Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

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Updates from Monday 16 April to Sunday 22 April
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Petition over bank closurepublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Hereford and Worcester
Angry traders in Upton upon Severn, Worcester are starting a petition over the closure of the town's last bank after Lloyds announced it was shutting its branch there.
Lloyds says the branch in the High Street will close in October - it's part of a wider plan to shut 49 branches across the country and cut 1,200 jobs.
Image source, Google
In a statement, Lloyds has called it "a difficult decision", and says it's because fewer people are using it.
It's also closing its branch in Ledbury.
Senior counter terrorism officer dismissedpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Breaking
West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale has been dismissed without notice by the force after failing to safeguard top secret documents which were stolen from his car.
Migraine: New drug works when others fail, researchers saypublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
A woman from the West Midlands says a new migraine medication has reduced the number and intensity of the attacks she suffers.
Image source, Rachel Walls
Researchers have said erenumab, a monthly injection, overall appears to work well even when other medications have failed.
The latest findings presented at a US medical conference suggest it could help about a third of people with intractable migraine.
Rachel Walls, 37, from the West Midlands, has had migraines since she was 17 and took part in the erenumab study.
Quote Message
I get about six or eight migraine attacks a month now, whereas before it was 12 to 15. It's not a miracle drug - but for me, it has made a difference. I've been told that I can only have it for 12 months though, so I'll have to come off it soon and wait to see if it's approved before I can get it again."
Rachel Walls, Migraine sufferer
Police arrest 16 in drug raidspublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
More than 100 officers raided 11 homes in Banbury, Milton Keynes and Bedford.
Read More
In the papers: Walsall Council in 'high risk' £13.8m loanpublished at 14:06 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Express and Star
Here are some of the stories behind the headlines on the Express and Star website today:
- Walsall Council in 'high risk' £13.8m loan to buy, external Saddlers Centre
- Wolves increase season ticket prices for Premier League, external
- Russells Hall Hospital’s A&E rated as failing in damning report, external
Government accused of 'endless dithering' on hospitalpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Politics
Labour MP John Spellar has told Parliament today that the collapse of the building company Carillion halted work on the "two thirds complete" Midland Metropolitan hospital in Smethwick, external.
He said the prime minister previously promised that she'd make sure "work can recommence as soon as possible" but since there has been nothing but "endless dithering".
He's called on the PM to "get this hospital built".
Responding at Prime Minister's Questions, Theresa May said the contract to build the hospital was still in force and that the Department of Health, as well as the Cabinet Office were "working to resolve it".
Team of the Year namedpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Sport
Shrewsbury goalkeeper Dean Henderson and Walsall midfielder Erhan Oztumer have been named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for 2017-18.
Image source, ALLSPORT/Getty Images
Henderson (pictured) has starred for Shrewsbury as they pushed for promotion this season, with the side currently third.
While for Walsall, midfielder Erhun Oztumer is the club's top scorer this season with 16 goals in 46 appearances.
'Unexpected costs' force blood service closurepublished at 13:32 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Shropshire
An NHS blood-taking service is going to shut next week , externaldue to "unexpected costs".
Image source, Google
The phlebotomy service at Princess House in Shrewsbury town centre's being switched to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital from 26 April.
The hospital's NHS Trust says about 300 patients a week use the town centre service but unexpected costs has forced the end of a contract and a lack of alternative locations has prompted the closure.
PMQs: Cannabis oil case raised by MPpublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Politics
The plight of six-year-old Alfie Dingley, who suffers severe epilepsy, has been raised during Prime Minister's Questions.
The family, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, have recently applied to be able to use cannabis oil after finding similar treatment in the Netherlands reduced the number of seizures.
Use of cannabis oil is currently illegal in the UK.
Image source, Maggie Deacon/PA Wire
Labour MP Jeff Smith told the House of Commons it was "vital" Alfie gets access to the treatment and called for the prime minister to do what she can to make sure permission is granted "as soon as possible".
Theresa May says she's met Alfie Dingley and his family and told MPs, "we want to ensure that people get the treatment that they need" but recognised it was "important that medicines are tested properly".
She said she would ensure the Home Office looks at the application "speedily".
Stalking cases 'more than double'published at 13:04 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
The number of recorded cases of stalking in Staffordshire and Cheshire has more than doubled in the last four years.
Image source, Getty Images
There were 261 reports in 2017, in both areas combined, compared with 126 in 2014, according to data obtained by BBC Radio Stoke.
In total, the two police forces recorded 877 reports since 2014 of which 160 resulted in someone being charged.
The statistics also revealed the youngest recorded victim was 10 with the oldest 88.
Stalking became a specific offence on 25 November 2012.
In the papers: Car park safety fearspublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Hereford Times
These are some of the stories on the Hereford Times website today:
Raids uncover £250k of cannabis plantspublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
Cannabis plants with a combined street value of about £250,000 have been found in two police raids this week in Staffordshire.
This morning, about 200 plants were discovered in a building on High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent., external
Image source, Staffordshire Police
The force says a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis.
It follows a raid on Monday, which saw almost 50 plants found in an upstairs room of a house on Wyggeston Street, Burton upon Trent., external
Officers haven't made any arrests so far in that case.
Best of the sun by 16:00published at 12:31 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Weather
The sun has got his hat on, hip, hip, hip, hooray!
The latest weather pictures from BBC Weather show the West Midlands as getting the best of the sun by about 16:00 today.
Your photos: Sunshine starts to break throughpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
BBC Weather Watchers
The much-forecast sunshine is starting to break through across the West Midlands, judging by the photos posted by our BBC Weather Watchers.
These three are from users Rivertramp in Offenham, KarenJ in Kings Norton and Rons View in Coleshill:
Image source, Rivertramp
Image source, KarenJ
Image source, Rons View
Man's jaw broken in 'unprovoked assault'published at 12:10 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
A man's had his jaw broken in an unprovoked assault,, external police say.
Image source, Google
The victim, in his 20s, was on High Street, in Bridgnorth, on Saturday night when a group of four or five men attacked him, leaving him needing hospital treatment.
Police chief urged not to sack counter-terrorism officerpublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
A senior counter-terrorism officer who failed to safeguard top secret documents should keep his job, a disciplinary hearing has been told.
West Midlands Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale is facing a final written warning or dismissal without notice after classified material was stolen from the boot of his car last May.
Addressing the force's Chief Constable Dave Thompson during the hearing in Birmingham, Mr Beale's counsel, John Beggs QC, said dismissal would be "merely symbolic" in light of the officer's imminent retirement.
Mr Beale reported the documents as missing immediately and his failing had been unintentional with no malice or premeditation, Mr Beggs said.
Mr Thompson is expected to announce his decision later on Wednesday.
Sharapova to make Birmingham tennis returnpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
Maria Sharapova will be back in Birmingham again in June at Edgbaston's Priory Club for the Nature Valley Classic.
Image source, Reuters
Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Michael Downey divided fans last year with his decision to offer Sharapova a wild card following her return to the sport after a 15-month doping ban, but she subsequently pulled out with an injury.
Sharapova, who won the Birmingham title in 2004 and 2005 and last played eight years ago.
Countdown to Biggest Weekend festivalpublished at 11:42 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Next month, Coventry will host the England leg of the BBC's The Biggest Weekend music festival.
Paloma Faith, Stereophonics, Liam Gallagher and Snow Patrol are just a few of the names lined up to play over 27-28 May.
Image source, Supt Phil Dolby
Police are today testing various scenarios for the event, which tactical commander Supt Phil Dolby, of West Midlands Police, tweeted , externalwas an "important" part of preparations.
Today, Tears for Fears have announced they won't be performing at the event.
In a statement on Twitter, , externalthe band say they're postponing the whole of their forthcoming UK and Ireland tour until early next year due to "unforeseen health concerns".
Probe into gas canister 'arson' attackpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Arsonists who used gas canisters to set fire to the back of a home, external are being hunted by police.
The blaze started at the house on Wrexham Road, Ridley, near Nantwich, Cheshire on 8 April.
Police say no-one was hurt in the fire but they are treating it as arson.
In the papers: Wallet drop leads to thief's capturepublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 18 April 2018
Worcester News
The Worcester News is covering these top stories today, among others: