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Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

Look out for Grittersaurus Rex! Kent road gritter named in kmfm competition

24 January 2025
Look out for Grittersaurus Rex! Kent road gritter named in kmfm competition

A kmfm competition to name a Kent road gritter has found a winner.

Police launch appeal as girl, 15, goes missing

24 January 2025
Police launch appeal as girl, 15, goes missing

A 15-year-old girl has gone missing and police want help finding her.

CCTV released after four people attacked in town centre

24 January 2025
CCTV released after four people attacked in town centre

Police want help identifying four men after unprovoked assaults on two men and two women in a town centre.

Old infant school building could become family home

24 January 2025
Old infant school building could become family home

Part of a school which has been a first-aid training centre and a boxing gym could now be turned into a home.

‘I was addicted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling - but now I’m helping others’

24 January 2025
‘I was addicted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling - but now I’m helping others’

A man who turned his life around after a 33-year addiction is hoping to help others avoid the misery that he and his family endured.

Ambulance driver who caused colleague’s death avoids being struck off

23 January 2025
Ambulance driver who caused colleague’s death avoids being struck off

A tribunal has suspended the paramedic who caused the death of a colleague through careless driving but did not ban him from the profession.

2

Developer tries again with plans for 100 homes and football pitch

23 January 2025
Developer tries again with plans for 100 homes and football pitch

Five years after its original proposal, a developer is trying again to gain permission for 100 homes following river pollution concerns.

1,000 back bid to save 'dangerous' dog as owner disputes claims it's an XL bully

23 January 2025
1,000 back bid to save 'dangerous' dog as owner disputes claims it's an XL bully

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for police to return a dog to his distraught owner after he was seized under XL bully laws.

61

Royal Navy intercept Russian spy ship ‘operating’ in waters off Kent

22 January 2025
Royal Navy intercept Russian spy ship ‘operating’ in waters off Kent

The Royal Navy has responded to repeated incursions by a Russian spy ship in the English Channel.

10

Police incident forces closure of tunnel

22 January 2025
Police incident forces closure of tunnel

A key commuter tunnel was forced to close due to concerns for a woman’s safety.

Plans revealed for £250m upgrade to one of the worst roads in the county

21 January 2025
Plans revealed for £250m upgrade to one of the worst roads in the county

Detailed plans have been revealed for a £250m upgrade to a major route, ranked the second worst A road in the county for delays and accidents.

9

‘Give us a 30mph limit’ - decision on speed reduction faces further delays

21 January 2025
‘Give us a 30mph limit’ - decision on speed reduction faces further delays

There is disappointment at the lack of progress in reducing speed limits on a key route.

‘This is a lifeline for passengers’ - Kent given £23m to fund bus services

21 January 2025
‘This is a lifeline for passengers’ - Kent given £23m to fund bus services

Kent County Council has been given a £23 million government grant to support bus services across the county.

10

'Shock' as council officer steps in to stop new housing estate being rejected

21 January 2025
'Shock' as council officer steps in to stop new housing estate being rejected

Councillors who voted to refuse housing plans for an orchard were stopped from making the decision.

75

‘Much-needed’ flats to be built on old library site

20 January 2025
‘Much-needed’ flats to be built on old library site

A council has granted itself permission to build two more blocks of flats in a bid to ease the housing shortage.

2

The Sheffield roundabout that could be the answer for Kent congestion hotspot

19 January 2025
The Sheffield roundabout that could be the answer for Kent congestion hotspot

The county council has been urged to look north for inspiration to end a six-year deadlock on a much-needed junction improvement.

8

£20k of illicit cigarettes and vapes seized

19 January 2025
£20k of illicit cigarettes and vapes seized

Police have arrested four people and seized £20,000 of cigarettes and vapes in a crackdown on the sale of illegal products.

1

Curry house taking over former funeral home to meet ‘Deliveroo demand’

18 January 2025
Curry house taking over former funeral home to meet ‘Deliveroo demand’

An Indian takeaway will expand and takeover a village funeral parlour as it seeks to meet demand for food orders online.

‘Ridiculous’ whistle ban lifted as school reduces hours pitch can be used

17 January 2025
‘Ridiculous’ whistle ban lifted as school reduces hours pitch can be used

Football can resume on a school’s new £700,000 3G sports pitch after a council lifted its whistle ban.

1

Standards at care home that ‘smelled badly’ branded ‘completely unacceptable’

17 January 2025
Standards at care home that ‘smelled badly’ branded ‘completely unacceptable’

A care home where inspectors saw residents with greasy hair and new staff were often “thrown in at the deep end” has been placed in special measures.

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