New high-speed trains will have proper Wi-Fi, government promisespublished at 14:40 BST 20 April 2017
A new fleet of high-speed trains serving Plymouth will be fitted with improved Wi-Fi connections, external, the government has promised.
Summary
Man 'hid body in suitcase' court hears
Teenager charged with Exeter flat murder
Falmouth property fire 'treated as arson'
Motorist 'caught driving 117mph' over Dartmoor
Cancer Research UK speaks out over charity haircut boy
Exeter Chiefs players called to England squad
Updates on Thursday 20 April
New high-speed trains will have proper Wi-Fi, government promisespublished at 14:40 BST 20 April 2017
Remember what rain is?published at 14:31 BST 20 April 2017
October-March was the driest since 1995/6...and April is continuing that theme...
Security officers injured as defendent kicks out in dockspublished at 14:19 BST 20 April 2017
Two security officers had to be treated by paramedics after a defendant kicked out while he was being held in the docks, external at Plymouth Magistrates Court this morning.
Special playroom for boy with rare conditionpublished at 14:02 BST 20 April 2017
A boy with a rare medical condition has started using a special playroom designed for him.
Eight-year-old Harry Johns who suffers from Perthes' disease, external has been forced to sit out at play-times because he isn't supposed to run, jump or play sports.
Now a games room has been built at his school so he can play table football and snooker with other children. It's been provided thanks to local fundraising.
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End of X postPower surge 'causes' shop firepublished at 13:48 BST 20 April 2017
A power surge caused a fire in a light fitting in a shop in Torquay this morning, fire crews have told the BBC.
A fire engine from the town and one from Paignton were sent to Union Street just before 10:00.
Minor damage was reported, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service added.
Bulgarian man on trial for city murderpublished at 13:33 BST 20 April 2017
Scott Bingham
BBC SpotlightThe jury has been sworn in this morning in the trial of a Bulgarian man accused of killing his ex-partner in Exeter.
Mother-of-three Gergana Prodanova, 38, who was from Bulgaria, was last seen on 4 August last year.
Kostadin Kostov, 42, denies murder. The trial at Exeter Crown Court is expected to last for four weeks.
Timeline: Schoolboy banned for charity head shavepublished at 13:24 BST 20 April 2017
Amy Gladwell, BBC News OnlineCancer Research UK has thanked a teenager who shaved his head for their cause and then found himself banned from school for breaking hair-style rules.
Taylor Jones, 15, from east Cornwall, remains excluded from lessons.
Image source, Lesley JonesHow did this happen?
- Early in 2017 Taylor Jones, 15, started growing his hair with the aim of shaving it off in June for charity, after a friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer
- In April, Taylor's hair was getting difficult to manage, so he brought the event forward and shaved it off
- Taylor returned to Launceston College after Easter to be told his "extreme hairstyle" warranted a ban from classes
- The school said he was advised before the holiday to have his hair cut to a "very short but acceptable length"
- He is having "specialist tuition" for four days until it starts to grow back
- Taylor's story hit the news after his mum said he should not be punished for trying to help others
- On Wednesday, the college praised a teacher for a charity head shave in a post on its website, external
- Cancer Research UK said it "hopes a solution can be reached"
Police hunt stabbing suspectspublished at 13:03 BST 20 April 2017
Amy Gladwell, BBC News OnlinePolice say they are investigating reports of a stabbing in Paignton.
Officers say a 27-year-old man was assaulted by two other men near Torbay Road at 18:20 on Wednesday.
The victim has been treated in hospital and is currently in a stable condition.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "At this time the suspects are outstanding with significant investigative enquires continuing".
Falmouth fire: Tenant's 'shock' at seeing smokepublished at 12:52 BST 20 April 2017
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End of X postPolice believe that a fire in a property in Falmouth may have been started deliberately.
The fire was reported soon after 10:00 in a two-storey rented semi-detached building in Boslowick Road. Three fire crews attended.
The road was temporarily closed. No injuries were reported.
Latest travel: Break-downs causing delayspublished at 12:47 BST 20 April 2017
BBC News Travel- In Tiverton on the A361 one lane is blocked by a broken-down vehicle westbound between Gornhay Cross and the Bolham Roundabout
- In Bodmin - reports of a broken-down vehicle on the A391 Truro Road between Westheath Road and Old Coach Road
- In Combe Martin the A399 High Street is partially blocked by a collision near Corner Lane and Church Street
Tall orderpublished at 12:29 BST 20 April 2017
A baby giraffe has been born at Paignton Zoo.
The zoo says animal experts have been patiently rebuilding the herd after a fire in early 2006, which claimed the lives of three of the animals.
Image source, Paignton ZooThe calf, born to mother Sangha, was on its feet within a few hours and is nearly six feet tall. It has not yet been named.
Green Party seeks pact with Labour in Plymouth and Totnespublished at 12:16 BST 20 April 2017
Jonathan Morris
BBC News OnlineThe Green Party says it is considering not standing a candidate in some seats to try and stop a Conservative victory.
Image source, European Photopress AgencyIt says it would stand down in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport to give Labour a better chance of winning the seat from the Tory MP Oliver Colvile.
But in return the Greens want Labour to agree not to contest the Totnes constituency.
The Green Party said it was "early days" but hoped arrangements could be made locally.
Police at scene of Falmouth blaze as arson suspectedpublished at 11:53 BST 20 April 2017
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End of X postFalmouth property fire 'treated as arson'published at 11:44 BST 20 April 2017
BreakingAmy Gladwell, BBC News OnlinePolice have confirmed a house fire in Falmouth is being treated as an arson attack.
Officers say no-one is believed to have been injured but Boslowick Road remains closed.
Fire crews prevent blaze from spreadingpublished at 11:39 BST 20 April 2017
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has prevented a fire in a garage from moving too far into a semi-detached house in Boslowick Road in Falmouth.
Fire crews were called to the area earlier this morning. The road was closed and people advised to stay away.
No-one was injured in the blaze.
Lights, camera, actionpublished at 11:31 BST 20 April 2017
Amy Gladwell, BBC News OnlineFilming in Exeter has brought in an estimated £140,000 worth of benefits to the city over the last year, the city council says.
Productions have included the ITV dating show Take Me Out, the BBC's Bargain Hunt, Countryfile - which was filmed on Exeter Canal - and BBC Four's A Very British History.
The council says last year's BBC Radio One's Big Weekend at Powderham Castle is also estimated to have brought in £88,450 to local hoteliers and an estimated £3.5m economic benefit to the local economy.
Fire crews tackle house blaze as people advised to avoid areapublished at 11:19 BST 20 April 2017
Hannah Stacey
BBC Radio CornwallFire crews are dealing with a house fire in Falmouth.
Boslowick Road has been closed and people are asked to avoid the area.
Image source, .Falmouth road closed as firefighters tackle house blazepublished at 11:05 BST 20 April 2017
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End of X postFire crews 'tackle blaze in two-storey building'published at 11:01 BST 20 April 2017
BreakingAmy Gladwell, BBC News OnlineThere are reports of smoke "billowing out of the back of a house" in Falmouth.
Image source, .Several fire engines have been seen to Boslowick Road. It's believed firefighters are tackling a blaze in a two-storey building.
Updates to follow.
Former long-standing MP will not stand in general electionpublished at 10:53 BST 20 April 2017
Amy Gladwell, BBC News OnlineAdrian Sanders who was Torbay's Liberal Democrat MP for 18 years until being defeated in 2015, has announced he will not be contesting the general election on 8 June.
Mr Sanders - who lost his seat to Conservative Kevin Foster and now sits on Torbay Council - thanked constituents for their past support.
"I have discovered a good work-life balance and rediscovered what a weekend is," he said.
