Vigils in Kidderminster and Redditch for victims of Manchester attack
Van driver jailed for killing Malvern teenager
Hundreds of council staff could be underpaid by new IT system, union says
Preparations for Grimley Raceway meet
Updates on Friday 26 May 2017
A new "interim" chief executive is about to be appointed at Worcestershire County Council for up to nine months, external, it has emerged.
Worcester Wolves have re-signed Ashton Khan for his third season with the team.
Khan first joined the Wolves for the 2015-16 campaign and last season produced some outstanding and consistent performances, averaging eight points and three assists per game.
The sunny weather means that the BBC's Weather Watchers have been out and about photographing some great views.
Thanks to Mikesnapper, Toppo, Highwayman, JanieJane13 and Fuzzballpc for this selection.
Sunny views and spring flowers
Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist
A representative from the Woodland Trust has told how saddened they are to close a wood because of 'dogging' and drug abuse.
We reported yesterday Uffmoor Wood, near Halesowen, had been closed after the antisocial behaviour got out of control and were making other visitors feel unsafe.
Image source, Woodland TrustQuote MessageEssentially what's happening is people are timing their visits to make sure they can avoid certain characters in the car park, or feel intimated by other dog owners or other woodland visitors and not feeling safe in the woods. We're absolutely gutted to go to this level of action.
Hollie Anderson, Woodland Trust
BBC Sport
England are taking on South Africa at Headingley in the first of three one-day internationals.
Worcestershire's Moeen Ali is part of the squad - the game got underway at 14:00 and you can follow all the action on the BBC Sport live page.
Image source, Getty ImagesPeople in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being asked to work together to fight terrorism, in the wake of the Manchester attack.
The Assistant Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Martin Evans, said: "This is a time for us all to work closely together and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to intimidate or cause fear."
The force says it has increased the number of armed officers on patrol around the three counties, but said there was no intelligence of a likely attack.
It also says it has plans in place, if military personnel have to be deployed alongside armed police.
A Worcestershire police commander has urged people to enjoy the bank holiday weekend, external as usual, despite the UK's terror threat being raised to critical.
An international academic and entrepreneur has been appointed as the first president and chief executive of the new engineering university in Hereford.
Prof Janusz Kozinski recently helped set up the Lassonde School of Engineering in Toronto, Canada.
Image source, NMiTEThe new university, yet to be named, is due to open in 2020 and will eventually be home to 5,000 students.
Quote MessageThis is perhaps the brightest and the boldest academic start-up in recent times in the UK or anywhere else. The chance to lead this project was impossible to resist
Prof Janusz Kozinski
Police in Worcestershire are reviewing how they manage crowded places and pre-planned events after the UK's terror threat level was raised to critical, external.
There have been plenty of glorious images for BBC Weather Watchers to capture as the spring sunshine beats down.
Thanks to Morning Amble, Johnqa, Pugwashpt and Solar Power for the pictures.
Sunshine on a spring day
The "countless acts of bravery and kindness throughout Manchester" have been praised by the leader of Wychavon District Council, in a letter of sympathy sent to the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The council is flying the flag at its headquarters in Pershore at half mast.
Image source, Wychavon District CouncilQuote MessageIt is inspiring to see the countless acts of bravery and kindness throughout Manchester as they stand together and strong through this difficult time. We offer our sincere condolences and support, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, and the families and friends who have lost loved ones
Liz Eyre, Chairman of Wychavon District Council
A Worcestershire woman, who's already raised more than £20,000 for various cancer charities, will embark on her biggest challenge yet later today.
Rosie Browse, 64, from Malvern, will wing walk in memory of her late husband Ian, who died in 2011.
Image source, Andy Oxley/GettyA wing walk is something she says she's always wanted to do and she doesn't think she'll be scared.
Quote MessageIt's something I think I'm going to enjoy after waiting so many years to do it
Rosie Browse
She is due to fly at 15:00 from Gloucestershire airport, in Cheltenham.
Security "in crowded places and for pre-planned events" will be reviewed in the wake of the suicide attack in Manchester, external, West Mercia Police say.
Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans says there is "no intelligence to suggest a specific threat" in Herefordshire, Shropshire or Worcestershire.
He said Operation Temperer now allowed the deployment of military personnel alongside and in support of police firearms officers.
If they are deployed in the West Mercia Police area, soldiers will "remain under the command and control of the police service", he added.
Jerry Chester
BBC News Online
These great photos of swans around Forge Mill Pond, in Redditch, were taken by Paul Wilde, one of our regular contributors and the king of close-up.
I'd love to feature your photos on this page - you can email, tweet us @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
Swans swimming, nesting and sleeping.
A humble garden hut at a property in the Worcestershire countryside, which started life as a heap of wooden panels salvaged from another structure, has reached the finals of the Shed of the Year 2017 competition, external.
The new assistant chief constable for West Mercia Police begins work today, promising to use new technology to make the force more efficient and effective.
Martin Evans will oversee the introduction of mobile data devices and body worn video.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceHe was born in Shropshire, and joined Staffordshire Police in 1987 where he served in a number of different roles.
If you are looking for some plants to brighten up your garden, there are some free ones on offer at Cripplegate Park, in Worcester.
People can take plants from the annuals beds in the park - staff will be on hand to offer advice.
Image source, GooglePlants can be taken from 10:00-12:30 - bring your own plastic bags, gloves and trowels.
A vigil remembering the victims of the Manchester terror attack will be held in Bromsgrove later this week.
Friday's event is being organised by Waqar Azmi, a spokesperson for the British Muslim Forum, and will be open to all faiths.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe says the Muslim community fears a backlash but believes most people understand they're not to blame for extremism.
A Worcester playwright says it's beyond his dreams to have another one of his productions performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Phil Porter's play Vice Versa recently opened at the Swan Theatre in Stratford, with the RSC producing and performing it.
Image source, Pete Le May/RSCHe says the RSC has always been particularly supportive of his works.
Quote MessageI've been at it for 15 or 20 years and it's sort of happened gradually. You just keep writing new plays and new projects and they gradually get bigger as long as they go well
Phil Porter, Playwright
A Stourport baby has been fitted with a special helmet to help treat her rare skull defect, external - shortly after her mother issued a heartfelt plea to help raise funds for the treatment.
