KentOnline

A man has appeared in court charged with murder following the disappearance of a mum-of-two from Sissinghurst.
Alexandra Morgan was last seen on Remembrance Sunday as she filled her car with petrol.
A 40-year-old man from East Sussex was charged late last night – hear from our reporter who was in court when he appeared earlier.
Also in today’s podcast, police are continuing to question three people after a man died when he was hit by a van in Chatham…
The victim, who’s in his 40s, was fatally injured while walking along Luton Road in the early hours of Saturday.
We’ve been asking if you’re worried about the new Covid variant ruining Christmas this year.
Cases of omicron have been identified in England and Scotland – find out the result of our twitter poll so far and hear what some of you have had to say.
A new report’s found vulnerable people are frequently going to Kent’s A&E departments because they feel they have nowhere else to turn.
We’ve been speaking to the British Red Cross which estimates the issue costs the NHS at least £2.5 billion a year.
Protests have been held to try and stop building on areas of countryside in Kent – hear from one of the campaigners.
And, the Gillingham boss has been reacting to their heartbreaking defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend.

A huge Amazon warehouse in Dartford has been blockaded by climate activists on Black Friday, it’s busiest day of the year.
Around 20 Extinction Rebellion campaigners arrived at the site in the early hours of this morning.
Hear from our reporter at the scene and one of the protesters. We also have a statement from the local MP and a spokesperson from Amazon.
Also in today’s podcast, find out why the Home Secretary has been blocked from talks on the asylum crisis following the deaths of 27 people in the Channel earlier this week.
French fisherman have blocked Channel ports in an ongoing row over post-Brexit fishing licences.
With less than a month to go until Christmas, Kent’s biggest pantomime opens tonight – we’ve been speaking to the star of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Marlowe in Canterbury.
And, hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of their game against Portsmouth at Priestfield this weekend.

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.