Shropshire Star

Here are some of the stories on the Shropshire Star website today:

• Crash involving car and motorbike closes major route in south Shropshire, external
• English golfers get the go-ahead to play on Welsh border course, external
• Police release e-fit image after woman sexually assaulted on canal towpath, external

Image source, Staffordshire Police

The mother of man who died suddenly at property in Stoke-on-Trent said her heart had been "shattered into a million pieces" by his loss.

Bartlomiej (Bartek) Sobon, 34, died at a house in Lime Street on 20 February.

Four people arrested on suspicion of his murder were released as inquiries continue.

Bartek's mother, who paid tribute after an inquest into his death was opened and adjourned, said the pain she felt "could not be compared to anything".

"Only a mother can understand what I am feeling," she said.

“I will love you till the end of my life dearest son, until we meet again.”

A woman, 30, and two men aged 35 and 42 have been released under investigation, police said. A man, 32, was released on conditional bail.

Diglis Bridge in Worcester is closed after a man was pulled from the River Severn earlier today.

Image source, Google

West Mercia Police said officers were called to the bridge at about 09:30 BST over concern's for the man's safety.

The man, in his 70s, was rescued by crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and taken to hospital, where he later died, police said.

His family is being supported by specially trained officers, the force added.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Here are some of the stories on the Stoke Sentinel today:

• Long queues to get into Trentham Gardens as visitors enjoy the sun, external
• Another 49 positive Covid-19 tests in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire , external
• Mum's pride as Shane, 20, saves lives of five patients after Royal Stoke death, external

Two dogs that were stolen from outside a shop in Nantwich on Saturday have been found and reunited with their owners.

They were found at an address in Stoke-on-Trent where Staffordshire Police made three arrests in relation to the thefts.

A man, 37, a 28-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy will be questioned as part of an investigation into dog thefts, the force said.

A charity which helps people find employment has begun a campaign to increase diversity in workplaces.

Image source, Landau

Landau's We See You campaign will tell the stories of some of the 3,000 people it has helped into work or training.

Landau, which recently marked its 25th anniversary,says organisations also benefit from having a "more inclusive culture".

Chief executive Sonia Roberts said it would help "shine a spotlight on those people with hidden disabilities and challenges who with the right help and training can be supported into the workforce".

The initiative's start coincides with Autism Awareness Week but it will continue throughout 2021.

Independent experts are looking at 23 cases of a specific procedure between 2017 and 2019.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing in Birmingham.

The knife attack happened in in Murdock Road on 6 March, West Midlands Police said.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared before magistrates in the city on Friday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 9 April.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

The University and College Union has criticised a decision by Warwickshire College Group to shut down its Malvern Hills campus and sell off a large part of its Evesham campus.

Last year it announced the Malvern campus would close this August, with courses moved to the reduced Evesham campus, 20 miles (32km) away.

The site will then be sold.

Image source, Google

The union said moving courses to other sites would limit the options of 16 to 19-year-olds in the area.

The Warwickshire College Group said keeping the college in Malvern was no longer financially viable.

Birmingham Live

Here are some of the stories on the Birmingham Live website today:

• Gas explosion rocks Darlaston Road in Walsall with residents warned 'avoid area', external
• Schoolboy charged with attempted murder after man 'stabbed in head' in Handsworth, external
• Kidnap arrests after police stop VW Golf in Sparkbrook - 'victim safe', external

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans have been drawn up for a temporary travelllers' site in Walsall, with space for six caravans.

If they are approved by Walsall Council, the site off Darlaston Road would operate for three years and have spaces for 12 cars, plus shower facilities.

Image source, Metis Consultants

Some people living and working in the area have objected, but in the planning application Walsall Council officers noted the "increasing amounts of gypsy, Roma and traveller (GRT) community visiting Walsall".

And they suggested this site would be a "safer and more practical" site for them to stop.

The report also said that the three-year time limit would allow its effectiveness to be assessed.

Thomas Jones died after a night out in Worcester in September 2018.

The explosion in Walsall caused significant damage to the property and a passing car.

Pupils from disadvantaged areas are being given the chance to have outdoor classes under its "nature-friendly schools" initiative, said Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

The project to train teachers to deliver the classes will work with more than 100 schools this year.

Stephanie Dowley, head teacher at John Randall Primary, in Telford, Shropshire, said the scheme had been transformative and every class had spent at least an hour learning outside in the forest school area.

"After the year children have had - much of the time being stuck at home and away from their peers - learning and playing together in nature isn't just helpful, it's essential," she said.

Organisers of Coventry's MotoFest said the car festival would return to the city in the summer but it was going to be different this year due to coronavirus restrictions.

The festival could not go ahead last summer due to the pandemic

It will be spread out over a month, running over four separate weekends from 17 July to 8 August, rather than its usual single weekend programme.

"What we're doing is each weekend we'll have a different theme, appealing to a different section of the MotoFest audience," festival director James Noble said.

Themes include future technology and an 'Italian Job' style weekend.

"We want MotoFest to be free, we want Moto Fest to be openly accessible," he said. "It always has been."

Officers have returned to the scene of a crash after a boy died in a suspected hit-and-run collision on a moped.

Image source, Family handout

Liam Mooney is believed to have been a pillion passenger when there was an incident involving a car in Perry Barr, Birmingham, at 19:20 GMT on 22 March.

The car left the scene and police believe another moped was being ridden in tandem with Mr Mooney's motorbike.

Officers returned to the scene on Monday to speak to drivers and members of the public in the hope someone might have information about the incident, said West Midlands Police.

“Our thoughts remain with Liam’s family at this awful time. They deserve to know what happened to their son that night," the force added.

A memorial plaque dedicated to Worcester student Tom Jones has been vandalised less than two weeks after it was put up.

The 18-year-old disappeared nine days before his body was recovered from the River Severn in Worcester in September 2018.

An inquest into his death found he was "more than likely" responding to a cry for help when he died from drowning.

Image source, Family handout

His mum Vicki said seeing the damage to the plaque had left her "devastated".

"It's really tough," she said. "Two-and-a-half years on, you think you are moving on... but it does make you realise how little resilience you've actually got.

"As much as you think it is just mindless and thoughtless, you can't help but take it personally."

BBC Weather

After a cool start it will be a fine and sunny day with some unseasonably high temperatures of 22°C (72°F).

Firefighters are at the scene of a fire which broke out following a "gas explosion" at a Walsall house this morning.

West Midlands Fire Service said it had been called to Darlaston Road at 06:30 BST and it "appears to be a gas leak that caused the explosion".

It said it had so far not received reports of any casualties.

The road is currently closed between Bentley Mill Way and Gower Street and people have been asked to avoid the area.

Welcome to our live service for Tuesday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

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