Summary

  • Strike action on Northern rail services across the region

  • 200 people at vigil for Katelyn Dawson

  • 'Wee for free' call from Yorkshire singer

  • National Park bosses to meet fracking company

  • Major fire at Nottingham affects Midland Mainline train services from South Yorkshire

  • Rare Sumatran tiger cub born at Flamingo Land's zoo

  • Police appeal over fatal bike crash in Barnsley

  • Man charged over death of York baby

  • North Yorkshire van driver sentenced for road rage attack on cyclist

  • Live updates on Friday 12 January

  1. Two charged in Barnsley house death murder inquirypublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    The two men appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with murder.

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  2. Gaming museum survives after £200,000 fundraiserpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A gaming museum in Sheffield say they have only survived through the pandemic after a huge fundraiser and support from video game developers.

    Connor Clarke, who works for the museum

    The National Videogame Museum raised more than £200,000 at the start of lockdown.

    They also received help from developers such as Sumo Digital, who make games like LittleBigPlanet.

    Connor Clarke, who works for the museum, said: “It’s been really difficult keeping the museum going over the last six months. We’ve had to put in a lot of Covid precautions such as big plastic screens and hand sanitising stations.”

    As part of a week-long BBC celebration, BBC Arts has dedicated a full day to bringing the UK's fantastic museums to a global audience.

  3. York moves into higher Tier 2 Covid restrictionspublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    The move to an area of high alert comes in response to a rise in coronavirus cases in the city.

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  4. Debt problems double during coronavirus outbreakpublished at 14:06 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A debt charity says 28% of people in Yorkshire have seen their income drop since the pandemic began.

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  5. 'Work together' plea as York handed extra Covid restrictionspublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    People living in York are being asked to "work together to protect the people and places we love" after it was announced the city would face further coronavirus restrictions.

    York ShamblesImage source, PA Media

    York was identified as being in Tier 1 on Monday as part of the government's new coronavirus alert system.

    However, from Saturday it will now be placed in Tier 2 - which is high - with some restrictions coming in as the city tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

    It means people living in York will not be able to socialise with people not in their household or social bubble while indoors.

    This is to be reviewed in 14 days, the council said.

    Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, said: “Our businesses have stepped up and created controlled safe spaces for people to safely enjoy the city. It is crucial that we continue in this spirit, shop local and work together to protect the people and places we love.

    “Together with our partners, we will continue to lobby the government for further financial support for our local businesses during this difficult time, as it is absolutely critical that the government unlock more funding for businesses and to ensure employment support in areas with additional restrictions."

  6. Thieves take 'sentimental' wallet from man, 87published at 13:07 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A wallet holding a lock of his late wife's hair was stolen from the man in a supermarket.

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  7. MP warns Tier 2 status 'won't stop' virus spread in Yorkpublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    York's Labour MP, Rachael Maskell, says moving the city into Tier 2 of the government's new three-tier system won't stop the spread of the virus.

    Rachael Maskell MP

    On Monday, York was placed in the Tier 1 category - which is medium.

    However, Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has announced it's now being moved into Tier 2 from Saturday - with restrictions on meeting people inside.

    Speaking in the House of Commons Ms Maskell said: "I do not believe the measures in Tier 2 are going to be sufficient to stop the spread of the virus in our city, which is rising incredibly sharply, in the older population too.

    "York experiences real challenges every winter because of the capacity issues at the hospital and without taking more acute action now, I'm concerned we're going to be in serious difficulty in just a few weeks time."

    The Health Secretary acknowledged the spread of the virus in York saying "the number of cases increased by 60% in York over the last week."

    Mr Hancock said: "My message to everybody in York, a city I know and love, is that it is so important all of us abide by these rules and reduce social contact - that way we can start to get the increase in the number of cases in York coming down."

  8. Analysis: York placed into Tier 2 of Covid alert systempublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Gemma Dillon
    Political Reporter, BBC Radio York

    With West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire already placed in the high risk tier there was a degree of inevitability that York would soon follow – quite how soon has come as a bit of a surprise to some.

    2m signImage source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

    The move up from the medium to high alert level comes just days after the new tier system was unveiled by the government.

    Local officials are broadly supportive of the move but are questioning why York wasn’t placed in the high tier on Monday given the number of coronavirus cases the city has.

    York's coronavirus rate per 100,000 people in the week to 11 October was 258.3, an increase from 195.6 the week before.

    People living and working in the city will be living under a new set of rules from Saturday.

    There is a hope though that the new restrictions will help stem the rise in transmissions of the virus – and experts say the city is a "long way off" needing to be placed in the "very high" tier.

  9. What are the restrictions for York?published at 12:08 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    It's been announced that from Saturday York will move into the second tier of the government's coronavirus alert system.

    2m signImage source, Reuters/Molly Darlington

    On Monday, it was placed in Tier 1 - which is medium - meaning there were some restrictions on who people could meet and where.

    However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now said it will be in Tier 2 - which is high - from 00:01 on Saturday.

    Tier 2 is triggered when a rise in transmission cannot be contained through local responses.

    Downing Street says the rules for people living in those areas are:

    • People must not meet anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting
    • This includes both homes and indoor public places
    • People must not meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space
    • People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible
    • If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport

    You can find out more about restrictions in each tier here.

  10. York to move into 'Tier 2' on coronavirus alert systempublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    People living in York will have further restrictions placed on them because of the city being moved into a higher tier of the coronavirus alert system.

    YorkImage source, PA Media

    The three tier system was brought in by the government earlier this week in response to a rising number of coronavirus cases.

    It's hoped the national system will make it easier for affected people to understand the rules.

    On Monday, York was placed in the Tier 1 category - which is medium.

    However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced it's now being moved into Tier 2 from Saturday - with restrictions on meeting people inside.

    It joins South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, which are also in Tier 2 - which is defined as high.

    The coronavirus tier system

    York's coronavirus rate per 100,000 people in the week to 11 October was 258.3, an increase from 195.6 the week before.

    York was the first place to have confirmed coronavirus cases in January after two people tested positive for the virus after staying at the Staycity apartment-hotel.

  11. Pictures show 'side of life that has disappeared'published at 11:32 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Christopher Pratt started to take pictures in Bradford in 1900 when he would have been 12 years old.

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  12. Barnsley Hospital halts non-essential visitingpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Barnsley Hospital has stopped all non-essential visiting because of a rise in coronavirus cases in the district.

    A NHS nurseImage source, Getty Images

    The hospital said it was a "difficult and important decision" designed to protect staff and patients.

    "Virtual visiting" is being used by the hospital to allow people to see patients without having to go into hospital.

    People receiving end-of-life care will be allowed visitors, as well as birthing partners and parents of children.

    In the week to 4 October, the area recorded 368 positive tests.

    That number increased to 671 in the week to 11 October.

    The latest week's cases give a rate per 100,000 people of 271.8.

    Barnsley Hospital’s director of nursing Jackie Murphy, said: “In light of the increased numbers of cases of coronavirus across our region, we feel we have to take action now to protect our patients, staff and local community.

    “Suspending non-essential visiting is a difficult decision to make however, given the current situation in our communities, it is the right one if we are to reduce the spread of coronavirus and take care of our most vulnerable patients."

  13. Self-isolating students told 'wait behind in fire'published at 10:39 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    The University of York asked self-isolating students to let others leave the building first.

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  14. Further charge over carjacking with sisters insidepublished at 10:25 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    The girls, aged four, five and seven, were in the Ford Kuga when it was stolen in Leeds.

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  15. Sentimental items in stolen wallet sought by policepublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A wallet containing sentimental items including photographs and a lock of hair was stolen from an elderly shopper in Pontefract earlier this week.

    MorrisonsImage source, Google

    Police say the victim was shopping in Morrisons on Tuesday when he felt someone nudge him.

    When he got to the tills, he noticed his wallet was missing.

    Staff stepped in to pay for the man's shopping.

    CCTV showed two men follow the victim, before one took the wallet from his pocket.

    An appeal has been launched to find the wallet, which contains a lock of hair from his late wife.

    Photographs of children and one of the man when he was in the Army are inside, West Yorkshire Police said.

    The wallet is black leather effect with brass corners.

    Anybody who finds the wallet or its contents are asked to get in touch with police.

  16. Yorkshire scientists included in £109m research fundingpublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    PA Media

    Yorkshire scientists involved in developing virus-resistant crops and investigating the use of artificial intelligence are among 101 of the UK's "most promising" researchers being backed by £109m of government funding.

    Scientist looking through microscopeImage source, David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

    The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said the investment would back solutions for issues such as climate change, food supply, cancer diagnosis and dementia treatment.

    Scientists in Yorkshire being supported through the funding include:

    • Dr Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso, at the University of Leeds, who's working to make UK crops resistant to viruses and the effects of climate change.
    • Dr Mauro Vallati, at the University of Huddersfield, who aims to create an artificial intelligence-driven, autonomous traffic management system to reduce traffic congestion.
    • Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, at the University of Sheffield, who will lead a study looking to combine technology and easy-to-use musical instruments to improve the mental, physical and emotional well-being of people with dementia.

    Delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the money aims to support the country's "most promising future science leaders" by helping to buy equipment or fund wages.

  17. Striker Grant set for West Brom medicalpublished at 09:18 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    West Brom close in on the signing of Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant, who is set for a medical with the Premier League club.

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  18. New Harrogate Covid test site to open doors next weekpublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A new walk-in coronavirus testing centre will open in Harrogate next week, it's been confirmed.

    Covid testingImage source, Reuters/Carl Recine

    North Yorkshire County Council says the testing site at the Dragon Road car park – which has hosted mobile testing units over several months – will open on 21 October.

    Testing at the full-time site will be available seven days a week, the council said, while another facility will also be built in Scarborough.

    North Yorkshire’s director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, said: “We have worked hard to retain and increase the level of testing across the county, so we are pleased our efforts have resulted in the creation of these two sites, which will be up and running shortly.

    "We will continue to lobby for further expansion of testing facilities across the county."

    After an initial pilot period, the centres will open between 08:00 and 20:00.

    Both sites will be walk-through centres, meaning people can arrive on foot rather than having to drive in.

    People must book tests in advance via the NHS website, external or by calling 119.

  19. Yorkshire's Thursday weather forecastpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    BBC Weather

    A day of sunshine with occasional showers and a moderate breeze.

    A cool night will follow, becoming cloudy with scattered showers and north-easterly breezes:

    Weather graphic
  20. Council tried to 'avoid scrutiny' over tree-felling schemepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A council published documents in the middle of the night to "avoid scrutiny" over its controversial tree-felling programme, a watchdog found.

    Felled treesImage source, Sheffield Trees Action Group

    Sheffield City Council has been involved in a long-running dispute over the scheme, which saw thousands of trees removed.

    A report by the local government ombudsman said it acted with a "lack of transparency, openness and, on occasion, honesty".

    The council has apologised in response.

    As part of the £2.2bn, 25-year street improvement works, contractors Amey removed trees that were assessed as dangerous, dead, diseased or dying.

    But many residents felt trees were removed unnecessarily, and it provoked scenes with protesters, police and arrests.

    Councillor Mark Jones, member for the Environment, Street Scene and Climate Change, said the council "fully accepts" the report findings.

    The council has developed a new tree strategy, external and the report said the council has been "working hard to restore people's faith".