rssJun 17, 2026, 04:03

Eight rat nests under living room floor: Pests plague Haarlem neighborhood

Residents in Haarlem's Kleverpark neighborhood are facing a severe rat infestation, with some discovering nests under their floors and experiencing house subsidence due to sewer issues. A dispute has arisen between the municipality and locals over whether the cause is litter or an aging public sewer system. Alderman Robbert Berkhout has promised to present a plan to address the problem after the summer.

Politics Lifestyle Health Haarlem Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Concerns over ending emergency care in Hoofddorp? Information evening draws few visitors

The Spaarne Gasthuis hospital plans to centralize 24-hour emergency care in Haarlem-Zuid by 2033, effectively closing the emergency department in Hoofddorp. Despite significant public and political backlash regarding travel times, a recent information evening in Hoofddorp drew very few attendees.

Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other

Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spaces at locations like the Haarlem train station, he encourages people to overcome social hesitation through simple steps like greeting and complimenting strangers.

Veilig Thuis overwhelmed by reports of domestic violence and child abuse

The Dutch reporting center Veilig Thuis is overwhelmed by a significant surge in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, leading to dangerous delays in providing assistance. Experts are calling for legislative reforms and the establishment of unified local teams to simplify the current fragmented support system and ensure families receive timely help.

Municipality to open its own healthy restaurant to combat excess of fast food outlets

The Amsterdam municipal government plans to open and then deny a permit for its own unhealthy restaurant to test legal limits regarding health-based zoning. By taking the matter to court, officials aim to establish a precedent that would allow the city to restrict new fast-food establishments in the future.

Haarlem takes financial risk with new Spaarne Gasthuis construction

Haarlem is assuming significant financial risk by providing a 100 million euro guarantee and committing to purchase the current hospital site for 25 million euros to keep the Spaarne Gasthuis in the city. The initiative ensures 24-hour emergency care remains in Haarlem, though the city has deferred requirements for building staff housing.