Author: Zhara Simpson

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Cornwall homes still without power and water after Storm Goretti

  • Post category:BBC Cornwall

BBCNational Grid said about 14,400 properties were still without power on SundayProperties across Cornwall are still without power and water three days on from Storm Goretti.A spokesperson for National Grid said, as of 10:30 GMT, 14,159 properties were without electricity, mostly in the Helston area.Sam Bottomley, from South West Water (SWW), said about 60% of the water network had been refilled but it was "impossible" to give an accurate figure of customers without water.He said teams were repairing…

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Police appeal after serious sexual assault in Plymouth

  • Post category:Devon News

Police are investigating what they have described as a "serious sexual assault" in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the Mutley Plain area before 04:00 GMT on Saturday following reports of a woman having been assaulted.Officers said they attempting to locate a man described as white, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in (1.68m and 1.72m) tall, "with blondish hair". Police have appealed for witnesses and any relevant camera footage anyone might have. They added…

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Man dies in Cornwall as tree falls on caravan in Storm Goretti

  • Post category:BBC Cornwall

A man in his 50s has been found dead after a tree fell onto a caravan during Storm Goretti, police have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were called to the Mawgan area of Helston, Cornwall, at about 07:35 GMT on Thursday after the tree fell.Officers said work took place at the scene on Friday to safely remove the tree and make further inquiries at the scene. "Tragically, a man aged in his 50s was located…

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Exeter Cathedral announces prep school closure

  • Post category:Devon News

The oldest school in Exeter is to close due to "unavoidable financial pressures".Exeter Cathedral School said it had taken the "extremely difficult decision" to close the prep part of the school, for years three to eight, from September 2026.The 12th century school said it hoped to give families and colleagues the time they needed to plan for alternative school placements in September. In a statement, the school said: "We understand the impact this will have on our entire…

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Devon athlete breaks fastest female Parkrun record

  • Post category:Devon News
Devon athlete breaks fastest female Parkrun record

A Devon international athlete has broken the UK female record for completing the fastest Parkrun.Innes Fitzgerald from east Devon, who is the current European U20 champion in both the 3,000m and 5,000m, completed the 5km (3.10m) Parkrun course in 15 minutes 27 seconds.Fitzgerald took part in the Exmouth Parkrun, part of a national event where people can run, walk or jog, on New Year's Day.The 19-year-old athlete, who studies sports and exercise science at the University of Exeter,…

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Black ice in ‘many areas’ of Devon and Cornwall

Black ice has been reported in "many areas" of Devon and Cornwall, police have said.Two yellow weather warnings for ice have been issued by the Met Office for parts of the counties.The Met Office first issued a warning at 06:30 GMT to 10:00 on Friday and has issues a second between 18:00 on Friday and 10:00 on Saturday.A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has also been issued by the Met Office between 15:00 on Sunday and…

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Ice warning issued for parts of Devon and Cornwall

Ice warning issued for parts of Devon and Cornwall

A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued for parts of Devon and Cornwall.The Met Office warning was issued at 06:30 GMT and ends at 10:00 on Friday. It said icy patches could lead to some disruption to travel, cause injuries from slips and falls, and warned there could be icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. On Wednesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold health alert for the South…

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Devon gorse fires on same moor started deliberately

Two gorse fires in the same area of moorland were thought to have been started deliberately, a fire service has said.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fires broke out on Monday at about 15:20 GMT in the West Anstey Common area, in Devon.South Molton Fire Station said on social media there were two separate blazes which involved gorse on the moor affecting a total area of about 600m (1,968ft).The service said the fires were extinguished…

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Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue group

Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue group

An animal rescue centre said less people have been adopting its dogs due to animals' behavioural issues.Gables Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said some dogs in its care were "difficult" and had certain requirements, making it harder to find their forever homes.General manager Claire Sparkes said a lot of the rescue dogs were bought in during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and had not been socialised or trained. She added that some dogs also suffered from separation anxiety,…

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Family ‘heartbroken’ as they name missing Devon swimmer

Family ‘heartbroken’ as they name missing Devon swimmer

Social mediaThe family of Matthew Upham have named him as one of the swimmers who went missing on Christmas DayThe family of one of two men who went missing during a Christmas Day swim say they are "heartbroken" at his disappearance. Emergency services had been searching the area after two men in their 60s and 40s went missing in the sea at Budleigh Salterton shortly after 10:25 GMT on Thursday. The coastguard search operation was called off at…

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Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing

Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 14-year-old boy sustained multiple stab wounds, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called at about 18:50 GMT to the Notte Street and Athenaeum Street area, in Plymouth, on Monday.The force said the boy was taken to hospital, where he remained, and his injuries were not considered life-threatening.Police said a 22-year-old man remained in police custody.Police said: "Detectives continue to progress inquiries and there…

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Man has life-threatening injuries after crash near Chumleigh

Man has life-threatening injuries after crash near Chumleigh

A man has life-threatening injuries after a crash, police have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the single vehicle crash on Hill Head Hill, near Chumleigh, Devon, at about 00:15 GMT on Wednesday. The crash involved a black Jeep Cherokee, officers said."As a result of the collision the 41-year-old male driver of the Jeep who was from the Lapford area sustained serious life-threatening injuries and was conveyed to hospital by the ambulance service," the…

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