Updates from across the week
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, external after a crash in Lichfield.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say Stephanie Grainger died a few days after the collision on Beacon Street in August .
The force says the 21-year-old man from Lichfield will appear before magistrates in Cannock next month.
Rugby chief are dodging the issue of 'sexual equality' when it comes to Lichfield Ladies' exclusion from the new Women's Super League, insists the city's angry MP. , external
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM Sport
Albion's Hal Robson Kanu is confident he can make an impact in the starting 11 - if given a chance.
He's started just twice in the Premier League since joining in the summer.
Image source, ReutersQuote MessageCompetition for places is tough but that's what you want and that's part of the reason we've done so well this season. I believe in my quality and believe in what I can do. I've proved at this level and international as well.
Hal Robson Kanu, West Bromwich Albion
The Welshman scored within 75 seconds of coming on as a sub in Saturday's 3-1 win over Arsenal .
Here's Baggies boss Pulis with his thoughts after the game...
West Brom 3-1 Arsenal: Pulis not taking credit for sub Robson-Kanu's goal
One of the first police dogs to have a Twitter account is stepping down from the force and joining his handler in retirement.
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The labrador, Smithy, has 3,200 followers on social media under the guide of @WMPcsidogsmithy, set up by his handler, Coventry officer PC Terry Arnett.
Over the last eight years the pair have been involved in hundreds of investigations including the hunt for Nicola Payne , and the abduction of five-year-old April Jones from Wales.
Smithy was originally a guide dog before entering the force's dedicated dog training unit in Balsall Heath, Birmingham and will now live with Mr Arnett as a family pet.
Quote MessageThere have been many memorable moments with the dog unit, and particularly Smithy. I feel quite proud of the fact he was one of the first police dogs on social media as it showed that the force was looking at different ways of engaging with people.
PC Terry Arnett , West Midlands Police retired officer
A car had to be winched out of the ground after it crashed through roadworks , external and landed in a ditch on a major gas main.
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Inside Out
A virtual reality headset could help football club doctors diagnose concussion more accurately, researchers have claimed.
At present, players have a baseline test - a clinical, physical and cognitive test at the season's start.
Currently, a pitch-side doctor is forced to make a decision on whether a player is concussed using more basic methods.
Virtual reality would work alongside clinical tests to give the medics concrete neurological responses.
Former Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion striker Andy Gray has backed the technology.
He tells me: "What football has no excuse about is embracing modern technology. It has no excuse. It can't say we don't have the money, it's awash with money."
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
If you love Facebook, filming on your phone and telling a good story you should take a look at the digital journalist apprenticeship.
The BBC is looking to recruit non-graduates across the UK, including in Wolverhampton and Salford.
Here's last year's recruits letting us know what they've been up to.
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John Place was told his eyesight was too poor for him to drive before he killed Poppy-Arabella Clarke.
Read MoreBirmingham City Ladies face Arsenal in the Women's FA Cup quarter finals on Sunday.
Captain and defender Kerys Harrop tweets, external "Yet again we have been drawn against Arsenal Ladies in the QF of the @WomensFACup, external ! Looking forward to it! Bring on Sunday :)"
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BBC WM
A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with three bank robberies in Oldbury.
The teenager was quizzed over two robberies at TSB last month and one on 9 March at Barclays branch.
The boy is due to appear before Dudley Magistrates' Court today.
A 72-year-old man who killed a three-year-old girl at a pelican crossing was told to stop driving by two optometrists only weeks before the crash last year.
John Place was jailed for four years following the crash in Sutton Coldfield on 6 July 2016.
Here's some of family statement read in court.
Image source, Clarke familyQuote MessageLittle Poppy-Arabella fought an incredibly brave battle at the roadside. "She loved life and wanted to hold on to it, but she lost that battle at 6.50pm that evening, her mummy, daddy, her grandparents and her cuddly rabbit Ra Ra by her side. While Mr Place was today given a four-year custodial jail sentence, we have been left with a life sentence without our little girl, whose entire life was stolen from her in a fraction of a second. "We will miss her forever, we will love her for always
Family statement
Claudia Berry
Producer, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Local historians in the Lickey Hills , external have been given £10,000 to research military buildings on Bilberry Hill in the Lickey Hills Country Park that date from World War One.
The collection of buildings include two gun butts for testing field guns, a partially demolished munitions store, a gun emplacement, two army mess rooms and a toilet block.
The project is being led by volunteers from the Lickey Hills Local History Society, external and the information they gather will be used to create interpretation boards, a leaflet and a teachers' pack for school visits.
Image source, Lickey Hills Local History Society
Image source, Lickey Hills Local History SocietyQuote MessageWe are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and can't wait to start investigating, researching and recording the site. If anyone would like to be involved, or has any photographs or information relating to the site, please contact the society."
Jill Harvey , Lickey Hills Local History Society
How a cricket coach's death at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean became the focus of a murder investigation.
Read MoreAlmost one in four Worcester children are in poverty, external - with the figures described as "shocking".
The 73-year- old was lying hurt until being found by a colleague who started work more than five hours later.
Read MoreA man has been charged with false imprisonment after a staff member was held hostage at Nat West bank in Northfield, Birmingham, on Friday.
David Hempseed, 60, of Northfield, is also charged with possession of an imitation firearm and knife and arson with intent to endanger life.
He will appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court later.
Holders Arsenal Ladies will face 2012 winners Birmingham City away in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Women's FA Cup.
Read More
BBC Midlands Today
An increase in house prices nationally is being driven by the Midlands and no longer the London commuter belt.
The online estate agents Rightmove reports record sales and in-demand properties going to sealed bids.
Across the West Midlands, the average asking price in March was £213,000.
Apologies - we've had a break in posts on our live feed this morning because of technical issues.
Hopefully that's all been resolved and normal service should now have resumed.
Thanks for bearing with us.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
A college with campuses in Sutton Coldfield, Great Barr, Birmingham and the Black Country has been criticised , external for its teaching standards and students not making enough progress, but has countered by saying it is "heading in the right direction".
