Updates from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August
The region is already basking under blue skies and hot weather today as far as we can tell from the photos we are getting from our local BBC Weather Watchers.
These are from users Jon in Stafford, Sunshine Seeker in Stoke Edith, Herefordshire and OutwithArchie in Barnt Green, Worcestershire:
Image source, Jon
Image source, Sunshine Seeker
Image source, OutwithArchieA boy's suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car in Walsall.
The youngster was on Darlaston Road yesterday evening when the collision happened, the ambulance service said. , external
He was taken by ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
BBC Shropshire
Part of the Severn Valley Railway has been saved from a "catastrophic" position, it said.
Image source, Matt RobinsonThe heritage line said a landslip on its route between Highley and Bridgnorth needed urgent work to drain rainwater away.
Without the work, a spokesperson said it would probably have had to stop running passenger trains on the route over winter, hitting its finances.
The railway's charitable trust is funding £120,000 for the scheme.
Allen Cook
BBC News
Two weekly newspapers in the West Midlands will close permanently, it has been confirmed
Image source, GooglePublisher Reach PLC told the BBC the 205-year-old Lichfield Mercury and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer would not return after their lockdown suspensions.
The firm added the decision was down to the papers being "uneconomic" to bring back.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
David Irwin
Part of the M42 is going to be shut this weekend so a huge bridge can be lifted into position as part of the HS2 rail project.
Image source, HS2 LtdThe 2,700 tonne structure will carry the A452 over the motorway between J6 and J7A, near Solihull, and is the first permanent structure to be installed by HS2 along the line from London to Birmingham.
Highways England said, external the motorway would be closed between the junctions after Friday's evening rush hour and reopen before Monday morning's rush hour with diversions signposted.
The Express and Star is covering these stories today:
An electric bin lorry is being trialled in Dudley as part of plans to cut down on greenhouse gas and nitrous oxide emissions.
Image source, Dudley CouncilThe council said , externalthe vehicle had been used on several routes this week but with a price tag of £400,000 was much more expensive than £180,000 for a normal bin lorry.
However, the local authority said the electric lorry could save more than £15,000 each year in fuel and maintenance costs.
It said it was working on getting funding to cover the extra outlay and planned to purchase two of the vehicles.
BBC Sport
Forward Raul Jimenez says Wolves want to "achieve big things" after they reached the Europa League quarter-finals by beating Olympiakos.
Image source, EPAJimenez's penalty secured a 1-0 win over the Greek champions at Molineux on Thursday and a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
It is the first time in 48 years that Wolves have reached the last eight of a major European competition.
"We want to keep going. We know we can do it," said Jimenez.
He told BT Sport: "It's a long, long season. We started last year but we are here. We head to Germany. It's big."
Plenty of sunshine around and it will be mainly dry and fine with just the chance of a few showers this afternoon. High: 28C (82F).
Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Sue SnapsThis morning in Codsall, Staffordshire
Warm and muggy tonight with any lingering showers clearing away to leave it dry with clear spells. Low: 16C (61F).
You can get a latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
Campaigners in Stoke-on-Trent are calling for stronger powers to stop historically important empty properties from being allowed to decay.
Members of the Our Buslem community group cited the derelict Price and Kensington works in Longport which has been on Historic England's At Risk register.
In November, part of it was demolished after surveys showed it was at risk of collapsing and on Tuesday fire crews said a blaze at the site was arson.
Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said he would put forward a bill in September to allow owners to face unlimited fines for allowing historic buildings to decay.
BBC Midlands Today has repeatedly tried to contact the owner of the works but has had no response.
Allen Cook
BBC News
Welcome to the start of our live service for Friday.
We'll be bringing you all the latest updates for the West Midlands.
You can let us know about stories in your area via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook, external.
Forward Raul Jimenez says Wolves want to "achieve big things" in the Europa League after beating Olympiakos to reach the quarter-finals.
Read MoreThe former Worcester Warriors star swam the 21 miles in 13 hours and 57 minutes.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC News
We'll return with news, sport, travel, weather and more for the West Midlands from 08:00 tomorrow.
Current planning laws are a waste of time, according to a Worcestershire developer.
The view from Lioncourt Homes comes as the housing secretary has announced sweeping changes to the planning system in England.
Image source, ReutersRobert Jenrick said local people would not be able to block developments in designated "growth" zones.
Several developments in Worcestershire have been built by Lioncourt Homes and spokesman Andy Faizey said the current system could delay construction for months.
"[We] had a situation were we applied for planning permission for 120 homes in a village that was going to take 180. Members turned it down, so we appealed against it. It got called in by Secretary of State who held on to it for 19 months."
Image source, EPABut the government's view that planning has become a barrier to building has been challenged by the Conservative deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council, Adrian Hardman.
"I don't think that is the case," he said.
"I mean, 90% of all planning permissions are granted within the due time and for those that aren't, there's normally jolly good reasons for it."
BBC CWR
Huge debts due to the coronavirus lockdown have forced a go-karting centre to close for good.
Image source, GoogleThe owners of Mr Karting, based in Leamington Spa, posted on its website , externalsaying they couldn't afford the lease and other costs associated with the premises.
In a statement, the firm said reopening under Covid-19 restrictions wouldn't have been affordable and the closure was "not one that has been taken lightly".
Formula 2 driver Jordan King told BBC CWR he started his career at Mr Karting and it would be much missed as a good stepping stone into motorsport.
"You can go along relatively cheaply and start driving and get used to it, have a bit of fun and anyone can do it as well from old to young so it really is that first stepping stone on to a bigger pyramid,"he said.
Birmingham Live
The Birmingham Live website's headlines today include:
Warwickshire and England paceman Olly Stone will be out for up to a month with a side strain.
Read MoreBBC CWR
Three pubs in the Warwickshire village of Brinklow are reopening today after being shut following the news a customer had tested positive for coronavirus.
Image source, GoogleThe three - The Raven, The White Lion and The Bulls Head, external - have all been deep cleaned after the discovery earlier this week., external
The management of The Raven posted on its Facebook page and said all their staff had been tested for Covid-19 and the results had come back negative., external
Schoolchildren mark the 75th Hiroshima anniversary at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Read More
