Local Democracy Reporting Service
Mark Cardwell

A former rough sleeper said being housed in a hotel during lockdown was “life-saving” – and he hoped to return to work since moving to social housing.

Image source, Reuters

Sam Foster, 35, was one of a number of homeless people who were able to stay in a Birmingham city centre hotel as part of a scheme during coronavirus lockdown.

The scheme provided funding for local authorities to sign contracts with hotels for emergency accommodation for homeless people at the height of the crisis.

The contract with the hotel has now run out, but Mr Foster has moved into a flat operated by Trident Reach, which delivers homeless services on behalf of Birmingham City Council.

Since leaving the hotel, Mr Foster said life was “more back to normal” and he was hopeful of being able to return to work and “getting his life back in order”.

Sophie Madden
BBC News

With all social events banned and lockdown restricting Church of England weddings to five people some couples cancelled their big day.

But Kirsten and Richard Groom, from Walsall, decided instead to live stream their ceremony to 100 guests. Later that week, they also moved into a new house.

When I caught up with them they told me that suddenly being alone in their new home was a “shock”.

“For it suddenly to be just the two of us in a house together was a bit of a shock,” Mrs Groom said.

Image source, St Matthew's Church

“I was put on furlough at the start of April, Richard was able to work some shifts but was still home the majority of the time.”

Most of the first few weeks were spent unpacking and decorating their new home, she said.

“On reflection, now we have got to this point, the time has actually gone quite fast,” added Mrs Groom.

The couple are planning to have a celebration with physical, rather than virtual, guests next summer, and have managed to move much of their original plans to the new date.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Tuesday.

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 , externaland Facebook., external

Transplant patients and some with rare lung diseases were initially missed off the shielding list.

Here are some of the ways local Facebook groups linked people in need with those who wanted to help.

Finley Hill underwent a stem cell transplant after the diagnosis of a rare immune system disorder.

What's lockdown been like for personal trainer, a student, a rapper and a semi-pro footballer?

Police say the "hate crime" appears to be a "clear attempt to stir community tensions".

We'll be back with the latest for the West Midlands from 08:00 tomorrow.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Vandals have broken into a junior sports club and caused about £3,000 in damage as well as stealing a strimmer and sweets.

Image source, Bromsgrove Sporting Colts FC

The burglary happened on Saturday night at Bromsgrove Sporting Colts Clubhouse and saw a window shutter ripped off a wall and locks forced on three doors, West Mercia Police said.

The force has branded it "mindless and selfish" and said the vandalism had caused anger and upset in the area.

Image source, Bromsgrove Sporting Colts FC

The club has launched a fundraising page with more than £1,500 already donated.

Club treasurer Matt Hare said it was a blow to their efforts and, at a time of lockdown easing, "the youngsters are desperate to get back to some level of normality".

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man was the victim of a "savage" attack in Birmingham which included being stamped on the head, police said. , external

The 40-year-old was assaulted on Sunday evening in Corporation Street and was kicked and punched as he lay on the ground.

Officers said the victim was left with head injuries including a badly bruised eye and could have broken bones from being stamped on.

The offenders took his wallet and keys.

A video of the attack has been released by the force which said several people had also filmed the assault. It urged them to come forward with their footage.

BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City striker Benik Afobe says the support from the football world following the death of his daughter has been incredible.

Image source, Getty Images

Two-year-old Amora passed away on 29 November after complications from a severe infection.

Afobe said he had had messages of support on social media offering advice and help from fans of rival teams.

"Honestly, there's always going to be trolls but I haven't even had one troll and I get thousands of messages but no-one has said anything negative about family or anything like that and it means a lot to me."

The prime minister is due to visit Dudley tomorrow as he is set to announce a programme of infrastructure projects to help the economy bounce back from the effects of coronavirus, said the mayor of the West Midlands.

Image source, Reuters

Andy Street tweeted: "He, like me, is ambitious for the region and we have started the job."

The West Midlands is asking for £3.2bn over three years from the government to keep the regional economy going.

The expectation is that at at least 61,000 jobs will be lost in the region as a result of the first three months of lockdown once the government's furlough scheme ends, a briefing held by the mayor last week was told.

One pub on the England-Wales border will stay shut as two pubs across the road reopen on Saturday.

Edward Mark Williams was shot and injured by police who were found to have acted proportionately.

The delayed 2020 county season will begin on 1 August, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirms.

BBC Weather Watchers

There have been lots of grey clouds over the West Midlands today but that hasn't stopped our local BBC Weather Watchers getting out and taking photos.

These three are from users Neil, in Gnosall, Staffordshire; Skye, in Clee Hill, Shropshire; and Eskimoden, in Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.

Image source, Neil

Image source, Skye

Image source, Eskimoden

George Eliot Hospital, in Nuneaton, has recorded 27 patient deaths with Covid in the past two weeks.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Five people have been arrested in two counties after petrol station staff were tricked into handing over tobacco, sweets and other items worth a total of about £350,000.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

The alleged fraud happened over two years from 2018 at stations across the country, police said. , external

Homes were raided this morning in Bedfordshire and Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, and four men and a woman arrested.

The force said officers had also seized cash, cannabis, phones, financial records and suspected stolen goods including confectionery.

No coronavirus-related deaths have been reported by hospital trusts in the West Midlands today.

There is usually a drop in the daily figures after the weekend - but it's the first time since 10 March no fatalities have been announced by hospitals in the region.

The region's first coronavirus-related deaths were recorded on 8 March, with a peak of deaths in the week ending 17 April.

The chief executive of University Hospitals Birmingham, England's biggest hospital trust, said on 19 June there were no Covid cases in any of the trust’s intensive care units.

Throughout much of the pandemic, more coronavirus patients died at its hospitals than any other trust in the UK and it was the first to announce 300 Covid-19 deaths.