Updates from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 August
BBC Midlands Today
Flood defences are being installed at a cemetery in Birmingham after a number of graves were affected by thunderstorms this week.
Filmed by Nav Sadiq
Flash flooding caused damage to graves in Handsworth Cemetery.
The city council says it has apologised to families and is carrying out repairs.
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenager was found with several stab wounds.
The 19-year-old man was discovered in a serious condition yesterday afternoon at an address in Abbeyfields, Great Haywood, near Stafford, Staffordshire Police said., external
The five men, all from Stafford, were arrested by police after they stopped a vehicle on Tixall Road.
Warwickshire batsman Matt Lamb signs a two-year contract extension at Edgbaston until the end of the 2022 season.
Read MoreFrom the Shropshire Star today:
BBC Radio WM
A woman says she is "gutted and devasted" as plans to visit her father at his care home had to be cancelled due to a rise in coronavirus cases in Birmingham.
Jill Howard, from Harborne, had planned to visit her father, Albert, to celebrate his 88th birthday with an afternoon tea party.
But she received a call on Tuesday night from staff saying visitors were no longer allowed.
The city council moved to ban all "non-essential" visits to care homes in Birmingham as coronavirus cases more than doubled in a week.
Image source, AlamyMs Howard has only been able to see her dad on two occasions for garden visits since lockdown was rolled out in March and says the impact on Albert, who lives with dementia, has been noticeable.
"It has affected him, he seems a bit low in his self-esteem, his dementia symptoms seem to be getting worse," Ms Howard said. "It's also having a massive impact on relatives who have loved ones in care homes.
"They need to see them, to stimulate them if they've got dementia, for their wellbeing."
A 'Nightingale' court is set to start hearing its first cases.
Image source, GoogleTen temporary courts, known as Nightingale courts, are being set up nationally to help clear a backlog of hearings caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
An annex of Telford Justice Centre will hear civil and family cases, boosting the capacity of the centre by adding three more court rooms.
Almost half of all courts were closed in March 2020, with jury trials paused to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Express and Star's headlines today include:
Pizza Express is to close 73 of its UK restaurants with the potential loss of 1,100 jobs.
The chain, which at the moment has 454 UK outlets, said it had cut a deal to reduce rent costs.
Image source, Getty ImagesA large number of sites across the West Midlands will close including: Birmingham Corporation St, Birmingham Mailbox, Bromsgrove, Dudley, Merry Hill, Hereford, Ludlow, Moseley, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Shirley, Stourbridge and Walsall.
There'll be a mix of sunny, drier spells broken up by bouts of heavy rain throughout the day with brisk winds. High: 20C/68F.
Image source, BBC Weather Watcher DeeThis morning in Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire
A band of more rain, which could be heavy at times, will pass across the West Midlands this evening leaving much of the night afterwards dry with clear spells. Low: 15C/59F.
You can get a latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.
A woman has been critically injured in a head-on crash in Coventry.
A VW Golf - which earlier had failed to stop for police officers - was driven on the wrong side of Foleshill Road before crashing into an Audi.
A 49-year-old woman travelling in the rear of the blue Golf suffered serious internal injuries and her condition is described as life threatening, the force said.
Image source, GoogleThe 20-year-old male driver of the Golf was also transferred to hospital having suffered a fractured kneecap, while a 16-year-old male passenger has since been discharged from hospital.
The Audi driver, suffered minor injuries.
Police said they will question the driver when he is fit to be interviewed.
West Midlands Police is appealing for witnesses , externalto the crash at 13:45 on Monday in Foleshill Road.
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
Kellie Smith "bought sweets" for her victim and smoked cannabis with him in her car, a court hears.
Read MoreBirmingham's public health boss fears people are forgetting to take proper measures against coronavirus.
Read More
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
Live updates have now ended for the day.
We'll be back with you from 08:00 on Wednesday.
A fire at a scrap metal centre is under control and crews' operation is being "scaled down", says the fire service.
Firefighters were called earlier this afternoon to Rabone Lane in Smethwick where the blaze was said to involve 20 tonnes of scrap.
About ten firefighters remain at the scene - half the number initially battling the flames.
Somerset are left frustrated as rain prevents them from closing out victory against Warwickshire in the Bob Willis Trophy at Edgbaston.
Read MoreA huge amount of scrap metal is on fire in Smethwick.
West Midlands Fire Service says the blaze involves about 20 tonnes.
Crews are at the scene on Rabone Lane.
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Two-year-old Eleanor Manton was spotted by children's wear brand JoJo Maman Bébé for modelling work.
Read MoreWorcestershire bowl out Northamptonshire in less than two sessions for a second win in three group games in the Bob Willis Trophy.
Read MoreThe nephew of a woman who died in a fire is raising awareness of the dangers posed to smokers who also use emollient creams.
Maureen Milton, 74, who used the treatment for leg ulcers, died in Burton-upon-Trent last year when she tried to light a cigarette and her nightdress caught fire.
The cream had made her clothing flammable.
Robert Evans has joined forces with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe arm chair where the fire began
"Before this happened to Maureen I had no idea these creams made clothing so flammable," Mr Evans said.
In the last 10 years in England, at least 56 people who have died in fires used emollients, which are often prescribed for skin conditions.
The creams are safe to use but can soak into clothing and bedding, leaving a flammable residue.
