Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Hertfordshire's resident fire dog, Reqs, has been busy training with his colleagues in Leicester today.

We're all on tenterhooks here, but there's still no official word on whether Robbie Neilson is the new MK Dons manager.

But it seems as though the Hearts head coach is in no mood for talking, if this tweet is anything to go by.

Here's a pic:

Let's have a look at what some of our local papers are reporting today...

• "Inconsiderate" road users are driving over Marlow Bridge in overweight vehicles, according to the Bucks Free Press, external
• Luton Today, external reports on a woman discovering one of the world's deadliest snakes on top of her fridge
• The Comet, external tells the story of a fox attack killing chickens kept as part of a Baldock school's self-sufficiency project

Stevenage striker Matt Godden signs a new two-year deal at the League Two club after a run of five goals in seven games.

Wycombe Wanderers clear off a debt in the region of £1m to former owner Steve Hayes through a Jordon Ibe sell-on clause.

Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a car wheel refurbishment centre in Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire.

The fire service says machinery and chemicals are on fire in the building next to the railway level crossing on Newport Road.

Travel may be disrupted.

BBC Weather

The early patchy frost, mist and fog has cleared to leave a mostly cloudy but dry day. 

There will be some brighter spells, too, with light winds, allowing it to feel a little less cold than of late. Maximum temperature: 7C (45F).

Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, external) says air pollution is the "public health crisis of the generation" and wants councils to do more to tackle it - but money could be an issue.

Image source, Getty Images

It suggests lowering speed limits and redesigning speed bumps, to stop cars speeding up and slowing down between them. 

Buckinghamshire County Council's leader Martin Tett chairs the Local Government Association's environment and transport board. He says local councils want to make improvements but are "really strapped for cash".

"Buses are a great way for people to get around with far less air pollution, but we're actually having to cut back on bus subsidies because we just don't have the money to pay for them," he said.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A woman accused of disguising herself as a man to kill her half-sister with a casserole dish said a figure seen on CCTV at the victim's flat was "definitely a man".

Image source, Family photo

Yvonne Caylor, 53, has denied murdering Nikki Collingbourne, 26, (pictured) who was found dead at her flat in Letchworth in May.

Luton Crown Court heard Ms Caylor, who is alleged to have donned a wig, fake beard, heavy-rimmed glasses and a hi-vis jacket to carry out the murder, told police the figure was a man because her "boobs would stick out". 

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Ms Collingbourne is said to have been attacked by Ms Caylor, of Grove Road, Hitchin, with a chicken-shaped casserole dish on 23 May, after the defendant had been charged with burgling Ms Collingbourne's flat in Ivel Court.

After her arrest for the murder, Ms Caylor was played CCTV which showed a figure forcing their way in to the flat.

In a police interview, read and in parts shown to the jury, the defendant said she would not have been strong enough to force her way into Ms Collingbourne's home.

Asked by a police officer if it was her, she said: "Of course it ain't me. It is definitely a man. My boobs would stick out."

A woman accused of disguising herself as a man to kill her half-sister said a figure seen at the victim's flat was "definitely" male, a court hears.

A teacher who told a pupil "I think I love you more than any other woman" is banned from the profession.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

If there's one thing football fans dream of, it's the chance to jump out of a plane with their team's manager.

Well Luton Town fans are in luck, as the club is offering the chance to take part in a charity parachute jump with their manager Nathan Jones.

Image source, Gareth Owen/LTFC

The unique experience is just one of the prizes in an auction taking place at the club's forthcoming Christmas dinner.

Bidding is open now, external and all money raised will be going to club's chosen charity Level Trust, external, which helps children living in poverty in Luton.

A spokesperson from the club said: "Nathan is absolutely petrified of heights but he agreed to take part after some consideration."

Fans are encouraged to get their bid in early but there is one requirement - the skipper's parachute partner must weigh less than 15 stone (95.5kg). Better put that pie and Bovril down.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Police are investigating the death of a cat in Welwyn Garden City, after a black and white tabby was found with part of its tail cut off.

Image source, Google

The cat was found at 15:30 on 23 November, on Homestead Lane, and had also suffered a blow to the head with a blunt object.

PC Shaun Buchanan said: "Its tail had been cut off with a sharp implement in what has been described as a surgical manner. A vet has confirmed the injuries were not caused by a vehicle."

Hertfordshire Police, external is appealing for information.

A motorcyclist who knocked down and killed a pensioner just after performing a wheelie is jailed for four years.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Plans to close 14 play areas in North Hertfordshire have been criticised by the leader of the Labour group at the district council.

The council says its hands are tied as each play area costs on average £2,000 a year to maintain, and with safety inspections having to be carried out daily, it has become too expensive to run them all.

It currently looks after 47 play areas, so 33 would remain.

The council plans to close the play areas which are underused and transform them into "green spaces", with grass and trees.

But Frank Radcliffe, the leader of the Labour group at North Hertfordshire District Council, branded the decision as "typical Tory cost cutting".

Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News

Ambitious plans to land a Stevenage-built robot rover on Mars in 2021 have reached a crucial point, with Europe's research ministers meeting today to decide whether to continue funding the scheme. 

The vehicle would search for life on the Red Planet by sampling soil drilled from under the surface.

But the project is late, and now needs another £345m to be sure of meeting its launch deadline.

Ministers from the member states of the European Space Agency will discuss the rover’s fate over the next two days.

Helen Burchell
BBC News

A few days ago we told you about a drawing of an injured police dog being auctioned to raise money to help a little boy with cancer.

Image source, Rosie Lee

Alex Goodwin, nine, from Lutterworth in Leicestershire, has Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, and his family's been raising money to help with his treatment.

Alex became besotted with the story of police dog Finn, stabbed protecting his handler from a suspected armed robber in Stevenage last month.

He drew a picture of the recovering dog which was made into Christmas cards. His original was auctioned, raising more than £1,300.

Well, Special Constable Rosie Lee, from Warwickshire Police, was the joint highest bidder and has just received her picture.

Image source, Rosie Lee

She sent us a photo of it, saying she was "over the moon" to be the "proud owner of Alex's picture of Finn".

And in case you didn't know, Alex is going to get the treatment his family wants, after funds were topped up to £120,000 by an anonymous donor earlier this week.

There's still no official word on whether the Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson is the new MK Dons manager.

But if this tweet is anything to go by, it seems as though the Hearts players are saying their goodbyes this morning.

Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio

A motorbike rider who knocked down and killed a 71-year-old man crossing the road has been jailed for four years. 

St Albans Crown Court heard Luke Stella had performed a "wheelie" just moments before hitting Francis Abbott in Potters Bar, in April 2014.

Stella, 26 of Park Street, St Albans, told police he couldn't do such a stunt, but St Albans Crown Court was told he had posted a clip online showing him performing one.

He was yesterday jailed for four years after being convicted in October of causing death by dangerous driving. 

Mr Abbott had been walking home from a shopping trip to his local Sainsbury's store.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Luton is the worst affected town in the country, outside of London, for homelessness, according to analysis of official figures by the housing charity Shelter, external. 

It says more than 250,000 people are homeless in England, with about 3,500 people without permanent accommodation in Luton. 

The government disputes the figures, but Shelter says they could be even higher as they don't include people staying with friends.

Image source, PA