THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, 17 December 2025

👋 Right then, York.
Fog’s rolling in, planning papers are landing, and police appeals are stacking up. From a £2bn regeneration milestone and urgent warnings on our streets, to job figures bucking national trends and a subterranean pub getting a glow-up - today’s briefing is busy, serious, and very York. Let’s get into it.

Cloudy today with a high of 10°C. A yellow fog warning is in force from midnight until 10am Wednesday, with visibility potentially below 100 metres across York and North Yorkshire.
Source: Met Office

⚠️ WEATHER WARNING

🌫️ Yellow fog warning: Midnight tonight through 10am Wednesday - The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for fog across central North Yorkshire from midnight tonight (December 18) until 10am Wednesday morning. Areas of fog will develop initially in the west before spreading east, with patches becoming dense and visibility potentially dropping below 100 metres. The affected area includes Selby, York, Thirsk, Ripon, and along the A1 and A19. 👉 Met Office | YorkMix

🚨 URGENT APPEALS

👤 Police helicopter joins hunt for missing 73-year-old from Sherburn - Christopher Haile, 73, has been missing from his Sherburn-in-Elmet home since 11am Monday (December 16). The NPAS helicopter is up, and extensive ground searches are sweeping through Sherburn-in-Elmet and Tadcaster. He’s described as approximately 5ft 8in tall, medium build with faded arm tattoos, clean-shaven, believed wearing navy jeans, loafers and a biker jacket with brown suede-fur inside. For immediate sightings dial 999. Quote reference NYP-16122025-0424. 👉 Gazette & Herald

👧 Masked man in van approaches girl in Stockton-on-the-Forest; police appeal - A man driving a transit van and wearing a black face covering told a young girl in Stockton-on-the-Forest village that he knows her mother before driving off. He’s described as white, aged 30s-40s, around 5ft 9in, large build, with brown hair and eyes. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the interaction or any further victims. Email lily.clennett@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 asking for Lily Clement. Quote reference 12250233630. 👉 York Press

“We’re particularly appealing for any information from anybody who has witnessed the interaction between the man and girl.

🏗️ MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

🏛️ £2bn York Central hits major milestone—999 homes, 213-room hotel, innovation hub - York Central’s transformative £2bn regeneration just submitted its phase 1C reserved matters planning application - the main chunk covering 999 homes (20% affordable), a 213-room hotel, innovation hub, retail and leisure units, significant parkland, and a brand new western entrance for York Railway Station. Decision expected early 2026, construction potentially starting late 2026, phase one completion targeted for late 2028. This is happening. 👉 World Construction Network

💻 Drax preps plans for massive 100MW data centre near Selby - Energy giant Drax is preparing plans for a 100MW data centre at its former coal power site near Selby - part of a wider £100m investment over the next five years. 👉 York Press

🚗 TRANSPORT

🅿️ HMO parking permit shakeup approved - some residents face £337 increase - Plans to abolish separate parking permits for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) have been approved, moving them onto the standard ResPark system where costs rise by permit amount and properties are capped at three vehicles. The first HMO permit holder will pay £115/year (down from £213 - winning!), but second and third permit holders will pay £264 and £550 respectively - meaning some residents will fork out £51-£337 more annually. 👉 YO1 Radio | YorkMix

💼 BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT

📊 York, Selby and Malton buck national trend with lower unemployment - The number of people unemployed in York, Malton and Selby is lower than it was last year, bucking national trends. York recorded 2,485 claimants in November (down 35 or 1% on last year), Ryedale had 585 (down 90 or 13%), and Selby counted 1,150 (down 250 or 10%). The over-50s saw particularly strong improvement: York down 60 (11%), Ryedale down 50 (24%), and Selby down 15 (5%). York Jobcentre is launching new 2026 initiatives including the Rise & Serve hospitality programme at The Grand Hotel, Walking Football Employability for over-50s, and a Jobs Fair on January 21 at Acomb Parish Church Hall. 👉 York Press

🥇 Naish Estate Agents wins gold for second straight year - Naish Estate Agents on High Petergate has won gold as York city centre estate agent of the year for 2025 in the British Property Awards - repeating last year’s success. The agency, which traces its roots to 1939, was taken over by Matt Hendry in 2023. Judges praised the team’s outstanding customer service levels throughout the extensive judging period. The award specifically removes barriers and bias, focusing purely on demonstrated customer service excellence. 👉 York Press

🔥 Farmers demand compensation after devastating wildfires - government says no - Farmers are calling for government compensation to help rebuild after devastating wildfires raged across the North York Moors for more than a month, destroying 5,000 acres of land. The government has flatly stated farmers are not eligible for compensation following the fires. Farmers say the destruction has left them struggling to recover and rebuild their livelihoods—5,000 acres is an apocalyptic amount of farmland to lose. 👉 ITV News

🍟 FOOD & DRINK

🏆 Scrap Box Dunnington nominated for national fish & chip award - The Scrap Box in Dunnington has been nominated in the marketing initiative of the year category at the National Fish & Chip Awards, with staff heading to London in February to compete for campaign creativity honours. Owner Aman Dhesi’s “Will It Fry?” campaign explored alternative fish species to make the industry more sustainable and resilient as cod and haddock become harder to source. Will pollock beat cod? Stay tuned. 👉 York Press

🍻 Historic Lendal Cellars pub gets major makeover with new outdoor bar - Historic Lendal Cellars - the subterranean bar in York’s 17th and 18th century cellars next to the Guildhall - is set for a significant upgrade inside and out. Greene King’s planning application includes a refreshed main bar with new backfitting, counter and glazed screen; new seating, booths and Altro safety flooring; updated lighting and refurbished toilets. Time for a pint in the depths. 👉 YorkMix

👥 CIVIC & COMMUNITY

🏅 Lord Mayor launches commendation scheme—city’s second highest honour - Lord Mayor Cllr Martin Rowley has launched the Lord Mayor’s Commendation Scheme to formally recognize outstanding contributions to York - becoming the city’s second highest civic honour after Freedom of the City. Six categories proposed: Outstanding Contribution to Local Community, Education, Local Sport, Environment, Care Sector, and the Lord Mayor’s Award. Nominations run January through February, with certificates awarded at a May reception at the Mansion House. All funding comes from the Civic Party budget, with cross-party support. 👉 York Press

❤️ St George’s Old Boys’ reunion raises £400 for Candlelighters - Former pupils of St George’s RC Secondary Modern School raised £400 for Candlelighters - a children’s cancer charity - at their annual reunion on Friday, November 28 at NHS Sports and Social Club. The event commemorated 40 years since the school closed in 1985. An anonymous Old Boy donated £100, matched by the St George’s Old Boys’ group, which was then doubled to £400 through the “Big Give” campaign. Next year’s reunion booked for Friday, November 27, 2026. 👉 Gazette & Herald

🎨 Artist rescues Kirkbymoorside shop window with festive artwork - Tom Randal stepped in with his festive artwork after Moorside Store in Kirkbymoorside had to board up their shop window when a car accidentally crashed into it. He was approached by Louise Mudd from Kirkbymoorside History Group to help bring some festive cheer whilst the damage is repaired. Louise said: “A huge thank you to Tom for coming to the rescue. Nick and Dian Hunt, who run Moorside Store, do a lot for the community so it is great if we can support them in time of need.” 👉 Gazette & Herald

🚨 CRIME

⚖️ Sherburn man sentenced for exposure offence - Jake Scarr, 33, of Admiral Way, Sherburn-in-Elmet, received a 20-week suspended prison sentence for exposure after performing a sex act outside a woman’s window late at night in May. The victim woke at 11pm to see Scarr looking in through her window and screamed at him to leave, but he continued before eventually departing. York magistrates ordered him to pay £650 compensation, banned him from contacting the victim or going near her home for five years, and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for seven years. 👉 Gazette & Herald

⚽ SPORT

🏉 York Valkyrie sign Australian half-back Abbey Fuz on two-year deal - York Valkyrie have signed Australian half-back Abbey Fuz on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026 Women’s Super League season. The highly-rated player joins from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where she featured for the Under 17s in the Lisa Fiaola Cup (2024) and Under 19s in the Tarsha Gale Cup (2025). Known for her pace and power, Fuz will compete in the halves with Ellie Williamson, Tamzin Renouf, and Liv Gale (returning from ACL injury) as the Valkyrie target more silverware. 👉 Yahoo Sports | York Press

Today’s stories show a city in motion - cautious, ambitious, and deeply connected. Stay safe in the fog, look out for one another, and we’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow.

The York Brief is compiled from trusted local sources including York Press, Gazette & Herald, YorkMix, and other verified outlets.