Updates from Monday 2 November to Sunday 8 November
Andy Giddings
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 , externaland Facebook., external
Andy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Stoke City might have to wait until after the international break to get James Chester and Nathan Collins back from injury.
Chester (pictured below) hurt his calf and Nathan Collins is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Manager Michael O'Neill said both would definitely miss tomorrow's match against Watford.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere is a chance they might travel to Reading on Saturday, but O'Neill said "the international break can give those players a bit more recovery time."
The Potteries shopping centre in Stoke-on-Trent is one of several planning to stay open late to allow shops to cope with the pre-lockdown rush.
Its operator, Intu, said it has seen an increase in footfall and sales since the government announced non-essential shops would have to close from Thursday.
From Thursday, the centre will only open for essential stores such as The Post Office and Superdrug
In addition, some restaurants will be open for take away and other stores will offer a click and collect service.
A man has died and a woman injured after a crash involving two cars and a lorry.
Emergency services were called to the A46 near Evesham Country Park shortly before 11:00.
The driver of one car died at the scene, said the ambulance service.
A woman, the passenger in the second car, was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
The driver from the same vehicle was assessed by staff and discharged at the scene.
A firework was used to launch up to 40 rockets at people in a "drive-by shooting, " police say.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceOfficers in Birmingham said they had seen video of the flares being fired from a display-size firework from a car on Coventry Road in the city.
"People are seen ducking for cover as the rockets are discharged through the car window near the Old Bill & Bull pub," it said.
The West Midlands force said it believes the footage was filmed in the last few days, and has asked for anyone with information to come forward.
Rockets were also launched at a motorist and police car on Saturday in Cape Hill, the force added.
Here are three stories from the Worcester News:
A man has been sentenced after making abusive calls to police call handlers
Tim Potter, 58, of St. John's in Warwick, indicated a guilty plea for two charges of sending a communication conveying an offensive message at Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday.
He was ordered to complete a 12 month community order, pay a fine of £100, compensation of £150, plus a victim surcharge of £95.
Supt Mike Smith from Warwickshire Police said: “Malicious or hoax calls coming into our control room can delay real emergency calls from being answered and can potentially put lives at risk.
“Abuse towards our officers and staff – who are doing their job to keep the public safe – is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. When offences do occur, we will ensure they are investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
BBC Sport
British number one Dan Evans fell to a straight-set defeat by Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the Paris Masters.
Image source, Getty ImagesEvans lost 6-2 7-6 (7-3) to the Swiss 12th seed, who now holds a 5-0 winning record against the Briton.
"A not perfect end to the year, but it probably summed up the year of 2020 for tennis," said the 30-year-old from Birmingham.
Evans also confirmed he plans to work on a trial basis with Australian coach Chris Johnstone when he arrives down under next month.
The pilot of a light aircraft has had a "lucky escape" after crashing at an airfield in Staffordshire.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe pilot had managed to climb out of the craft after crashing at Tatenhill Airfield in Burton-upon-Trent before emergency services attended, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
You've been getting in touch with questions about the new coronavirus lockdown set to start on Thursday.
Ian Jones from Birmingham emailed to ask: "Will recycling and waste centres remain open? Will there still be bin collections?"
Birmingham City Council has just confirmed its recycling centres will open unlike during the first lockdown.
New winter opening hours are now in operation, and a slot must be booked before visiting. , external
We are expecting further detailed guidance to be issued by the government ahead of Thursday.
You can find out some of the answers to the questions being asked on our Your Questions Answered page.
Rape is among the charges faced by some of the men following a police probe in Redditch.
Read More
Local Democracy Reporting Service
The swimming pool in Whitchurch has developed a leak and Shropshre Council said the cost of fixing it is likely to be "substantial".
It's been closed for most of the year because the layout doesn't allow it to comply with social-distancing rules, but this leak could further delay it's reopening.
Image source, GoogleThe council said it is was working with Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, which runs the centre, to find the source of the leak.
Lezley Picton, the councillor responsible for leisure, said: “It’s a complex process. Potential causes are gradually being eliminated but I have to say at the moment they are eluding us."
A £10,000 fine has been issued to a bar in Leamington Spa for hosting a private party in breach of coronavirus restrictions.
Police found the town centre venue's doors locked on the evening of Thursday 22 October, but then discovered about 90 people inside, with no social distancing in place.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis
Coronavirus rates in in people aged over 60 have seen a "gradual rise" while cases among university students in Coventry have reduced in the past week.
Image source, Coventry City CouncilThe rate of positive cases in residents over 60 age-range stood at about 135 per 100,000 in the seven days to 29 October, compared with the overall rate of 190 said the city's health chief.
“In terms of hospital admissions we know as of this morning there were 35 people in UHCW with Covid and unfortunately 14 of those in intensive care," said director of public health Liz Gaulton.
“That number has been gradually going up for the last couple of weeks so it gives a sense of the work we are doing now through the new restrictions that come in on Thursday."
It's a good day for an autumn walk and the BBC Weather Watchers have been sharing their photos.
These ones were taken near Upton upon Severn, Northwick and Ryton.
Image source, Dee
Image source, StorytellerK
Image source, STFC Goose
Coventry Live
These are some of Coventry Live's headlines:
An 18-year-old man is recovering from "serious head injuries" after an attack in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Staffordshire Police said he was punched in the face and knocked unconscious while getting in a taxi at around 22:00 on Friday, outside the King Street Working Mens' Club,
The man was taken to hospital with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, but is now back at home.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
More than £350,000 will be spent to equip Staffordshire police officers with the latest "two-shot" Tasers.
The force has 252 Tasers, but they're an older model which is out of warranty and £159,000 will be spent on buying the latest version, with the rest of the money on maintenance, batteries and cartridges.
Image source, Getty Images
BBC News Travel
A burst water main in Coventry is causing travel disruption.
Buses are being diverted away from Hen Lane for emergency works.
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