NEWS

Sandra Currie (left), Store Manager, and Andrew Thompson (right) Assistant Manager at McNeill’s ViVOXTRA, Broughshane celebrate 70 years of their business with James and Margaret McNeill (centre), alongside shoppers and the local community. A Broughshane family grocery business that began with a delivery van in the mid-1950s is celebrating an extraordinary 70 years serving local households — a milestone that reflects not just business success, but deep roots in community life

Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott and TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston along with members of North Ballymena Rangers FC Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has welcomed a major milestone for North Ballymena Rangers FC after the club officially received the keys to Lamont Park Football Stadia on Thursday evening (March 5), under a long-term lease agreement. The venue — more commonly known locally as Smithfield — will now serve as the club’s permanent home ground, br

Football and books came together in Ballymena this week as players from Ballymena United Football Club swapped the pitch for the classroom to help inspire a love of reading among local pupils. The club joined pupils and staff at Dunclug Primary School on Thursday (March 5) to celebrate World Book Day 2026, turning the usual school routine into an energetic mix of football, storytelling and lively questions from curious young fans. First team players Donal Rocks and Brad Wade

Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty ha

Households across Ballymena and more than 30 surrounding towns are set for another drop in their gas bills, as firmus energy Supply confirms a further double-digit tariff cut from April. The Newtownabbey-based supplier today (Thursday 5 March 2026) has announced it will reduce domestic tariffs for all customers in the Ten Towns Network area by 10.1% from 1 April 2026 — a move expected to save households an average of over £92 per year. It marks the third consecutive reductio

Donnolly Group celebrates long service milestone at with Lisa Gormley at their Ballymena showroom Fifteen years in one workplace is an increasingly rare milestone — but at Donnelly Group ’s Ballymena showroom, it’s being celebrated as a mark of loyalty, experience and long-term career growth. Lisa Gormley has reached her 15-year landmark with the company, a significant achievement within one of Northern Ireland’s leading employers and the region’s largest independently owned

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at the launch of the Northern Ireland Football Fund Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Scheme with players and the Chairman of Wellington Rec Football (l-r) Royce Balmer, Rachael-anne Seymour, Kenny Thompson (chairman) and Ben Tilney. A £9million funding injection aimed at transforming grassroots football facilities across Northern Ireland has been unveiled by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons  — with grants of up to £1.5million n

Inset: Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Northern Ireland’s hospital waiting lists for outpatients, inpatients, and diagnostics have recorded small but meaningful reductions, a rare positive shift amid years of mounting demand. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the latest figures and credited healthcare staff for their “tremendous effort” in improving patient access to care. Minister praises incremental improvements Speaking alongside the publication of the qu

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Councillor Anna Henry to announce the Community Toilet Scheme which has launched in Portglenone. Portglenone village is making life a little easier for residents and visitors, thanks to a new Community Toilet Scheme launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with local businesses. The initiative allows anyone to use participating businesses’ toilet facilities free of charge during norm

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton in Clough Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton have issued a stark warning over dangerous speeding in Clough and Rathkenny, saying it is only a matter of time before a serious injury or fatality occurs unless urgent action is taken. The issue emerged while the pair were leafleting in the area, where residents expressed frustration and fear over vehicles travelling at

(L-R) Eva Lilly Beckett and Taleen Eldris, pictured with Ballymena Academy Principal Mr Stephen Black, and school netball coach, Julie-Anne Cairns Two Ballymena Academy pupils are set to step onto the European stage this week — and they are doing it in an Ireland dress. Taleen Eldris and Eva Lilly Beckett have been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming Netball Europe event in Aberdeen, taking place from Friday 6 March to Sunday 8 March 2026. The international tournam

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows People living with Parkinson’s in Ballymena are being invited to speak directly to their local MLA about the pressures they are facing — particularly around delayed healthcare appointments, treatments and medications. On Friday 20 March, Jon Burrows, MLA for North Antrim and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, will meet members of the Parkinson’s community at Ballymena North Business Centre from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The

Colleagues from the Northern Trust’s Eating Disorder Service. For two decades, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has quietly supported some of the most complex and misunderstood mental health conditions in our community. Now, as it marks 20 years of its Eating Disorder Service, the Trust is calling for greater understanding to reduce stigma and help more people reach recovery sooner. The milestone coincided with Eating Disorders Week, which ran February 23 to March 1

Brandon McCaughan (Pics: DPPI Images / Ligier European Series) Ballymena racing talent Brandon McCaughan is stepping onto the biggest stage of his prototype career yet after confirming a full 2026 campaign in the Ligier European Series with reigning champions Team Virage. After dazzling in limited appearances over the past two seasons — including a flawless double victory at Silverstone last year — the 22-year-old has now secured a full-time seat in one of Europe’s most compe

Community pharmacy teams serving Portglenone and Broughshane are in the spotlight after securing major nominations in the Pharmacy In Focus Awards 2026 — a recognition that places their work at the heart of modern healthcare delivery. Bannside Pharmacy  has been shortlisted in the Commitment to Health & Wellbeing category, while Medicare Pharmacy Broughshane  is in contention for Community Pharmacy of the Year . Adding to the celebrations, Shania O’Boyle of Bannside Pharmacy

More than 3,500 children and young people are currently living in foster care across Northern Ireland — and the number is rising year on year. Behind that statistic are real lives, real stories and children like eight-year-old Kaiden, who is waiting for a place to call home. There are currently 3,514 children and young people in foster care in Northern Ireland. As demand continues to grow, HSC NI Foster Care says the need for more foster carers who can provide a safe and nurt

Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena A planning application for the retention of a farm shop, car park extension and change of use of an existing office and former retail unit to storage in Ballymena has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. Members granted permission at a meeting on Thursday (February 26) for works at Slemish Market Garden, located within the grounds of the Ecos Nature Park at Kernohan’s Lane. The approval also covers a new s

Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde answering questions from children at St Colmcille's and  Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World North tour. Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday, 5 March 2026, children from Carniny Primary School and St Colmcille’s Primary School welcomed Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde , along with a team of authors and illustrators to Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World Nort

Minister Kimmins is pictured with Sarah Schaefer, ESG Director and John McLeister, Managing Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland The push to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s transport network took centre stage in Ballymena this week as Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins  visited Wrightbus  to see first-hand how the sector is shaping the journey to net zero. Touring the factory floor, the Minister met staff and viewed progress on zero-emission bus technology that is already

Hillwalkers and visitors to Slemish Mountain for St Patrick’s Day in 2025, with large crowds expected again in 2026. A centuries-old tradition will once again bring hundreds of people to the slopes of Slemish Mountain this St Patrick’s Day, as families from across County Antrim prepare to take part in the annual uphill climb. Held on Tuesday 17 March, the popular St Patrick’s Day ascent blends local legend, shared history and outdoor adventure in one of the borough’s most rec