Injuries as ceiling collapses at school prom
Terror trial juror discharged over 'attractive' policeman
'Street race' killers jailed
'Sleeping' teacher barred from food fight school
Block of flats declared fire risk
Second arrest over fake acid attack
Updates from Friday 21 July 2017
"It’s been an absolute nightmare" – words of the relieved family of Mark Jennens cleared , externalafter being wrongly accused of killing his frail elderly mother.
BBC WM
Staff from a children's centre in Birmingham that is facing closure are visiting Downing Street today.
Workers from Lakeside Children’s centre want the government to change their mind over its future.
The centre is one of 26 centres at risk of closing, which local Labour MP Jack Dromey has described as "scandalous".
In June, a shake up of the number of children's centres across Birmingham from 70 to 10 was announced.
The surgeon was jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of multiple counts of wounding.
Read More
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A motorbiker has died after colliding with a van near Tamworth.
West Midlands Ambulance Service says it happened just before 11:00 at the junction of the A4091 and Salts Lane, Drayton Bassett.
Image source, GoogleThey say, when they arrived, people were trying to resuscitate the biker after he'd suffered serious injuries and their medics took over, but the man died at the scene.
The service says the 47-year-old van driver suffered some minor injuries.
Small businesses across the West Midlands have been supported by their local councils.
Now, the councils have been rewarded for the support they have shown.
Image source, Federation of Small BusinessesWarwick District, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough, Solihull Metropolitan and Warwickshire County Council have all been recognised for the work they've done to make it easier for small businesses to thrive.
It's part of the annual Federation of Small Businesses local authority awards..
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A duckling's been rescued after getting stuck in underground pipes after an RSPCA officer played duck noises from her phone to draw it back into the open.
The charity says they were called to the Amington Industrial Estate on Sandy Way, Tamworth on Thursday after the animal had fallen down a drain.
Image source, RSPCAThey say he was so far in the pipes they couldn't see or reach him, only hear him.
But the RSPCA says their officer, Cat Strawford, decided to play duck sounds from a YouTube video and that drew the duckling out.
Quote MessageThe sound must have echoed all the way down the pipes, and next thing I know the duckling came running out and I caught him with my net!"
Cat Strawford, RSPCA Animal Collection Officer
A woman who is raising her grandchildren after their mother died from cancer is getting some much needed help.
Read MoreA man was chased down a Birmingham street and attacked with a machete, external in a horrifying attack which was recorded on CCTV.
Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Yorkshire host Birmingham in the T20 Blast.
Read MoreItalian visitors, who have travelled hundreds of miles, external to find out more about education in the Black Country, took time out of their busy week to visit Dudley
Ten people will appear in court, external next month following an investigation into the alleged supply of drugs from Birmingham into Leamington Spa and Warwick.
Police say nine of the ten people set to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 9 August have been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and herorin.
In addition, a 44-year-old man from Kenilworth has been requisitioned to appear in court where he will face charges of conspiracy to supply drugs.
Road works on the M5 in Oldbury are changing towards the end of July with the closure of an entire carriageway, drivers are warned.
To keep the motorway open a contraflow will be introduced on the northbound carriageway, between junctions 1 and 2.
Two lanes will run in each direction, with a 30 mph speed limit, warns Highways England., external
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Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Image source, Tamworth Borough CouncilA bus shelter in Tamworth's been given more than a new lick of paint - it's been covered in wildlife images thanks to a community arts project. , external
The borough council says the site on Peelers Way, Kettlebrook now has pictures of birds including a kingfisher and a great spotted woodpecker.
Image source, Tamworth Borough CouncilThey say they were painted by local artist Simon Wingfield as part of the council's Art in Unusual Spaces project , externalwhich is due to officially kick off this autumn.
Several other bus shelters will feature in the future of the scheme - this one's the first as they say it's on the route of the Heart of England in Bloom judges who visited this week.
BBC News England
Ian Lock, 42, is a critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance. He has been with the service since 2009 when he joined because he wanted a new challenge.
On his first mission he remembers going to a road accident in Coventry and recalls: "All the existing guys who'd been on for a while were so calm and I was a bit like a new boy with wide eyes thinking what on earth have I done, why am I here and how am I here and how I am going catch up with them?"
Mr Lock is in our 24 hours in England feature - where we take a look at people going about their lives.
Use #24HoursInEngland , externalon social media to share your stories.
The Attorney General's Office has confirmed the case of Ian Paterson has been referred to the Court of Appeal for being "unduly lenient".
A statement said the Solicitor General had referred the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence, external scheme.
Image source, SWNSThe former breast cancer surgeon, 59, was jailed for 15 years in May after carrying out unnecessary operations on nine women and one man at hospitals in the West Midlands.
Sentencing him Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said he had deliberately preyed on his patients long-term fears and manipulated them.
His case will be heard at the Court of Appeal on 3 August.
A man is being treated in hospital after being attacked with a machete in Birmingham last night.
The victim, who has not been named, is said to be in a stable condition after receiving injuries to his face, arms and legs, following the attack on Wright Street in Small Heath at about 19:50.
Image source, GoogleGoogle Street showing Wright Street in Small Heath
Quote MessageWe believe this was targeted, rather than a random attack. We are currently following a number of leads and forensic enquiries are on-going. Officers will be working round the clock to identify those responsible.
Insp Thomas Hadley, West Midlands Police
Two court injunctions which could see travellers arrested if they set up unauthorised camps in four city parks has been obtained.
A High Court judge issued the injunctions, external which prohibit camps at Perry Park, the Alexander Stadium, Selly Oak Park and Hazelwell Park.
It's the first time Birmingham City Council has used injunctions to try and stop illegal camps, following "a rise in anti-social behaviour".
The injunctions last for two years.
Rogue surgeon Ian Paterson could face having his prison term increased., external
Cladding on a hospital unit which has been deemed combustible, following tests in the wake of Grenfell Tower fire will be removed "in the next few weeks", says the chief executive of New Cross Hospital.
A sample from the Heart and Lung Centre at the Wolverhampton site failed a fire safety test.
Trust boss David Loughton said: "We will be taking it off. The thing that we have to bear in mind here is, we need to know what we're going to replace it with."
Quote MessageThe damage that would be done to the fabric of the building by immediately removing it versus the risk of not removing it. It is the only part of the building, I must stress. I have discussed it with the fire service at length and they are absolutely assured that there is minimal risk.
David Loughton, Chief executive of Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Mr Loughton added: "I'm not getting great advice as to what we're going to replace it with. Someone needs to be very clear about what we're going to replace it with."
Shenley Lane in Selly Oak remains closed after a car crash earlier this morning.
A motorist is being treated for a serious head injury following the incident.
Police are asking drivers to avoid the area.
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