Updates from Monday 15 April to Sunday 22 April
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Sophie Madden
BBC News
Firefighters have been tackling a fire at a derelict pub in Sandwell.
Crews from several stations were called to reports of a blaze in the first floor and roof of the building on Raglan Road, Smethwick, external, during the early hours.
The service says it's now under control and no-one's thought to have been hurt.
Mel Coles
BBC Weather presenter
A chilly start to Wednesday but that should soon change, here's the full weather forecast for the West Midlands:
Mel Coles
You can get the latest forecast at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.
Allen Cook
BBC News
Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.
We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.
When Louise Moorhouse took part in a drug trial she was able to eat normally for the first time in her life.
Read More
Andy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says the club will always be focused on building for the future and developing young players.
He said there was also pressure to win games, but "we're trying to develop players, because that's what we do".
Image source, Getty ImagesArtell described football as one of the "harshest learning environments you probably can find", because of the scrutiny young players come under from fans.
Quote MessageThere's not many working environments that get assessed by four-and-a-half, or 5,000 fans every week."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
A farm in Shropshire has bought a pair of shire horses after a successful fundraising appeal in February which collected £3,500.
William and Alfie have arrived at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm to replace two older horses, Joe and Charlie, who are about to go into retirement.
Image source, Shropshire CouncilThe two new horses are now being trained to pull Victorian farm machinery, before they're put to work.
BBC WM
A new policy for Birmingham's home-to-school transport has been approved by councilors today.
The service provides transport for more than 4,200 children every day across the city.
The changes include an increase in contributions from parents for post-16 travel.
BBC Radio Shropshire Sport
Shrewsbury Town manager Sam Ricketts says there is "still work to be done" if the team is going to remain in League One.
With four games to go, Shrewsbury look comfortable, with six points and eight places separating them from the relegation zone - and a number of the teams below them have to play each other.
Image source, Getty ImagesVictory away to Barnsley on Friday should be enough, if Wimbledon lose, but Ricketts said: "I like to look after my own business, rather than rely on other people to do it."
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
It will be a dry night with clear periods and lows of 4C (39F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
A man found with a dead sheep in his car has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and burglary, police say.
The 21-year-old was detained after officers were called to reports of a suspicious vehicle in Rugby just after 04:00.
He was also arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on police.
The vehicle and sheep were recovered for further examination.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Gurdip Thandi
More than 30 people have been made redundant and a host of services closed following the collapse of a Walsall community association.
Image source, GoogleDirectors at Palfrey Community Association have taken the “regrettable” decision to stop operations on 12 April.
They said it had been using reserves to keep services going and was no longer financially viable.
As a result, Palfrey Day Nursery, community centre classes, the healthy living centre, gym and sauna have all been closed.
It is also believed the association was wound up owing Walsall Council about £140,000.
The council said it was monitoring the situation and making arrangements for staff to receive support from benefit and employment support services.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Port Vale's Adam Crookes says he's enjoyed his loan spell there and would be open to a return next season.
The 21-year-old Nottingham Forest defender said he'd been learning something in every game he played and is "waiting for things to sort themselves out" at the end of the campaign.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrookes joined in January after spending the first half of the season at Lincoln City.
Officers investigating the death of a woman hit by a car are appealing for witnesses to the 11 April crash.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceDoreen Sachs, 92, was crossing Bell Street in Stourbridge when she was struck.
She suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital.
Her family described her as "loved and admired by all she came into contact with".
The driver of the car, a 78-year-old woman, is assisting officers with their inquiries, West Midlands Police says.
Here are three of the headlines in the Shropshire Star today:
Andy Giddings
BBC News
Work has started to replace the seats at Telford Ice Rink as part of a £75,000 revamp of the venue.
Changes are also being made to the reception, the boot hire room and the cafe.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilTelford and Wrekin Council has waited until the end of Telford Tigers' ice hockey season to carry out the work, but the rink will be open to skaters as usual.
The work is set to take eight weeks.
Three cricket fans from Herefordshire are marking 80 years since they became friends.
John Powell, John Moklar and Terence Goodwin met as five-year-olds at Almeley School and continued their friendship at Kington Grammar School, regularly meeting up after that.
They all share a love of cricket and get together to watch the Almeley village team and to support Worcestershire at New Road.
Image source, John Powell, John Moklar and Terence GoodwinLocal Democracy Reporting Service
A housing developer in Lichfield has removed netting from a hedgerow amid concerns it can harm wildlife.
The netting is used to discourage birds from nesting near development sites and is not a breach of planning law, but Taylor Wimpey says "we understand the concerns raised regarding [it] at our Deanslade Farm site in Lichfield".
It went on to explain that as work on 475 homes there was scheduled to start outside the nesting season, the netting was no longer necessary.
The netting had been there since 2018 and its removal was welcomed by the RSPB.
A man was seriously injured when two offenders forced entry into his Warwickshire house and attacked him with a blade.
Image source, Warwickshire PoliceJewellery and a mobile phone were stolen from the home in Bermuda Village, Nuneaton, on 1 April, said Warwickshire Police.
The force has released photographs of stolen items - a distinctive ring and bracelet.
The hurt man was treated for injuries to his back, chest and leg. He has been released from hospital.
A crash in Bridgnorth at the weekend which left two people seriously injured involved a vintage three-wheeled motor car, West Mercia Police has said.
The two occupants were hurt when it left the A442 near Dudmaston Hall at 14:40 on Sunday and collided with a tree.
They remain in hospital.
Image source, Google