Episodes
Huge waves smashed into cars as Storm Goretti brought wild weather to the Kent coast overnight.People living along Sandgate Esplanade, near Folkestone, woke up to see vehicles strewn across the road - which was flooded and covered in shingle – we’ve spoken to a witness and bosses in charge of the clean-up. Also in today’s podcast, there’s been plenty of reaction from the news Kent County Council is proposing increasing council tax by 3.99% in its draft budget.The authority is recommending a hike of a full 1% below the cap set by the government but there are concerns it could lead to cuts to...
A campervan has been torched in a suspected arson attack just an ‘arm’s length’ away from where a young family was sleeping in Sittingbourne. Firefighters were called to battle the on-fire Volkswagen in the residents' car park outside the Litmus House flat block off Vellum Drive in the early hours of Monday morning. Also in today’s podcast, a man accused of repeatedly stabbing a uniformed British Army officer in the street has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder.Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court via video link from high security psychiatric hospital, he admitted trying to kill L...
A waste company has apologised after workers were filmed taking a homeless woman's possessions from outside a store in Dover, and dumping them in their truck.Footage at KentOnline shows the Veolia staff removing a mattress and personal items from outside the Boots store in the town centre. Hear from reporter Millie Bowles who has been covering the story.Also in today's podcast, people living in Tunbridge Wells woke up to another day of water issues earlier. South East Water say a series of bursts at one of their sites was to blame.It comes after boss David Hinton faced MP's yesterday over a...
A pub landlord says government changes to business rates mean he will need to sell an extra 130,000 pints a year.He has four venues across Canterbury and says he will have to cough up an extra £64,000 annually to cover increased costs.Also in today’s podcast, police have confirmed a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were killed when a blue Ford Fiesta left the road in Iwade. We've spoken to someone who works nearby to where the crash happened on Saturday night. The boss of a water company which left 24,000 homes and businesses without drinking water over a two-week period has faced MPs...
Thousands more customers than previously thought have been left out of pocket after a Canterbury-based online store went into administration.Documents show almost 5,000 people are owed around £160,000 pounds following the collapse of Huh. Ltd.Also in today's episode, it's feared bird flu could be continuing to spread in Kent as more cases of dead swans are reported.In the latest distressing video a bird can be seen refusing to leave the side of its dead partner. More than 50 swans are now understood to have died in Canterbury and Thanet.We've been asking Kent's MPs what their priorities are...
Three siblings have starred in a Christmas music video after being discovered on Instagram.Lola, Arlo and Noah Micallef appear in the latest music video by The Florin Street Band, after their mum posted a video of them singing one of the band’s Christmas hits. Also in today’s podcast, there are calls for Royal Mail to improve its service after people living near Folkestone say they're only receiving letters every couple of weeks - often in large batches.Residents say important post such as driving documents, medical letters and bills is regularly delivered late.You can hear from a mum from ...
A Kent woman who stole party food for her daughter’s 18th birthday party after she ran out of cash has appeared in court. The single mother of three, who claims benefits, had hired a caravan to celebrate her eldest daughter’s special day but had no money left for party food. Also in today’s podcast, new technology has been rolled out across Maidstone in a bid to crack down on fly-tipping.Drones are helping council officers detect illegally dumped waste within minutes - a job that usually could take hours.Residents say it is “ridiculous” plans to turn a family home in a terraced street into ...
A woman has told how she was left lying on a hospital floor for more than five hours, vomiting and in agony, as staff walked straight past her.The 61-year-old says she was treated “appallingly” at the William Harvey in Ashford after being taken to the busy A&E via ambulance.Also in today’s podcast, a landlord has smeared white paint over CCTV cameras around his pub causing more than £6,000 worth of damage. He used rollers to cover the lenses as well as sensors on car park barriers and says he was trying to protect the privacy of his customers. A charity helping women on probation to rebuild...
Figures have revealed where people moving to Kent from London are choosing to set up home.According to data from the Office for National Statistics, nearly six in 10 people who've moved to Dartford since 2011 came from the capital, while more than a third of those who've relocated to Folkestone and Hythe in the same time were so-called DFLs.Hear from Local Democracy Reporter Dan Esson who compiled the data.Also in today's podcast, a Kent teacher has told us government plans to tackle misogyny and toxic behaviour in schools should focus on positive masculinity.Teachers are going to given spe...
A Strood woman faces spending Christmas in a Premier Inn after a car crashed into her bungalow, two months ago.Jill Robson was forced to move out of her property after the vehicle smashed into her bedroom on October 19th.The 84 year-old still doesn't know when she'll be able to move back in and has been speaking to reporter Elli Hodgson.Also in today's podcast, There'll be an increase of police patrols around pub and clubs in Kent this Christmas to help protect women and girls. Both plain clothed and uniformed officers will be out to identify anyone looking to take advantage, or who poses a...
Parents say their children have been left traumatised after being shot at with paintballs near Sittingbourne.Four boys aged between seven and twelve reportedly had to hide behind a bus shelter in Iwade after being targeted by suspects wearing balaclavas in a black SUV. Hear from reporter Joe Crossley who has been following the story.Also in today's podcast, a mum from Broadstairs has been found guilty of attempted murder, after stabbing her disabled daughter.Carla Lovejoy attacked 28-year-old Isabella at their home in Guy Close in St Peter's on March 20th this year - the victim suffered wo...
A second Kent hospital is making patients and staff wear face masks amid rising flu cases, which have not yet hit their peak.It comes as we’ve spoken to a pharmacist who says there is plenty of vaccine available despite reports of low stock. Also in today’s podcast, a controversial contraflow system has been set up on the M20 in anticipation of high passenger numbers heading through Kent to Europe.Bosses say the system will act as a pressure valve to minimise the impact of congestion further down the road – but just this morning a broken down lorry within the contraflow caused a backlog str...
Bosses in Medway insist signs warning drivers about School Street restrictions are clear enough, despite a tribunal overturning a fine.Chris Lee was sent a penalty notice for driving along Richmond Road in Gillingham which is one of a number of roads in the Towns where vehicles are banned during school drop off and pick up times.Hear from Chris and find out what the council have said in response.Also in today's podcast, a group of residents in Paddock Wood have started a campaign to try and stop almost 800 homes from being built on fields in the town which are prone to flooding.The developm...
A Deal man who murdered his pregnant wife more than 25-years ago has quizzed a coroner during an inquest into her death.Andrew Griggs reported 34-year-old Debbie missing from their home in Cross Road in 1999 - he was jailed for life in 2019.Our reporter Brad Harper was the only journalist at the inquest this week and is on the podcast.Also in today's episode, a Ramsgate woman has hit our at Wizz Air after a delay in compensation for being denied boarding a plane home from Bulgaria.The flight in September ran at a reduced capacity due to staff sickness.Vandalism at Swale's council offices ha...
Thousands of motorists have been told they must “face the consequences” after a campaign was launched to overturn speeding fines on one of Kent’s busiest routes.Drivers have been ordered to pay £100 after police started enforcing a temporary 50mph limit on the Sheppey Crossing – almost two-and-a-half years after it was reduced from 70mph.Also in todays podcast, police have responded to “horrendous” scenes at a council HQ after a debate about making the borough a “district of sanctuary” for asylum seekers turned ugly.One of the men’s toilets on the first floor of Swale council’s offices was ...
Ricky Gervais has donated £200,000 to two animal sanctuaries in Kent.The money, which comes from his comedy tours, will be shared between The Retreat near Ashford and Flori's Friends in Canterbury.Hear from bosses who have described it as "monumental".Also in today's podcast, a man who attacked a Maidstone woman and threatened to throw acid over her face has been jailed.It was when Lee George headbutted his victim, leaving her with severe concussion, that she decided to report him to police.Elle Jenkins believes she would have been killed if she had stayed in the relationship and thinks he ...
Victims’ families have spoken out about their relief after a jury found a special needs school teaching assistant guilty of child cruelty.The 46-year-old was found to have subjected four pupils to acts of physical abuse that included pinching, hitting and spitting at them.Also in today’s podcast, a fresh appeal to find those responsible for the brutal murder of a pensioner more than four decades ago has been issued.Esme Hoad was found dead in her home in Tonbridge in1982, after concerned neighbours reported she had not been seen for several days – you can hear from Detective Inspector Lee N...
NHS staff at two Kent Trusts have been invited to resign as part of plans to cut costs.Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Medway NHS Foundation Trust are offering severance payouts to try and address financial challenges.Also in today's podcast, people in Tunbridge Wells are still being told to boil their water before drinking it - more than a week after being hit with supply issues.24,000 properties have been impacted by a problem at the Pembury treatment works. Meantime, the town's MP is calling on government to provide Covid-style support to businesses affected by the supply issues.Mik...
A steel manufacturer in Medway is consulting on redundancies for more than 80 employees.ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, based at Chatham Docks, began the process last week ahead of pulling out of the site on Pier Road.Also in today’s podcast, a man’s been locked up for nearly a decade after the stabbing death of another man in Canterbury.The 32-year-old attacked his victim last October in what a judge has described as "senseless and brutal" violence and the "final and tragic culmination" of ongoing animosity between two groups.A campaign run by our sister station kmfm has now raised more than £19,...
A huge development of 257 flats has been thrown into doubt after a construction firm went into administration, leaving huge blocks unfinished.The £62.3 million scheme was underway to build the homes close to Ashford town centre but work has now ground to a halt. Also in today’s podcast, we’ll bring you an update as the water crisis in Tunbridge Wells enters its sixth day. Thousand of homes and businesses are still without water and thousands more are being asked to boil water from their taps before drinking it – you can hear from the Head of Water Quality at South East Water. The dramatic m...
South East Water customers in Tunbridge Wells are being told to boil water coming out of their taps, if they want to drink it.We're now into a fifth day of major supply issues in the town - affecting 24-thousand properties – we’ve been speaking to people as they queue to collect bottles of water. Also in today's podcast, a murder probe has been launched after a man was fatally stabbed in a residential street.Police and paramedics were called to Thorold Road in Chatham in the early hours of yesterday morning and have been working alongside forensic experts. You can hear from a dad who has re...
The Tunbridge Wells MP is calling on the boss of South East Water to resign after thousands of people in the town were left without water.Problems started over the weekend following an issue at a treatment plant in Pembury. It's also had an impact on businesses - hear from the landlady of a pub who was forced to cancel a Christmas event.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Maidstone council says he's not surprised more younger voters are turning to the Green Party.It's as there are suggestions support for the Green's from those aged 18 to 25 has doubled.There's been mixed reaction to plan...
Drivers are still facing delays in a village near Maidstone more than a month after a wall collapsed.It borders a house in Leeds and is thought to have been hit by a lorry in October, leaving rubble over the carriageway of the B2163. We've been speaking to residents.There's a warning homelessness in Kent has reached some of the highest levels on record as we head into winter.Government figures show rough sleeping in the county has risen by 28 percent in just four months - with 248 people now living on the streets.A man's described how he was left screaming in pain after tripping over a drai...
The family of a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband believe police should have banned him from the tattoo parlour in Canterbury where they both worked while sex assault allegations were investigated.Ramona Stoia was stabbed by Catalin Micu at Gothink Studio in April 2022, just weeks after he'd been arrested.Also in today's episode, a Dartford man who stabbed his mother's friend to death in her sleep before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.The 21-year-old was found by police sitting on the pavement outside the property where it happened.The leader of Kent County Council ha...
A bin man from Dover with terminal cancer has been escorted to his wedding by a procession of refuse trucks.Stephen Addley's been told he has just months to live and one of his final wishes was to marry his fiancée and make memories with their one-year-old daughter.Also in today's podcast, we've got reaction to yesterday's budget after the chancellor announced £26 billion of tax hikes.Rachel Reeves has insisted the financial plans she announced in the Commons were based on her priorities.She also says the measures will give working class children the chance to have a fulfilling life.Hear fr...
An over-21s bar in Sittingbourne could have its licence suspended after complaints about “irresponsible bottomless brunches” and "excessive noise”.Lang’s Bar & Cocktail Lounge, in the town centre, could also have its opening hours cut back and manager removed following a hearing this week. Also in today’s podcast, a Maidstone woman who has a sight condition has told us about the moment she was almost hit by an e scooter.She was walking through an underpass with her guide dog Mabel when it happened and is warning parents against buying them as a Christmas gift this year. A swimming ban at a...
A town is mourning the death of a much-loved former pub landlord - described by many as a “true legend”.Father-of-four Archie Dryden died just one week after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Also in today’s podcast, a Tunbridge Wells dad has spoken openly about his experience of psychosis following a collapse in his mental health.Jamie Walker says things spiralled after the loss of his business, breakdown of his marriage, a bereavement, ADHD diagnosis and battle with alcoholism.A Kent campaigner is urging us to call out mysogyny, sexist language and cat calling as 16 days of acti...
A mum left with "scars to body and mind" after being repeatedly stabbed in front of her children has spoken of her feelings of injustice after the woman who attacked her walked from court.Makala O'Brien told KentOnline that Carrie-Ann Kilshaw, herself a mother of eight and someone she knew, should have been jailed for the unprovoked assault outside her home in New Romney two years ago.Also in today’s podcast, a childcare worker on Sheppey has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast after seeing a jump in demand for places since the funding rules were changed. Since September, parents have been ab...
A Faversham couple have spoken about their decision to pull their children out of school and travel the world.James and Liberty Carew have decided to swap their traditional 9 to 5 jobs for real-world experiences across the globe.Also in today's podcast, the owner of a Kent animal sanctuary hit by bird flu, fears she may have to find 16-thousand pounds to have other animals there tested for the virus.More than 60 birds at Happy Pants Ranch in Newington near Sittingbourne had to be culled at the end of last month.Villagers in Hadlow say plans for hundreds of homes are going to 'take the soul'...
The parents of a Kent baby who died after choking on pasta at nursery have described a six-figure settlement as "the end of a long road".Nine-month old Oliver Steeper was fed chopped up penne bolognese by a member of staff at Jelly Beans in Ashford - despite not being weaned onto solid food. Oliver's dad Lewis has told us how the battle for accountability has been really tough.Also in today's podcast, a couple who run a pub in Northfleet say they're having to leave after 16 years because of rising costs and financial pressures.Val and Janine Buzatu took on Ye Olde Leather Bottle in 2009, an...