KentOnline

A paramedic has died and three other people are injured following a crash involving an ambulance and cement lorry on the A21 Sevenoaks bypass.The collision happened on the southbound carriageway at about 8.20pm yesterday.
Hear a tribute from the head of operations at South East Coast Ambulance Service.Also in today’s podcast, hear from our reporter who was in court as two people appeared charged with murder following the death of a man after an attack in Folkestone.A leading GP says planned changes to Covid testing will still be effective.It’s been confirmed that from next Tuesday you’ll no longer need a PCR test after receiving a positive result on a lateral flow kit if you don’t have any symptoms.We’ve also been speaking to a Kent business expert who says it’s time to live with the virus so more firms don’t go bust.The owner of a motorcycle training school has spoken about the vandalism they’ve suffered which has left their mobile classroom unfit for use.Windows of the property in Thanet were smashed over New Year.

Thousands of pounds has been raised in memory of a dad-of-two from Sheppey who died of Covid five days after Christmas.Luke Sands had been in hospital for six weeks before passing away the day after his 27th birthday.Also in today’s podcast, find out how teachers are feeling as children head back to class after the Christmas break and Covid cases remain high.There are concerns about staff shortages, hear how they’re also affecting train and coach services in the county.A campaign is under way to prevent houses from being built on an army barracks in Maidstone after it closes.The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it intends to leave Invicta Park Barracks in 2029 and the council thinks it could be used for 1,300 homes.Hear from the councillor who wants to have the site listed.And, a Kent author’s been announced as the winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award for her story about an asylum seeker who’s crossed the Channel to Dover.Manjeet Mann was one of 20 writers shortlisted for the prestigious prize for ‘The Crossing’.

A murder investigation is under way following the death of a man in Folkestone.Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of an attack on Sunday and a man in his 60s died in hospital the following day.Lucy has the latest information as two people are questioned.Should more Covid restrictions be brought in? Hear some of your views and from a restaurant owner in Rochester as concerns over the Omicron variant continue.We also have details of staff shortages at hospitals in the county as some have to isolate because of the virus.The owner of a hair salon in Dartford has spoken about the impact of a ram raid on New Year’s Day.Hundreds of pounds worth of GHD products were taken from Mark Mardell’s business.The owner of a pub in Northfleet says it’s lucky there wasn’t an explosion following an arson attack just days before Christmas.People who were in the Railway Tavern on Station Road at the time managed to escape unhurt. Tom Boylan has explained what happened.As it’s the first podcast since the New Year Honours were announced, we’re taking the opportunity to hear from one of Kent’s recipients.And, find out which former Chelsea star turned up to watch Chatham Town take on Sheppey United yesterday.

A couple, who now live in Ramsgate, have denied carrying out a campaign of harassment against a former neighbour.
The pair have been accused of over-watering plants to flood an alleyway and setting up props and dolls. We have the details of what’s happened in court.
Also in today’s podcast, we’re being urged to get a Covid test before heading out to celebrate the new year in Kent tonight.
But it’s thought more people will be seeing in 2022 at home – hear from the Night Time Industries Association who say it’s been an incredibly tough time.
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s urging us to think more about each other.
Justin Welby has a new year message for people in the county.
And, Gillingham are finally back in football action this weekend after their Christmas fixtures were postponed because of Covid outbreaks.
Hear from manager Steve Evans ahead of their trip to MD Dons.

There’s anger after around 150 trees along a footpath near Maidstone were cut down.Developer Croudace Homes owns the land and put up a notice saying it was carrying out the coppicing work.Some say it’s what should be done to maintain the woodland and encourage fresh tree growth, but others claim it’s damaged existing wildlife.Also in today’s podcast, a so-called ‘surge hub’ is being set up at a Kent hospital in case there’s an increase in the number of people needing treatment for the Omicron variant of coronavirus.It’ll be at the William Harvey in Ashford and have room for around 100 patients.We’ve also been speaking to a University of Kent professor who says it’s a risk not to impose fresh Covid restrictions before New Year as cases remain high.A woman who threatened to stab a man following a row on a public Facebook page has been jailed.A review has been carried out into the explosives on board a ship which sank off the coast of Sheerness in 1944.And, another Kent’s pantomime has had to be cancelled after members of the casts tested positive for coronavirus.

Ambitious plans to transform Sittingbourne town centre have been revealed.Bosses are looking at building more than 800 homes, a Further Education college and having tree-lined streets.Find out if it could become a reality.Also in today’s podcast, the Prime Minister is under pressure to reduce the Covid isolation period from seven to five days.It’s already happening in the US and some experts say it’ll help ease pressure on the NHS as it struggles with staff shortages.Hear from a virologist from the University of Kent and what some of you think.A teenage boy’s in a serious condition in a London hospital after being hit by a car in Gillingham.Money’s been raised online to repatriate the body of a young woman from Medway after she died while working as a English teacher in Taiwan.And, a trailer’s been released ahead of the final series of Killing Eve which was partly filmed in Kent.

In today’s podcast, businesses in Maidstone town centre are concerned fewer people will visit as M&S prepares to close.
Also today, the Archbishop of Canterbury has a special message for the people of Kent on Christmas Eve.
Foodbank volunteers have been busy making sure families don’t go hungry over the festive period.
And, we’ve been looking at why so many TV shows and movies are filmed in Kent.

In today’s podcast, a Medway sex offender has appeared in court dressed as a Christmas elf. KentOnline’s Paul Hooper has the details.
Also today, public health bosses in Kent are urging people to get their booster jab. We speak to KCC’s Interim Director of Public Health as cases continue to rise in the county.
With fears of new Covid restrictions after Christmas, thousands of tickets remain unsold for Panto’s across Kent. 
We continue our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who’s told us refugees need to be treated with more respect.
And, a child’s made his piano busking debut to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

In today’s podcast, a teenager who stole his grandad’s Land Rover and crashed into a pub near Ashford has avoided jail.
£20million could be spent on bringing some seaside fun to Sheppey.
Also, hear from the owner of a Kent Wine Bar as they prepare for Christmas, amid rising Covid figures.
We speak to Kent Councillors, who are calling for a crackdown on the abuse towards politicians.
We’re also continuing our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby says it’ll be a difficult Christmas for families who are struggling financially because of the pandemic.
And, Canterbury’s Pantomime Dame has told the KentOnline podcast there’s still a place for the character in today’s society.

The Chancellor’s announced new measures to support businesses in Kent. We get reaction from Tudor Price from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.
We also hear from Alan Brookes, former chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers, about uncertainty for schools as Covid figures continue rise.
We continue our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who gives us advice on looking after our mental health during the pandemic.
There are concerns Kent’s homeless could face a cold and lonely Christmas. We speak to Stephen Nolan from the Gravesham Sanctuary. 
And, a Medway family has managed to raise more than £1,000 to buy a radio aid for their partially deaf son.