KentOnline

Homeowners on a new-build estate in Ashford say they regret moving there after tiles and cladding were ripped off during Storm Eunice.
Strong winds hit the county last Friday leaving a number of properties at Chilmington Green damaged.
We’ve spoken to the owner of one property who says they shouldn’t have been so badly affected as they’re less than two years old.
Also in today’s podcast, the Prime Minister has addressed the nation after Russian forces invaded eastern Ukraine.
Kent’s MP have also been reacting – hear from South Thanet’s Craig Mackinlay.
We’ve got an update on a story about changes to school transport for thousands of children in Kent with disabilities and special educational needs.
They’ve been introduced following a shake-up of the system by the county council.
For some, it means they’re now picked up by different drivers – and many haven’t been able to cope with the changes.
We’ve been speaking to a mum from Swanscombe.
There’s reaction to all Covid restrictions in England being scrapped today.
And, find out where in Kent the 2024 Subbuteo World Cup is going to be held.

Six years after a man from Dartford was murdered in Cyrpus, his parents are still fighting for justice.
George Low was stabbed while out with a friend in Ayia Napa in 2016.
Two men wanted in connection with his killing are believed to be in Turkey despite European arrest warrants and Interpol alerts in their names.
The 22-year-old’s mum and dad have been meeting government officials as they continue to call for action.
Also in today’s podcast, former sports minister and Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch has called for Russia not to host the final of this year’s Champions League.
She’s asking UEFA to ‘urgently reconsider’ switching it to another venue.
As we near the end of Pride history month, the KentOnline Podcast has been told more work still needs to be done to make all in the LGBTQ+ community in Kent feel safe.
Chris Garner – who’s also known as Maidstone Drag Queen Madame MuMu – has been speaking about his own experiences.
The boss of a theatre company that’s running workshops in Kent is hoping British Sign language will soon be used more widely.
A bill, which could lead to a new law, reaches the committee stage in Parliament today.
And, the Gillingham boss has spoken following their 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield last night.
The result means they’re still five points from safety in league one.

Travellers fear they will end up with nowhere to go after enforcement officers began tearing down the site where they live. The officers sent by Medway Council arrived at the land off Lower Rainham Road in Rainham at 7am yesterday along with police.
The travellers bought the land in 2020 and say they applied for planning permission to live there, but the application wasn’t accepted by Medway Council.
Also in today’s podcast, we’ve got reaction to news all Covid restrictions are going to be scrapped later this week.
We get takes from GP Dr Julian Spinks and virologist Professor Martin Michaelis.
There’s also a warning from unions and charities that the change will cause “uncertainty, anxiety and hardship.” 
Food charities in Kent are warning that the cost of living crisis has reduced the number of donations they’re receiving – yet more and more people need their services. 
We hear from Paula Yodell who tells us it’s sometimes difficult to feed her family. 
And, in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager in the lead up to their must-win match up with AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield tonight.

Work is continuing to try and restore power to thousands of homes and businesses in Kent following Storm Eunice.UK Power Networks teams have been out across the county after strong winds on Friday brought down power cables and fallen trees also damaged lines.Hear from a Hextable resident who was left without power over the weekend, we’ve also been speaking to the energy minister who’s been visiting the county.A yellow weather warning for Storm Franklin has now been lifted but we’re told it’ll take some time for all of the damage to be repaired.Also in today’s podcast, a mum from Swanscombe says she fears for her autistic son’s safety because of changes to his school transport.The county council has carried out a shake-up of travel arrangements for more than 5,000 youngsters with special needs.Hear what Emma Ben Moussa has had to say about it – and we’ve received a statement from the council.Kent’s been named as one of the most Instagrammable places in the UK.Researchers have found our county’s been mentioned in more than 4.4 million hashtags.And, in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following a disappointing defeat at the weekend as their fight for survival continues.They welcome AFC Wimbledon to Priestfield tomorrow.

On today’s podcast, Storm Eunice has been causing chaos in Kent, with lorries blown over, public transport closures and trees toppling.
We speak to Southeastern Railway and EuroTunnel about how they’re coping.
We also chat to the RNLI and Kent Fire and Rescue Service about the work that is going into keeping people safe.
 
Also today, an inquest has heard how a trainee pilot crashed a plane on purpose in Romney Marsh, after finding out he had terminal cancer. Our reporter, Alex Jee, has been at the hearing.
 
And, Gillingham will be hoping to get back to winning ways tomorrow, as they try to keep up their bid for League One survival. 
 
 

On today’s podcast, we look ahead as Storm Eunice makes it’s way towards the county.
A Kent farmer has spoken out, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues within the industry.
A Kent teacher’s warning the situation with coronavirus in schools is still extremely difficult and complicated.
A driver in Herne Bay claims she was abused by motorists, after rushing to help a woman who tripped over.
And… A Kent pub has been awarded its first Michelin star .

A Herne Bay mum is urging women to get their smear test, after cervical cancer left her unable to have any more children. We speak to her on today’s KentOnline podcast.
Also, a former Kent Police officer says the force is ‘in a crisis’ when it comes to public trust.
A former Kent Post Office manager has been giving evidence to a public inquiry looking into the wrongful convictions of hundreds of staff.
Gym users near Dartford have been hit with £100 fines after changes to the use of its car park.
And… a weather warning for strong winds in Kent has been upgraded.
 
 

A Kent shop owner says she’s outraged after her store was targeted for a fifth time and police didn’t send anyone, despite staff being attacked.
We speak to Emma Pinfold about the string of robberies.
 
Also in today’s podcast, we speak to a Swanscombe mum as hundreds of children with special needs are left in the dark over how they’ll get to school next week.
 
Dozens of swans and geese have been left covered in oil after a serious spill on the River Medway.
 
There are calls for more conversations about mental wellbeing within Kent Police. New figures show around a third of hours lost to illness in the force are because of mental health reasons.
 
And, a wedding concierge service has been set up… for dogs!

A man, who fractured his victims ribs in an attack with golf clubs, before stabbing him in the face, has been convicted. Hear all the details, from our reporter.
Also in today’s podcast, a volunteer police cadet has been praised for his quick thinking which helped save a young girl’s life in Medway.
Hear from a Kent charity, who say they can’t see ‘any positives’ in cutting homelessness funding.
Staff at 44 universities – including Kent – are beginning up to ten days of strike action, in a row over pension cuts.
And, young and deaf people in Kent are being encouraged to get involved in a theatre project looking at how they’ve been affected by the pandemic.
 

There are concerns about yet another spate of catapult attacks in Ashford.This time, a Sainsbury’s driver and a boy sat in his bedroom playing computers games have been targeted. Hear from our reporter Alex Jee.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s more reaction to news our council tax bills will be going up.From April, the average band D home will be paying £1,461 a year – that’s an increase of £43.Hear from the man in charge of finance at the county council along with the council leader and Labour leader.The partner of a Gravesend man killed by serial killer Stephen Port has spoken out following the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick as Met Police commissioner.Find out what some of Kent’s MPs have also posted on their socials.A ship which rescued thousand of soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World War is set to welcome visitors in Gillingham this weekend after a huge restoration.The Medway Queen underwent a five-month revamp at the Royal Harbour in Ramsgate last year.Historic buildings and parts of Rochester are going to be transformed over the next two nights, as part of a new festival.Medway Light Nights is aiming to inspire hope and bring people together.And in sport, Gillingham make the long journey north to take on Morecambe this weekend.Neil Harris’ side are still five points from safety in league one but have picked up two wins from their three games since he took over as manager.