Owners Ordered to Stop Smoke at Burnt Mill

Region Gotland is requiring the owner of the burnt-down mill in Havdhem to stop the smoke within three weeks. At the same time, the Riksbank is raising its policy rate to 2.0 percent, and several villas on Gotland have new owners.

Demand to stop the smoke from the mill in Havdhem

Nearly two months after the mill fire in Havdhem, it is still smouldering at the site. The mill burned down on 13 September and was left to burn without being completely extinguished, in order not to spread toxins into the groundwater. Residents of the community have been forced to live with smoke from the fire and concern about toxins.

Region Gotland's Department of Environmental and Health Protection now requires, through a formal order, that the owner stop the smouldering fire and the smoke. Region Gotland is the regional organisation responsible for, among other things, environmental and health protection. According to Helagotland, the owner has three weeks to comply. The case was first reported by P4 Gotland. Helagotland

Riksbanken raises the policy rate to 2.0 percent

Riksbanken, Sweden’s central bank, is raising the policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.0 percent. It is the first increase since 2023, and the bank is flagging more to come. “We expect the interest rate to rise somewhat further,” says the Governor of Riksbanken to TT.

The decision is justified by a stronger economy and cost increases due to supply disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East, which mean inflation is expected to rise going forward. A higher policy rate makes borrowing more expensive. Helagotland

Several villas in Gotland have changed hands

At Valldammsvägen 7 in Klinte, the price was 3 300 000 kronor for a house of 128 square metres built in 1980. That is 26 000 kronor per square metre, 10 percent above the median price per square metre for villas in Klinte over the past year. The sale was completed in October 2026. In September, the house at Snickaregatan 9 nearby was sold for 2 945 000 kronor; it is 127 square metres.

At Stångagatan 12 in Visby, the price was 4 900 000 kronor for 146 square metres of living space, 33 500 kronor per square metre and 25 percent below the median for Visby Östra Vi/Skarphäll over the past year. The previous owner bought the house in June 2025 for 4 975 000 kronor. At Fidegatan 9 nearby, the price was 4 950 000 kronor for 110 square metres.

In Gammelgarn, the price was 4 995 000 kronor for the property Gammelgarn Skogby 781: 99 square metres of living space, a plot of 3 804 square metres and built in 1968. The price per square metre was 50 500 kronor, 11 percent higher than the median for villas in Kräklingbo over the past year. A plot at Gammelgarn Klinte 721 was sold earlier this year for 940 000 kronor. Helagotland Helagotland Helagotland

Sports clubs receive 270,378 kronor from Gräsroten

Gotland's sports clubs receive 270,378 kronor through Svenska Spel's Gräsroten, an initiative in which the gaming company Svenska Spel distributes money to sports clubs. That is 3,965 kronor more than in 2025. Visby Roma receives the most with 22,094 kronor, followed by Gute with 20,162 kronor and Endre with 19,535 kronor.

Klintehamns IK receives 12,035 kronor for its youth activities. The money has, among other things, gone towards equipment as more people have taken up table tennis. “We have a large influx to our table tennis. With funds from Gräsroten, we have been able to purchase equipment so that all children and young people who want to participate can do so,” says a leader at the club. Helagotland

Few use seatbelts on Gotland's buses

A former traffic police officer believes that far too few passengers use seatbelts on buses on Gotland. "The use of seatbelts on the island's buses is almost nonexistent", he tells Helagotland and says that few adults use seatbelts despite it being required by law.

Concern was raised by the serious bus accident outside Växjö. Helagotland

Young man charged with rape in central Visby

A young man has been charged at Gotland District Court, suspected of rape in central Visby. A district court is the general court where criminal cases are heard. According to the charge, the incident is said to have occurred in early July this year, and the man is alleged to have carried out sexual acts with a woman who is said not to have participated voluntarily.

The evidence includes medical records and statements from several witnesses who had contact with the woman after the incident. The man denied the allegations during questioning. Helagotland

In brief

• Gotlands Humanistiska Förbund's October meeting dealt with modern research on Bulverket in the Tingstäde wetland, an ancient site dating from the 1130s with four docks measuring approximately 170 by 30 metres. Helagotland
• A well-attended pea soup festival was held in Eksta. Helagotland