Lion tugs-of-war slammed by animal groupspublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Dartmoor Zoo is accused of turning big cats into "a novelty play thing for tourists".
Read MoreSummary
Campaigner takes son's ashes to palace
Derriford Hospital scan waits 'too long' but pharmacy service improves
Lion tugs-of-war slammed by animal groups
'It's not me that's changed, it's the party' - Wollaston
Woman arrested after 10 puppies stolen from Devon farm
Wu-Tang Clan to headline Boardmasters
Updates from Thursday 21 February 2019
Lion tugs-of-war slammed by animal groupspublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Rugby team in lion tug-of-war footagepublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
A zoo that charges visitors £15 to have a tug-of-war against big cats is criticised by animal groups.
Read MoreCouncil struggles to find social workerspublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceTorbay is finding it difficult to recruit social workers as part of a plan to improve children’s social care.
Councillors were told three extra jobs in the assessment team were recently advertised - but they resulted in only a single new recruit.
The problem emerged in an update to councillors on the improvement work after Torbay Council’s children’s services was rated inadequate for a second time last June.
A monitoring visit in early January by inspectors found senior leaders had failed to tackle “significant concerns” identified in the re-inspection in June.
The service said it has taken action to address the issues raised.
Image source, Ed OldfieldLabour councillor defects to independentspublished at 17:03 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA former Labour councillor in Devon has quit the party after a lifetime of support, to join a new group of independents.
Darren Cowell has teamed up with the Torbay Independents, which has been launched to field candidates at local elections in May.
Mr Cowell, 53, a director of a manufacturing company, was Torbay Council’s only Labour member for four years until 2015.
His decision to resign was a result of the party’s position on Brexit and the direction it was taking which he was not comfortable with.
Mr Cowell, who supported the Remain campaign and was the election agent for Labour at last year’s general election, said politics was broken nationally and locally.
Image source, Ed Oldfield'Pay on exit' roll out for Cornwall's car parkspublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Amy Gladwell
BBC News OnlineA Penzance car park is the first of 12, in eight Cornish towns, to be moved over to 'pay on exit' , externalas part of the council’s new parking framework., external
The change at The Harbour car park will begin from Wednesday.
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, Geoff Brown, said the move would make it easier for customers as well as support local economies.
Quote MessagePay on exit parking has been shown to encourage people to stay longer in town centres as they don’t have to rush back to their car when their car parking ticket is running out. It also means civil enforcement officers will not be tied up having to check pay and display tickets. This frees them up to do more work taking action where cars are parked illegally – which we know frustrates residents.”
Geoff Brown
Brixham Harbour development supportedpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
John Ayres
BBC SpotlightTorbay Council has unanimously supported "the principle" of capital investment in Brixham Harbour, including a breakwater.
The authority will now ask for a detailed business case to be prepared, including all available grant funding opportunities.
The decision has been made during a full council meeting.
Later the meeting will discuss the budget, council tax and the future of the rubbish and recycling company Tor2.
Campaigner takes son's ashes to palacepublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Melissa Mead takes the ashes of her son William in a teddy bear to Buckingham Palace to collect an MBE.
Read MoreWeather for Devon and Cornwall: Dry and clearpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Tonight: It will be dry and mainly clear, although low cloud, along with widespread hill mist and fog patches are likely to form in the early hours.
Winds will be moderate or fresh south, south-easterly.
Minimum temperature: 5 to 8°C.
Tomorrow: It will be a misty or foggy start in places, but it will become a fine day with plenty of hazy sunshine.
Maximum temperature: 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F).
Dog remains at shelter for 12 monthspublished at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Dogs TrustAn animal charity is hoping to rehome a lonely pooch who has spent a year at its shelter in Devon.
Staff have been trying to find a home for four-year-old Benji, external since he arrived at the Dogs Trust in Ilfracombe.
In the last 12 months, the team has waved goodbye to more than 300 dogs and welcomed 4,000 potential adopters through its doors, but Benji still remains.
“He is very affectionate and once he knows you, he adores fuss and cuddles, and is quite happy to snuggle up on your lap," shelter manager Elise Watson said.
"I never thought a year would go by and he would still be here waiting for someone to fall in love with him."
Boateng nearing Exeter City returnpublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Exeter City midfielder Hiram Boateng is almost ready to return to the first team squad after four months out.
Read MoreSidmouth College redevelopment plans approvedpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA multimillion-pound redevelopment of Sidmouth College has been approved by planners.
The scheme to improve the buildings students are taught in would see the existing 1960s main building demolished and replaced with a new, three-storey building on the edge of the existing car park.
A grassed quad area would then replace the old building.
East Devon District Council has granted planning permission for the redevelopment, and college principal Sarah Parsons has said the new facilities will "make such a difference to all of the students at Sidmouth College".
Image source, Bouygues UK LtdImage caption, An artist impression of what the redeveloped Sidmouth College might look like
The project is being funded by the government's Priority Schools Building Programme and the Department for Education will be appointing a contractor to deliver the scheme.
The final timescale and cost of the development are currently being agreed.
Initial timetables suggested work would start in April 2019 and last about 12 months.
Then after Easter 2020, demolition work can begin on the old building and last until the summer.
Plans for new boutique garden centre and cafepublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
A new farm shop, boutique garden centre and café, external is set to be built just off the A38.
Moon & Nowell in for England in Cardiffpublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Prop Ben Moon and wing Jack Nowell start for England in Saturday's Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff.
Read MoreClimate protest at council headquarterspublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Dozens of environmental protesters have gathered outside Devon County Council in Exeter as it holds a big budget meeting.
They want councillors to support a motion calling for the authority to follow Cornwall and Somerset councils to declare a "climate emergency", and commit to going carbon neutral by 2030.
Quote MessageWe're already in a climate emergency. It's the duty of the councillors to acknowledge that and to accept that and to start to work on how we do something about that. They have the information, they have the research, they just have to decide how we're going to deal with this crisis now.
Josie Holt, Extinction Rebellion movement volunteer
Priest guilty of child abuse offencespublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Father Francis McDermott, 75, used his "charm" to befriend families and abuse their children.
Read More'Worst spots for Japanese knotweed in Devon and Cornwall'published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
A new Japanese knotweed tracking tool has revealed hotspots, external across Devon and Cornwall in an interactive online ‘heat map’ of sightings.
'Fifty-four sheep killed by dogs on moor in 10 months'published at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Amy Gladwell
BBC News OnlineFifty-four sheep have been killed by dogs on Bodmin Moor in the past 10 months, and 22 have been injured, police have said.
Devon & Cornwall Police released the statistics as the force announced a "day of action" to educate dog owners.
It said on Saturday 2 March representatives from the rural engagement team, special constabulary and local neighbourhood teams will be available to help educate dog owners on "how to be responsible" when using the moor.
Incidents of livestock worrying can result in "horrific" injuries to animals, the loss of unborn lambs and a devastating impact financially on a farmer and their livelihood, officers said.
The awareness events will be held at Minions and Pensilva between 11:00 and 15:00.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceQuote MessageFrom the beginning of March until the end of July dogs must be on a short lead at all times. If a person lets a dog chase or attack livestock then this is a criminal offence, and they may be prosecuted, they could receive a fine or a dog control order and in some circumstances a dog could be destroyed.
PC Chris Collins, Cornwall Rural Affairs Officer, Devon & Cornwall Police
Cafe and community hub plans get fundingpublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting ServicePlans for a new cafe and community hub in Heavitree Pleasure Grounds in Exeter are a step closer after community group Park Life Heavitree was awarded a £300,000 funding grant.
It is hoped the new community cafe and hub will provide a community space for groups, activities and local people to meet and develop relationships and interests.
Image source, Daniel ClarkFour jobs will be created by the project and building work is due to start later in 2019.
Power to Change - an organisation set up to grow and support community businesses in England - has awarded Park Life Heavitree with the grant to help fund the project that was unanimously granted planning permission last year.
When the plans were submitted, there were 81 letters of support from the community, saying there is a need for a more permanent social hub within the community.
Pontins ceiling collapse 'looked like disaster movie'published at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Laurence Reed
BBC Radio CornwallA Perranporth man who witnessed a ceiling collapsing at a holiday camp has said it was "like a scene from a disaster movie".
Eighteen people have been treated, including six who were taken to hospital, after the incident at Pontins Brean Sands, near Weston-super-Mare.
It happened at about 18:20 GMT on Wednesday, the fire service said.
It said structural ducting and ceiling sections collapsed in a bar area "exposing live damaged electrics".
Image source, @ANDREWHAUGHTON5Quote MessageIt was mayhem really. A bit of the ceiling ripped down on the dance floor...smashed everything up. There were kids screaming, running out crying, the ambulance was here, fire brigade here, air ambulance, police - yeah it was crazy. It looked like a scene from a disaster movie.
Steve Grant, Pontins guest
Boy, 6, meets paramedic who saved him from drowningpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019
Sophie Pierce
BBC Radio DevonA six-year-old boy who survived a near-drowning at a Devon swimming pool has been reunited with the off-duty paramedic who saved his life.
Riley Broome was at the Riviera International Centre, Torquay, in September with his younger brother and grandmother when he went underwater.
He was unconscious and not breathing and needed urgent medical help.
Image source, SWASTA pool lifeguard and an off-duty nurse began CPR after he was pulled from the water.
Off-duty South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) student paramedic, Joe Cartwright then stepped in to continue the resuscitation effort and support Riley until ambulance crews arrived.
Joe said: “At the time my training and adrenaline took over, but once I had time to reflect I realised the magnitude of what had just happened."
Riley, who is now seven, and his mother, have been to Torquay Ambulance Station to thank Joe and the other crew who helped him.
