KentOnline

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of a mum-of-two who hasn’t been seen since Remembrance Sunday.Alexandra Morgan was last seen at a petrol station near Cranbrook.
A 40-year-old man from St Leonards-on-Sea has been arrested and officers are carrying out searches in three area. We have a statement from police.Also in today’s podcast, hear from charities and MPs on the asylum crisis after 27 people died in the Channel.The men, women and children drowned when the small boat they were in capsized as it headed to the UK from France.A former care home in Gravesend has been turned into accommodation for homeless people this winter.The local cabinet member for housing has been telling us about the other work that will also be done there.Schools in Kent have been honoured for what they’re doing to help the environment.We’ve been chatting to a teacher and pupils from Sir Roger Manwood’s school about how they managed to change all 500 light bulbs to more energy efficient LED ones.And Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch speaks about her fan led review into football governance.

A Chatham man who sent a fake bomb to a Covid vaccine factory has been sentenced to more than two years in prison.
Hear the moment 54-year-old Anthony Collins was arrested in his bed and we have reaction from the police who investigated after the parcel arrived at the site in Wrexham in January.
Also in today’s podcast, we’ve been finding out about the work that’s been done over the past year to transform a troubled estate in Maidstone.
A task force involving the police, council and housing association has been working in the Shepway part of town which has suffered from high levels of crime and poor health.
A Kent author’s book about an asylum seeker who’s crossed the Channel to Dover has been shortlisted for a top award.
Hear from Manjeet Mann who is among 20 writers up for the 2021 Costa Book Awards.
And, the Gillingham manager reacts to their 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town in league one last night.
The result has left them just a point above the relegation places.

A teenager has been told he will serve at least 20 years behind bars for murdering a former friend when rival gangs clashed in Ashford.19-year-old Jaydon McFarlane died after being stabbed in the Brookfield Road area of the town in March last year.
Osita Alagbaoso was found guilty following a trial earlier this year. Hear from our reporter who was in court today and the police officer who led the investigation.Also in today’s podcast, councils across the country are going to be ordered to find accommodation for young asylum seekers.It comes after authorities in Kent threatened the government with legal action as services became overwhelmed.People living in part of Whitstable say they fear their streets will be littered with rubbish as black wheelie bins look set to be replaced with purple sacks.Hear from a resident of Victoria Street and a local councillor.The odds of a white Christmas this year have been slashed, but there’s also a warning about flooding.Forecasters are predicting a wet winter and we’ve been speaking to Kent’s flood risk manager to get the very latest advice.A Canterbury woman who was unable to work following a car crash has spoken about the harsh realities of trying to survive on Universal Credit.Karen Isaac was forced to sell possessions to make ends meet as she didn’t want to turn to family for help – she’s now teamed up with charity Turn2Us to help end the stigma.And, the Gillingham manager says they still have plenty of injury concerns ahead of their league one game against Cheltenham Town tonight.

Former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe has spoken at the funeral of her friend and colleague Sir David Amess.
He died after being stabbed while meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex last month.
A service has been held in Southend where the former shadow Home Secretary read a statement on behalf of his family.
Also in today’s podcast, as the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent continues to rise, the government has called for a review.
A senior cabinet minister has been drafted in to look at what more can be done to stop people making the dangerous journey.
The head of a Kent school is urging parents and teachers not to dismiss children as “woke”. We’ve been finding out if you know what it means.
A Kent mum is calling for more awareness of gynaecological conditions after spending years in pain.
Amy McHattie was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome when she was just 16, but despite having surgery her symptoms continued. She’s spoken out to raise awareness.
Ahead of Black Friday this week, we’re being encouraged to buy local and support our high streets.
Stores in Whitstable, Canterbury and Herne Bay have joined forces as part of a new campaign supported by Holby star Dawn Steele.
And, the Gillingham manager has spoken about their 2-0 defeat to Crewe Alexandra at the weekend.

Flowers have been left on a road in Bexleyheath after two women and two young children died in a house fire.
Crews were called to Hamilton Road last night.
Hear from our reporter at the scene, the deputy assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade and a statement from police.
Also in today’s podcast, a recovering alcoholic from Kent is urging people who might have developed dangerous drinking habits during the pandemic to get help.
Matt has been speaking as part of Alcohol Awareness week.
A Kent mum who was bullied after being born with a cleft lip and palate is hoping to raise awareness so her son – who has the same condition – doesn’t suffer like she did.
It happens when the upper part of the mouth doesn’t form properly when the baby is growing and requires surgery.
Canterbury singer Mimi Webb has been on our sister radio station kmfm chatting about her new EP, ‘7 Shades of Heartbreak.
And, Steve Evans has been speaking a bit about his future at Gillingham after a request from another side to talk to him was turned down.

A Chatham man has been found guilty of sending a fake bomb to a Covid vaccine factory in Wrexham.Anthony Collins, 54, caused the plant to be evacuated when he sent a parcel containing batteries in January.
Hear from our court reporter Paul Hooper who has sat through the trial.Also in today’s podcast, the deputy Prime Minister’s been defending the government’s efforts to stop asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.More than 23,000 people have made the dangerous journey in small boats so far this year.A woman has filmed the moment a bus driver refused to lower a ramp so she could get on board.Hear the exchange between Anna Morell and the Arriva driver when she tried to get on a 155 service – we’ve also had a statement from the company.A foodbank in Medway is doing a reverse advent calendar to make sure it’s got enough supplies for families this Christmas.They’re asking for 24 different items to be donated throughout November to ensure meals can be provided over December and into the new year.A Ramsgate tea room has caused a debate after shaming a mum online when their baby left a mess under a highchair.We find out who you think should have to clear it up.And the parents of a little girl from Rochester who has a rare heart and lung condition are trying to raise money so she can travel to America for surgery.

A group of Insulate Britain campaigners have been jailed for breaching an injunction aimed at stopping them protesting on the M25.
You may remember there was disruption on the motorway in Kent as they sat on the carriageway and even glued themselves to the tarmac.
Now, nine of them have been locked up for between three and six months.
Hear a letter that was read on their behalf outside court.
Also in today’s podcast, a documentary is going to be on TV tonight about the murder of a young woman in Medway.
Molly McLaren was attacked by her stalker ex-boyfriend.
Social Media Murders is on ITV2 from 9 or via the ITV Hub.
Find out why your weekly food shop could be more expensive as figures reveal the rate of inflation has reached a near 10 year high.
Almost 9 in 10 shop workers have been verbally abused in the past year according to the results of a survey seen by the KentOnline Podcast.
Trade union Usdaw has released the details as they call for more to be done to protect staff.
Canterbury’s MP says she fears residents haven’t been listened to and is sad the city will be losing its street market.
Rosie Duffield has been chatting to our Local Democracy Reporter Jordan Ifield.
And, there’s reaction from the Gillingham manager following their defeat to Cheltenham Town in last night’s FA Cup first round replay.

A leading charity is calling for a youth jail in Kent to be closed following a damning report by inspectors.They found levels of violence at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Rochester had increased since their previous visit in 2019.
A report out today also revealed how boys were being kept locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day.Hear more on the inspector’s findings plus reaction from the Howard League for Penal Reform.We have also been asking if you think youth jails are the right place for young offenders – find out what some of you have had to say.Also in today’s podcast, there’s been another drop in the number of people out of work in Kent, despite the furlough scheme ending.New figures show 51,100 people were claiming unemployment benefits in the county last month.A specialist clinic’s opening in Kent to help severely obese children, and young people who are struggling with their weight.It’s one of 15 sites across England as part of a pilot programme, and will offer things like diet plans, coaching and mental health support.We’ve got reaction from Ashford GP Dr Jack Jacobs plus your thoughts.Find out how undercover vehicles known as ‘supercabs’ are being used to try and reduce the number of crashes on the M25 in Kent.Our colleagues from KMTV have been out on patrol with police to see them in action.And you can hear from the Gillingham manager ahead of tonight’s FA Cup first round replay.

It is the size of more than six football pitches, cost £200m to build and employs over a thousand people – and we have had a first look inside the giant Amazon warehouse in Dartford.The facility sees robots working alongside humans to get parcels packaged and out for delivery.Our reporter Sean Delany had a look around and has also been speaking to Priyanka Bernard who is the site manager.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP says COP26 has “failed” young generations after The Glasgow Climate Pact was secured.North Thanet’s Sir Roger Gale has told the podcast the agreement has fallen short of the commitments needed to protect our planet.We’ve been discussing the state of Kent’s roads on an episode of the Lowdown on our facebook live.It’s feared some aren’t up to standard, as we head into the winter period – with potentially dangerous damage like potholes needing fixing.Hear from one of the county’s senior highways managers.Environmental campaigners say Christmas selection boxes are using excessive amounts of plastic.A post on Facebook, that’s reached more than a million people, has shown there’s often more plastic packaging than actual product.Reporter Laoise Gallagher has carried out an investigation and found this is typically the case with the cheaper priced boxes.And hear from the Gillingham manager following their draw with Sheffield Wednesday in league one at the weekend.

A cash machine has been ripped from a shop during a ram raid in Canterbury.Hear from our reporter at the scene in St Martins Hill and residents who were woken by a rumbling followed by a loud bang.Also in today’s podcast, a record number of people have crossed the Channel to Kent in a single day.It comes as French authorities search for three people who are missing after reportedly trying to make the dangerous journey in a kayak.A young man who had a finger bitten off during an unprovoked attack has told the KentOnline Podcast how it left him anxious to go out.Michael Connell was only 19 when it happened at The Milk House pub in Cranbrook.A former Love Island star from Kent has spoken about how he thinks the show and social media puts pressure on young men to look good.Footballer Aaron Simpson, who’s played for the likes of Maidstone United and Dover Athletic, featured on the last series and has been chatting on Tea Time Chats on our Instagram.There’s now a whole new meaning to the phrase Holy Spirit, as Rochester Cathedral launches it’s own gin.It’s called 604 which represents the date England’s second oldest cathedral was founded.And, we’ve been catching up with Gillingham’s Jack Tucker ahead of their league one clash at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.