People are being urged to go on holiday in Yorkshire this year to help businesses recover from the coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, Getty Images

Tourism organisation Welcome To Yorkshire says it hopes to inspire people to see the area on their doorstep as a destination for a break.

Welcome to Yorkshire wants the government to encourage so-called "staycations" as businesses start to reopen following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The organisation's chief executive, James Mason, said: "We're all very passionate about our county which has suffered the effects of flooding in recent years and now this life-changing virus.

"We are very much looking forward to gradually welcoming visitors back to Yorkshire when the time is right.

"This has to start with people on our doorsteps, then nationally and eventually internationally."

Welcome to Yorkshire added that tourism to this part of the world is worth about £9bn, with 225,000 people relying on jobs in the sector.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Leeds' White Rose shopping centre is to finally get its own rail station, almost a quarter of a century after the out-of-town mall first opened, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Google

The owner of the neighbouring White Rose Office Park, Munroe K, has confirmed Leeds City Council has granted planning permission for the new station.

An area of land between Churwell viaduct and Walkers Bridge has been earmarked for the new station, which was first proposed in 2018.

But the development could spell the beginning of the end for nearby Cottingley Station, as the developers suggest having two rail stations situated in such close proximity may not be viable.

A consultation on the future of that station is expected to take place later this year.

Councillor Kim Groves, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee, said the new station "will act as a catalyst for local regeneration and housing growth, economic activity and jobs in the surrounding area.

"It will help transform South Leeds and provide new opportunities for the communities of Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw and Morley."

About 100 jobs at the University of Sheffield could be at risk as it looks to save £100m due to lost income during the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Google

Staff are being asked to consider voluntary redundancy, with new staff posts and extensions also being reviewed, the university said.

On its website, the university said it had already taken "several measures" to save costs, including "advising against non-essential spend".

A union representing staff members says over 100 staff could be affected by contracts ending in June and not being renewed, with about 70 posts having ended during the pandemic.

Dr Sarah Staniland, from Sheffield University and College Union, said: “The University of Sheffield has relied on the work of precariously employed staff for many years.

"It is disappointing to see the university is willing to end a number of those contracts and agreements before doing everything it possibly can to cut costs in non-staff budgets.

"The university needs to properly assess the full impact of these actions on teaching, the student experience and remaining staff workloads."

Their voluntary severance scheme opened on Wednesday 10 June and runs until 1 July.

York's much-loved Museum Gardens are finally being prepared for re-opening after the attraction was forced to close its gates earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Geograph/Stephen McKay

From Thursday, the Museum Gardens are to reopen to the public, but with social distancing measures in place.

The closure of the gardens due to the lockdown resulted in site staff having to be furloughed and a 70% loss of income for York Museums Trust, which runs the attraction.

A call has now been made for donations to help the trust, which needs to fund extra maintenance and security to help protect the gardens and its monuments and listed buildings.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The sole Post Office in a South Yorkshire town is set to close at the end of next month, leaving customers with a one-mile journey to the next closest branch, it's been confirmed.

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Wombwell's Post Office, which is currently inside the Heron Foods store on the High Street, will close on 27 July, because of "diminishing demand".

Applications are open for anyone with suitable premises in the area who wishes to operate the Post Office, but unless a successful applicant is found, customers will have to travel to the nearest branch at Brampton.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum as we know how important Post Office services are to a community."

A Heron spokesperson said: "Unfortunately we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close it as a result of diminishing demand and a reduction in scale fees from the Post Office."

Wombwell Labour councillor Robert Frost called the timing of the closure "appalling" when many users will struggle to use public transport due to ongoing social distancing measures.

He said: "Many of their clients are elderly or disabled. Many were persuaded to use the Post Office to do their banking as their bank branches have closed. "

The Homeland star says that the current generation are not bound by beliefs of past generations.

A mobile unit will be set up near the school to offer coronavirus tests to staff and students.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed on Thursday there had been a localised outbreak in Kirklees.

Seafarers in Humber ports are still stuck on board their ships because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, PA Media

About a third of crews on cargo ships and tankers at the Humber ports of Immingham, Grimsby and Hull are stuck on board after restrictions banned port and air routes.

Crew members' contracts have been extended, but unions say the seafarers, some of whom have been stuck on ships for months, are depressed and homesick.

Paul Keenan, from the International Transport Workers’ Federation, said: "There are quite a few seafarers who understand the situation and are willing to remain on board until things get easier.

"But there are also people on board who are under quite a lot of mental pressure and strain as they've on board in a cabin on a small ship for months and months on end. It's taking its toll."

John Lewis has confirmed it will reopen a further nine department stores on Thursday, including two in Yorkshire, having opened 13 department stores last week.

Image source, PA Media

On Monday, the government allowed some non-essential shops to reopen to the public with social-distancing measures in place.

The stores which are reopening in Yorkshire are in Leeds and York.

The charity which runs the centre says Covid-19 safety measures "pose significant issues".

People have described the symptoms of coronavirus lasting for weeks or even months on end.

A Barnsley primary school has been closed for a "deep clean" after three members of staff tested positive for coronavirus, the council has confirmed.

Image source, Google

Two members of staff at Joseph Locke Primary School, both from the same household, tested positive for Covid-19 last week, with 23 children told to self-isolate as a result, according to Barnsley Council.

Yesterday, another member of staff tested positive for the virus, prompting the head teacher to close the site for cleaning.

The school had been operating "bubbles", meaning children have had limited contact with specific members of staff.

A mobile testing centre is now being set up near the school to allow children and staff to be tested, the council said.

For people who haven't been in school since Monday, testing kits are to be sent to their homes.

Councillor Margaret Bruff, from Barnsley Council, said: "The safety of children and staff is our priority.

"Parents, carers and staff have been contacted with information to help them take appropriate precautions and to arrange for testing. They will be kept updated on when the school will re-open.

"We know this will have caused difficulties for some parents and carers and we would like to thank them for their understanding of the situation," she added.

The police 101 number for reporting non-emergency crimes is back up and running again, it seems.

The service was down nationally earlier, South Yorkshire Police said:

A pink quad bike which was stolen in the Smeaton area of North Yorkshire over the weekend has been returned to its six-year-old owner.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

The bike was taken in the early hours of Saturday 13 June, when thieves targeted two garages and two sheds at addresses in Little Smeaton and Kirk Smeaton.

Police found it in Ossett, near Wakefield, after making inquiries and returned it to its owner on Wednesday.

They had not yet told their granddaughter that the bike had been stolen, so were very happy to have it back.

A hot tub and two drills were also stolen in the burglaries.

Anyone with information about the theft is being asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated nine-year-old fundraiser Tobias Weller, from Sheffield, for his "amazing" efforts in raising almost £130,000 during the coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, PA Media

The youngster - called Captain Tobias by his hundreds of supporters after fundraiser Capt Tom Moore - has cerebral palsy and autism, but used his walker to finish a marathon on his street.

Last week, he began a new challenge to run the same distance using a race runner and has now been named as the latest "Point of Light, external" by Downing Street - an award which recognises people making a change in their community.

In a letter to Tobias, Boris Johnson said: "Every day I say thank you to someone in our country for doing something special by recognising them as a Point of Light.

"A few weeks ago, I said thank you to Capt Sir Tom Moore for his fantastic fundraising feat.

"Today, I want to thank you for yours. Walking a whole marathon during lockdown is amazing.

"Congratulations - and thank you."

Tobias said: "I'm delighted to receive this award. I've enjoyed every moment of my marathon challenge and I'm chuffed to bits I've raised so much money for my favourite charities, Sheffield Children's Hospital and Paces School."

The police's non-emergency "101" number is currently not working because of a national issue, South Yorkshire Police has said.

The South Yorkshire force says the 999 number is unaffected, but people should only call that in an emergency.

People are being directed to online reporting of non-emergency crime as work takes place to fix the problem.

North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Police have also said they're facing "issues" with the service at present:

An off-duty police officer has been praised for his "immense bravery and courage" after rescuing a man in the River Ouse.

Image source, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue/Bob Hoskins

The York police officer entered the water at about 10:30 yesterday after spotting a man in the river.

A rescue boat then pulled both of them to safety, police say.

Insp Rebecca Dyer said: “My thoughts are with the family of the man who was taken to hospital and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

“I am very proud of the officer who acted selflessly with immense bravery and courage while off-duty to save a member of the public.

"He put himself in danger to help a vulnerable individual and acted in the best traditions of the police service.”

A man who died following an "altercation" in Bradford earlier this week, sparking a murder investigation, has been named by police.

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Carl Anthony Victor, 43, from Bradford, was pronounced dead a short time after being found following an incident on Grattan Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Two men, aged 45 and 51, who were arrested in connection with Mr Victor’s death have been released under investigation, according to West Yorkshire Police.

A 31-year-old man who was also arrested has been released without charge, the force adds.

In a statement, members of Mr Victor's family say they have been left "devastated" by his death.

"He was a loving son, brother and father, and will be missed by everyone who knew him," they say.

“We would like to thank our family and friends for their support at this sad time."

A US fighter jet pilot who died after a crash over the North Sea off East Yorkshire has been returned to his family in America.

Image source, US Air Force

Lt Kenneth "Kage" Allen, from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed on Monday while on a training mission.

RNLI crews from Scarborough and Bridlington were involved in the search for the pilot, as was a rescue helicopter based in the Humber region.

Pilots from RAF Lakenheath honoured Lt Allen by performing a missing man formation (pictured) on Thursday, a tradition to respect fallen airmen.

Lt Allen was transported back to his family, including his wife Hannah, from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Thursday.

Col Will Marshall, of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt Allen, and mourn with his family and his fellow Reapers in the 493rd Fighter Squadron."

An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way.