NEWS

Groggan Primary School recently marked the occasion as principal Cathy Humphrey prepares to retire from a lifetime dedicated to education “That I cared.” After a lifetime spent helping children learn, grow and find their place in the world, that is how retiring Groggan Primary School principal Cathy Humphrey MBE hopes former pupils will remember her. For a woman who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List in 2023 with an MBE for services to education in Northern Ir

The Dark Hedges, County Antrim in June. (Image: Shirley Carson Photography) Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Darryl Wilson has accused the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department for the Economy (DfE) of a “dereliction of duty” over the future management of the Dark Hedges. June’s meeting of the council’s Leisure and Development Committee received an update report from Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT). The report followed a motion tabled b

Church Street Car Park Three, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed to the installation of barriers at a town centre car park in Ballymena at a cost of £13,000 in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour. Members of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee approved the installation of automatic barriers at Church Street Car Park Three in response to complaints from nearby residents. The decision was taken at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Mond

As temperatures climb across the UK and parts of the country face a rare red heat warning, Dogs Trust Ballymena is urging dog owners to rethink their daily walking routines, warning that a missed walk is far safer than a dog suffering painful burns or potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The charity says many owners underestimate how quickly hot weather can become dangerous for dogs, particularly when pavements, roads and other hard surfaces absorb heat throughout the day

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed new bingo hall at Murrayfield Shopping Centre in Larne town centre. The proposal involves the change of use of a vacant retail unit, formerly occupied by Poundland, into a bingo hall and adult gaming centre at the Point Street premises. A development management officer’s report noted that 21 letters of support and three letters of objection were received. One objection came from Toal’s

Football, family entertainment and the chance to meet Ballymena United’s newest signings will all be on offer when the club hosts a free community fun day at the Ballymena Showgrounds next month. With free admission for everyone, the event on Saturday 4 July is designed to bring supporters, families and local residents together for an afternoon packed with activities both on and off the pitch as excitement builds ahead of the new season. Visitors can look forward to face pain

Residents in rural County Antrim have been left shaken after two suspected arson attacks within hours of each other destroyed multiple vehicles and damaged property over the weekend. Police are investigating a series of incidents in the Moorfields area, including two fires targeting machinery and vehicles in Carnlea Road North, as well as a separate criminal damage incident in nearby Doagh. The most recent attack occurred in the early hours of Monday morning when emergency se

Air Ambulsnce NI departing from the scene of the serious collision in Larne. Image: Jason Bain A motorcyclist remains in a critical condition in hospital following a serious road traffic collision in Larne on Sunday afternoon. Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and footage after a motorcycle and a van were involved in a collision in the Circular Road area of the town. The incident occurred shortly before midday and prompted an emergency response from police and the

Ballymena dad and daughter duo Trevor and Georgia Steele work together at the Asda Antrim store. A father and daughter who work side by side at Asda Antrim have become well known among colleagues for an affectionate nickname that has spread throughout the store – with dad Trevor Steele now better known to many as “Sugar Bear”. The Ballymena family’s story is one of shared shifts, shared friendships and plenty of workplace banter, with Trevor and daughter Georgia Steele disco

Some of the members of Carrick Pool League Pool clubs across Carrickfergus are being recognised as more than just places to compete and socialise, with a local league using the game’s strong community spirit to encourage men to open up about their mental health and seek support when they need it. Recently, during Men’s Health Week, the Carrick and District Pool League (CDPL) joined forces with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to promote the message that talking about mental hea

Stock photo A Ballymena dog owner has appealed for witnesses to come forward after his 10-year-old Border Collie was left fighting for her life following a violent attack by two loose Bully-type dogs in the town’s Demesne estate. The incident happened at around 8.15pm on Thursday, June 18, on a green area at Glenshesk Drive near Demesne Avenue. The owner says his dog, who was being walked on a lead at the time, suffered multiple puncture wounds to her face, legs and stomach a

A 53-year-old man has been charged after a police officer narrowly avoided serious injury during an alleged stabbing attempt at a hospital in Antrim on Friday night. The incident, which police say involved an attempt to seriously assault an officer with a long, sharp item, has resulted in the man being charged with a number of serious offences. The officer escaped without suffering life-changing injuries, despite what police describe as an attempt to inflict significant harm.

Dr Nevan Joyce, Stroke Consultant at Antrim Area Hospital, and Stroke Liaison Nurse, Emma McAllister. A stroke can happen without warning, and every minute counts when it does. Health professionals across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust are urging people to recognise the signs of a stroke and seek emergency medical help immediately, warning that delays in treatment can have life-changing consequences. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is int

Pictured at The Ecos Hub are: (l-r): Dwain Steele of Hampton Conservatories; Paul Blahyj of Toyota Lean Management Centre; David Greer, Operational Excellence Manager at Invest Northern Ireland; Simon McKee, Operational Excellence Coach, Invest NI; Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Hutchinson Engineering; Ryan Black, Director of Growth and Major Projects at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; David Watson, Chair of the MTF Network and Julian Ball of the Toyota Lean Management Centre.

Asda Community Champions paid a visit to Ram's Island A team of Asda Community Champions from across Northern Ireland has swapped the shop floor for the shoreline to help safeguard one of Lough Neagh’s most unique and historic locations. Seven Community Champions travelled to Ram’s Island, a community-managed conservation and heritage site on Lough Neagh, where they joined volunteers in a hands-on effort to tackle invasive plant species and support the island’s ongoing preser

Children enjoy one of the many events at Ballymoney Museum Ballymoney Museum has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s most respected heritage awards after being recognised by families as one of the country’s most welcoming places to visit. The museum, located in Ballymoney Town Hall, has secured a place on the shortlist for the 2026 Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award and is the only museum in Northern Ireland to make the final selection. The annual award, which has

Maggie O’Farrell’s Land remains at the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers continue to gravitate towards a mix of literary fiction, romance, mystery and crime. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new titles, including several books shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize. Top 10 this week A varied selection of bestselling fiction do

Inset: North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston A fresh court ruling in Scotland on the accommodation of transgender prisoners has been welcomed by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who says it reinforces the case for a proposed change to Northern Ireland law currently before the Assembly. Mr Gaston was responding after Lady Ross, sitting in Scotland’s Court of Session, ruled that guidance issued by the Scottish Prison Service allowing transgender prisoners to be accommodated in prisons of

Waterfoot beach and the illustrative designs of outdoor mobile saunas for locations across the Causeway Coast. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Planning Department has received planning applications for outdoor saunas at four popular coastal locations across the borough. The proposals represent the next stage in plans to introduce dedicated wellness facilities at key seaside destinations, reflecting the growing popularity of sea swimming, cold-water immersion and ou

Motorists and shoppers in Ballymena are being advised to plan ahead today as Mid and East Antrim Pride takes place in the town, bringing temporary road closures, traffic disruption and an increased police presence. The Pride parade is expected to draw participants and supporters into the town centre on Saturday afternoon, June 20, while separate protest activity is also anticipated in parts of Ballymena. Police have said they will have additional officers on duty to help ensu