Updates from 15 March - 21 March
BBC Radio Stoke
A new bypass in Congleton is going be named after the women's rights campaigner Elizabeth Clarke Wolstenholme Elmy.
She lived in the town for 40 years before she died in 1918, and was a leading member of the national campaign for women to have the right to vote.
Wolstenholme Elmy Way around the west of Congleton is due to open next month.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
The number of empty homes in Coventry has doubled to more than 3,000 in 18 months, figures reveal.
The city council, which has been taking action to address the problem, said the pandemic was partly to blame as many student properties had been “unoccupied since July last year”.
Councillor David Welsh said it was a problem in cities “across the country”.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn February, Coventry had 3,212 homes which had been empty for six months or longer, compared to 1,451 in October 2019, a Freedom of Information request to the council found.
“We are working hard to bring unused and empty properties into use as it’s such a key priority for the council – and a home where families can move into is absolutely vital,” Me Welsh said.
Police will be able to cross-reference data with crime reports to see if offenders were in the area.
Read MoreCCTV images of two people police want to trace in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash have been released.
Darren Whitehouse, 43, was struck by a car in St Mark's Road, Tipton, at about 13:40 GMT on 27 February.
West Midlands Police said officers later recovered what's believed to be the offending vehicle, a silver Infiniti which had been stolen in Rowley Regis on 24 February.
A forensic analysis of the car is being carried out.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceThe force said it has reason to believe that they were either inside the car at the time of the collision, or have information about the people involved and what happened.
"If you recognise the people in these images, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.
"We’re also appealing directly to the people responsible to do the right thing; come forward and account for their actions," the force said.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceIt'll be largely dry today, with some hazy sunshine and highs of 11C/52F.
Image source, TippytoesAnd tonight it'll be mainly dry and clear with some mist and fog, lows of 3C/37F.
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.
Vinnie, aged four, has had three open heart surgeries but is now in heart failure, his family says.
Read MoreJames Bree and Elijah Adebayo get the goals as Luton Town ease to victory over 10-man Coventry City at Kenilworth Road.
Read MoreLee Bowyer is appointed as Birmingham City's new boss after Aitor Karanka steps down as head coach of Championship strugglers.
Read MoreBea Jones has been left "distressed" by the similarities with the murder of her daughter Moira in 2008.
Read MoreIt is impossible to find out how she died, a pathologist tells the trial of her alleged murderer.
Read MorePeople over the age of 16 are being asked to get tested even if they have no symptoms.
Read MoreWe'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.
A Birmingham man convicted of possessing cannabis in India more than 15 years ago has won a High Court fight against extradition.
Ivor Fletcher, who is in his late 50s, said he should not be extradited because he had long-term, ongoing mental health issues and his health and life could be at risk if he had to go into an Indian prison.
The court heard Fletcher was arrested in 2002 while travelling in Kullu where officials said he was in possession of 10kg of the drug.
He was detained in custody before being acquitted the following year and returned to the UK.
Indian authorities appealed and he was convicted in his absence and given a 10-year jail term.
Fletcher was arrested in the UK in 2018, and government ministers subsequently ordered his extradition.
James Stansfeld, representing the Indian government, told the court Fletcher was "a fugitive from proceedings in India".
But Mr Justice Chamberlain said the Indian government had not provided information to show that there was "a credible treatment or protection regime" in Indian prisons and ruled in Fletcher's favour.
Tittensor First School in Staffordshire has been forced to close after nine coronavirus cases were identified in the first week of being back open to pupils.
It affected two of the three classes there.
The school is now being cleaned and will remain closed until next week.
The RSPCA is looking to raise £400 a month to look after a sick Great Dane cross-breed.
The dog, who has been named Arthur by the charity, was found abandoned in a park in Edgbaston last month and was very skinny.
He'd also developed sores from lying down on hard surfaces and the RSPCA believes he may have been neglected for a long time before he was discovered.
Image source, RSPCAArthur is now undergoing emergency treatment at the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home and the medical costs are £300 a month, plus another £100 a month in food, the animal charity said.
The charity has set up Arthur's Support Group appeal, asking people to donate £10 or more a month.
Image source, RSPCA
Birmingham Live
Here are some of the stories on the Birmingham Live website today:
Rural bus services in the West Midlands are being given £2m by the government, to help them become more "innovative".
The money is being split between Staffordshire County Council, which will receive £1,038,090 and Warwickshire County Council, which will get £1,020,000.
Image source, Getty ImagesStaffordshire plans to use the money to pay for on-demand minibus services for Leek, Ashbourne and Buxton.
Warwickshire County Council plans to buy four vehicles to serve Kenilworth and in rural Warwick.
Depending on where you are in the West Midlands today, you're either enjoying brilliant sunshine or looking up at grey cloud.
And that is changing fast too.
These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers earlier today in Church Stretton (top) and Stourport-on-Severn (bottom).
Image source, Snapper Simon
Image source, ElisaThe chief constable of West Mercia Police has announced he will retire in September.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceAnthony Bangham, who joined the force as a constable 30 years ago, said he had enjoyed an "amazing career with every day bringing new challenges".
"I have served as a police officer across West Mercia in many roles and different ranks and have always done so with great pride," he said.
Mr Bangham, who was assistant chief constable for the Avon and Somerset force, said he had been "delighted" to finish his career with West Mercia, serving the area where he had spent most of his life.
The force's Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion praised Mr Bangham as "a determined leader in challenging times" and said he had always put the public at the heart of his work.
