Whether it has been breaking news, major developments, events or enriching stories The Lincolnite has been on hand to keep you informed throughout 2018.
We have taken a look back at some of the biggest stories of the year as a reminder as to what 2018 has brought for Lincoln.
Beast from the East
It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting snow this holiday yet, but we certainly got it back in March.
The Lincolnite’s live blog was the most read article on the website this year, keeping Yellowbellies up-to-date with helpful information including travel, school information and event cancellations, such as the Lincoln 10K.
Drivers have not been warned about the change of rules, except for a small yellow notice on their signs.
It reads: “If you leave this site whilst this vehicle remains in the car park you may be liable to receive a parking charge.”
Lincoln bus station bomb scare
Lincoln went into lockdown after the bus station was evacuated, with some roads also closed due to the discovery of a suspicious package on an incoming bus on Tuesday, October 9.
Hundreds of people waited behind a police cordon while the bomb squad investigated the package, which turned out to be ‘a genuine bit of lost shopping’.
The suspicious package sent Lincoln into lockdown.
When the first image of the ‘shopping’ was released, which turned out to be a water pump, it highlighted why the bus operators made the decision to report the item to police.
Although it proved frustrating for many people, it was reassuring to see the response of the emergency services and the city council in what could have been a worse situation.
Missing man found in river
Micheal Hull had been reported missing after a night out in Lincoln.
An inquest was opened the following week into the death of Michael, who had been on a night out at Home nightclub in Lincoln with friends before walking home on his own.
Lincolnshire Police and underwater search teams had scoured the area after receiving a report he was seen on Gaunt Street in the early hours of the morning. He was sadly found by divers while the area was cordoned off.
Extra patrols were put in place after a bush cutter hedged their bets after striking a property on St Edwards Drive in Sudbrooke near Lincoln in the middle of the night twice in one week.
Holes were cut in the neatly trimmed greenery, sparking a police investigation.
Goodbye Widow Cullens Well, Hello Craft 2.0 & Cosy Club
A regular sight on Steep Hill. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It hasn’t all been doom and gloom though as the city has celebrated businesses arriving such as the returning Craft 2.0 and new venues Cosy Club, Jump Inc and Lakeland.
He denied possession of a document with intent to deceive between December 4, 2017 and May 15 2018 relating to ‘a document so closely resembling an Irish driving licence as to be calculated to deceive.
He also denied that between March 1 and May 15 this year he made a false statement by claiming he was the holder of an Irish driving licence.
Judge Andrew Easteal granted Martin unconditional bail and adjourned the case for a two day trial to commence at Lincoln Crown Court in July 2019.
Iconic Strelitzia home
Owner of Strelitzia takes The Lincolnite on a tour. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Strelitzia house definitely stands out on the hillside, but the white, yellow and entirely unique building also stands proud.
The Tiago Lincoln Brazilian restaurant closed in February this year after receiving a very poor hygiene rating of 1/5 from City of Lincoln Council inspectors.
Alarm bells by Lincolnshire County Council, which stated care at the home was “not adequate”. This led to an unannounced inspection by CQC on June 6-7.
The Lincolnite posted a controversial video of users taking drugs in an alcove on Clasketgate and it sparked a debate on how to solve the city’s drug problem.
They filmed at Lincoln Cathedral for the last episode of the third season with the audience singing a hymn.
It was then to the Showground on the Saturday for the last part of filming for the final episode of series three of Amazon’s Grand Tour to celebrate “the end of a piece of British motoring history”.
Midwife in hair colour controversy
The colour of Donna Crichton’s hair has caused controversy at work.
Grace pictured at her graduation earlier this year. Photo: Facebook
One of the saddest stories we had to write this year was that of Grace Millane, who went missing while on an around-the-world backpacking trip in New Zealand earlier this month.
As each development in the story became more tragic, it was tough to see father David Millane give an emotional press conference before a body was later discovered, which was confirmed to be that of Grace.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed in July that RAF Scampton, home of the Red Arrows, will be sold off.
The base, which is currently home to 600 members of staff, will close by 2022 and talks are underway to enable the Red Arrows to move to another location.
MP for Lincoln Karen Lee delivered a petition, signed by over 3,700 people, to Ministry of Defence minister Tobais Ellwood last month.
She petitioned against the move and began a petition to keep the Red Arrows in the county. The RAF also celebrated its centenary year in 2018.
St Marks development
Fresh designs for the 1,300 student flats on St Marks.
City of Lincoln Council previously dismissed the designs for the flats as “bland”, but have now approved the proposal.
When completed, the major development will also include a number of new shops, hotel and a car park with up to 1,100 spaces.
The development proposed by Aberdeen Standard Investments has seen demolition begin on the vacant Homebase, Lidl and Topps Tiles units.
All the shops to the west of Debenhams will be demolished and replaced with new retail units, leisure space and other amenities. Space would also be made for cycle storage and management facilities.
Options discussed also include the possibility of a new cinema and waterfront restaurants and the scheme has the potential to generate up to 2,000 new jobs in the city.
Merging debate
The merging debate got a lot of people in Lincoln talking this year.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A Lincoln resident is frustrated with vehicles parking on single yellow lines on Lincoln High Street, while the county council says the current regulation order means it’s unable to enforce the area properly, despite signage saying cars cannot park there.
Richard Bridgen has been living off Riverside Drive in Lincoln for around five years now, and over recent months he has noticed a particular trend around parking on a section of the High Street, which can impede his view as he tries to turn from Gaunt Street.
Lincoln residents in the Boultham area have become increasingly hesitant to report crime, citing concerns that the shortage in police staffing will lead to a lack of response.
Lincolnshire County Councillor Kevin Clarke (Labour) reports being contacted by multiple residents in the last few months who have suffered break-ins at their homes or gardens. Despite these incidents, they claim to have received minimal support from Lincolnshire Police.
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