KentOnline

Tributes are being paid to 16-year-old Alisha Marie, who has died in a crash on the A249 between Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured when a vehicle overturned on Saturday night, and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Also in today’s episode, rail passengers are facing a week of disruption after a landslip closed the line between Rainham and Sittingbourne.

The six-mile stretch will be shut for the next seven days as engineers work to stabilise the slippage at Newington.

After marking the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, a woman who moved to Kent says she doesn't know if she'll ever return.

More than 3,500 Ukrainians relocated to the county since the start of the war, and around 800 have gone back. 

It has been revealed proposals for a new village near Sevenoaks have been based on improvements to the M25 which might never happen.

The council want to build 2,500 homes at Pedham Place.

The owners of a barber shop near Sittingbourne say they were told to move out for renovation work - only to find the building had been converted into flats.

Teynham Cutz occupied the site in London Road for seven years until a new landlord took over.

In football, Maistone United's historic run in the FA Cup continues tonight when they face Championship side Coventry in the fifth round.

Thousands of Stone fans are making the journey to the midlands.

And, Gillingham have boosted their promotion hopes after a 1-0 win against Wrexham.

The result means they've moved up to seventh in the League 2 table and are currently in the play-off places.

Drivers are being warned to expect major disruption as a section of the A249 is going to be closed for the next five weeks.

The southbound stretch will be shut between the Stockbury Roundabout and Church Hill as part of ongoing work to improve the M2 junction.

Also in today's podcast, ahead  of the sentencing of an asylum seeker charged with manslaughter, we talk to a specialist prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service. 

Ibrahima Bah piloted an “overloaded and vulnerable” dinghy across the English Channel on which four people drowned - he's in court today. 

A drunk thug spotted driving through a new-build estate with a flat tyre threatened to “drop” a police officer before being wrestled to the ground.

The Folkestone man had been out boozing before a witness saw him at the wheel in Cheriton. 

There have been tributes after the tragic death of a “special, caring and funny” teenager from Dymchurch. 

The 15-year-old died earlier this month – just five months after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

And you can hear from the Gillingham boss about tomorrow's Hollywood fixture. 

The Gills welcome Wrexham to Priestfield for a sold out League 2 clash.  

It's been revealed a railway station in Kent that was once dubbed a 'mugger's paradise' is going to be staffed seven days a week.

Southeastern have given an update on Thanet Parkway which cost £44m to build and is based in Cliffsend which is between Ramsgate and Margate.

Also in today's podcast, a significant change has come into force today for parents who've lost a baby.  

For the first time, bereaved mums and dad's who's child died before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be able to apply for formal acknowledgement. We've been speaking to Keeley Lengthorn who is an ambassador for Medway baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps.

A charity's warning that low-income parents would only be able to lift their families out of poverty by working full-time eight days a week.

Action for Children says it's getting harder for people to support their kids. Hear from Dan who's a dad from Deal.

A group of volunteers in Paddock Wood are doing their bit for wildlife conservation by helping toads cross a road.

Reporter Elli Hodgson joined Steve Songhurst who started going out on patrols after noticing many struggling to get to a pond to breed.

And in sport, a Faversham footballer is hoping to raise enough money to go to the Winter Deaflympics in Turkey.

Emma Brown is part of the Team GB futsal squad, but they haven't been given any funding by UK Sport.

Kent shopping centres, police stations and supermarkets are among the latest places to be hit by YouTube 'auditors'.

The latest online craze sees people asserting their rights to take photos and film on public land - and sometimes getting into a scrap with security guards. Hear from Chris Britcher who's been looking into this for a special report on KentOnline.

Also in today's podcast, research has found more than half of people on Universal Credit here in the south east are unable to afford enough food to last the month.

The study has been done by The Trussell Trust who are urging the government to take action by increasing benefit payments. We've been speaking to the manager from the Swale Food Bank - and have a response from government.

The Body Shop in Ashford town centre has closed, a week after the retailer went into administration.

It was among seven stores to shut their doors immediately yesterday. Reporter Chantal Weller has been getting reaction from shoppers.

And in sport, it was a point for Gillingham last night as they held the league two leaders Stockport County to a draw.

It finished 0-0 at Priestfield. Hear from head coach Stephen Clemence and defender Shad Ogie.

There are plans to expand a grammar school in Ashford which has become so overcrowded some pupils are having to study in the dining hall.

The Norton Knatchbull School is a boys' grammar based on Hythe Road in the town and most recent figures from December show 1,252 pupils go there - including 239 who are in the mixed-gender sixth form.

Also in today's podcast, it's been confirmed our council tax bill in Kent will be going up.

Authority bosses have approved a near 5% hike as they attempt to balance the books for the next financial year.

A Larkfield family say they've been battling for two years to get a housing company to fix their leaking home.

Luke Hutson and his wife Sarah have are raising three children in the Swallow Road property and have been speaking to reporter Ben Austin. We've also got a response from the housing association.

A demonstration has been taking place at the University of Kent today over plans to cut courses.

Nine areas of study and nearly 60 staff members could be affected as bosses look to save money.

Hear from the Kent Wildlife Trust as a new report from the charity says the results of the next election could be vital to tackle climate change before it's too late.

Summer droughts and winter flooding are becoming more common as global temperatures rise.

Meantime, a Medway man who's creating art out of waste has told the podcast he hopes it stops people from dropping so much.

Kieran Poole collects discarded bottle tops and ring pulls and turns them into mosaics.

And in sport, Gillingham are taking on league two leaders Stockport County at Priestfield tonight.

The Gills will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's defeat to Newport County, which has left them 11th in the table.

An inquest into the death of a "gentle and caring" dad-of-six who was tragically swept out to sea by a riptide has heard he was cooling off after a gym session. 

Matthew Collins entered the water with a friend at Broadstairs when they got into trouble. 

Also in today's podcast, there are claims the introduction of ANPR cameras at a village hall car park in west Kent has had the unintended knock-on effect of putting children’s lives at risk.

Parents on the school run who used to use the car par are now parking illegally and dangerously to avoid getting a ticket. 

Residents say an “alleyway from hell” strewn with hypodermic needles remains a terrifying threat  - despite the alarm first being raised seven years ago.

There are concerns people could be spiked and suffer serious illnesses by wandering into the Folkestone town centre drugs den. 

There's praise for a bus driver who took matters into his own hands after Arriva failed to tell passengers about diversions during road closures.

The 21-year-old has taken it upon himself to put up posters and share updates online to help confused passengers. 

And you can hear the reaction from Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence after their League 2 loss at Newport County. 

It was an evenly matched game until a controversial call from the ref left the Gills frustrated. 

The owners of a pie and mash shop in Margate have hit back after receiving a critical review on Facebook.

The reviewer criticised the quality of his meal and the service - saying it took 20 minutes for his order to be taken.

Now, the owners of Lucy's have suggested that any diner who has a problem speaks to them face-to-face.

Also in today's podcast, maternity services at a Kent hospital have been rated inadequate - after inspectors found cases of emergency c-sections being delayed and women suffering major blood loss.

They have issued a damning report into the unit at Tunbridge Wells hospital at Pembury. Hear from the Care Quality Commission - we've also has statements from the NHS Trust.

A former Maidstone schoolgirl is in the running for a Bafta this weekend.

You might recognise Mia McKenna-Bruce from Tracey Beaker Returns or The Dumping Ground on TV - now the 26 year-old is nominated in the Rising Star category for a film role.

Our What's On writer Sam Lawrie has a roundup of everything going on in Kent that you need to know about this weekend.

In sport, tickets to see Maidstone United in the fifth round of the FA Cup have sold out in just a couple of hours.

They travel to take on Championship side Coventry City on Monday February 26th. Hear from a fan who queued from 5.30am in a bid to get to the game.

And, Gillingham travel to Newport County in league two this weekend.

They'll be hoping to continue their unbeaten run this month after draws against Walsall and Swindon and a victory over Notts County. Hear from assistant coach Robbie Stockdale and midfielder Max Clark.

Large patches of red paint on roads in Herne Bay as part of a new 20 mile per hour zone have been branded 'ugly and lurid'.

The markings have appeared at nine junctions in the town.

The boss of a dairy farm near Dover has been telling us about the huge financial impact of the Bluetongue outbreak.

A control zone's been in force after the virus was identified in cows in Canterbury back in November.

12,000 people have now signed a petition calling for courses at the University of Kent to be saved.

Last month we told you a consultation's underway into plans to stop running nine of them - and cutting almost 60 staff.

A former English teacher from Tunbridge Wells has written a book inspired by her experience in a cult.

Anthea Church spent 20 years in group Brahma Kumaris.

A business owner has revealed why he has decided to expand into a high street despite shops closing throughout the county at an alarming rate.

Compton's Kitchens started in Faversham about 12 years ago and is now launching its third showroom in Tenterden.

And a gluten-intolerant baker who struggled to find her passion in life has finally opened her own store.

Mia Dahl recently launched a traditional Danish bakery called "Blomst" on Hartnup Street in Maidstone.

A mother from Larkfield ended up being the last to know her daughter had died after her landline was mistakenly disconnected.

Sheila Plank from Martin Square had first reported the problem to BT in January. Over the next six weeks the 88-year-old still wasn't able to make or receive any calls.

Sheila's other daughter Sharon has spoken to the podcast and is demanding an apology.

Also in today's episode, staff at branches of The Body Shop in Kent are facing uncertainty after the UK arm went into administration.

There are eight stores in the county which will continue trading for now. We've been getting reaction from Tudor Price who is the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

A Medway man says large companies should be doing more to prevent cyber attacks after Southern Water confirmed it's been targeted.

The company serves thousands of households across Kent and reported suspicious activity on its IT system last month. Andy Keates from Cliffe received an email to say his data could have been breached.

A rower who's competed at a national level has taken over coaching at a Kent club, and says he wants to put them back on the map.

Medway Towns Rowing Club is based on the Esplanade in Rochester but currently doesn't have any racing members.

And in football, a last minute equaliser denied Gillingham all three points against Swindon last night.

The home side came from a goal down at Priestfield to lead 2-1 before the visitors scored near the end of added time. We've got reaction from Gills head coach Stephen Clemence.

Sevenoaks has been named as the worst station for people commuting to London. 

It's been ranked on things like performance, frequency, speed and value of peak time services.

Also in today's podcast, you can hear the story of a Kent man who was held hostage in Iraq for nearly four months. 

Barry Manners says the UK government still has questions to answer. 

A stunned neighbour has told the KentOnline Podcast of the moment she heard a giant bang as an out-of-control car smashed into a block of flats.

The dramatic moment the vehicle sped across a green space in front of her home  in East Malling has also been caught on camera. 

A Kent landlord is quitting his traditional pub to focus on bringing a more ‘bougie’ dining experience to his village near Ashford. 

The dad-of-two has turned a restaurant  into a wine and tapas bar - which he says is much more "his vibe". 

And in football, hear from Gillingham boss ahead of tonight's big game against Swindon Town. 

The rivalry between the two sides has been running since 1979 and Stephen Clemence is expecting to see plenty of passion on the pitch.