News in Basildon

ESSEX firefighters braved a house fire in Basildon today to rescue three cats!

Crews were called to a tumble dryer on fire in a terraced house in Long Riding this morning (Monday, 1 February) and when arrived they reported the ground floor of the house was full of smoke.

SOUTH Essex College is launching a new web development course at its modern digital campus in Basildon.

The course, Web Application Development Level 5, is a professional adult qualification. It's designed to upskill those already working in a website development role but also to offer students with no previous experience in programming a pathway to employment.

AN innovative way has been found to keep emergency teams working for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service is protecting patients and crew members by decontaminating crews and equipment with specially-prepared water containing salt and electricity which instantly kills 99.99% of bacteria, fungi and viruses.

A 32-YEAR-old man will appear in court tomorrow, Monday 1 February, to face a string of charges in relation to a collision in Basildon.

Didzis Ozols of Bardfield, Vange, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court to face the following charges; failing to stop after a road accident; driving a motor vehicle without insurance; driving whilst disqualified; driving whilst unfit through drink; and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

A BASILDON bus operator, who once made national newspaper headlines after illegal immigrants hid in his coach, has been jailed for six years today after admitting a series of sex offences against a child 30 years ago.

Laurence Bourne, 68, carried out the abuse in Basildon between 1989 and 1992.

A BASILDON woman has been charged with murder following the death of Paul Fletcher in Rayleigh on New Year's Day.

Mr Fletcher, who also known by the nickname 'Dod', was found unresponsive at an address in Worcester Drive at around 1am on New Year's Day and, sadly, died at the scene.

COUNCILLORS in Basildon have approved a new policy that will give access to digital technology to some of the borough's most disadvantaged residents.

The new Digital Inclusion Policy was approved at a meeting of Basildon Council's Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday, 28 January.

BASILDON Council's portion of council tax should be frozen for the second consecutive year, and street lights should continue to stay lit through the night across the borough.

These are some of the measures contained in the proposed budget for 2021/22, agreed by councillors at Basildon Council's Policy and Resources Committee last night (Thursdayn 28 January).

A COVID-19-stricken nurse from Basildon has told of the special moment she saw and held her daughter almost three months after her birth.

Pregnant Eva Gicain, 30, who works at a London hospital, was rushed to the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge in October when she became seriously ill with Covid-19 after baby Elleana was delivered about a month early by C-section, but Mrs Gicain has no memory of her birth.

LAST June, after the worldwide protests following the murder of George Floyd in America, the leader of Basildon Council and the Mayor of Basildon hosted a Zoom call with BAME community leaders from across the borough.

The aim was to talk about the issues that block the progress of some sections of our community and the barriers that prevent everyone reaching their full potential.