NEWS

All photos: Cindy Robinson Photography In a heartfelt ceremony underscoring themes of hope, reconciliation, and academic triumph, Slemish College held its annual awards presentation on Friday, 24 October 2025, honouring the achievements of its pupils while advocating for the expansion of integrated education across the region. The event, hosted at the integrated post-primary school in Ballymena, brought together pupils, staff, parents, and distinguished guests to recognise ou

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Portavogie. Police and emergency services were called to a property in the New Harbour Road area of the coastal village on the morning of Monday 3 November. Detective Inspector Hollie McCartan said: “Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to a report received just after 7.45am. “

Kilrea Bridge The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that repair works on Kilrea Bridge are due to begin on Monday 10 November, following weeks of disruption since the bridge was closed on 20 September over structural safety concerns. The bridge, which carries the B64 Bann Road over the River Bann, was shut in both directions after an inspection identified extensive cracking on a retaining wall at the south-west end of the structure. A DfI spokesperson said: “

Community hero: Asda Larne driver Norman Gibson A quick-thinking Asda delivery driver from Larne has been praised for his heroic actions after coming to the aid of an elderly customer who had fallen and been lying on the floor of her home for more than two hours. Norman Gibson, who has worked at Asda Larne for nearly five years, was making a regular delivery when he spotted the woman, who is in her seventies, lying collapsed in the hallway through the front window of her home

Emily Magee, Events Development Manager at Tourism NI (centre), pictured with Gill Robb, Tourism Events and Animation Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Sheila Rooney, Georgian Living History Character. Tourism Northern Ireland has announced its support for this year’s Georgian Festival in Armagh, as the historic city prepares to step back in time for one of Northern Ireland’s most atmospheric festive celebrations. Running from 27–30 November,

A total of £259,091 has been awarded to ten community and voluntary sector projects that provide vital support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland. The funding, jointly provided by the Departments of Justice and Health under the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Small Grant Scheme, will enable organisations to deliver trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, and specialist legal advice to victims and survivors. Announcing the funding, Justice Min

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that a man aged in his 60s has died after being seriously injured in Dungiven in the early hours of Sunday, 2 November. Detective Inspector Gillian Connolly, from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department , said: “Police received a report at approximately 1.35am that an injured man had been found in the Foreglen Road area. “Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services. The injured ma

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has issued a stark warning that Northern Ireland could face a serious animal welfare crisis unless urgent action is taken to secure the supply of vital veterinary medicines. The former Health Minister has written to both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), urging them to make the issue a priority. His intervention follows contact from a local animal

Daniel Hunter at work with Stena Line The journey towards a job you love is not always smooth sailing – but with the right direction and support, it’s possible to reach your destination. That’s exactly what happened for Daniel Hunter from Carrickfergus, who has proudly worked with Stena Line since 2022 after years of determination and perseverance. Daniel’s story began over a decade ago when he was first referred to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportuniti

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with Margaret Cowie Carrickfergus Museum came alive with colour and creativity as it hosted Margaret’s Later Life Hobby Exhibition and a special Paint with Numbers Workshop on Saturday 25 October, celebrating wellbeing, connection, and lifelong learning as part of Positive Ageing Month. The exhibition showcased a stunning collection of paintings by Margaret Cowie , whose passio

Police have arrested a man following a report that a woman had been seriously injured in Dungannon on Saturday, 1 November. Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said: “At approximately 11.30am, it was reported that a woman had sustained a serious leg injury inside a property in the Altmore Drive area of the town. “Officers attended, and administered first aid until colleagues from other emergency services arrived. A woman, aged in her 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment. “Police

From political insight and celebrity memoirs to festive favourites and local fiction, Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling titles — alongside this week’s half-price highlights, storytime fun for families, and a new novel from a much-loved Ballymena author. This Week’s Top 10 Bestsellers At the top of the list this week is Ballymena man, Stephen Walker’s David Trimble: Peacemaker — a powerful biography exploring the life and legacy of one of North

Ballymena is set to sparkle once again this November as its much-loved Discount Day returns on Thursday 6 November — bringing unbeatable bargains, community spirit and festive cheer to the town centre. Organised by Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) , Ballymena Discount Day has become one of the town’s biggest and most anticipated shopping events of the year — and 2025 promises to be no different. From 9am to 9pm, Ballymena’s two shopping centres and bustling high

Pictured at the launch of Northern Ireland’s Consumer Energy Charters for Winter 20252026 are supplier representatives, Karen Smyth, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Angus Kerr, Director of Climate Change at the Department for Communities, William Deane, Head of Community Energy and Consumer Protection at the Department for the Economy, Shane Logan, CEO at Bryson and Sinéad Campbell, Head of Money Debt and Quality at

A video showing a dog suffering a fatal anxiety-induced stroke during fireworks has prompted a Northern Ireland councillor to call for an urgent review of the Fireworks Law. Belfast Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn has urged reform of the 23-year-old legislation governing fireworks in Northern Ireland, arguing that it fails to recognise the distress they cause to both animals and people. Fireworks can cause fear and panic in dogs due to their loud noises and flashing ligh

A packed and varied programme of events has been unveiled by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to celebrate Ulster-Scots Leid (Language) Week 2025, taking place from 24 to 28 November. The week-long celebration — supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency — will see communities across Ballycarry, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Cullybackey, Larne and Whitehead come together to honour the borough’s linguistic and cultural heritage through music, poetry, film, storytelling and discussion

Deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly with Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales Zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has showcased its dramatic revival and global success story to Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, during a visit to the company’s Ballymena headquarters. The visit on Wednesday offered an insight into how the company has transformed from administration just six years ago into a global powerhouse of green transport innovation. Since 201

Inset: North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has voiced serious concern over reports that Sinn Féin representatives allegedly asked PSNI officers to remove their personal protection weapons before entering party offices or attending community meetings. Mr Burrows — a retired senior police officer — described the alleged actions as a “dangerous abuse of political power” that could undermine both officer safety and the independence of policing in Northern

Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland with her award Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland, has been named winner of the Institute of Hospitality’s prestigious Fellows’ Outstanding Contribution Award 2025 — the first time this esteemed recognition has been bestowed on anyone from Ballymena. The award, presented at the annual Institute of Hospitality (IoH) Fellows’ Dinner held on 27 October at The Waldo

Two senior Northern Ireland politicians have backed the Ulster Farmers’ Union’s (UFU) unprecedented vote of no confidence in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), describing it as a “seismic moment” and “wholly understandable”. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Agriculture spokesperson and Chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, Robbie Butler MLA , said the move represents a damning indictment of a department an

It seems the leaks at Stormont aren’t just political. TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has condemned what he described as a “disgraceful” spate of deliberate toilet flooding incidents inside Parliament Buildings, warning that taxpayers are footing the bill for the clean-up. In a statement, Mr Gaston said he had personally encountered the problem, explaining: “I first became aware of this when I went to use a toilet, only to discover that the taps had been left running and the sink del

Jon Bon Jovi speaks to Patrick Kielty at the Late Late Show Halloween Special Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi leads a star-studded line-up for this week’s Late Late Show Halloween special, joined by broadcasting veteran Miriam O’Callaghan, sports stars Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O’Callaghan, and comedy trio the Young Hot Guys. The Late Late Show returns this Friday (31 October) with a glittering line-up packed with music, stories, laughter and nostalgia — headlined by one of the wo

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has passed a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), citing a series of failings that have left farmers across Northern Ireland “deeply dissatisfied” . The decision was taken at the UFU Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday evening, 29 October, following months of frustration over what the union described as DAERA’s failure to address key agricultural concerns. UFU President W

(L-R) Lara Harding (aged 9), Mrs Claus, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly, Santa Claus and Rosa Harding (aged 7) got together to promote the annual lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall. Belfast is gearing up for a “Wicked” start to the festive season with the city’s annual Christmas lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 15 November. The much-anticipated event will be hosted by Cool FM presenters Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross, alongside Bel