NEWS

DUP representatives (L-R) East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley, North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Councillor for Bann, Michelle Knight-McQuillan during a visit to Kilrea Bridge DUP MLAs Paul Frew and Maurice Bradley , joined by Cllr Michelle Knight-McQuillan , have visited the site of the Kilrea Bridge over the River Bann to meet residents and discuss the latest update from DfI Roads amid continuing disruption caused by the closure. The representatives met with local people fr

Chamber President Mark Wiggins with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Jackson Minford with representatives of local businesses sponsoring the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards The names of the finalists for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards have been announced, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and community spirit of local businesses across the Ballymena area. Organised annually by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Ind

From Stephen Walker’s acclaimed political biography David Trimble: Peacemaker to Mary Berry’s inspiring new release Mary 90 , Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed this week’s Top 10 bestselling books — alongside fresh half-price offers, family storytime fun, and details of its next book club event. This week’s Top 10 bestsellers Leading the chart this week is David Trimble: Peacemaker by Stephen Walker , a compelling and deeply researched biography of the late Northern Iris

A town centre street in Ballymena was closed on Saturday afternoon after firefighters responded to reports of a blaze in the area. It is understood the incident involved rubbish that had been set alight to the rear of a property on Castle Street. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using one hose quickly tackled the blaze and brought it under control. A smoke clearance fan was also deployed to ventilate the affected area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a r

High Street, Ballymena A young mother who moved to Ballymena to rebuild her life has spoken of her terror after a burglar broke into her home while she slept — just metres away from her bed. The woman, who lives in the High Street area of Ballymena, said the incident happened in the early hours of Monday, 13th October, and has left her frightened to return home with her five-year-old daughter. She had moved to the town only recently, hoping to give her child a safe and stable

The Asian Hornet nest that was successfully removed today. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has confirmed the successful removal of the first Asian Hornet nest ever discovered in Northern Ireland. The controlled operation took place in Dundonald today (18 October), close to the site where the invasive insect was first reported on 10 October. The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) is considered a serious environmental threat, preying on honeybees and native pollinator

Damage to the Ballymena shop after a vehicle was driven through the window. Police investigating a single-vehicle road traffic collision in the Grove Road area of Ballymena have charged a woman to court. The incident, which occurred on Friday, 17th October, involved a vehicle crashing into the local Spar shop, causing significant damage to the premises and injuring a customer who was trapped inside. Emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire crews, attended the

Three people were taken to hospital on Friday evening after carbon monoxide was detected at a property in Kilrea, County Londonderry. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it received a call at 7.24pm on Friday, 17 October 2025, following reports of people feeling unwell at a house on Kurin Road. A NIFRS spokesperson said: “Following an initial call at 1924hrs on Friday 17th October 2025, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended reports of persons fe

North Antrim UUP MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has expressed “serious concern” after a local drummer was issued with a Noise Abatement Notice by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for practising the traditional Lambeg drum. The Ulster Unionist representative said the situation highlighted a worrying trend of councils using environmental enforcement powers in ways that could, in his view, restrict cultural expression and heritage traditions. Mr Burrows explain

Police in Ballymena are appealing for witnesses and information after a vehicle crashed into a shop on Grove Road on Friday evening, leaving a customer injured and causing significant damage to the premises. The incident occurred at the local Spar supermarket. Sergeant Courtney said: “We received a report at around 7pm on Friday, 17th October of a vehicle crashing into a shop. “Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the North

DUP MLA Paul Frew and Cllr William McCaughey DUP MLA Paul Frew and Cllr William McCaughey have called for renewed momentum on long-awaited improvements to the Broughshane Road and Woodside Road junction in Ballymena, citing growing safety concerns among local residents. Mr Frew said he had been in “contact with DFI Roads Officials regarding this stretch of road for some time now” and welcomed the fact that plans are in place to improve the junction and road leading to the E

Fairhill Shopping Centre’s £10 million redevelopment has reached a major milestone with confirmation that Primark will officially open its new Ballymena store on Friday 5th December at 10am. The long-anticipated arrival of Primark marks a turning point for Fairhill and a renewed sense of optimism for Ballymena’s retail sector. The major fashion retailer’s new 29,000 sq. ft store is set to become the centrepiece of Fairhill’s multi-million-pound investment programme, which has

Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Officer Stuart Machin has praised Northern Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry, highlighting the region’s exceptional contribution to the retailer’s success across the UK. Speaking at the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Annual Dinner in Belfast last night — marking the first time an M&S CEO has addressed the event — Mr Machin celebrated local producers, long-standing partnerships, and announced major new investment plans for stores across

Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla

Officers conducting a vehicle checkpoint during this week's dedicated policing operation. Police have arrested 32 people during a coordinated operation aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and bringing offenders to justice across Northern Ireland. The proactive policing initiative, carried out on Thursday 16th October, was led by Superintendent Sinead McIldowney and involved collaboration across Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Local Policing Teams and District Sup

A 56-year-old US citizen who conned Northern Ireland clients out of around £135,000 while working as a mortgage advisor has been jailed for four years. Marianne Smyth was sentenced today (Friday 17 October) at Downpatrick Crown Court after being found guilty of three counts of fraud by abuse of position and three counts of theft following a four-day trial last month. The offences date back to when Smyth was working as a mortgage advisor in Northern Ireland between 2005 and 20

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows (right) and Independent Councillor Rodney Quigley . Streetlights in a residential area of Ballymena have been restored following local action by Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows and Independent Councillor Rodney Quigley. Mr Burrows took joint action with Ballymena Independent councillor, Rodney Quigley, after becoming aware of the removal of street lighting in several communities across Northern Ireland, often with no imm

Remembering Maggie The Coast Road Darts Team in Glenarm have once again shown their community spirit by raising an impressive £5,100 for Air Ambulance NI, in memory of Maggie Black, who tragically passed away almost four years ago from undiagnosed Addison’s Disease. The team gathered at the Coast Road Inn, which kindly hosted the fundraising event, for the official cheque presentation. Representatives from Air Ambulance NI, including charity staff member Kerry Anderson, atten

Translink’s MPV leaf busting train keeping Northern Ireland rail passengers moving As autumn takes hold, Translink has launched a major seasonal operation to tackle the annual “Leaf Fall” challenge, aiming to keep passengers across Northern Ireland moving safely and on time. Every year, fallen leaves combined with wet weather and train movement create a slick film on railway tracks — a problem similar to black ice on roads. This slippery residue reduces train traction, affect

Image: Anne Kelly The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Northern Ireland this weekend, warning that the conditions may cause some disruption overnight on Saturday 18 October into Sunday 19 October. The warning is in place from midnight until midday on Sunday (00:00 – 12:00 BST), with forecasters predicting that the heaviest rain will fall in the southeast of the region, particularly around the Mourne Mountains. A Met Office spokesperson sai

Police in Mid Ulster have issued a warning to residents after reports of potential rogue traders cold-calling at homes and offering services. In a statement, officers said they had been made aware of individuals approaching properties in the Ballyronan area and urged members of the public to remain cautious. A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police have been made aware of potential Rogue Traders, who have been cold calling at addresses offering

Julie Patterson, Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting in the Northern Trust, Nikki Gregg, Assistant Director of The Fostering Network NI, Shauna and Christopher Rocks, winners of the excellence in kinship care award, and Julie Bell, Head of Service for Fostering in the Northern Trust. Foster carers from across Northern Ireland have been celebrated at the Northern Ireland Foster Care Awards, hosted by The Fostering Network in partnership with HSC NI Foster Care. Now in t

South Antrim MP Robin Swann, Ms Antoniazzi, and UFU President William Irvine Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has hosted a high-level meeting in Westminster with representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, Tonia Antoniazzi MP, to discuss the major challenges facing the farming sector. The meeting followed a presentation by the UFU to the Committee earlier the same day, with discussions focusing on the pres

A Ballymena homeowner has urged residents in the Fisherwick and Broughshane Road areas to stay vigilant after confronting an intruder who entered their home through an unlocked door on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred shortly after 9pm when the homeowner discovered a man had entered the property through the open front door. Issuing a warning to neighbours, the resident said: “Last night we had an intruder in the house after 9pm, our front door was open and he came ri