KentOnline

A Rainham mum has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about her battle to try and get her teenage son a place at school.Leanne Dale says Jack has been turned down by 27 schools and it’s now starting to affect his mental health.
The 13-year-old has complex needs including ADHD, autism and an anxiety disorder, and is getting tutoring at home instead.Hear from Leanne and find out what Medway Council has said about the situation.Also in today’s podcast, it’s a year since the disappearance of Sarah Everard and we’ve been told nothing has changed to make women feel safe of the streets.The 33-year-old was kidnapped and murdered by then serving Met Police Officer Wayne Couzens from Deal.He’s now serving a whole life sentence.Two men who drove mopeds into a hair salon in Kent on New Year’s Day have been jailed.One of them was caught because he was still wearing a GPS tag after being released from prison.Find out why four car parks in Canterbury have been put up for sale.Reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks has the details.And, find out which Kent sports start is going to be getting an honorary degree from the University of Kent.

The owner of one of Medway’s most popular bars has said he could be ready to quit after it was served with a noise abatement order.Sanjay Raval runs the City Wall on Rochester High Street and says while he’s lodged an appeal, it’s left him feeling very despondent.He’s spoken exclusively to the KentOnline Podcast.Also today, a Kent MP has defended his decision to travel to Ukraine to see the war effort for himself.Gravesham’s Adam Holloway says he wants to make a contribution.Meantime, an open prayer day has been held at a church in Maidstone to support the local Ukrainian community – hear from one man who went along.A Gravesham teenager has revealed her shocking experiences of hate crime as a campaign get under way to tackle it…Schools are urging young people to speak out if they’ve been targeted.It’s feared new mums in Kent might be struggling to look after their babies because of the impact of the pandemic.Research has found more than six in 10 women feel they’re getting less support in the first six months after giving birth – we’ve been speaking to Alex from Gravesend who had twins during lockdown.In sport, find out how Kent’s Zak Crawley’s been getting on as England warm up for their tour of the West Indies.And, we’ve got details of the result of last night’s Kent Senior Cup game between Gillingham and Margate.

An inquest has heard the driver of a car which crashed in Headcorn killing four members of the same family was over the drink drive limit.Johnny Cash, Johnboy Cash, Miles Cash and Jacko Cosgrove died when the vehicle they were in came off a road and hit a tree in October last year.
Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who was at today’s inquest in Maidstone.As fighting continues in Ukraine following an invasion by Russia, we’ve been hearing from Ukranian people here who’re desperate to help.Reporter Rhys Griffiths has been to an army surplus store in Folkestone where people have been going to get supplies.A University of Kent professor has also spoken about her sister’s journey to safety.In the Commons, North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale has called for Kent to do its bit to help with the processing of those seeking asylum.New powers to try and stop so-called boy racers in Dartford have been given the go ahead.Police are going to be given more powers to break-up late night car meets which often lead to racing on Crossways Boulevard – between the Dartford Crossing and Bluewater.We’ve been speaking to residents who say the noise keeps them awake at night.And, rail fares have gone up today for Kent’s commuters – and it’s the biggest hike in nearly a decade.The 3.8% rise means an average season ticket from Ramsgate to London will now cost £6,174 pounds – £226 more than last year.

Five days after Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people continue to flee the country and seek asylum.
So what should our response be?
There are calls for the government to do more to allow Ukrainians to travel here and stay for up to three years.
We’ve been speaking to Bridget Chapman from Kent Refugee Action Network and getting some of your views.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent mum has set up a petition calling for dyslexia friendly exam papers.
It’s been signed by more than 14,000 people so far – find out why Alex Castle thinks it’s so important.
H&M has confirmed its closing its store in Ashford after 14 years in the town.
We speak to the head of libraries in Kent on how they’re continuing to play a critical role in the community.
It comes ahead of World Book Day on Thursday.
And, the Gillingham boss has been reacting to their big win over Lincoln City at the weekend.
The result means they’re now just three points from safety in league one.

A Kent police officer has been sacked after being accused of groping a woman during a trip to Alton Towers.PC Thomas Hall was alleged to have touched the woman during an overnight stay at a hotel.Hear from our reporter Sean Delaney who covered the misconduct hearing.Also in today’s podcast, we have reaction from a University of Kent professor on the latest situation in Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.There’s potentially some huge news for jobs in Kent – find out which big company is looking to relocate it’s global headquarters to the county.Security has been stepped up at a new housing development in Medway.Hear from a resident of Rochester Riverside who’s worried about groups of young people who’re gathering.We’re starting to get details on what event will be taking place in Kent to celebrate the jubilee.In sport, we’ve been chatting to the Gillingham manager ahead of their game at Lincoln City this weekend.And, find out who’ll be joining Kent for the start of the new cricket season.

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.