Updates from 11 March to 17 March
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Here's a photo of the lorry that is blocking the M40 northbound between Leamington Spa and Warwick.
The carriageway is closed from J13 to J14 after a crash involving a lorry and several cars.
Image source, Highways EnglandAn opera company is offering refugees the chance to perform on stage.
Birmingham Opera Company has traditionally cast its chorus from local volunteers.
But as it joins forces with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to perform Russian opera Lady Macbeth ofthe Mtsensk District, it's extending a welcome to people fleeing countries like Iraq and Sudan.
Those awaiting a decision on their asylum claim are unable to work and have often said they felt isolated.
Volunteer Gamar Abdulrahim, who arrived in Birmingham in 2016 said being part of the team has given him "a sense of belonging".
An MP has sent his congratulations to the family of Zac Oliver, after it was announced he was free of cancer.
Phillip Dunne, MP for Ludlow said it was "remarkable news" the four-year-old's treatment had been successful.
Image source, Hannah Oliver-WilletsIn a post on Twitter, external, he said he would also be following up his call for NICE to review its guidelines and see if this "very rare presentation" of leukemia can be treated on the NHS.
Zac and his family, from Broseley in Shropshire, travelled to Philadelphia after raising £500,000 for travel and treatment.
Six miles of queuing traffic is being reported on the M40 in Warwickshire, after a crash involving a lorry and multiple cars closed the northbound carriageway from J13 to J14.
Traffic data firm Inrix reports that a lorry is across all the lanes facing towards the central reservation, with a car next to it.
Traffic is being diverted via the A452, said Highways England, however from further afield traffic heading for the Midlands should consider leaving at J10 and use the A43 northbound to join the M1.
One lane of the southbound carriageway also remains closed.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Fire crews in Shropshire are set to miss their annual target of reaching emergencies within 15 minutes, a report said.
A report going to Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority’s strategy and resources committee, external said the target of a four-officer crew and engine to be on scene within a quarter of an hour only happens 86% of the time.
The authority set a target for the year of 89%.
The report recommends sticking to the target, but says officers are exploring the results to better understand if this is a short-term anomaly, or a predictor of longer-term changes.
The closure of the M40 between Warwick and Leamington Spa is causing major issues, police say.
The northbound carriageway is closed from J13 to J14 after a crash involving a lorry and "several cars".
Image source, Highways EnglandOne patient is being treated at the scene, said the ambulance service, after crews were called shortly after 14:45.
Drivers, including workers from Jaguar Land Rover in Gaydon, are being diverted away from the area.
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A West Midlands Police officer has been found not guilty of three counts of assault.
PC Kevin McClenaghan, 50, of Rowley Regis, had been standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Image source, Google MapsHe was also found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice at a previous hearing.
He had been charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
An investigation by the IOPC watchdog is ongoing and West Midlands Police said it could not comment on the case as a result.
Birmingham Live
Here are some of the stories making the headlines on the Birmingham Live website today:
A Birmingham City fan who admitted attacking Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish on the pitch during the second city derby, has been jailed for 14 weeks.
Image source, ReutersPaul Mitchell, of Cock Hill Lane, Rubery, Worcestershire, hit Grealish from behind about 10 minutes into Sunday's game at St Andrew's.
He admitted assault and encroachment on to the pitch, at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
He has also been ordered to pay a total of £350 in fines, and has been banned from attending any football match in the UK for 10 years.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish believes he was "lucky" a Birmingham City fan who attacked him was not armed with a weapon, a court has heard.
In a statement read to Birmingham Magistrates' Court, Grealish also said he was surprised how easy it was for Blues supporter Paul Mitchell to get on to the pitch and run towards him.
Image source, PAMitchell, 27, of Rubery, Worcestershire will be sentenced soon after pleading guilty to assaulting Grealish, as well as a charge of encroaching on to the playing surface during Sunday's Birmingham derby.
Birmingham City apologised to Grealish and Villa immediately after the game and added it would be reviewing its stadium safety procedures.
A man has been found dead at a gym in Stoke-on-Trent, police say.
Officers were called to Powerhouse Gym on the Newfields Industrial Estate, in Sandyford on Saturday evening.
The 64-year-old was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived, said the ambulance service, and pronounced dead at the scene.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
BBC News Travel
Traffic is still being held on the M40 northbound in Warwickshire after a crash involving a lorry and cars.
The carriageway is closed from J13 to J14 for Leamington Spa.
A lane is also closed on the southbound carriageway, with heavy traffic being reported in the area.
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A man suffered life threatening injuries after being hit by a car in Rugby, police said.
Warwickshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a blue Ford Galaxy hit the man on Oliver Street at 01:50 Sunday.
Image source, Google MapsThe force said the man was being treated in hospital for head injuries.
West Midlands Police's football unit has launched a post-match inquiry into a "number of incidents" from before, during and after yesterdays fixture between Birmingham City and Aston Villa.
The force said, external the investigation includes offensive tweets and disorder both pre-match and post-match in the Fazeley Street area.
Image source, PAIt said it was working closely with the club regarding incidents inside the ground which took place during the game.
Paul Mitchell, of Cock Hill Lane, Rubery, Worcestershire, has already admitted assault and encroachment on the pitch after he hit Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish from behind about 10 minutes into Sunday's game at St Andrew's.
Two men have appeared in court after a man was stabbed outside Crewe railway station.
The two, aged 22 and 23, of no fixed address, appeared at Crewe Magistrates' Court today charged with grievous bodily harm.
A 21-year-old man suffered serious injuries after an attack on Nantwich Road on Friday night.
The pair were remanded in custody and next due to appear before Chester Crown Court in April.
Some of today's headlines in the Hereford Times are:
The funeral is taking place today of the 16-year-old student who was stabbed outside a sixth form college in Birmingham.
Sidali Mohamed died in hospital following the attack outside Joseph Chamberlain College in Highgate in February.
Image source, West Midlands Police/Family handoutThe service is being held at the city's Central Mosque this afternoon.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with attempted murder following the incident but is expected to be charged with murder at his next court appearance, due on 18 March.
Planned strike action by bin workers is now off this week, after members agreed the terms of a new offer.
Unite said its members had unanimously agreed Birmingham City Council's latest offer, suspending the strike action.
Image source, Getty ImagesIts members have been taking part in industrial action since December over a payment given to GMB members who did not take part in previous strike action in 2017.
A 14-year-old boy has been hit by a car in a suspected hit-and run crash, police say.
West Mercia Police said it happened in Market Drayton, Shropshire, at about 08:30 on Friday in Stafford Street.
Image source, Google MapsThe boy's injuries are not thought to be serious, but the driver of the black car, who it's believed was a woman, didn't stop at the time of the collision, the force said.
It is thought the car also struck a metal road sign and cone.
Officers are appealing for the driver of the car, or anyone who know who she may be, to get in contact.
A campaign to bring a hoard of Roman coins home to Warwickshire is nearing its fundraising target.
The 440 silver denarii coins were uncovered during a 2015 dig at Edge Hill, with 78 coins dating to AD 68-69.
Image source, Warwickshire County CouncilThose 78 "rare" coins represent the largest collection of coins found from a turbulent period where several people were declared emperor, Warwickshire Museums Service said.
All the coins were found buried in a ceramic pot under the floor of a building.
Warwickshire Museum has already raised £44,000 and now has to raise a further £18,000 to display the hoard at the Market Hall Museum in Warwick.
Image source, Warwickshire County Council