KentOnline

A Kent MP has suggested care home visits could go ahead even if residents have not yet received their second Covid-19 vaccine.
Helen Whately, Faversham and Mid Kent MP and Social Care minister, said she is determined to restart face-to-face visits as the UK begins to ease out of the third lockdown.
Also in the podcast, hear from a scientist who says there’s no data to show crowded beaches last summer led to any coronavirus outbreaks.
The brother of a woman who died in a car crash on the A21 is calling for an urgent safety inspection so others do not suffer the same fate. 
And, occasional users of DART Charge are losing money due to a sudden cancellation of their logins. 

Residents in Maidstone are still awaiting results from Covid-19 surge testing in the area, which was completed more than 10 days ago.
A council leader says he was told that analysis to see if they were the South African variant would take four days – but only around a quarter have been sequenced so far. 
Also in the podcast, a man has been convicted after spitting at a traffic warden and claiming he had coronavirus.
And, we look at the three Kent football teams considering putting players and staff on furlough unless they get extra funding.

A woman who was sentenced to six years in prison for her involvement in the murder of a man has spoken about how a charity has helped turn her life around.
Mundill Mahil’s future fell apart after luring a man to her student digs, who was beaten in her bedroom by two ‘hitmen’ before being burned to death in the boot of a car.
She tells us about life on the inside and the work she is now doing to help rehabilitate women offenders.
Also in the podcast, a Kent academy boss says marquees could be the answer to social distancing in classrooms when schools return.
74 people are fined at the weekend for breaching Covid rules – hear the moment officers confront four people in a car in Chatham all from different households.
And a 100-year-old woman gets emotional after receiving nearly 200 cards wishing her happy birthday. 

Kent’s health bosses are reminding parents not to break lockdown rules this half term, and to stay local if they plan on going out during the break – hear from Medway’s director of public health, James Williams. 
Also in today’s podcast, we find out why there are calls to close a military barracks housing asylum seekers in Folkestone.
Dover Athletic announce they won’t be playing any more National League games without being offered a funding package.
And, hear from the 16-year-old author who wrote and publish her first novel during lockdown. 

The number of people in hospital in Kent being treated for coronavirus has fallen significantly over the past month.
Figures also show the infection rate in the county is continuing to drop as lockdown 3 continues.
But, with half term taking place next week, there’s a warning not to break the rules – hear from Medway’s director of public health, James Williams.
Also in today’s podcast we have details on how much council tax we’re going to have to pay from April.
Find out why there’s a call for more young people in the county to consider a career in dentistry.
And hear about the man who’s been showering in his garden – despite the snow and freezing temperatures – brrrrrr.

The boss of Britain’s oldest brewery, based in Faversham, wants pubs to be able to reopen at Easter – and without any social distancing.
Shepherd Neame’s chief executive says the industry has been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic.
While the government’s primary objective has been to save lives and protect the NHS, Jonathan Neame says in the not too distant future it will be time to save jobs and save livelihoods.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s thought the Kent strain of coronavirus could soon be the world’s most dominant – we speak to a University of Kent professor.
Find out why this week’s cold snap might not happen so much in future.
And, hear the moment a Chatham man wins the car of his dream after entering an online competition.

A Broadstairs woman who faked having cancer then used money donated online to fund a gambling habit has been jailed.Nicole Elkabbas set up a gofundme page in 2017 claiming she needed life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with the disease.Hear from the fraud investigator involved in the case which has ended with the 42 year-old from Edge End Road being locked up.
Also in today’s podcast, has the Kent brand been damaged by the Covid variant named after the county? We speak to the boss of a leading marketing and PR agency.Thousands of jobs could be created in Kent if plans for a freeport in the Thames estuary are given the go ahead.And, organisers of one of golf’s biggest competitions say they hope it can still take place in Kent this summer with fans able to watch in person.

There’s a warning not to get Covid complacent as cases in Kent fall below the national average.
New data shows how the third national lockdown has seen a dramatic drop in the number of people with coronavirus in the county.
But the man in charge of public health in Kent is warning it’s still far too early to ease restrictions and infection rates need to fall even further.
Also in today’s podcast, find out why conservation groups are urging the government not to build a theme park on land in north Kent.
And, the Bake Off star giving their support to an animal sanctuary in the county.

Schools have been closed, rubbish collections cancelled and even limits brought in on how much bread and milk can be bought in some shops as Kent shivers under a blanket of snow.A weather warning is in force until Wednesday night with forecasters saying temperatures will struggle to get much above freezing.And an icy wind will make it feel even colder if you’re venturing outside.
We’ve been speaking to South East 4×4 Response who are on standby to help anyone who gets stranded, highways bosses who are responsible for trying to keep the roads clear of snow and ice, and the Met Office on what’s in store for the next few days.Also in today’s podcast, hear from community reporter Oliver Kemp who’s been speaking to workers who, despite not being on the front line during the pandemic, are still having to go out to work every day.Plus, hear from the Gillingham boss following their most recent game, and we catch up with one of Kent’s cricketers as they get ready for the new season.

A letter leaked to the KentOnline Podcast warns staff working at a Covid testing site in Kent about drug taking, illicit sex and fake test results.
The runway at the former Manston airport was turned into a lorry park shortly before Christmas when French authorities insisted on hauliers having a negative test before entering the country.
Hear from a worker at the site.
Also in today’s podcast – there’s yet another call for Folkestone’s Napier Barracks to be evacuated as soon as possible.
A Kent teenager’s urging other young people not to get any more isolated than they already are as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.
And we’ve been catching up with Gillingham striker Vadaine Oliver ahead of their game against Lincoln City.