Updates for Thursday 31 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
That's it for live updates in 2015. What a year it's been.
We'll be back on Monday 4 January from 08:00. We'll continue to bring you the latest live news, sport ,travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country in the new year.
Wishing you a happy new year from the Local Live team.
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
A cold night ahead with widespread frost likely to develop overnight.
This coming night is likely to be coldest of the month with lows of -2C (28F).
Richard Wilford
Presenter, BBC WM
Birmingham City are targeting a third successive home win as former Walsall boss Dean Smith brings Brentford to St Andrew’s - there will be live commentary on this game on BBC WM’s DAB service in Birmingham.
Gary Rowett must decide whether to recall winger Demarai Gray for what could prove to be his final home game for Blues, given significant Premier League interest in signing the 19-year-old.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe game comes too soon for David Cotterill, but Shane Lowry and Nicolai Brock-Madsen are fit to compete for places on the bench.
Richard Wilford
Presenter, BBC WM
League One leaders Walsall are at home to Rochdale, and the Saddlers have settled remarkably well to life under new head coach Sean O’Driscoll.
Image source, Getty ImagesThree straight wins, no goals conceded, they have hardly missed a beat. Walsall are also trying to extend the loan of young Manchester City midfielder George Evans who has acquitted himself extremely well at the Banks’s Stadium.
Hear updates on BBC WM from 15:00.
A pub in Dudley used by members of a local criminal gang has been shut down by police after dozens of violent crimes there in the last two years.
Police they have been called out to the Earl of Dudley Arms in Wellington Road, external 60 times since the start of 2014 over a range of issues including attempted murder and serious assaults.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
The Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer website has recorded more than two-million page views throughout the whole of 2015 - here is a list of the most read stories from each month., external
Image source, Sutton Coldfield ObserverRichard Wilford
Presenter, BBC WM
On BBC WM’s DAB digital service on Saturday in the Black Country there will be full commentary on West Bromwich Albion’s home game with Stoke City - Baggies head coach Tony Pulis is relishing a meeting with his former club.
Despite another week of controversy, striker Saido Berahino may well play some part in the continuing absence of the suspended Salomon Rondon and James McClean.
Pulis has claimed 50 points in his first 38 games in charge of Albion, which would normally equate to a top half finish.
A puppy has been badly injured after being beaten by a gang of youths, in what the RSPCA has described as a "horrific" attack.
The five-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier was rescued by a member of the public, who heard it yelping at Witton Lakes in Birmingham.
Nicknamed Noel, the puppy was found to have five fractured ribs. He's now in the care of the RSPCA
Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today
Medics and community workers are among the many people to be rewarded in the New Year Honours list.
You can find out more on Midlands Today at 18:48 on BBC One.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this evening include:
- About 80,000 people are expected to be celebrating the new year in Birmingham city centre this evening
- The New Year Honours list is out today and a number of people from the West Midlands are being recognised, including a community worker and a headteacher from Birmingham
Richard Wilford
Presenter, BBC WM
Wolves are the first of the West Midlands clubs in action in 2016 as they make the long haul to Brighton, a side managed by former Blues boss Chris Hughton.
Back-to-back wins for Kenny Jackett’s (pictured) squad over Reading and Charlton have eased the mood in the Black Country, and the head coach is optimistic about adding experience to the ranks during the transfer window.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton remained unbeaten into December, but lost that air of invulnerability when Middlesbrough turned them over at the Amex Stadium before Christmas.
Hear full match commentary on BBC WM from 14:00 with the former Wolves striker Mel Eves part of the team.
You may remember West Midlands Police busking bobby, well he's just been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Ian Northcott, formerly a constable for West Midlands Police has been recognised for his services to the community particularly Homeless People in the West Midlands.
He set up the charity Socks and Chocs, external to help homeless people in the winter.
Deputy Chief Constable for West Midlands Police tweets...
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Thousands of people across the West Midlands are preparing to bring in the new year.
One of the busiest locations will be Broad Street in Birmingham city centre where 2016 will start with fireworks.
Mike Olly, general manager of the Westside Business Improvement District says they're expecting at least 80,000 people, with extra police officers and taxi marshals in the area.
Long-standing weather records have been smashed by a stormy, yet warm December, the Met Office's early figures suggest.
A UK mean temperature of 8C (46F) broke records too and would have felt more like a day in April or May.
BBC News England
The first official redundancies have taken place at Goodyear's only UK manufacturing plant, in Wolverhampton.
More than 300 will lose jobs, but the plant will shut on a phased basis. Production is expected to continue until January 2017, the tyre firm has said.
Several jobs fairs and training events are being planned next year.
Goodyear said it had not been offered an alternative suggestion to closure.
An Armitage woman has started a campaign with her friend, external to help people who have been affected by the December floods in the north of England.
Image source, Lichfield MercuryThe New Year Honours list is out today and a number of people from the West Midlands are being recognised.
Among them is Prof Diedre Kelly who's a founding Director of Birmingham Children's Hospital's Liver Unit who has become a CBE.v
Quote MessageIt's a fantastic tribute to the work the unit has done over the last 26 years and transforming children's lives and for me that's the most important part
Prof Diedre Kelly CBE, Founding Director of Birmingham Children's Hospital's Liver Unit
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the newsroom at 15:00 include:
- Professor Diedre Kelly who's a founding director of Birmingham Children's Hospital's liver unit is among those to feature in the New Year Honours list
- An appeal has been launched by the RSPCA for information after a group of teenagers were seen attacking a puppy in Birmingham
- The first official redundancies at the historic Goodyear tyre plant in Wolverhampton are taking place today
BBC WM Sport
The gap between Aston Villa and Sunderland remains at four points after the Black Cats lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool.
Villa travel to Sunderland on Saturday in a bottom-of-the-table clash that will mean a lot to both sides.
The bowners of a reindeer lodge in Rugeley have thanked firefighters, external for their swift actions in tackling a blaze at the site.
Image source, Cannock Mercury
