Updates from Monday 4 - Sunday 10 December
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The Met Office is warning about ice on the road, external, with temperatures due to drop below freezing in parts of the West Midlands on Friday.
It says there is also a possibility of a few centimetres of snow in Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Image source, Met OfficeThe cold weather is expected to continue into Saturday.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has said it is "close to making a decision" to select the host city for the 2022 games.
Image source, Birmingham 2022The deadline for the decision was originally due on 30 September, but it was extended "to enable cities more time to develop their hosting propositions".
Birmingham was the only remaining bidder when the decision was taken to extend the deadline. The CGF said it needed more time to make a decision "in the interest of a good partnership".
It hopes to have reached a decision before the end of 2017.
Quote MessageThe CGF is confident that we will make a final decision regarding the selection of a host city for 2022 before the year-end, but we will continue to remain flexible and collaborative in a true sense of partnership with potential hosts so that, above all, we have a decision that the entire Commonwealth can get behind.”
Louise Martin, President, CGF
Here are some of the stories making the headlines on the Coventry Telegraph website today:
Brenda Grant tried to pull tubes out of her arm after being put in a nursing home, her family says.
Read MoreA sculptor, whose works are so small they can only be viewed through a microscope, is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Warwick.
Image source, PAArtist Willard Wigan, born in Birmingham and now based in Wednesbury, will be recognised with a honorary doctor of letters for his sculptures that often sit within the eye of a needle or on a pin-head.
Image source, PAHis works include miniature versions of athlete Usain Bolt, a hummingbird and cartoon characters Pinocchio and Cinderella.
The sculptor, who'll receive the degree at a ceremony in January, was made an MBE for services to art in 2007.
Image source, PA
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Port Vale manager Neil Aspin says he is looking to "take the positives" from last night's cup defeat to Shrewsbury Town.
He also said that while "you want to be winning games in any competition" the league match on Saturday is more important.
Image source, Port Vale FCThe 2-1 defeat last night means Vale are out of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Quote MessageSaturday is always going to be the most important and we've got to try and take the positives out of tonight and take it into Saturday's game."
Neil Aspin, Port Vale manager
A man in his 20s has been seriously injured in a crash in Southall, Warwickshire.
The crash, involving two car,s happened at 16:50 yesterday on the A425 between Southam and Napton on the Hill.
Image source, West Midlands Ambulance ServiceThe man was trapped in the car and had to be cut free before being taken to hospital with multiple injuries.
A woman and child, travelling in the other car, received minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
Drivers at the Kingsmill bakery in West Bromwich have accepted a revised pay offer and called off a strike.
The Birmingham Road site produces 1.5 million loaves a week, as well as other baked goods, and the Unite union had previously warned of a "Christmas bread drought" in the West Midlands if action went ahead.
Image source, GoogleUnite says about 130 drivers, maintenance staff and security personnel have now agreed a new pay package.
Quote MessageThis deal reflects a good outcome with an overall package which sees the desired improvements to rates of pay that we have been pushing for at Allied Bakeries Kingsmill West Bromwich."
Joe Clarke, Unite lead officer for the food sector
The leader of Newcastle Borough Council has quit and blamed Independents and the Conservatives.
Read More
Caroline Gall
BBC News
Thousands of homes are to be built on land previously classified as green belt around Coventry.
Plans approved by local councillors mean that 40,000 new homes will be built as part of a long-term housing plan.
About 17,000 of the planned homes will be built on existing brownfield sites, but the rest have been earmarked for the green belt, mainly in the Keresley and Eastern Green areas.
Gary Ridley, leader of the Conservative opposition in Coventry, estimates building could start within six months.
Here are some of the headlines on The Sentinel website this morning:
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM
Families of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings have gathered at the victims' memorial in St Philip's Cathedral ahead of a two-day judicial review, which starts today.
Members of the Justice for the 21 group are challenging a coroner's decision not to name the people suspected of planting the bombs that killed 21 people in two Birmingham pubs in 1974.
Senior coroner Sir Peter Thornton QC said in July "the perpetrator issue" was not within the scope of next year's inquest hearings, but lawyers for the relatives said discussing potential perpetrators was "central to the case".
Members of Parliament are being invited to come and hold their debates in Shropshire, while repairs are carried out at the Palace of Westminster.
Ludlow councillor Andy Boddington has made the tongue-in-cheek offer, pointing out the county hosted what is often considered the first true Parliament in 1283.
The King met with his Barons and crucially for the first time commoners at Acton Burnell Castle in a bid to fund his war with Wales.
Mr Boddington said the castle also needed "one or two minor repairs" and perhaps a "complete set of walls and a roof would help" but thought that could be fixed with " a quick whip round and a few bob piled on the parish precept."
Quote MessageIt will take a decade to repair the Palace of Westminster. Shropshire could benefit hugely in the meantime from politicians and the huge cohort of support staff that must accompany the political elite everywhere."
Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor
The former Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia says he has concerns about the recruitment of police community support officers.
Bill Longmore, who stood down from the role before elections last year, said a freeze on hiring new PCSOs might affect morale and reduce staff numbers over time.
At the moment there are more than 240 PCSOs across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, but recruitment is on hold while a review is carried out.
The Unison trade union has also expressed concern.
Labour's loss of council control prompts the resignation amid a row over general election voting.
Read More
BBC News Travel
There are long delays on the A38 northbound in Staffordshire after a crash involving five vehicles.
Highways England says two lanes are shut, external near Clay Mills and advising drivers to allow extra time, or avoid the area.
As part of Hammerson's £3.4bn offer for Intu, the companies expect to make about £2bn worth of property disposals.
The deal will bring together some of the biggest shopping centres across the UK and the rest of Europe.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe combined group will be known as Hammerson and will be led by Hammerson's senior management.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra managr David Artell says he took veteran striker Chris Porter out for lunch to encourage him to be an "even greater leader".
The 33-year-old has scored nine goals this season and Artell told him the younger players look up to him more than he realises.
Image source, Getty ImagesArtell also told him "don't be afraid to pass on your wisdom".
Quote MessageYou're not going to get told off from me for saying what you think is right at that moment in time to them younger players. And he's taken that on board and become an even greater leader."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
Here are three headlines from the Shropshire Star this morning:
A car fire near an open gas main in Birmingham last night was probably started deliberately, West Midlands Fire service has said.
Firefighters were called to the Chelmsley Wood area at 22:37, close to a spot where a gas pipe was being dug up by workers.
Image source, West Midlands Fire Service
