Author: Rhys Gregory

Matthew James, 39, from Merthyr Tydfil, has been sentenced to five years and 239 days in prison following his conviction for supplying cocaine. Leah Thomas 26, from Merthyr Tydfil has been sentenced to three years in prison following her conviction for supplying cocaine. The sentencing took place on Friday January 16, 2026, at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court where James and Thomas both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine The case stems from a South Wales police investigation which started by officers monitoring two mobile phone numbers, which were sending out bulk messages advertising the sale of…

The North Wales Police Major Crime Review Team is renewing its investigation into the murder of an unidentified man whose remains were discovered in Clocaenog Forest, Conwy, in November 2015. The remains were found during a stage of the Wales GB Rally after a spectator discovered parts of a human skull in the forest. Following a forensic examination at the scene, the near complete skeletal remains of the man were recovered. In the extensive investigative work that followed, it was established that the body had lain undiscovered for more than 10 years and that the man had suffered a violent death.…

Transport for Wales (TfW) will be trialling a direct service to North Wales from Cardiff following both World Cup play-off fixtures in March. For the first time, a dedicated post-match 23:00 service will run from Cardiff to Holyhead, ensuring fans can return home the same night. With both fixtures expected to be sell-outs, TfW have strengthened capacity across the network to accommodate the demand. The trial will take place for the following fixtures: Thursday 26 March: Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina Tuesday 31 March: Wales v Italy or Northern Ireland While TfW has consistently provided post-event travel to Wrexham and…

Helen White has officially joined Denbighshire County Council this week in her role as Chief Executive. A Welsh speaker who was raised in Henllan, Helen has been Chief Executive Officer with Taff Housing since 2019. Having started her career in housing and community development, Helen brings a wealth of experience to Denbighshire with over 20 years working across the public, voluntary and private sectors. Helen joins a well performing council which was praised as ‘well-run’ in its Panel Performance Assessment at the end of 2024. It is also a pivotal time for the council in challenging times as it continues…

Caerphilly Play is inviting primary schools across the county borough to take part in an exciting creative competition to design a brand-new mascot that will represent the service and the importance of play. The competition challenges pupils to create a fun, vibrant and memorable character that reflects the values of Caerphilly Play. The winning design will be professionally brought to life and become the official Caerphilly Play mascot, appearing across promotional materials, social media and at events. As part of the competition, schools are being asked to design a mascot that is colourful and playful, reflects fun, creativity and inclusivity,…

Monmouthshire County Council has announced a significant upgrade to the all‑weather pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre, marking an exciting step forward for community sport in the area. The project will see the current 2G synthetic surface replaced with a state‑of‑the‑art 3G pitch, delivering a safer, more durable, and high‑quality playing experience for schools, clubs and local residents. This investment forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing sport and play facilities, creating vibrant and accessible spaces that inspire participation and enjoyment for all ages. The development is being made possible thanks to the support of key funding partners: the…

More than 100 Powys residents are to receive a letter from the county council inviting them to claim a one-off £100 cash payment to help with winter energy bills. The funding, from Welsh Government, is for low-income households with a disabled resident. The council is writing to those it thinks are eligible, and asking them to confirm or supply bank details, so it can pass on the money. There are no restrictions on how the £100 Low-Income Disabled Household Winter Payment (Wales) can be spent. “This payment is intended to help households with higher winter energy costs, reduce financial pressure,…

Final preparations are underway for the launch of new NHS services in all parts of Wales to improve access to vital healthcare services for women. The first pathfinder women’s health hub will open before the end of January, with hubs in place in each health board area by early March. The hubs are a key commitment in the NHS-led Women’s Health Plan. They will provide integrated women’s health services, focussing on three priority areas: menstrual health, contraception, and menopause. The hubs will be tailored to local needs, but all will be based on a core set of values and principles…

The Welsh Government will today publish its Final Budget for 2026 to 27, setting out £27.5bn of funding for people, public services and businesses across Wales. The budget represents an increase of £1.2bn compared to 2025 to 26 and will confirm how funding is allocated across government departments ahead of the next Senedd election. The final package follows the Draft Budget published in the final quarter of 2025, which Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford described at the time as “just the start”, as he urged cross party cooperation to ensure the budget was agreed. When the draft plans were unveiled, the…

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, has championed the strength and innovation of Welsh manufacturing and reiterated the Welsh Government’s unwavering support for the vital sector on a visit to one of the largest private sector businesses in the Mid Wales region. NIDEC Drives, formerly known as Control Techniques, has been a cornerstone of Mid Wales’ economy for over five decades. The business, which designs and manufactures advanced electric motor control technology, was founded in 1973 as a small start-up and has since grown into an international success. With a turnover of around £125m, the company…