Summary

  • Updates for 14-18 September

  1. Weather: One more day of sunshine before showers arrivepublished at 08:15 British Summer Time 22 September 2020

    BBC Weather

    We're forecast more sunshine today, once the mist clears, and temperatures could reach 23C (73F) in parts of the West Midlands.

    But we're expecting rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

    SheldonImage source, Triggy Stardust
  2. Man City hold off Wolves fightbackpublished at 23:01 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Manchester City hold off a second-half Wolves comeback to begin their quest to regain the Premier League title with a win at Molineux.

    Read More
  3. Villa narrowly beat 10-man Bladespublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Ezri Konsa's second-half header proves decisive as Aston Villa break down a resilient 10-man Sheffield United at Villa Park.

    Read More
  4. Taxi driver found following shootingpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    No arrests have yet been made by officers investigating the attack in Coventry.

    Read More
  5. Five arrested after drugs raidpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Five people have been arrested for suspected drugs offences by officers acting on a warrant at an address in Leamington Spa.

    Scene of raidImage source, Warwickshire Police

    Suspected class A drugs were seized from the property on Gordon Street during the raid at about 09:50.

    Four men aged from 21 to 50 were arrested along with a 50-year-old woman.

    They all remain in custody, said Warwickshire Police.

  6. Nuisance biker jailed after killing 'peacemaker'published at 18:27 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    James Rowley admitted manslaughter and dangerous driving over Joe Higgins's death.

    Read More
  7. Year group told to self-isolatepublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    A year group at a Coventry school has been asked to self-isolate, the city council has confirmed.

    Blue Coat School has asked all year eight pupils as well as a number of contacts in year 12 to stay at home from today, following a positive test, it said.

    “The school has robust procedures in place and has taken all of the necessary steps working alongside the council’s education and public health teams as well as Pubic Health England,” it said in a statement.

  8. Two year groups isolating at special schoolpublished at 17:19 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Two year groups at a primary special school in the West Midlands are continuing to isolate after two members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

    Langley SchoolImage source, Google

    A first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in a staff member at Langley School, on 4 September.

    A second member of staff was subsequently diagnosed, and after discussions with Public Health England (PHE) the school took the decision that years five and six should be sent home to self-isolate until 23 September.

    It's thought the cases are not linked, and both are thought to have caught the virus via community transmission, said PHE.

  9. Childcare exemption added to England Covid rulespublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    People in affected areas will be allowed to look after children from outside their households.

    Read More
  10. Families 'over the moon' with childcare exemptionpublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Families in the West Midlands say they are "over the moon" at the news that restrictions on families providing childcare will be lifted.

    Earlier Health Secretary Matt Hancock said an exemption would be put in place that would allow those doing informal childcare - often grandparents - to continue doing so.

    Michelle McDaid, a mother-of-two from Solihull, relies on her parents to care for her younger son Alfred, two, while she works.

    "It is amazing, it will make my life so much easier," she said.

    Michelle McDaid, pictured with husband KieronImage source, Michelle McDaid

    She said her children and their grandparents had "missed each other terribly" since the restrictions were put in place.

    She had been working over the weekend in order to free her usual working days to look after her son.

    "It has been a juggling act this past week trying to fit work in where I can," she said.

    Amanda Leek, 52, from Sandwell, who cares for her five-year-old grandson after school, said it was "fantastic".

    "My daughter had made arrangements at work," she said.

    "But it was looking into long term and how we were going to cope, there was just no way around it."

    However, Mrs Leek was worried about any possible nationwide restrictions being brought in which might affect the over 50s, but said she would be "keeping her fingers crossed" that would not be the case.

  11. Birmingham sign defender San Josepublished at 16:27 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Birmingham City sign former Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose on a free transfer.

    Read More
  12. Childcare exemption introduced by governmentpublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 21 September 2020
    Breaking

    The government has announced it will be lifting restrictions on families providing childcare - introduced as part of measures aimed at reducing coronavirus rates.

    Households in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell have not been able to mix since last Tuesday, with the measures set to be introduced in Wolverhampton tomorrow.

    Concerns had been raised that grandparents in particular would not be able to help with childcare arrangements within those local lockdown areas.

    Matt Hancock

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had heard the "concerns about the impact of local action on childcare arrangements".

    "So, today I'm able to announce a new exemption for looking after children under the age of 14 or vulnerable adults where that is necessary for caring purposes.

    "This covers both formal and informal arrangements.

    "It does not allow for play-dates or parties, but it does mean that consistent childcare relationship that is vital for somebody to get to work is allowed."

  13. Arson attack at park investigatedpublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Officers are investigating a suspected arson attack at a park in Rugby.

    It's believed the fire was started in a wheelie bin that had been placed in the middle of a wooden play area at Millennium Park in the town.

    Officers patroling the area discovered the fire in the early hours of Sunday.

    The fire caused "extensive" damage, said Warwickshire Police.

  14. Villa's Mings extends contract until 2024published at 15:49 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings signs a contract extension with the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.

    Read More
  15. City's 'power of love' praised at arena inquirypublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Families share a personal insight into the lives of those who died in the Manchester Arena bombing.

    Read More
  16. Virus tests 'booked up within half an hour'published at 14:57 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    Fenton Manor sports complex is among four venues being used to help boost national capacity.

    Read More
  17. Man seriously injured in stabbingpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    A man has suffered serious injuries after being stabbed in Oldbury.

    The man was treated at the scene in Kempsey Close shortly before 20:20 on Sunday, the ambulance service said.

    A second man was also taken to hospital suffering minor injuries.

  18. Towns to get £8m heritage fundingpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

    Five towns in the West Midlands are set to get more than £8m of government cash to help them make the most of their heritage.

    The funding from Historic England will be used to encourage visitors and help local businesses to improve footfall during these tough times on the high street.

    Leominster - generic imageImage source, Google

    Towns in line for funding:

    • Brierley Hill
    • Leominster
    • Oswestry
    • Stoke town
    • Wednesbury

    In Leominster (pictured above), the cash will be used to restore shop fronts and buildings, and create a heritage app.

    There's also a chance to get match funding to improve the town's roads, pavements and public areas.

    Quote Message

    It's absolutely fabulous and it's much needed I might add, but we can benefit the businesses and the residents and that's the important thing and visitors. It's gonna be a three-pronged thing."

    Clive Thomas, Mayor of Leominster

  19. Music is 'medicine' for dementia patientspublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 21 September 2020

    During the pandemic, community musicians have been helping people with dementia feel less isolated.

    Read More