NEWS

Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts Fresh upheaval has emerged at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council following the sudden termination of a senior management contract, a move that has raised questions over governance, transparency and potential financial implications for ratepayers. Love Ballymena understands that Valerie Watts , who has been Council’s Interim Chief Executive since June 2022, has ended the contract of the interim Director of Operations with imme

Residents across Mid and East Antrim, and Antrim and Newtownabbey, are being urged to take precautions as Storm Chandra is set to bring disruptive winds and heavy rain from the early hours of Tuesday, January 27. The Met Office has issued an AMBER Weather Warning for Wind, in force from 5am until 9pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026 , alongside a YELLOW Weather Warning for Rain covering the entire borough from midnight tonight until midnight on Tuesday. Council services under revi

Missing 21-year-old woman, Kayleigh Girvan Police have issued an urgent public appeal as concern continues to grow for the welfare of a missing 21-year-old woman who has links to the Ballymena area. Kayleigh Girvan was reported missing and is believed to have travelled to Belfast, specifically the Great Victoria Street area, on Sunday, 25 January. Officers say they are increasingly worried about her wellbeing and are asking the public to remain vigilant. While Kayleigh is tho

Schools across Northern Ireland remain open for now as Storm Chandra approaches, with the Education Authority (EA) confirming that there are no current plans to issue general school closure notices, with amber and yellow weather warnings coming into force. The EA said the potential impacts on schools are being kept under review, as strong winds and the risk of flooding are forecast to affect parts of Northern Ireland tomorrow. The developing situation has already been discuss

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for parts of Northern Ireland as Storm Chandra is forecast to bring very strong winds, heavy rain and the risk of disruption on Tuesday. The amber warning will be in effect between 05:00 and 21:00 on Tuesday 27 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Down and County Londonderry. Forecasters warn that easterly winds will strengthen rapidly early on Tuesday morning, with gusts of 60–70 mph expected across eastern and nort

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has raised profound concerns about the state of Northern Ireland’s health service, using a tragic local case to highlight what he described as systemic failures in ambulance response policy. Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, January 20, Mr Gaston said the Department of Health had become “by far the most frustrating Department” he had dealt with during his first 19 months as an MLA, accusing it of ignoring Assembly contributions, delayi

Rising rents in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland are being fuelled by a chronic lack of housing supply, failures in waste water infrastructure and the use of taxpayer-funded accommodation for asylum seekers, North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston has claimed. Speaking during an Assembly debate on housing affordability on Monday, January 19, Mr Gaston said pressures being felt acutely in Ballymena and surrounding areas were the result of structural failures that have been ignor

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and popular self-help titles continuing to dominate readers’ choices as January draws to a close. Freida McFadden claims three places in this week’s chart, reflecting sustained local demand for fast-paced, twist-heavy thrillers, while acclaimed novels by Roisín O’Donnell and Maggie O’Farrell also feature strongly. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. The

Back in the Game Ballymena representatives Ian Getty (right) and Gary McFetridge (left with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Jackson Minford Back in the Game Ballymena has underlined the importance of community connection and men’s mental wellbeing after attending a major wellbeing event in Ballymena. The local group was invited to take part in the annual ‘Wellbeing Monday’ event, hosted by Radius and Triangle Housing Associations, working in partnership with Turning P

Slew of offences uncovered when Nissan Micra vehicle stopped by PSNI Road Policing Interceptors in Ballymena town centre A routine stop by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Road Policing Interceptors has uncovered a catalogue of alleged motoring offences after officers intercepted a Nissan Micra in the Ballymena area late last night (Friday 23 January). Police say the driver appeared to be missing several of the most basic legal requirements for being behind the w

Siblings Christopher, Eeyore and Tigger, along with Robin (second left) was the first dog to be adopted from Dogs Trust Ballymena in 2026 Dogs Trust Ballymena has begun 2026 with renewed determination to help more dogs find loving, permanent homes, after successfully rehoming 455 dogs during 2025. With demand for kennel spaces remaining high, the charity is encouraging people from across Northern Ireland to visit its Ballymena rehoming centre, where there are currently 31 dog

Inset: Interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Valerie Watts The interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has indicated the local authority previously faced the prospect of a “hefty fine” over delays in responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Speaking at a recent meeting of the borough council, Valerie Watts told members the council’s FOI performance had been “lagging behind” in the past. During discussion of the

Norman McBurney OBE at the renamed home stand in the main arena at Ballymena Showgrounds, in his honour. The home stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been officially renamed the Norman McBurney OBE Stand, marking a significant civic tribute to one of Mid and East Antrim’s most influential business and sporting figures. The formal naming ceremony took place on Thursday, 23 January 2026, celebrating the lifetime contribution of the Co Antrim businessman whose impact has spanned

Ballymena Elim Church is set to host a special evening of reflection and inspiration this weekend as former Ballymena United and Crusaders manager Roy Walker shares his life story with the local community. The latest instalment of the church’s Life Stories series will take place on Sunday 25 January at 6:30pm , offering the opportunity to hear first-hand from one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable sporting figures. Roy Walker is widely known across Northern Ireland’s spo

The site of the approved housing development in Ballymena A planning application has been submitted seeking non-material amendments to a previously approved housing development at Crebilly Road in Ballymena. The proposal relates to a residential scheme that received planning approval from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in June 2021 for the redevelopment of a 1.3 acre site at 115 Crebilly Road, opposite the Ballykeel 2 estate. The approved development consists of 16 famil

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with a group of students participating in the Activate Your Curiosity event More than 400 young people from across Northern Ireland were given a hands-on insight into the world of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) as the flagship Activate Your Curiosity (AYC) event returned to Ballymena. The fourth AYC event took place at The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday 20 January, welcoming Year 10 stud

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning of potential flooding and transport disruption throughout Thursday. The warning is in effect between 10:00 and 23:59 on Thursday 22 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. Periods of persistent rain are expected to affect much of the region during the day. Weather officials say 15 to 25mm of rainfall is likely to fal

A special charity event celebrating the lives of two young women while raising vital funds for emergency medical care will take place in Ballymena this spring. Bingo Music Bonanza 2026 will be held on Saturday 7 March at the Tullyglass Hotel , with all proceeds going to the Air AmbulanceNorthern Ireland . The event is being organised in memory of Naomi Lynn and Lydia Ross , who tragically lost their lives in separate car accidents. Presented by Ritchie Entertainments, the ev

Plans are being developed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Ballymena in 2026, following confirmation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council that work is under way to mark the town’s historic milestone. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew said he had received confirmation from the Council after writing to senior officials to enquire about preparations for the anniversary year. The landmark date marks 400 years since King Charles I granted the Ballymena Estate to the Adair f

Pictured at the President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey are David Gilliland, Ulster-Scots Agency; Richard Hanna, Cullybackey Community Partnership; Jonathan McGrandle, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council; and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. A major heritage project in Cullybackey, centred on the ancestral home of a former US President, has been awarded funding as part of a wide-ranging programme to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence