KentOnline

An inquest has been held into the deaths of two young men following a crash on the A20 near Farningham.

Jake Green and Alfie Green were friends who worked together.

Police have charged a 12-year-old boy with attempted murder following a stabbing in Sittingbourne.

A 15 year-old girl was taken to a London hospital after she was injured on Adelaide Drive on Friday. Reporter Joe Crossley has been to the scene.

A coroner's found the death of a Sittingbourne mum could have been prevented if her cancer diagnosis hadn't been delayed .

44-year-old Kerri Mothersole died in 2022  and an investigation found reports from a Kent ultrasound clinic weren't passed on to doctors. Her son Jordan has spoken out.

The boss of a cancer charity in Herne Bay says he's having to close his shop because of shoplifting and a drop in donations.

Graeme Sergeant runs the Chemotherapy Cancer Project which supports patients going through treatment.

The Dartford council leader is calling on transport bosses to 'get on' with building the new Lower Thames Crossing.

The tunnel would link Gravesham and Essex, reducing congestion elsewhere, but estimates say it won't open until 2030.

More than 30 shopping trolleys have been pulled from the river Medway during a clean-up operation.

Water levels in Tonbridge have been lowered for five weeks as part of yearly repairs and maintenance.

A 12-year-oldboy from Ashford is preparing for the trip of a lifetime - all thanks to his passion for Pokémon.

Harrison Holden-Smith is so good at the card game he's currently ranked 12th in the UK - and 37th in Europe. Later this year, he'll be travelling to Hawaii for the World Championships.

And in sport, and it was a fantastic three points on the road for Gillingham at the weekend.

They came from behind twice to beat Morecambe 3-2 on Saturday.

A family of Show People say they have no choice but to continue living on green belt land as they cannot find space on the county’s “overcrowded” Traveller sites.

They've applied to change the use of land near the M25 to create permanent quarters for the 25 adults and 12 children to pitch on.

Also in today's podcast, the University of Kent has confirmed six courses are set to be cut, following a consultation.

Undergraduates at the campuses in Canterbury and Chatham who will see the subjects “phased out” over the next years say they are devastated. 

A court has heard how a cowardly thug dragged his girlfriend along Herne Bay pier and threatened to throw her into the sea during a campaign of controlling abuse.

He subjected his partner to coercion and sometimes violence, which culminated in the harrowing ordeal on the town’s landmark, during which he asked her: “Can you swim?”

Fears of “traffic Armageddon” have been sparked by plans to build a 300-home estate and huge secondary school on the outskirts of Whitstable.

Proposals are being considered for the sprawling development on land off the Old Thanet Way. 

And, hear from Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence ahead of their league 2 match with Morcambe. 

It's another chance of the Gills to get into the play-off places but they've not had a win in the last four games. 

A dad has criticised bosses at the East Kent Hospitals Trust after his sick son was forced to wait 18 hours for a bed.

19-year-old university student Daniel Hebditch was taken to A&E in Ashford last week. Hear more from our reporter Liane Castle.

Also in today's podcast, the government's flagship Rwanda policy has been delayed until after Easter.

The House of Lords has voted to make seven changes to the draft legislation. Rainham and Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti has been speaking about it.

The Kent Wildlife Trust is appealing for information following the death of four goats who were chased by dogs.

The animals were part of the Wilder Grazing program at Bigbury Camp Nature Reserve near Canterbury.

A Sheppey man who was told he may have just months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour has thanked everyone who's been supporting his family.

Rick Smith started to complain of headaches in February before a CT scan revealed a glioblastoma. Now, tens of thousands of pounds has been raised to support his family.

A Kent theatre that was forced to close after potentially dangerous concrete was found, could re-open this autumn.

Plans have been put in to replace the roof of the Orchard in Dartford which had to shut last September.

Council leader Jeremy Kite says it's vital for the local economy to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Forty-thousand pounds worth of wedding dresses have been donated to a charity shop in Tunbridge Wells.

Staff at the Oxfam branch say they were 'overwhelmed' to receive the gowns, veils and shoes from the owner of a nearby bridal studio which was closing down.

A new school has been officially opened in Medway.

Rochester Riverside Primary has been built as part of a multi-million pound housing development near the town's railway station.

The Bishop of Rochester and Mayor of Medway carried out the honours.

A Kent head teacher's issued a warning after a pupil collapsed shortly after using a vape that had been spiked with a deadly synthetic drug.

In a letter sent to parents it says the teenager had just finished classes for the day at Herne Bay High and had been handed the vape by another  youngster.

Also in today's podcast, Operation Brock has been put in place on the M20 ahead of the Easter Holidays.

The contraflow system between Maidstone and Ashford allows for lorries to be parked on the motorway if there are delays getting across the Channel at Dover.

A Folkestone man who spent 26 years in prison for a murder he says he didn't commit has told the podcast he'll keep fighting to prove his innocence.

Paul Cleeland was convicted of shooting his friend following a fight in 1972.

Questions have since been raised about evidence presented at his trial - but appeals to clear his name have failed. Mr Cleeland has been speaking to reporter Sean Axtell.

Could a town on the Isle of Sheppey become a tax-free haven like Monaco?

A local historian had been hoping so after discovering an ancient document which excluded Queenborough residents from paying legal tariffs - including duty on wine.

A public inquiry's under way as campaigners near Maidstone try to save a piece of former farmland from being built on.

Developers are looking to put more than 400 homes on the former Bunyards Farm in Allington - but people living nearby want it to be given protected village green status.

As we mark World Rewilding Day, we've been taking a look at some of the conservation work done by animal parks in Kent.

The Aspinall Foundation specialises in reintroducing rare and endangered species and protecting habitats.

A Sittingbourne mum says she's gone as far as writing to the Prime Minister after her son passed the Kent test, but wasn't given a place at a grammar school.

Daniel Psenicnyj didn't get any of the four schools he'd applied for and has instead been offered a place at Oasis Academy on Sheppey which is rated inadequate. Hear from Daniel and his mum Anna who have been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.

More than 50 vehicles have been stopped and drivers spoken to during a weekend of action to target nuisance motorists in Kent.

Five of the vehicles were seized for being uninsured or untaxed, while two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

A Medway landlord has hit out at the local authority after spending 10 years complaining about issues with traffic, only for nothing to be done.

John Walsh lives in Lordswood and says the road surface in Lambourn Way is poor, there's inconsiderate parking by parents and other drivers going too fast. He's been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter Robert Boddy.

Catch-up clinics are being run in Kent this Spring as you're urged to make sure your children have had all their vaccinations.

It's because of a worrying rise in the number of youngsters getting measles. We've been along to one of the clinics to speak to an immunisation nurse.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told our food security is being put at risk by Asian Hornets in Kent.

There's already been a confirmed sighting in the county this year in Ash, near Canterbury and we're being urged to look out for more.

And, plans for a new independent football regulator will be debated for the first time in Parliament.

The Football Governance Bill is being brought in following a fan-led review by Kent MP and former sports minister Tracey Crouch.

Two brothers who've bought a holiday park on Sheppey, say they want to give back to the community.

Bernard and John Saunders purchased Eden Leisure Park for £3 million and are now in the process of spending £400,000 on the site.

The pair aim to create jobs and a 'higher standard' tourist destination and have been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.

Also on today's podcast, the family of a Chatham mum who collapsed at work say her colleagues' quick actions saved her life.

Amie Hodgson started complaining of a headache shortly after arriving at Brachers law firm - and was put in the recovery position after falling to the floor. Her brother-in-law has been explaining how friends are raising money to support the family after it was found she'd suffered a brain haemorrhage.

There are calls for drainage in parts of Halling to be improved after a road was left flooded.

Drivers using Pilgrims Road say their cars are being swamped by water that doesn't clear even when it stops raining. Andy Tebbutt lives there and has been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

Businesses in Rainham say trade has been boosted since B&M arrived in the town.

The discount brand has taken over the site in the precinct left vacant when Wilko closed and nearby traders believe it's already had a positive impact with more shoppers in the area.

In sport, Gillingham are still outside of the league two play-off places following a draw at the weekend.

It finished 1-1 against Grimsby Town with George Lapslie getting the equaliser at Priestfield.

And, a disability campaigner’s unveiled a new powerboat in Dover, which he’ll use to try and sail round the entire coast of the UK.

Geoff Holt was left paralysed after an accident when he was 18, and is now raising money to improve disabled people’s access to the sea.

A Sheppey dad has been told he may only have 15 months to live after suffering from severe headaches.

Rick Smith started feeling unwell in February - now a CT scan has revealed a brain tumour. Friends and family have started fundraising in the hope he can have private treatment.

Also in today's podcast, a meeting's being held later to look at what can be done to rescue woodland near Ashford that's been targeted by illegal dumping.

Lorry-loads of rubbish has been left in Hoads Wood over a three year period. Hear from  the Kent Wildlife Trust who are calling for action.

Yvette Cooper's been telling the KentOnline Podcast what she thinks a Labour government would mean for Medway.

The Shadow Home Secretary's been in the Towns to visit a mental health project in Gillingham and has been speaking to local democracy reporter Robert Boddy.

There's good news for Folkestone - it's been named the best place to live in the south east.

The Sunday Times guide is based on things like house prices, schools and air quality - as well as transport links, broadband speed and green spaces. We've been getting reaction from the town's Mayor.

This weekend marks exactly 25 years since the opening of Bluewater Shopping Centre.

A special ceremony is going to be held to celebrate the 93 employees who have been there since the very beginning - we've been speaking to one of them.

And, in sport, Gillingham will be hoping for their first win in four games when they host Grimsby Town this weekend.

The Gills lost 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday. We've been catching up with head coach Stephen Clemence.

Police are investigating the suspected murder of a man described as "generous, funny and loyal" in a village near Faversham. 

Detectives were called to The Street in Boughton under Blean last night, with it confirmed this morning the alleged attack was fatal.

Also in today's podcast, a young mum who tragically died after choking on food while cooking a family dinner has been remembered as "tender and loving". 

The 33-year-old was discovered on the kitchen floor at home in Dover by her two-year-old daughter, her partner and his son.

Plans to replace draughty windows that “rattle, howl and shake” in the wind have sparked outrage among residents of an iconic tower block.

150 letters of objection have been lodged against the proposals for Arlington House in Margate after management announced plans to take out the original 1960s sliding windows. 

Hear from a little boy from Kent who needed both of his legs amputated after being abused as a baby as he is set to undergo life-changing surgery. 

Tony Hudgell's left hip is permanently dislocated but surgeons in Sheffield believe a new operation could improve his quality of life. 

And, a couple who claimed they stole to feed themselves were told by magistrates to stop shoplifting and to go to a foodbank instead.

The pair carried out a series of thefts across stores in Dover and Deal, and stole chocolates, booze and flowers. 

A  paedophile encouraged young girls to send him explicit photos before threatening to show the pictures to their parents or school if they refused his demands for more.

The Whitstable man targeted his many victims online, often posing as a teenage boy as he sent and requested indecent images.

Also in today's podcast,  a Kent council is demanding answers over suspicions a London council is filling properties in its town with its homeless by offering “large incentives” to landlords.

Gravesham council claims the practice is putting “considerable pressure” on its housing services. 

A Kent woman has been telling the KentOnline Podcast about her experience with endometriosis - as a study's found it now takes an average of 9 years to diagnose. 

The condition causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow in other places, which can cause painful periods and infertility.

New plans have been revealed to build up to 200 homes a floodplain next to the M20.

The development, called The Nurseries, would be on a field along the A2070 Kennington Road

And in sport, hear from the Gillingham boss after their disappointing result against AFC Wimbledon in league 2. 

Stephen Clemence says he's proud of the performance of his squad after they went down to ten men. 

An Ashford woman has spoken out about the moment she was seriously injured in a dog attack.

Fay Hagger suffered a fractured elbow and needed stitches after being bitten and dragged to the ground in Kennington in June last year.

She's now slammed a decision by the courts not to put the Rottweiler-cross breed down and has been chatting to reporter Chantal Weller.

After it was revealed the number of community wardens in Kent is set to be cut - one village has taken matters into their own hands.

The county council are to scale back the project by as much as 40% to save £1 million.

But, that's led to concerns some areas could see a rise in antisocial  behaviour if patrols are no longer happening. Our local democracy reporter has been to Headcorn to find out what's happening there.

An independent garden centre in Strood could be closed and replaced with housing.

Plans have been submitted to Medway Council to develop the site of Dillywood Garden Centre off the A289 in Higham. 

Meantime, plans have been unveiled for more than 350 flats and commercial space in Chatham town centre.

Developers want to convert the former Go Outdoors building and HomePlus Furniture store.

The boss of a charity-based gym in Canterbury is urging young people to get off TikTok and get fit.

Oli Nonis also runs a security company and is hoping to encourage more teenagers to take up boxing. Our reporter James Pallant joined him in the ring.

In sport, we've got news on a campaign that's running on the website to try and tackle bad behaviour in football - hear from Head of Sport, Matthew Panting.

And, Gillingham will be fighting to stay in the league 2 play-off places when they travel to AFC Wimbledon later.

The game follows Saturday's draw against Tranmere Rovers at Priestfield.