Updates on Monday 4 April 2016
We had thunderstorms and lots of lightning across the West Midlands last night and our BBC Weather Watchers were busy trying to snap photos of it.
Here are three from users Greg in Stoke-on-Trent, LeoPaul in Leominster, Herefordshire and WetWest in Kingsbury, Warwickshire:
Image source, Greg
Image source, LeoPaul
Image source, WetWest
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Revised plans have been put forward to build homes on the former London Taxi site in Coventry.
A previous plan for 107 homes was withdrawn in March because of concerns over the lack of open space and affordable housing.
Image source, GoogleThe new bid still doesn't include any affordable homes.
The London Taxi firm moved most of its operations to its Ansty Park site in 2017 and the land was later set aside for 110 homes in the council’s Local Plan.
Coventry Live
From the Coventry Telegraph:
The two were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and possession with intent to supply drugs.
Read More
Allen Cook
BBC News
A cow's been rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in a river.
Image source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue ServiceWarwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said, external the large animal couldn't get out from reeds in standing water on a farm in Marton, near Rugby.
The cow was rescued and fire crews said she seemed fit and well if exhausted from trying to release herself.
Allen Cook
BBC News
A teenager's been shot in Coventry.
Image source, GoogleThe 18-year-old's injuries are not thought to be serious, police said,, external after they were called to reports of shots being fired at Edgwick Park on Saturday morning.
Weapons were found after the park was searched but the force hasn't revealed what they were.
Officers investigating the shooting said a man and a woman, both 19 years old, were arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and released under investigation.
Coventry Live
The Coventry Live website's covering these stories today:
Allen Cook
BBC News
A scheme aimed at reconnecting a city's residents with the river hidden beneath their feet has been given more than £250,000.
Image source, Warwickshire Wildlife TrustWarwickshire Wildlife Trust , externalis aiming to get people in Coventry better connected with the River Sherbourne which disappears from view as it winds through the area.
Its scheme would see existing heritage structures such as two bridges and a ruined chapel on the river restored and use of technology such as virtual reality to reveal the course of the waterway.
The trust said the National Lottery Heritage fund has given it £253,600 to develop the plans with the aim of getting a full lottery grant of £1.8m in the future towards the total cost of the project.
Our local BBC Weather Watchers have been busy snapping photos this morning as well as letting us know the forecast from where they live.
Here are three from users Red Robin in Packwood, Warwickshire, J at Severn Ridge in Severn Stoke, Worcestershire and Neil in Alton, Staffordshire:
Image source, Red Robin
Image source, J at Severn Ridge
Image source, NeilFfion Roberts is going to train in The Netherlands while UK rinks remain closed.
Read MorePolice were called over welfare concerns for the child, who later died in hospital.
Read MoreCoventry Live
The Coventry Live website's top stories today include:
Allen Cook
BBC News
We are in for a hot day today as temperatures are forecast to get up around 28C.
It's not just us humans trying to keep cool and at Dudley Zoo they are using frozen peas in a paddling pool to help their chimpanzees:
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While BBC Weather Watcher Cathyvee25 sent us this photo from Nuneaton where her cat appears to want to get her to turn the fan on:
Image source, Cathyvee25If you've got a photo of how you, your family or your pets are coping or enjoying the hot weather, pop it over on an email to us.
Allen Cook
BBC News
A partial human skull found by a river in Warwickshire dates back to the Medieval period, police have said.
Image source, Warwickshire PoliceCarbon dating tests have been carried out on the bone fragment which a member of the public discovered in Barford, near Warwick, in May.
Warwickshire Police said, external the results confirmed the skull dated back to 960-1150AD.
The force said families connected to ongoing investigations have been told and the skull will now be used for training in forensics.
BBC CWR
Huge debts due to the coronavirus lockdown have forced a go-karting centre to close for good.
Image source, GoogleThe owners of Mr Karting, based in Leamington Spa, posted on its website , externalsaying they couldn't afford the lease and other costs associated with the premises.
In a statement, the firm said reopening under Covid-19 restrictions wouldn't have been affordable and the closure was "not one that has been taken lightly".
Formula 2 driver Jordan King told BBC CWR he started his career at Mr Karting and it would be much missed as a good stepping stone into motorsport.
"You can go along relatively cheaply and start driving and get used to it, have a bit of fun and anyone can do it as well from old to young so it really is that first stepping stone on to a bigger pyramid,"he said.
BBC CWR
Three pubs in the Warwickshire village of Brinklow are reopening today after being shut following the news a customer had tested positive for coronavirus.
Image source, GoogleThe three - The Raven, The White Lion and The Bulls Head, external - have all been deep cleaned after the discovery earlier this week., external
The management of The Raven posted on its Facebook page and said all their staff had been tested for Covid-19 and the results had come back negative., external
A man sped off from police the wrong way along the hard shoulder of a motorway at 100mph before abandoning his car and trying to run away, Warwickshire Police said., external
Image source, GoogleThe 38-year-old, from Tipton, was initially pulled over on suspicion of committing a traffic offence on the M40 yesterday afternoon, the force said.
As officers spoke to him on the hard shoulder, he drove off, hit a police car and then fled through Warwick Services at 90mph before turning on to the hard shoulder.
He was caught after he fled on foot and arrested for several offences including suspicion of dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer.
Allen Cook
BBC News
A motorcyclist has died and a woman's in a critical condition in hospital after a crash in Coventry this morning.
Image source, GoogleThe pair were believed to be on the bike on Coundon Road when it lost control near the level crossing, came off the road and hit a parked car and a lamppost, West Midlands Police said. , external
Bystanders gave the man who was riding the bike CPR before paramedic arrived, but the ambulance service said, , externalnothing could be done and he died at the scene.
The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A man's been arrested after a police officer was allegedly headbutted in Rugby.
Warwickshire Police said, external the officer had responded to a call about a man being abusive to customers at a betting shop in Church Street yesterday.
The 58-year-old, from Rugby, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly.
BBC CWR
A road's shut this morning after a crash involving a motorbike in Coventry.
The ambulance service said it was called just after 06:30 and sent four ambulances and a car to Barker Butts Lane, near the level crossing.
The road is expected to stay closed for some time, West Midlands Police tweeted., external
