Updates on Friday, 6 January 2017
Car 'driven into library and set alight'
Double-fatal crash: Essex man still in custody
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
A 15-year-old boy is due in court later, charged with the manslaughter of a Polish man in Harlow.
Arek Jozwik, 40, died following an assault at The Stow in the town in August.
The boy is expected at Chelmsford Youth Court later.
Image source, Essex PoliceAdam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live
Two men who died after they were hit by a car at Yaxley, near Peterborough, on Tuesday have been formally identified as Thomas Fletcher (left), 19, of Meadow Walk, Yaxley, and Thomas Northam, 22, of Lilac Walk, Yaxley.
The collision happened on the B1091.
Image source, Family/FacebookThomas Fletcher (l) and Thomas Northam
A 38-year-old man from Essex, arrested in Chelmsford on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and actual bodily harm, remains in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station, Peterborough.
Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live
A 38-year-old man, arrested in Chelmsford on Tuesday night on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and actual bodily harm, remains in custody, police confirm.
The arrest came following the deaths of two men on the B1091 in Yaxley, near Peterborough, on Tuesday after they were hit by a man driving a BMW. The driver subsequently fled the scene on foot.
We're expecting formal identification of the victims to be confirmed shortly.
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather
It will be a cold, bright start although there will be patchy fog in some places early on, but it will cloud over later with rain arriving this afternoon in the west and towards the evening in the east.
Maximum temperature: 5C (41F).
For more details, visit BBC Weather.
Sonia Watson
BBC Essex
A mum whose son died after a tragic accident while playing hockey in Chigwell has told the BBC she has taken great strength from the knowledge he has helped so many people by donating his organs.
Image source, Wilson familyTom Wilson, 22, died just over a year ago after he was hit on the head while training at the Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Chigwell.
He'd signed up for the organ donor register while he was a student, and the NHS says 50 people have been saved because of him.
We'll have more on this story later.
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Welcome to Friday's look at news, sport, travel and weather stories from across the county.
Between now and 18:00 the team here will keep you updated on what's happening in Essex, so if there's anything we're missing, we'd love to hear from you.
You can get in touch by email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
The boss of two hospital trusts is to take charge of a third hospital in Southend, Essex.
Read MoreThat's all for today.
Do scroll back to see what's been happening across the county. The stories we've covered include:
The team are back from 08:00. Have a good evening.
Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather
There's a chance of an isolated shower near the coast, but otherwise it'll stay dry but damp in places across the BBC East region.
There will be a widespread frost with mist and freezing fog patches overnight as the temperature dips to a minimum of -2C (28F), but it will be warmer towards the coast.
Friday will see freezing fog gradually lifting, although it may linger throughout the morning.
Some bright spells developing, but turning cloudier through the day with the chance of patchy rain later and high of 4-6C (39-43F).
There are more details for where you are on the BBC Weather website.
Nic Rigby
BBC News
Unions representing workers at decommissioned nuclear power stations in Essex and Suffolk are to discuss calling for a strike ballot in a row over pensions.
Image source, PAThe unions - the GMB, external, Unite, external and Prospect, external - said workers at 19 sites, including Bradwell (pictured above), in Bradwell-on-Sea, and Sizewell A, near Leiston, faced cuts under plans by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, external to make savings of £660m.
The unions said the government's expectation is that the final salary pension schemes in place across the NDA estate will be reformed by April 2018.
Justin Bowden, GMB national officer, said: "There is no justification for this attack on the pensions of these nuclear workers and their communities.
"These pension funds are in a sound state and underwent considerable reform 10 years ago."
A Nuclear Decommissioning Authority spokesman said four million public sector workers had already moved to new pension arrangements but that specific decisions on how to change the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's estate pension schemes had yet to be taken.
The unions will meet next Monday.
Nic Rigby
BBC News
Dog re-homers will need "time and commitment" to take on a couple of Chihuahuas abandoned on the A127.
Image source, RSPCAPeggy has a back foot missing but puppy Pip has major health problems, says the RSPCA.
Tests have shown part of Pip's brain is missing and she is blind, and has no functioning eyelids.
Kathy Butler of the charity said: "She’s had a course of steroids and has eyedrops five times a day, a treatment she’ll need for the rest of her life. Funds raised to help with her treatment will go towards her future veterinary care.
“We don’t know what the future holds for Pip as the specialists had never seen a dog with her condition before, but it’s a miracle that she’s become such a wonderful, playful and feisty pup, and I have no doubt that she’ll live her life to the full.”
“Please only apply for these special dogs if you are willing to dedicate the time and commitment to a special needs dog."
For more information about this pair, please visit the RSPCA website, external.
Nic Rigby
BBC News
Two Chihuahuas, found dumped by the side of the A127 in Basildon, have been rescued by the RSPCA, external and are now looking for a new home.
Image source, RSPCAThree-year-old bitch, Peggy, and her six-week-old puppy, Pip, were found dumped on 31 August.
Peggy’s back left foot was missing and Pip - now aged about five months - had major health issues, leaving her blind.
Kathy Butler, dog co-ordinator for the RSPCA, said: “Pip was only a few weeks old when she was dumped with her mother and she was in a really poor condition."
Image source, RSPCANational League side Braintree sign winger Kris Twardek on a 28-day youth loan deal from League One club Millwall.
Read MorePolice have issued a photograph of a man from the Basildon area who is wanted on suspicion of breaching a protection from harassment order.
Image source, Essex PoliceEssex Police want to trace Ashley Sullivan, 22, of no fixed abode, described as white, of slim build, 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall with green eyes, and short brown thinning hair, and a moustache and beard.
He is known to frequent the Basildon and Pitsea areas.
Anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Essex Police.
Eighty-three years ago this month, this photograph was taken of members of the Colne River Police patrolling the oyster beds at Brightlingsea.
This force appears to have started in the 1890s.
Image source, Getty ImagesA drink-driver from Essex who hit and killed an elderly pedestrian has been jailed for five years.
Image source, Essex PoliceJoan Gilbert, 84, was hit by a van in High Road, Benfleet in December 2015 and died at the scene.
Driver John Richardson, 49, of High Road, Benfleet, was yesterday he was found guilty at Basildon Crown Court of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink.
Pc Darrin Lee, from Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "John Richardson showed a complete disregard for the safety others when he got into his vehicle having drunk too much.
"His actions led to the death of an innocent woman and he now has the next five years to contemplate the consequences of his actions."
A residential development of 98 homes in Little Clacton has been approved by a government inspector.
Tendring District Council, external rejected the plans for agricultural land to the west of The Street last May.
Nigel Barrington-Fuller appealed against the decision and it has been overturned.
The site comprises 16.5 acres (6.57 hectares) of arable farmland.
The council's planning committee had rejected the scheme on the grounds it would result in the loss of local green gap and because the scale was out of character with the area.
A 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing in Laindon, near Basildon.
The man was "seriously hurt" when he was attacked at a property in Wayletts last night and is currently in hospital. The arrested man comes from Basildon.
Image source, GoogleNational League side Boreham Wood sign Southend United forward Jason Williams on loan until 8 April.
Read MoreEarlier we reported on a blaze at a motorcycle workshop in Clacton last night.
Image source, Essex Fire and Rescue ServiceEssex Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, in Stephenson Road, was extinguished by 23:47.
The fire caused "extensive damage to the motorcyle unit", but the adjoining units only suffered slight smoke and water damage.
Crews continued to cool down hot spots throughout the night and left the scene at 03:30 today.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious.