NEWS

In an industry where long hours and solitary work are often the norm, a simple invitation to sit down, share a meal and talk can carry real weight. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust joined forces with the UFU Ballyclare Group to host a ‘Breakfast and a Blether’ event at the Five Corners Guest Inn in Ballyclare, bringing farm families together for a morning focused on connection, conversation and community. Also attended by local industry leaders, the event offered far

A viable device has been discovered in a residential area of Upperlands, prompting a significant police response and an urgent public appeal for information. Detectives are investigating the security alert in the Oakvale Terrace area, which unfolded on Saturday, February 21. The incident led to the establishment of multiple cordons as specialist officers attended the scene. Detective Inspector Keon confirmed the seriousness of the find. He said: “Following a report to police

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, at the ceremonial sod cutting for the WWII Trainer Dome in Aghanloo, joined by local partners and community representatives. Photo courtesy of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust. A once-forgotten relic of the Second World War is moving closer to a new future. Work has officially begun to restore Northern Ireland’s only surviving RAF ‘Trainer Dome’ in Aghanloo village, marking a major milestone in a £1 million c

Sean McLaughlin, Darren & Avah McGinty What began with a single all-terrain wheelchair is now becoming something far bigger — a £600,000 vision to transform how families living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus experience rest, recovery and time together in Ballymena. For many children with complex mobility needs, something as simple as a walk in the park has long come with barriers. That is beginning to change thanks to Quadrix, a state-of-the-art all-terrain wheelchair pr

A quiet stretch of road in Moy became the scene of unimaginable loss on Saturday night, after a three-vehicle collision claimed the lives of three people in County Armagh. Police said the crash happened on the Armagh Road area at approximately 22:20. Officers received a report of a collision involving a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi. Two men, aged 31 and 48, and a woman, aged 23, were pronounced dead at the scene. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern I

Bertie McNeilly from Cullybackey Community Partnership, Richard Hanna from Cullybackey Community Partnership, Paul Christie from Cullybackey Community Partnership and Jonathan Fulton from Cullybackey Community Partnership are presented the Regional Champion Runner-Up from Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Tyler Hoey (centre) Volunteers from Cullybackey Community Partnership were praised at the 2026 Live Here Love Here Community Awards, celebrating grassroots act

Inset: South Antrim MP Robin Swann Northern Ireland is poised to finally introduce its own version of Lucy’s Law — but concerns remain that determined breeders could still sidestep the rules by selling animals across the water. South Antrim MP Robin Swann  has welcomed a commitment from Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir  to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland. However, he has warned that a “grey area” in current regulations could undermine the l

Northern Ireland’s drinking water remains among the safest in these islands — but pressure is building beneath the surface. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has this week published its Annual Report for 2024, confirming that drinking water quality across Northern Ireland continues to meet an exceptionally high standard. The figures are strong: 99.88% overall compliance for the public mains supply, based on more than 100,000 tests carried out during the year. The results

Saturday 21 February 2026 Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary Irish fiction, gripping thrillers and even a literary classic making this week’s chart. From bold new voices to beloved authors, the list reflects a wide range of reading tastes across Ballymena — with strong interest in both page-turning suspense and thoughtful literary storytelling. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp

Police are dealing with a stabbing incident in Lurgan this evening, with a man taken to hospital and a woman in her 20s arrested. Emergency services responded to the incident earlier tonight. One man has been taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries. Police confirmed that one woman in her 20s has been arrested and is assisting officers with their enquiries. Officers remain in the area as investigations continue. Police have urged members of the public to avoid the Lor

Pictured at the at the unveiling of the Historical Institutional Abuse memorial plaque in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings are First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, NI Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots and Fiona Ryan, Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. A permanent memorial now stands at Stormont to honour the victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse — a visible acknowledgement of decades of sufferi

The site for a proposed boat shed at Bay Road, Carnlough on the Antrim coast. A planning application for the construction of a boat shed in Carnlough has been refused by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The proposal sought retention of a concrete slab and permission to erect a boat shed to replace an existing store at Bay Road. The proposed structure would measure approximately 5 metres by 2.8 metres and stand 2.85 metres high. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Rive

Antrim Jobs and Benefits Office Employer Adviser, Natasha Lamont, The Junction Retail & Leisure Park Director, Chris Flynn, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Business Development Project Officer, Jessica Smyth. For anyone in Antrim considering a fresh start — whether that means improving wellbeing, building confidence or stepping into new employment — a free support event later this month aims to make that next step easier. The Wellbeing and Em

TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle Northern Ireland’s farming community is being “failed” by Stormont, according to TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle , who used a West Tyrone fundraising breakfast to launch a sweeping critique of agricultural policy, bovine TB controls and the Windsor Framework. Addressing party members on Saturday (February 21), Cllr Kyle painted a picture of mounting pressure on farmers — from disease outbreaks and slurry st

What began as a tribute between friends became a remarkable show of community strength, determination and love — and by the time the final whistle approached in Coleraine, more than £10,000 had been raised in Lydia Ross’s memory. On Friday 20 February, members of Block F Supporters Club completed the “Derby Day Dander”, walking almost 28 miles from Ballymena Showgrounds to Coleraine Showgrounds ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off between Ballymena United and Coleraine FC. The walk w

CGI of proposed new home at site of a former nuclear monitoring bunker in Kilrea Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for a new home and wine cellar at the site of a former nuclear monitoring bunker in Kilrea. The planning application proposes the renovation and extension of the redundant Royal Observer Corps (ROC) monitoring bunker at Blackrock Road in the village. According to the accompanying Design and Access Statement , the upper ground floor of th

Tributes have been paid following the passing of former Ballymena Mayor and long-serving councillor PJ McAvoy, a respected public figure who dedicated three decades to serving the people of the town. Mr McAvoy, who sadly passed away on Thursday 19 February, was widely recognised for his commitment to public life and his efforts to foster cooperation and mutual respect within local government. Three decades of public service The former SDLP councillor was first elected to Ball

Pictured at the Veteran Information Roadshow event in Ballymena are (L-R) Charlie Marno, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone and Tricia Robinson, Royal Armed Medical Core Serving personnel, veterans and their families in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a new dedicated advice service designed to help them access the support and entitlements available to them. The announcement was ma

Children from Carniny Primary School and St. Colmcille’s Primary School taking part in the Top Children's Author Election in 2025 Almost 1,800 primary school pupils across Mid and East Antrim will head to the polls on World Book Day as part of a special ‘Top Children’s Author Election’ marking Democracy Week 2026. Seventeen primary schools from across the borough are participating in the initiative, which sees ten Northern Ireland children’s writers vying for the votes of you

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed it has received 101 referrals as part of its ongoing investigation into safeguarding concerns within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), with officers emphasising that the inquiry remains a priority. Providing an update on Thursday 19 February, the PSNI said the figure includes direct reports from victims as well as referrals from safeguarding partners and other parties. The number is subject to change as further info

The Independent Remuneration Board has published its first draft determination proposing a 26.8% increase in MLA salaries to £67,200 per year from 1 April 2026, alongside automatic financial sanctions if an Executive is not formed following future Assembly elections. The newly established Board, which is responsible for setting the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), has launched a two-week consultation seeking views from MLAs, the Assembly Co

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have arrested two people in Lisburn on suspicion of illegal money lending and associated criminality, as part of an ongoing investigation by its Predatory Lending Team. The arrests were made on Thursday, 19 February. A 59-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were detained during the operation, and a significant amount of cash was seized. Both suspects have since been released on bail pending further enquiries. Cash s

Tobermore Concrete, County Londonderry A County Londonderry concrete products manufacturer has been fined £160,000 following the death of an employee at its Tobermore production site. Tobermore Concrete Products Limited was sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court on 19 February 2026 after pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence, following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The prosecution followed the death of Mr Colin

The derelict Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has said it will initiate further legal proceedings in relation to the potential demolition of the historic Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle. The listed building, elements of which are more than 400 years old, was declared a dangerous structure by the council last year. At February’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee, Alliance councillor Lee Kane put forward a motion seeking