Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Police are appealing for information to help find a missing 13 year old girl who was last seen in Cardiff. Olivia, 13, is missing from Shropshire and there are concerns for her welfare. She was last seen in Llanrumney, Cardiff, on the morning of Tuesday, February 24. Police say she also has links to the Splott and Tremorfa areas of the city. Anyone who has seen Olivia, or who has information about her whereabouts, is urged to contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2600059400. Information can be provided online via the South Wales Police website or by calling…

A man has been jailed after he stole from a shop and assaulted a member of staff before he jumped into a river to avoid being caught. Ryan Rankmore, 42, of Llanrumney has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and three counts of assault by beating. On February 8 2026, Rankmore entered the Welcome Break Services at Cardiff Gate and began filling a bag with items including ready meals, alcohol and Lego. Rankmore was challenged by two staff members who told him to go and pay for the items, in return he was verbally abusive and aggressive. After leaving the shop one staff member was hit in the face by Rankmore with a can of Red Bull. Officers were called to the shop…

A 49-year-old man who walked into Greggs with a knife and demanded cash has been jailed. Leon Langford, of Wirral View, Mostyn, admitted attempted robbery and possessing a knife in a public place following the incident in Queensferry, Flintshire, on 5 January. He also admitted three counts of shoplifting and attempted theft following a number of other offences that day. At Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, 25 February, Langford was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. At around 7.30am on January 5, Langford walked into Greggs on Station Road, pointing a kitchen knife inches away from a…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s proposed budget for 2026/27 is set to deliver a record level of investment in schools and protect vital front‑line services at a time of continuing financial pressures. If approved, the £428 million budget would support essential day‑to‑day services, from maintaining roads and educating thousands of children to caring for vulnerable people and collecting household waste, while keeping the council tax increase among the lowest in Wales. The proposals include an additional £7 million to support pupils with additional learning needs, alongside a further £330,000 for building maintenance, which will include improvements to school facilities. Other key…

Councillors thank residents after consultation on plans for a major new investment at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda in Cymer. Around 40 people attended a public drop in event at the school in January, where local residents, staff, pupils and community representatives were able to find out more about the proposals and share their views. The council has now used that feedback to finalise its planning application, which has recently been submitted. Residents will have another opportunity to comment as part of the statutory planning process. Full details are available via the planning portal on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s website. The…

Work started this week to turn an unused space into a dual-use basketball and netball court in Beechwood Park. Playing areas on disused tennis courts are being resurfaced, with rotating posts to cater for both sports, and there will be banked tiers for spectators. A Teqball table, a fun activity combining table tennis and football skills, is also being installed at the side of the court and a path leading to the new space is being widened. Councillor Mark Spencer, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for communities and sport, said: “This is a brilliant project to create new sporting opportunities…

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet will discuss the final budget proposals in its next meeting on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Ahead of this, the council has this week published its Final Revenue and Capital Budget Proposals for 2026–27, reflecting feedback received through an extensive programme of public and stakeholder consultation. For 2026-27, the council is planning a budget of £230 million, funded through a combination of Welsh Government grant, council tax, fees and charges. The draft budget was published earlier this year to invite views from residents, businesses, councillors, partners and community organisations. Responses were received through a survey, engagement and…

Bold plans to transform education in mid Powys have taken a major step forward this week, after Cabinet approved proposals that pave the way for a brand-new Welsh medium all age school and significant investment in two school buildings. Powys County Council’s transformation proposals for Ysgol Calon Cymru and Builth Wells C.P. School as part of its Transforming Education programme were approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, February 24. These ambitious plans will help the council reach its goals for Welsh-medium education and support its vision for transforming education. Thanks to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, these schools…

Mental health awareness training is being rolled out to rugby clubs across Wales as concerns grow about the rising number of men struggling in silence. The course helps teams, coaches and players to recognise and offer support to people who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. The highest rates of suicide in Wales are in men between 35 and 55. It’s anticipated that providing them with a space that focuses on both positive mental and physical wellbeing will be beneficial. More than £2m is also being invested in the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research at Swansea University.…

An energy saving grant scheme has invested over £5.4million to help sports clubs across Wales make improvements that lower energy costs and make their buildings more efficient. From keeping clubhouses cosy in winter to solar panels slashing electricity bills, more and more sports clubs have been able to make smart upgrades to become better at energy efficiency and save money thanks to the Energy Saving Grants scheme, run by Sport Wales and funded by Welsh Government. The sports awarded the funding vary from bowls and boxing, to cycling, skateboarding and cricket – and cover every local authority area in Wales.…