has completed a landmark £30 million acquisition that brings one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent retail destinations under single local ownership for the first time. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited , which owns the Fairhill Shopping Centre in Ballymena , has acquired Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine from Kelvin Properties Ltd, in a transaction overseen by TDK Property

A new Christmas lights display is bringing festive warmth, faith and community spirit to Broughshane this winter, as Tim’s Lights makes its debut on Caherty Hill in support of Marie Curie Northern Ireland. The charity display, which also runs in Tandragee, is rooted in a deeply personal mission — to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas while raising vital funds for end-of-life care across Northern Ireland. Since first switching on in 2014, Tim’s Lights has raised an impres

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has entered into a debate over which household recycling system works best, after the issue was raised at a meeting of a neighbouring council. Speaking in the council chamber at Mossley Mill on Monday evening, Antrim DUP councillor Paul Dunlop highlighted the differing approaches taken by local authorities. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has recently completed the roll-out of a triple-stacked wheelie box system to 25,000 house