Updates from Monday 25 June until Friday 29 June 2018
Archaeologists due to start excavating a city centre building site in Plymouth say they expect to find the remains of hundreds of sailors , externalwho died more than 200 years ago, and need to know if descendants want to claim a body.
Police believe Hannah Bragg suffered an adverse reaction after taking MDMA.
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Lynne French
BBC News Online
A motorcyclist has died in hospital four days after being involved in a hit-and-run incident.
The 65-year-old man, from Barnstaple, was found unconscious in the road with his bike in the village of Filleigh, near South Molton, on Saturday evening.
A 44-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman from South Molton were arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle which failed to stop after a road accident. Both have been released under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Lynne French
BBC News Online
Image source, Hannah Bragg/FacebookThree people have been arrested in connection with the suspected drug-related death of 15-year-old Hannah Bragg from Tavistock.
The teenager died after being found unwell at a disused viaduct near the town on Saturday.
Police said they believed she and a local 14-year-old boy suffered adverse reactions after taking what's believed to be MDMA/ecstasy.
The boy was taken to hospital in Plymouth for treatment. He has since been released.
A 20-year-old Tavistock man, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old Tavistock boy were arrested on Thursday for alleged drugs offences.
All three have been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online
Image source, Torridge District CouncilTorridge District Council has had to clear up an "eyesore" site in Bideford after the landowner ignored numerous orders to tidy it up, the authority says, external.
The field at Valley End had become littered with caravans and bathroom fittings but the owner refused to clear it, despite repeated warnings and fines totalling more than £3,000 being issued over a span of two years.
The council said it was now seeking to recover the costs of clearing the site, which are estimated to be about £10,000, from the landowner.
Quote MessageAnybody that owns a piece of land or building has a responsibility to keep it in good order and to make sure that it doesn’t become an eyesore for the rest of the community ... This should be a warning to others not to let property or land slip into neglect or use them in such a way that adversely impacts on the surrounding area."
Councillor Pete Watson, Lead Member for Planning, Torridge District Council
Cornish Stuff
Cornwall Council has agreed to recommend a new levy on commercial development, external, which will raise extra funds to pay for the facilities and infrastructure needed in Cornwall’s communities.
The community infrastructure levy will apply to planning applications that are approved from January 2019.
Wales Online
The head of discount store Trago Mills has described Welsh language signage as "visual clutter", external, criticised Welsh-medium education and advised people to embrace English.
Ben Woolvin
BBC South West Home Affairs correspondent
Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez says she won't support plans to merge the force with Dorset Police unless taxpayers are in favour.
The proposed merger has the backing of both chief constables. But, if it goes ahead, it could possibly mean some council tax payers in Devon and Cornwall, who currently pay £18 less than Dorset, having to pay a little more for policing.
"Harmonizing the council tax over a period of years is what we'd need to do - just like when local authorities choose to merge," she said.
The commissioner said she was currently "on the fence" as there were still questions to be answered and she also wanted to hear what taxpayers say.
She said: "I haven't yet seen enough detail that tells me this is a no brainer."
A survey for members of the public to have their say, external on the merger proposals will be available online until the end of August.
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online
Beach-goers are being warned to keep an eye on incoming tides during the heat wave.
The RNLI has released dramatic new footage of a family - including a one-year-old baby - being winched to safety from rocks at Bedruthan Steps, near Newquay, after they were cut off by the tide earlier this month.
Lifeguards from Morgan Porth, two Newquay lifeboats and coastguard teams from Newquay and Padstow were alerted to the incident on 10 June, external when an onlooker called 999.
The young family suffered minor cuts and grazes after clambering out of the sea onto the rocks.
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Quote MessageThis was a very scary situation for the family to find themselves in. It is important to always keep an eye on the tide when visiting the coast. Remember to check the tide times before visiting beaches and ask the lifeguards for advice at any time."
Simon Cooke, RNLI Beach Lifeguard
Last year, RNLI beach lifeguard teams responded to 672 incidents involving people cut off by tides.
Drivers are being warned to expect slow traffic in Plymouth on Gdynia Way inbound as the nearside lane has been closed for emergency roadworks. Work should be finished about lunchtime.
A senior police officer has tweeted "the summer season is here", with the force currently dealing with 73 "live incidents" in Cornwall so far today.
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An Exmouth motorbike enthusiast who kept his “pride and joy” in his front room tragically died after losing control on a bend at the top of Telegraph Hill, external while out riding with friends last August, an inquest's heard.
Lynne French
BBC News Online
A 17-year-old girl has had her skull fractured in a serious assault in Plymouth.
Emergency services were called to an altercation involving a group of people outside the Santander Bank in New George Street just after 01:00.
Police said during the argument the victim was punched in the head by a man and sustained a fractured skull. She is in a stable condition at Derriford Hospital.
The offender, who was with two other men, ran from the scene and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.
The west-bound lane of the A30 at Summercourt has been blocked by a broken-down lorry around the A3058 Beacon Road.
Twitter
Members of the public are being asked for their views on a proposed merger between Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police.
The plan will need to be approved by the government, but, if it gets the green light, it could mean some council tax payers may end up paying more for policing.
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Emily Wood
BBC Weather
If you're planning a trip to the beach to cool down, here are the all-important times of high water around the region's coastline.
Spotlight's lunchtime news will have a full weather forecast at 13:30 on BBC One.
Research based in Exeter has concluded that patients who see the same doctor over time have lower death rates.
The study, published in the BMJ Open, involved a collaboration between St Leonard's Practice in Exeter and the city's university.
It was the first ever systematic review of continuity of care and mortality, and it found that the human aspect of medical practice was potentially life-saving and should be prioritised.
The bosses of Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police have been in talks about a merger for the past year.
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Tamsin Melville
Political Reporter
There's a row over whether some city councillors in Plymouth should get extra money for taking on additional responsibilties.
The Labour-led authority voted for a cash boost if they take on a greater workload, but the move's been branded a "shameful hike" by Conservatives.
It's dividing those who say more money is vital to attract a wider range of people to the role and those who say there's no justification in a time of austerity.
