Updates from Monday 24 February to Sunday 1 March
The scattered showers we've seen today are set to continue through tonight, mixed with a few clear, dry spells. Low: 5C/41F.
Image source, Peter StegglesTomorrow's set to be a day of sunshine and showers, and the rain could turn heavy by the afternoon with a few rumbles of thunder around. High: 14C/57F.
Get the latest forecast for your area from the BBC Weather website.
BBC WM
A zoo says it's losing about £50,000 a week during its lockdown closure.
Image source, GoogleDudley Zoo director Derek Grove told BBC WM they still had to feed their 1,600 animals and give them care, adding they'd only been able to place their retail staff on furlough.
"I'd like to assure everybody that the animals are healthy, they're well," he said.
The zoo, which operates as a charitable organisation, is running a fundraising page and more than £9,500 has been donated to support its work while the gates are shut.
From the Shropshire Star:
Allen Cook
BBC News
More than 250 people have signed a petition in two days urging a council to install CCTV cameras at fly-tipping hotspots in Dudley.
Image source, Simon LucockThe petition said cases in the Cradley and Wollescote area, especially around Foxcote Lane and Wassell Grove, have risen in two years "to the point it is now a daily occurrence".
Dudley Borough Council says it's currently upgrading all its CCTV cameras and "the best course of action is to report people who do fly-tip".
Thousands of people across England have submitted a salute in honour of Captain Tom Moore to create a unique mosaic picture gift for his 100th birthday.
Captain Tom Moore: Nation creates mosaic birthday salute
The completed image features nearly 4,000 selfies sent in via the BBC's Make A Difference website.
Captain Tom's mosaic will be presented to him in a printed format.
Speaking about his birthday, he said: "Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming.
"My legs may be tired, but my mind is racing and I'm hoping to be back very soon with other ways in which I can help people, help others.
"Please always remember, tomorrow will be a good day."
The weekly tribute to NHS and key workers appears to be helping with Worcester's seagull population.
Read More
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The tributes keep on coming for Captain Tom Moore, the war veteran who raised millions for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
In Nantwich, Cheshire, painter Tony Denton said he was inspired to create a portrait of Capt Tom.
He added doing the work helped him combat his depression, saying: "If [Captain Tom] can get up in the morning and march up and down his yard, doing his bit for the NHS, surely I can do a little bit."
The painting was at the town's cenotaph but is now on display in a local bookshop.
Gary Fear from Gnosall, Staffordshire, is aiming to walk 100 miles in six days to raise money for the NHS - and he's doing it in fancy dress.
As you can see, he's been changing his costume, and after three days has raised £1,200.
He is aiming to raise about £2,000 in all.
Image source, Gary FearThe family of a Manchester teenager who died in Cheshire have said they hope a full inquest will go ahead after an inquiry into Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) handling of the case was dropped.
Image source, Family handoutYousef Makki died in a fight
Manchester Grammar student Yousef Makki, 17, died in a fight with Joshua Molnar, now 18, in Hale Barns, Cheshire, last March.
Mr Molnar was acquitted of murder and manslaughter by a jury after a trial at Manchester Crown Court in July.
Today, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regional director Amanda Rowe said it had found "no potential misconduct by any individual officer" at GMP.
In a statement, Yousef Makki's family said their confidence had "hit an all-time low".
They said they remained hopeful that "a full inquest into Yousef's death will go ahead to uncover the answers our family so desperately deserve".
The IOPC had launched two investigations - one into GMP and a second involving Cheshire Police - earlier this year.
The police watchdog said its investigation into Cheshire Constabulary was continuing.
An artist has presented Captain Tom Moore with a portrait - resulting in a smile "as warm as his heart".
Darren Baker, who lives in Coventry, created the image in pastel, and shows the NHS fundraiser - 100 years old today - giving the thumbs up.
Image source, Janice English/PA WireMr Baker also presented Capt Tom with a sketch of Keighley, where the former soldier grew up.
The artist said: "He was over the moon - his smile is as warm as his heart."
Image source, Janice English/PA WireWhile most of us are staying at home, the gulls in Worcester are being persuaded to leave theirs - with a regular feature of lockdown life having a surprise impact on the "nuisance" birds.
The council says the gulls can be aggressive and make mess through scavenging in bins for food, sometimes stealing it from people.
One tactic to scare them off during this peak nesting season has been to send up hawks and falcons, twice a day, around Britannia Square. But according to the local authority, "there are still three nesting pairs from last year which stubbornly remain".
But could the council be about to give Clap for Carers its own round of applause?
Image source, Getty ImagesResidents in the town have reported the regular Thursday night clapping for NHS workers is forcing the birds to take to the air in fright - something the council was hoping to do via gull distress calls over loudspeakers.
Quote MessageI’d encourage Worcester residents to keep on clapping and cheering in support of key workers. Not only is it helping to raise morale, but it appears to be helping to keep our gull population at bay too.”
Councillor Joy Squires, Worcester City Council
Stoke-on-Trent Live
From Stoke-on-Trent Live:
Manchester Grammar student Yousef Makki died in a fight with Joshua Molnar in Cheshire.
Read MorePolice have arrested a man who allegedly claimed he had the coronavirus and spat at officers.
Staffordshire Police said, external it happened this morning in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent.
A 28-year-old man from the area was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and is still in custody.
Karl Gallagher died after an altercation at a shopping centre in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Sunday.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC News
A historic building has been sealed off in Birmingham so essential repair works can be carried out during lockdown, a charitable trust says.
Highbury Hall, in Moseley, is currently surrounded by scaffolding and fencing.
Chamberlain Highbury Trust, which manages the grounds, said it was mainly restoring the roof and carrying out repairs to water damage on the inside.
The hall was built in 1878 for Birmingham politician and former mayor Joseph Chamberlain, who lived there until he died in 1914.
Historic England placed it on its At Risk register in 2018 and the trust said the current works were aimed at improving and protecting the building.
The Halesowen News is covering these stories today:
An independent brewery has stepped in during lockdown to support pubs that stock its beer.
Joules Brewery in Market Drayton, Shropshire, has told pubs that it will provide credit for any beer currently in cellars that can't be sold, so no-one is out of pocket.
Image source, GoogleThe brewery has also cancelled rents and is planning concessions for its franchisees when they're finally allowed to open.
BBC Business News
Firms that fail to refund people for holidays and weddings cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak could face legal action by the consumer watchdog.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it will take companies to court if they flout the law.
It says four out of five complaints made to its Covid-19 Taskforce are about cancellations and refunds.
Issues include holidaymakers being pressured to take vouchers instead of refunds for accommodation.
A teenager accused of murdering a man who was fatally stabbed at a West Midlands shopping centre has appeared in court today.
Image source, Family handoutKarl Gallagher
Tyrell Harris, 19, is accused of killing Karl Gallagher, 31, who died at the West Cross centre in Smethwick on Sunday.
Mr Harris, of no fixed address, appeared before magistrates earlier and is set to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court tomorrow.
