Young people in Guernsey are being offered free self-testing for two sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
People aged 16 to 25 can get the packs that test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea from The Orchard Centre at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and Choices in St Peter Port.
A full
consultation with a health professional is not required.
Laura
Brouard, from The Orchard Centre, said: “We are aware
of the barriers that young people face when attending the clinic for screening
so we wanted to adapt our processes to make it easier and more client-friendly
for young people to access our services.
"This will hopefully encourage more young people to get tested and
therefore take charge of their sexual health. Still the most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections
is to use condoms.”
Free cervical screening for women in Guernsey and Alderney
BBC Radio Guernsey
Free cervical screening has been introduced in Guernsey and Alderney for women aged between 25 and 65.
The costs of free screening will be covered by the Committee for Health Social Care (HSC). Previously, women between those ages had to pay for the screening
Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink said about five new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in Guernsey and Alderney annually, with between one and two deaths from cervical cancer recorded a year.
She said she hoped the programme moved towards a goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the Bailiwick.
Man in court charged with assaulting police officer
BBC Radio Jersey
A man has appeared at Jersey's Magistrate's Court, charged with assaulting a female police officer in the early hours of New Year's Day.
It follows an incident on Princes Tower Road in St Saviour just before 02:00 on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old, from St Helier, has been charged with the grave and criminal assault of a police officer.
He was released on bail, subject to a curfew, until his next court appearance on 16 January.
Jersey Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
A home in Jersey has been extensively damaged in a fire.
Emergency crews were called to the property on Old Beaumont Hill at 08:24 after "smoke could be seen issuing from the roof tiles and popping noises could be heard from inside", Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
Two persons escaped from the property unharmed as the fire
ripped through a roof void above a bathroom.
The upper floors were extensively damaged by fire, and smoke
damaged much of the rest of the property.
Crews
remained at the scene for four-and-a-half hours, cutting back the fire damaged
areas and damping down.
Initial investigations reveal that the cause may have
originated in the electrics.
Rape accused men re-appear in court
BBC Radio Jersey
Five men accused of rape have re-appeared in Jersey Magistrate's Court.
The men - aged between 18 and 24, and all from Romania - have been charged with raping a woman in Trinity on 16 December.
The five, who were in court on Monday morning, were all remanded in custody.
Their cases have already been committed to the Royal Court and they are next due in court on 30 January.
Guernsey has sixth warmest year since records began
BBC Radio Guernsey
Forecasters in Guernsey have made their way through the stats for 2018 and declared last year was the sixth warmest since records began in 1894, reaching a peak of 28C in July.
The year also saw more than 2,000 hours of sunshine.
Forecasters in Jersey have made their way through the stats for 2018 and declared last year was the third sunniest and 10th warmest since records began in 1894.
The year saw more than 2,300 hours of sunshine.
December was also the ninth warmest since records began.
Alderney has one of the worst plastic problems for birds in the British Isles, according to a new study from the Wildlife Trusts.
The survey found nearly every gannet nest on Alderney contained plastic - posing a significant risk to birds and chicks.
The study said that the "plastic mass continues to build up and it poses a significant risk to chicks and adults alike as they become entangled or end up eating it".
"We can only assume all seabirds are affected by plastic pollution," it added.
Quote Message: We've seen a steady build-up in marine discard, especially non-intentional discard such as ghosts nets - amounts of plastic coming out of netting; but also human waste. We see everything up to and including bin liners, crisps packets, all sorts of plastics." from Roland Gauvain Alderney Wildlife Trust,
We've seen a steady build-up in marine discard, especially non-intentional discard such as ghosts nets - amounts of plastic coming out of netting; but also human waste. We see everything up to and including bin liners, crisps packets, all sorts of plastics."
Devon search for missing Guernsey man continues
Rob Byrne
BBC News Online
Police are still searching for a man from Guernsey who has been missing for nearly two weeks.
Jason Wickenden, 44, was last seen in Dartmouth, south Devon, on 20 December.
The former Guernsey resident lives in the south coast town. He is described as 5ft 6in (1.7m), with a medium build and light brown shoulder length hair.
Devon and Cornwall Police said he was last seen wearing a black and white Musto jacket with a yellow hood, a grey knitted turtle neck jumper and dark blue jeans
A fine start to the day with sunshine across the islands.
It will then stay mainly dry through the day, but turning cloudier to leave a rather cloudy afternoon.
Feeling chillier with highs of 7C (44F).
Jersey:
BBCCopyright: BBC
Guernsey:
BBCCopyright: BBC
Two police officers assaulted in Jersey on New Year's Eve
BBC Radio Jersey
Two people have been arrested after separate assaults on police officers, the States of Jersey Police has said.
A man is due to appear at Jerseys Magistrates Court later, charged with the grave and criminal assault of a female police officer on New Year's Eve.
The 34-year-old remains in police custody after he was arrested on Princes Tower Road in St Saviour.
Meanwhile, a 29-year-old man has been charged over a separate assault on a police constable in St Helier.
The man is due to appear at court on Thursday morning following the incident in Columbus Street on New Year's Eve.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Plans for Channel Islands 'life-saving' helicopter service
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
An emergency helicopter could soon be available around the clock in the Channel Islands to take people to hospital in the UK.
Two islanders - a coastguard and a firefighter with experience of helicopters - have set up a new charity called Air Rescue Channel Islands.
They're hoping to raise £1.5m to get the service off the ground by the summer.
Despite both Jersey and Guernsey having fixed wing air ambulance aeroplanes which provide
medical transfers, there has been an increase in the use of UK coastguard helicopters
across the islands - according to Andrew Scott-Miller and Mark Birrell.
They said the locally-based helicopter can make the journey in about one hour and has the added advantage of being able to land at UK hospital
helipads as well as returning the accompanying medical staff to the islands on the return
flight.
They added with government
funding, some sponsorship and public support, this "lifeline will become a reality".
Air Rescue Channel IslandsCopyright: Air Rescue Channel Islands
Quote Message: I believe, with the support of islanders, we can deliver this life-saving service. The support and goodwill we have received from both the public and governments has been empowering. There is a real sense that everyone is aware just how much this service is needed, and they are going out of their way to make it a reality. from Andrew Scott-Miller One of the people behind the project
I believe, with the support of islanders, we can deliver this life-saving service. The support and goodwill we have received from both the public and governments has been empowering. There is a real sense that everyone is aware just how much this service is needed, and they are going out of their way to make it a reality.
Transport pump stolen in St Peter Port
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
A red Honda transfer pump has been stolen from St Peter Port, Guernsey Police has said.
It was taken between the end of November and beginning of December, officers added.
Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with PC 136 ABREU on 725 111 or to contact Crimestoppers.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images View more on twitterView more on twitter 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Jersey Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Jersey Fire and Rescue Service 
View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter 
View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Jersey Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Jersey Fire and Rescue Service 
Alderney Wildlife TrustCopyright: Alderney Wildlife Trust 
Devon & Cornwall PoliceCopyright: Devon & Cornwall Police 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Air Rescue Channel IslandsCopyright: Air Rescue Channel Islands 
Guernsey PoliceCopyright: Guernsey Police
Latest PostSt Clement win 2019 Trinity Shield
St Clement win the Trinity Shield for the first time in 11 years after beating St Saviour 4-1 at Springfield.
Read moreSTI self-test offered to young people in Guernsey
Johanna Carr
BBC News Online
Young people in Guernsey are being offered free self-testing for two sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
People aged 16 to 25 can get the packs that test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea from The Orchard Centre at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and Choices in St Peter Port.
A full consultation with a health professional is not required.
Laura Brouard, from The Orchard Centre, said: “We are aware of the barriers that young people face when attending the clinic for screening so we wanted to adapt our processes to make it easier and more client-friendly for young people to access our services.
"This will hopefully encourage more young people to get tested and therefore take charge of their sexual health. Still the most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to use condoms.”
Security lanes open again at airport
Free cervical screening for women in Guernsey and Alderney
BBC Radio Guernsey
Free cervical screening has been introduced in Guernsey and Alderney for women aged between 25 and 65.
The costs of free screening will be covered by the Committee for Health Social Care (HSC). Previously, women between those ages had to pay for the screening
Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink said about five new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in Guernsey and Alderney annually, with between one and two deaths from cervical cancer recorded a year.
She said she hoped the programme moved towards a goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the Bailiwick.
Man in court charged with assaulting police officer
BBC Radio Jersey
A man has appeared at Jersey's Magistrate's Court, charged with assaulting a female police officer in the early hours of New Year's Day.
It follows an incident on Princes Tower Road in St Saviour just before 02:00 on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old, from St Helier, has been charged with the grave and criminal assault of a police officer.
He was released on bail, subject to a curfew, until his next court appearance on 16 January.
CI weather: Staying cloudy
BBC Weather
Wednesday evening and overnight will remain generally dry, but mostly cloudy with the risk of the odd shower later on in the night.
Minimum temperature: 3 to 6C (37 to 43F).
On Thursday it will remain rather cloudy through the day, with the risk of one or two light showers. A light easterly wind.
Maximum temperature: 4 to 7C (39 to 45F).
Jersey:
Guernsey:
Plastic 'risks 8,000 island gannet nests'
The pollution problem facing the birds in Alderney has increased dramatically, say conservationists.
Read moreHome extensively damaged in fire
Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live
A home in Jersey has been extensively damaged in a fire.
Emergency crews were called to the property on Old Beaumont Hill at 08:24 after "smoke could be seen issuing from the roof tiles and popping noises could be heard from inside", Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
Two persons escaped from the property unharmed as the fire ripped through a roof void above a bathroom.
The upper floors were extensively damaged by fire, and smoke damaged much of the rest of the property.
Crews remained at the scene for four-and-a-half hours, cutting back the fire damaged areas and damping down.
Initial investigations reveal that the cause may have originated in the electrics.
Rape accused men re-appear in court
BBC Radio Jersey
Five men accused of rape have re-appeared in Jersey Magistrate's Court.
The men - aged between 18 and 24, and all from Romania - have been charged with raping a woman in Trinity on 16 December.
The five, who were in court on Monday morning, were all remanded in custody.
Their cases have already been committed to the Royal Court and they are next due in court on 30 January.
Guernsey has sixth warmest year since records began
BBC Radio Guernsey
Forecasters in Guernsey have made their way through the stats for 2018 and declared last year was the sixth warmest since records began in 1894, reaching a peak of 28C in July.
The year also saw more than 2,000 hours of sunshine.
Jersey has 10th warmest year since records began
Andrew Segal
BBC South West
Forecasters in Jersey have made their way through the stats for 2018 and declared last year was the third sunniest and 10th warmest since records began in 1894.
The year saw more than 2,300 hours of sunshine.
December was also the ninth warmest since records began.
Property 'extensively damaged' after fire in roof
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
The upper floors of a property in Jersey have been "extensively damaged" in a fire.
Jersey Fire and Rescue Service was called to the blaze on Le Vieux Beaumont, St Peter at about midday.
It said 14 firefighters were on the scene to tackle the fire - which started in the roof space - and it has now been extinguished.
No-one was injured and the road is expected to reopen within the next hour, crews added.
Jersey road closed after property fire
Twitter
Fire crews are currently dealing with a blaze at a property on Le Vieux Beaumont, St Peter.
The road is closed while crews are at the scene, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
People are asked to find an alternative route.
Alderney gannets 'nearly all have plastic in nests'
BBC Radio Guernsey
Alderney has one of the worst plastic problems for birds in the British Isles, according to a new study from the Wildlife Trusts.
The survey found nearly every gannet nest on Alderney contained plastic - posing a significant risk to birds and chicks.
The study said that the "plastic mass continues to build up and it poses a significant risk to chicks and adults alike as they become entangled or end up eating it".
"We can only assume all seabirds are affected by plastic pollution," it added.
Devon search for missing Guernsey man continues
Rob Byrne
BBC News Online
Police are still searching for a man from Guernsey who has been missing for nearly two weeks.
Jason Wickenden, 44, was last seen in Dartmouth, south Devon, on 20 December.
The former Guernsey resident lives in the south coast town. He is described as 5ft 6in (1.7m), with a medium build and light brown shoulder length hair.
Devon and Cornwall Police said he was last seen wearing a black and white Musto jacket with a yellow hood, a grey knitted turtle neck jumper and dark blue jeans
Anyone who has seen Mr Wickenden or has any relevant information is being asked to contact the force.
Weather: Mainly dry with a cloudy afternoon expected
BBC Weather
A fine start to the day with sunshine across the islands.
It will then stay mainly dry through the day, but turning cloudier to leave a rather cloudy afternoon.
Feeling chillier with highs of 7C (44F).
Jersey:
Guernsey:
Two police officers assaulted in Jersey on New Year's Eve
BBC Radio Jersey
Two people have been arrested after separate assaults on police officers, the States of Jersey Police has said.
A man is due to appear at Jerseys Magistrates Court later, charged with the grave and criminal assault of a female police officer on New Year's Eve.
The 34-year-old remains in police custody after he was arrested on Princes Tower Road in St Saviour.
Meanwhile, a 29-year-old man has been charged over a separate assault on a police constable in St Helier.
The man is due to appear at court on Thursday morning following the incident in Columbus Street on New Year's Eve.
Plans for Channel Islands 'life-saving' helicopter service
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
An emergency helicopter could soon be available around the clock in the Channel Islands to take people to hospital in the UK.
Two islanders - a coastguard and a firefighter with experience of helicopters - have set up a new charity called Air Rescue Channel Islands.
They're hoping to raise £1.5m to get the service off the ground by the summer.
Despite both Jersey and Guernsey having fixed wing air ambulance aeroplanes which provide medical transfers, there has been an increase in the use of UK coastguard helicopters across the islands - according to Andrew Scott-Miller and Mark Birrell.
They said the locally-based helicopter can make the journey in about one hour and has the added advantage of being able to land at UK hospital helipads as well as returning the accompanying medical staff to the islands on the return flight.
They added with government funding, some sponsorship and public support, this "lifeline will become a reality".
Transport pump stolen in St Peter Port
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
A red Honda transfer pump has been stolen from St Peter Port, Guernsey Police has said.
It was taken between the end of November and beginning of December, officers added.
Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with PC 136 ABREU on 725 111 or to contact Crimestoppers.