Building permits rise, but fewer flats planned
Local authorities in Shumen oblast issued permits for 46 residential buildings (168 flats, 25,673 m² floor area) and 55 other buildings (33,262 m² floor area) in Q1 2026.
Compared to Q4 2025, residential-building permits rose 24.3%, though the number of flats in them fell 45.1% and their combined floor area dropped 23.2%. Non-residential permits fell 49.5% by count but their floor area surged 190.9%.
Year-on-year (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2026), residential permits more than doubled (+119%), flats rose 102.4%, and floor area climbed 89.1%. Non-residential permits increased 14.6%, with floor area up more than twofold.
Source: shumenonline.bg (originally in Bulgarian)
Free heart screenings in nine Bulgarian cities, including Shumen
The Institute for Health Education's national campaign 'Protect Your Heart's Rhythm' offers free cardiac check-ups in nine cities, Shumen among them. On 28 May, Dr Erdinch Ahmed will screen people over 40 with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, excess weight, or family history of heart conditions.
Screenings include pulse measurement and ECG. Last year Shumen recorded 312 hospitalisations and three times as many outpatient consultations for atrial fibrillation. Book online (no GP referral needed) or call the hotline 0700 10 126 (weekdays 17:00–19:00).
Source: tvshumen.bg (originally in Bulgarian)
Sevgin Halmi appointed deputy regional governor
Prime minister Rumen Radev named Sevgin Halmi, 45, deputy regional governor of Shumen oblast, effective 20 May. Halmi holds a master's in Business Economics and Management from Shumen University.
He previously worked as an assistant to an MEP (2015–2021), then at the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Sofia, and earlier in Kaolinovo municipal administration. His portfolio covered humanitarian activities and consumer protection.
Source: tvshumen.bg (originally in Bulgarian)
Driver detained after testing positive for methamphetamine
Police stopped a light vehicle with Shumen plates at 20:10 on 19 May. The driver, a 24-year-old from Novi Pazar, tested positive for methamphetamine. He provided a blood sample for analysis and was held for up to 24 hours. Court proceedings have begun.
Source: tvshumen.bg (originally in Bulgarian)
Shumen to mark 150 years since the April Uprising
On 25 May, the 'Early Birds' running club organises a relay from Panayot Volov's house-museum in Shumen to his monument in Byala (120 km, 12 runners), finishing around 18:30.
On 26 May from 12:00, historical tents open on Oborishte square. At 18:45 a torchlit march, 'The Path of the Apostles', leaves the house-museum for the monument, where wreaths will be laid. A ceremonial Zaria-proverka (twilight roll-call) with cadets from the Vasil Levski National Military University closes the programme at 20:30.
Source: tvshumen.bg (originally in Bulgarian)