Summary

  • Updates from Monday 8 March to Sunday 14 March

  1. Air quality drive sees new electric car charging pointspublished at 08:58 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    BBC Midlands Today

    New electric vehicle charging points are being installed across Solihull as part of efforts to improve air quality in the borough.

    An electric car being charged

    The borough council said, external it was trying to encourage motorists to use electric vehicles and a shortage of charging points was preventing people making the switch.

    Shirley, Olton and Knowle are among the areas set to benefit.

  2. Fireman Sam or Red Adair - is West Brom Allardyce's big mistake?published at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    With West Brom looking on the brink of relegation to the Championship, was taking the Baggies job Sam Allardyce's big mistake?

    Read More
  3. Weather: Showers and sunny spellspublished at 08:16 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    BBC Weather

    Early showers, with hail in places, should clear away to leave a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. High: 9C (48F).

    Weather today

    Turning cloudier tonight with wet and windy weather forecast which could see some heavy outbreaks of rain. Low: 4C (39F).

    You can keep up-to-date at the BBC Weather website.

  4. Live updates for the West Midlandspublished at 08:01 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Welcome to our live service for Friday.

    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

  5. Jersey Reds re-sign Van Breda on loanpublished at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Jersey Reds sign former back Scott van Breda on loan from Premiership side Worcester Warriors.

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  6. RSC set to perform again to live audiencespublished at 06:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is due to be staged in an outdoor performance area this summer.

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  7. Hundreds join bid to 'save' heritage cinemapublished at 06:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Campaigners fear Shrewsbury's former Granada Theatre could be turned into flats.

    Read More
  8. Scott scores as Everton beat Birminghampublished at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    England midfielder Jill Scott is among the scorers as Everton overcome a first-half scare to win at Birmingham.

    Read More
  9. Care home employee with Covid told to keep workingpublished at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    The site has been found "inadequate" by inspectors and placed in special measures.

    Read More
  10. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.

  11. Chief Constable to step down in Junepublished at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    The Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, Gareth Morgan, has announced he will retire in June after four years in the position.

    He has been a police officer for 33 years and said: "I am looking forward to rediscovering many of the interests I’ve not had time to pursue of late and to volunteering."

    Gareth MorganImage source, Staffordshire Police

    Paying tribute, the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "Gareth has led the force through a huge period of change and a challenging financial landscape over the last few years and not least over the last 12 months with the pandemic."

  12. Phillips reads list of UK women killed in last yearpublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    A Labour MP lists all women killed in the UK over the last year where a man has been convicted or charged.

    Read More
  13. Teenager admits terrorism offencespublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    A 15-year-old boy has admitted terrorism offences.

    The teenager, from Birmingham, was accused of possessing information "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".

    Westminster MagistratesImage source, PA Media

    He was arrested in June last year after a warrant was executed at his home in Bartley Green, said West Midlands Police.

    He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he was conditionally bailed.

    The charges relate to three counts of possessing a document used to prepare or commit an act of terrorism on or before 23 June 2020.

    He is next set to appear at Avon and Somerset Youth Court on 21 May for sentencing.

  14. Butler & Scott sign new Worcester dealspublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Worcester Warriors centre Will Butler signs a new deal with the Premiership club, along with lock James Scott.

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  15. Extra marshals to patrol city after lockdownpublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    An extra 16 "Covid marshalls" are being recruited in Birmingham to patrol the city when it opens up after lockdown.

    The city council said they would be deployed across the city centre, local neighbourhoods and parks joining the 24 already patrolling five days a week.

    BirminghamImage source, Getty Images

    The local authority said the marshals would be its "eyes and ears" and the new ones would be asked to advise and reassure businesses, residents, workers and visitors.

    They will also be asked to encourage people to comply with public health measures like social distancing, but they won't have any enforcement powers.

  16. Man jailed for murdering dating-site friendpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Amy Griffiths's killer is jailed for life over an attack of "extreme" violence.

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  17. Hundreds of hospital staff refuse Covid jabspublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Eddie Bisknell
    Local Democracy Reporter

    Figures suggest around 900 staff at Derby and Burton hospitals have not had the Covid vaccine for undisclosed or non-health reasons.

    Jabs have been available to all 15,862 front-line staff at the Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital in Burton upon Trent for four months.

    Queen's Hospital, Burton upon TrentImage source, Google

    Figures show 1,587 staff have not yet had their vaccines.

    Of these, 687 have said they are delaying the jab, mostly for health reasons such as pregnancy.

    Another 68 have declined outright for non-health reasons, which have not been specified.

    The remaining 832 have so far not explained why they have not come forward.

    The trust has confirmed staff who have declined vaccines are still in work and reiterate that the jabs are not mandatory.

  18. Your photos: A windy West Midlandspublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    BBC Weather Watchers

    You might want to check where your wheelie bin has got to, because it's been a blustery day with rain and even hail in places too.

    These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Ludlow and Bridgnorth earlier.

    Hills near LudlowImage source, Shropshire Lass
    Bridgnorth hailImage source, Botters Weatherman
  19. 'Litter-picking started as a way to curb my anger'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    After BBC News reported on a woman who spends Friday evenings litter picking, others got in touch.

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