BBC Local Live: Birmingham and the Black Country on Friday 18 August 2017.

Summary

Man dies as multi-vehicle collision closes motorway
Teenager dies after reservoir rescue
Murder investigation after stabbing
Terror attacker 'taunting and smiling' says witness
Apology for mother of soldier killed in Iraq
Updates on Friday 18 August 2017

Live Reporting

Andrew Dawkins

Charity raises £3.6m for 'UK first' rare disease centrepublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
A children's centre for rare diseases is set for Birmingham after a charity hit a £3.65m fundraising target.
The campaign to create, external a "UK first rare disease centre" was launched almost two years ago by Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.
The centre will be a new addition to the hospital's Steelhouse Lane site.
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Mayor Andy Street must stand and fightpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Express and Star
It’s been 100 days since Andy Street won his office, but despite big promises it hasn’t exactly been a fast-paced and revolutionary start, says Black Country Labour MP Ian Austin., external
Snatch-and-go scooter riders target mobile phonespublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Police are warning people using their mobile phones on the street about a number of attempted thefts by scooter riders.
West Midlands Police says a moped approached pedestrians last week, with the passenger on the back trying to snatch their property.
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Three incidents were reported to officers - two on Alcester Road South and another in Heathfield Road, Kings Heath.
Police believe they are linked and are reviewing CCTV.
'Someone could be killed’published at 14:50 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Express and Star
A crackdown is being launched against off-road bikers who are causing a nuisance in the Black Country, external – amid fears ‘someone could be killed’.
'Don't pay fine' match day motorists advisedpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Wolves fans given parking tickets during an away match last weekend shouldn't pay the fine, the club says.
Wolves travelled to Middlesbrough on 5 August, beating them 1-0, and says tickets were issued "in error".
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The parking contractor, the club says, has been informed and it is now voiding all tickets, to be confirmed in writing.
Employee accused of Amazon spending splurge 'thoroughly dishonest'published at 14:16 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
A former marketing firm employee accused of buying herself thousands of pounds of goods from Amazon on a company credit card made purchases months after leaving the job, a court has heard.
Anna Clancy, 28, of Wheats Avenue, Harborne was employed by OWB in Digbeth between July 2014 and March 2015 as an admin assistant, magistrates in Birmingham were told earlier. She is alleged to have treated herself to hundreds of items including makeup, fake tan and nail polish - with goods, the court heard, ordered up to October 2015.
Mr Colin Charvill, prosecuting, accused her of "thoroughly dishonest" actions, saying: "There's no reason at all why this defendant should have the company credit card registered on a personal Amazon account."
Ms Clancy - daughter of Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy - denies fraud by false representation.
The trial continues.
London snatching 2022 athletics from 'host' Brum is 'silly'published at 13:47 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
BBC WM
It would be "silly" for London to be home to athletics in the 2022 Commonwealth Games if Birmingham was the event's host city.
That's Birmingham City Council's take on the proposal of outgoing UK Athletics chief Ed Warner.
Birmingham and Liverpool are bidding for the Games after Durban was stripped of the event, with Birmingham proposing to upgrade the city's Alexander Stadium.
Image source, AFP
Quote Message
The idea that a bidding city would place the athletics in another location really is somewhat silly. To locate it anywhere other than in the bidding city really would not be value for money."
Ian Ward, Deputy council leader
Relive Burton's victory over Birminghampublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Relive the action as Burton Albion come from behind to beat Birmingham City for their first victory of the season.
Read More
Lancashire v Birminghampublished at 13:31 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Follow BBC local radio commentary as Lancashire host Birmingham in the T20 Blast.
Read More
Employee 'used company credit card for Amazon fake tan spree'published at 13:12 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Lisa Wright
Journalist, BBC News Online
An employee at a marketing firm used a company credit card to order make up, fake tan and other items worth more than £4,500, a court heard.
Anna Clancy is accused of using a card belonging to OWB in Digbeth to order items through Amazon for herself, magistrates in Birmingham have been told today.
It is alleged she made 150 fraudulent transactions between August 2014 and October 2015.
Miss Clancy, 28, of Wheats Avenue, Harborne, denies fraud by false representation.
Guide puppy named after 'hero' police dogpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
The six-week-old German shepherd was named and sponsored after funds were raised to honour a stabbed police dog.
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Hotel will be area's 'jewel in the crown' after huge expansionpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Tamworth Herald
A huge extension to the Belfry which will see a new water park for hotel guests has been given the green light by planning chiefs., external
Woman in court accused of chef's car murderpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
A woman has appeared in court charged with murdering a man, 65, who was found stabbed in a car.
Philip Roth, a chef, of Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, was discovered injured in the area's Alder Drive on July 7. He died in hospital.
Georgia Henshaw, 35, of Alder Drive, was arrested over the death the following day.
Today she appeared at Birmingham Crown Court via video link accused of Mr Roth's murder. She had been due to enter a plea but the case was adjourned to allow for further reports.
She is due to enter a plea next month.
Football: Isaac Vassell joins Birmingham Citypublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Andrew Segal
Local Live
Former Plymouth Argyle and Truro City player Isaac Vassell has joined Birmingham City on a four-year contract, the Blues have announced, external.
The Newquay-born 23-year-old has transferred over from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.
He left the Cornish side for League Two Luton in July 2016.
Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham to change its namepublished at 11:48 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Birmingham Mail
The Barclaycard Arena, external in Birmingham is changing its name from next month.
The multi-purpose indoor venue will become Arena Birmingham.
Spaghetti Junction road closurespublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
A number of roads linking to the Aston Expressway are closed while the Highways Agency, external carries out repair works.
The closures include:
- Narrow lanes on A38(M)
- Gravelly Hill approach to the A38(M)
- Gravelly Hill into city from Six Ways to the A38(M), with diversions in place
- Tyburn Road approach to the A38(M)
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Image source, Birmingham City Council
Police force 'saves thousands' with electric carspublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
West Midlands Police says it has saved thousands of pounds by using electric cars.
The force has 33 electric vehicles which officers use for appointments rather than 999 emergencies.
The switch, the force says, has saved it about £55,000.
Bears keep T20 quarter-final hopes alivepublished at 10:32 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
BBC Sport
Warwickshire's cricketers have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast after an eight-wicket victory over Durham Jets at Chester-le-Street.
Ed Pollock and Dominic Sibley scored half centuries as the Bears reached their target with more than five overs to spare.
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The Bears will battle Lancashire Lightning on Friday at Old Trafford.
Rail passengers warned to expect delayspublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
Rail passengers travelling between Rugeley and Walsall over the next fortnight are being warned to expect disruption as improvement works are carried out.
It's part of a £100m project by Network Rail to electrify the Chase Line, says London Midland.
Replacement buses will be made available between Rugeley Trent Valley and Tame Bridge Parkway for the next two weeks as foundation work is carried out.
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Sports headlines: Reaction to the weekend resultspublished at 09:37 British Summer Time 14 August 2017
BBC WM Sport
The top sports stories for Birmingham and the Black Country include:
- Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has demanded a response from his players after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Cardiff
- Birmingham City's Jacques Maghoma has explained why scoring the winner against Bristol City was an extra special moment for him
- Wolves head coach Nuno has refused to rule out any more signings at Molineux - with the transfer window still open
- Tony Pulis says it's important West Bromwich Albion does its best to develop the next generation of homegrown talent