NEWS

Ballymena Academy pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly who are through to the final stage of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Ballymena Academy has secured a place in the final of the prestigious ABP Angus Youth Challenge, with two Year 11 pupils set to take on an innovative project aimed at advancing genetic literacy in beef production. The announcement was made today via YouTube , where pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly learned that their school had qualified for

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has hailed a major breakthrough in reducing Northern Ireland’s endoscopy waiting lists, which have fallen to their lowest point since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Describing the development as “a very positive milestone for patients and for our Health and Social Care Service” , Mr Nesbitt credited the progress to targeted investment, enhanced regional capacity, and increased flexibility under the Elective Care Framework. He added: “Through targ

Ballymena’s 7 Towers Burgers is rapidly becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most talked-about emerging food brands after securing two major accolades at the NI Food To Go Awards 2025 and continuing to build impressive momentum both online and in the local community. The smash-burger specialist, based in Ballee Community Square, was crowned Newcomer of the Year and received Highly Commended in the Best Burger To Go category. The wins follow their earlier success at the Ballym

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales World-leading zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has capped its most successful year to date with another major international accolade — this time for innovation in mobility at the ADS Federal Conference in Germany. The Ballymena-based firm was recognised for its significant advances in hydrogen technology, including its record-breaking fleet currently operating across Germany. The latest honour joins a growing collection of awards presente

Isla McManus with her plaque in The Junction, Antrim. The Junction in Antrim rolled out a festive welcome for rising star Isla McManus, following her standout performance as a Junior Eurovision Ireland finalist. The young singer was joined by friends, family, and Santa Claus himself for a celebratory breakfast recognising her meteoric rise in the world of music. During the event, The Junction presented Isla with a commemorative plaque – soon to be displayed inside the shoppin

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched its annual Christmas policing operation, Operation Season’s Greetings, aimed at keeping people safe throughout the festive period and into the New Year. The initiative, unveiled on Monday 24th November, will see increased police visibility and patrols across towns and cities, with a strong focus on shopping districts, nightlife venues and public transport hubs. Both uniformed and plain-clothed officers will be deploye

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has voted to support a motion to rename Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus, following growing public concern over continued association with the disgraced former royal. The motion, brought forward by the Alliance Party during a meeting on Monday evening (24 November), proposes renaming the street while retaining a link to the Royal Family. Carrickfergus Castle Councillor Lauren Gray said the council would “work to rename Prince Andrew Way

Police in Ballymoney have issued a fresh warning to motorists after an uninsured vehicle was taken off the road, leaving both the driver and the owner with a combined 12 penalty points and £410 in fines. Officers from the Ballymoney and Moyle Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) stopped the car earlier today as part of ongoing road safety checks. During the stop, police established that the person behind the wheel had no valid insurance to drive the vehicle — and the owner, who

Pictured from left is Peter McCool, owner, The Phoenix Maxol in Ballymena with Brian Donaldson, CEO, The Maxol Group.  Two Northern Ireland service stations have been recognised among the best in the Maxol network after standout performances at the Maxol Excellence Awards 2025, held during the company’s annual Retail Conference at The K Club. Phoenix Maxol Ballymena Named Store of the Year The Phoenix Maxol in Ballymena is celebrating a major achievement after being crowned S

Front and centre (holding the flowers) are Branch Manager Liz Graham and local businesswoman Winnie Mellet, pictured with branch staff Danske Bank has officially opened its new Ballymoney branch at 12 High Street, completing its planned relocation to modernised premises in the heart of the town. The opening was marked by a special event attended by local businesswoman and Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce President Winnie Mellet, who cut the ribbon to welcome customers into the

PSNI police vehicle which was rammed off the road and through a fence Police have arrested a man in his 40s after a police vehicle was rammed off the road in Belfast on Sunday, 23 November, leaving three officers injured. The incident began at around 4.45pm, when officers on patrol in the Ballysillan Road area reported spotting a silver Ford Focus driving in a suspicious manner. Chief Inspector Claire Hamilton said: “At approximately 4.45pm, officers on patrol in the Ballysil

Sentenced: Harvey Shaw (20) A 20-year-old man has been handed a prison sentence for his involvement in large-scale disorder in Ballymena earlier this year. Harvey Shaw, also known as Harvey John Lee Shaw, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Monday 24 November to 24 months in custody after being convicted of Riot. Shaw, from Ballymena, was arrested for his role in the sustained “race-motivated disorder” that took place in the town on Tuesday 10 June 2025. Police described

The white Yamaha 450 Kodiak quad bike stolen from Larne Police have launched an appeal for information following the theft of a grey Yamaha 450 Kodiak quad bike in the Deerpark Road area of Larne. The incident occurred at around 9pm on Thursday 20 November 2025, when the £7,000 vehicle was taken from a rural property. Officers are urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity, or who may hold potentially relevant footage, to come forward. In a statement, police sa

As winter approaches, the Department of Health is urging the public to take simple, proactive steps to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing amid rising seasonal pressures on health and social care services. Speaking during National Self-Care Week, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt highlighted the importance of self-care and community support as temperatures fall and common winter illnesses begin to circulate. “Each of us can play our part in managing our own health and wel

Documentary participants and clinicians calling for political action to improve access to life-saving thrombectomy treatment. A Northern Ireland man’s powerful account of his father’s stroke has taken centre stage in a new documentary shown at Stormont, prompting renewed calls for political action to improve access to life-saving thrombectomy treatment. Over 40 healthcare professionals, politicians and stroke survivors from across Northern Ireland attended the screening of Th

Graduates of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School have doubled within the last year as support from the private sector also almost doubles. Pictured during the School’s graduation ceremony at Galgorm Resort are, from left, Djann Balmes, a former Bar Academy graduate who now manages the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Ashley Douglas, Northern Ireland Hospitality School Director of Operations and Brenda McGale, Britvic Ireland.  The Northern Ireland Hospitali

One of Ballymena’s oldest and best-loved butcher shops will open its newly expanded premises on Tuesday 25 November, marking a major milestone for the long-established family business. Barr’s Family Butchers – first opened by master butcher George Barr in 1878 – has been a cornerstone of Ballymena town centre for nearly 147 years. Located on Ballymoney Street, the historic butchery has served generations of local families and remained in the Barr family across five generation

Pictured at the launch of the new anti-drug driving campaign are (L to R) Judith Andrews, DfI and Chair of the Road Safety Strategic Forum, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson, PSNI.  Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has unveiled a hard-hitting new advertising campaign after initial roadside testing data revealed that nearly 50% of drivers checked for drugs were positive for cannabis and/or cocaine. The stark figure comes from a 12-month

Around 2,500 new businesses creating over 3,500 jobs have taken off in Northern Ireland over the last two years thanks to the region’s free business support service Go Succeed. The figures were revealed at an engagement event held at Parliament Buildings addressed by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald pictured, centre, with Chris Moore, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Marie Ward, Newry, Mourne, and Down District Council More than 1,000 businesses in the Mid & East Antrim bo

Two people have died following a serious road traffic collision in Glenavy, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed. The fatal crash occurred on Saturday, 22nd November, shortly after 6.25pm on the Lurgan Road. Emergency services were called to the scene following reports of a collision involving a grey Skoda Fabia and a grey Cupra Formentor. Chief Inspector Simpson of the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit said: “Shortly after 6.25pm, we received a report of a

Pictured at the naming ceremony for Stena Line’s newest ship – Stena Futura – in Belfast Harbour were (L-R): Captain Colin Fleming; Paul Grant (Trade Director, Stena Line); Deputy First Minister NI Emma Little-Pengelly; Stena FuturaGodmother, Dr Madeleine Olsson Ericksson; Bert Ake Eriksson;  Dan Sten Olsson (Owner, Stena Line), Jane Thorburn Olsson (Olsson family), Niclas Martensson (CEO, Stena Line) and Dr Philip McGarry (Deputy Lieutenant of the Borough of Belfast). Belfas

Communities Minster Gordon Lyons (right) pictured with (left to right) Kevin Curran (Northern Ireland Housing Executive), Paula Craig-Peratt (Falkirk City Council), Stephanie Toghill (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK), Katrina Robinson (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK) and Tracey Ellis (Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations). Housing Minister Gordon Lyons has pledged a tougher stance on social housing tenancy fraud, warning that those who abuse the system are “taking a lifeline f

Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have been asked to consider suspending car parking charges on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas in a bid to boost town centre trade. In 2020, the council approved free parking at Market Square Car Park in Ballyclare on each Saturday during December. The local authority is now seeking to extend this initiative by offering free parking on every Saturday this December at all council-owned car parks in the borough where charges currently app

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday falling on 28 November and 1 December this year, shoppers across Northern Ireland are gearing up for some of the biggest online retail events of 2025. Many retailers have already launched early discounts, but the Consumer Council is warning that delivery delays, lost parcels and damaged goods remain common issues for online shoppers. Fra Maguire, Head of Postal Services at the Consumer Council , highlighted the scale of online shopping in No