The rare raptor, seen only a handful of times in the UK, was spotted at Moulton West Fen earlier.

Two Lincolnshire councils are refusing to say how much a departing chief executive has been paid after claims it has cost more than £400,000.

Image source, David Hallam-Jones

Boston Borough Council chief executive Phil Drury's departure is part of a merger which is meant to save taxpayers' money.

Satirical magazine Private Eye alleges he is receiving a pay-off of more than £440,000.

Mr Drury's post no longer exists as Boston now shares a chief executive with neighbouring East Lindsey District Council in what the two authorities call a "strategic alliance".

The two councils are effectively merging staff over the next few years while keeping their own identities and political arrangements.

A spokesperson for the two councils said due to confidentiality they could not comment on the terms of Mr Drury's departure, but insists he has not received the sum reported in Private Eye.

Officials say the plan is on track to save £15m over the next 10 years.

Laser displays would be a safer alternative to a firework display this November, according to a Lincolnshire council.

Graham Marsh, deputy leader at East Lindsey District Council said: "The town councils, the parishes too, do these laser displays on buildings.

"I know Spilsby recently had one, it was very successful and there is no danger to animals."

Meanwhile, with public displays unable to go ahead because of Covid-19 restrictions, the council says it expects a lot of people will hold their own at home.

Councillor Marsh added: "Fireworks are becoming more and more popular for celebrations. We are aware people may still want to celebrate in small gatherings on the traditional dates.

"So we are asking them to be neighbourly and to consider using quieter fireworks. It's good practice and should become second nature".

Grimsby Town sign Bristol Rovers winger Kyle Bennett and West Brom striker Owen Windsor on loan until the end of the season.

Four raccoons will be setting up home in Lincolnshire today.

A new enclosure has been built at The Ark Wildlife Park in Stickney, thanks to donations.

Park owner Jamie Mintram says he's very grateful for the support, especially during such challenging times.

He said: "The racoons are a classic example where if we say we're going to put a hold on that, we're not going to build any more enclosures then they would be put to sleep.

"They are just one of a number of projects that we have been involved with helping out some rescued animals since lockdown.

"We've survived and we're in a relatively strong position now I'm pleased to say."

A 36-year-old man has been charged after an incident in which a police officer was hit by a car.

Lincolnshire Police say the man has been charged with dangerous driving, causing injury to a police officer, possession of a Class B drug and a further separate charge of dangerous driving.

He has been remanded into custody of Lincoln Magistrates' Court.

The force said the female officer was speaking to a man sitting in a black Nissan Juke car at Sainsbury’s, Grantham, at around 09:40 yesterday, when the car reversed and struck her.

The car was then driven out of the car park.

The officer sustained head injuries including a fracture to her skull and was taken to hospital.

Two pygmy goats have been accompanying children at one Lincolnshire school on their daily walk.

Pupils and staff and staff at Coningsby St Michael's Church of England Primary school are joined by goats named Jammy and Dodger during their "daily mile".

Executive head teacher Steph Mile said: "Jammy and Dodger joined us in the summer and were introduced to us by our teaching assistant who is really passionate about animals and children learning through experiences with animals.

"They live with her and joined us at the start of the academic year and have been a really big hit with the children.":

Cancer patients can once again arrange face-to-face appointments at the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Lincoln County Hospital.

Image source, Google

The centre, which opened to the public earlier this year, closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The team continued to provide vital practical, emotional and financial support to people affected by cancer over the phone and via video calls.

Now pre-booked face-to-face appointments are available between 09:00 and 15:00.

A family run department store which has been trading for 60 years has announced it will be shutting down next year.

Image source, Google

In a statement posted on Facebook the directors of Hills, in Spalding, said they had made the "difficult decision" to close the business, blaming the pressures of online shopping and out-of-town shopping centres as well as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

They said: "Our family are acutely aware of the impact that this closure is likely to have on our employees, customers and the town, it goes without saying that the decision has not been made lightly.

"We cannot thank our loyal customers enough over the 60 years for their support we will miss all of you very much."

The Hills Furniture Store on Bridge Street, continues to trade and is unaffected by the closure of the Department Store, they added.

BBC Weather

Cloud will continue to thicken through this evening, leading into a rather wet night with some heavy rain in places. Rather gusty winds too.

A police worker charged with making an explosive substance and importing prohibited weapons has appeared in court.

Image source, Google

Zoe Watts, 34, of St Helen's Avenue, Lincoln, was arrested on Sunday after explosive chemicals and a number of weapons were found at an address in the street.

Ms Watts, who was previously a PCSO with Lincolnshire Police but is now a member of police staff, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

No charges were put to her and following a brief hearing she was remanded in to custody to appear at the same court on Friday.

A fundraising project for a Lincolnshire hospice has raised more than £110,000.

Image source, St Barnabas hospice

Dozens of dragonflies were put on display at Doddington Hall with each one dedicated by a supporter of St Barnabas Hospice, in Lincoln, in memory of a loved one.

St Barnabas say the project raised £110,401.

Sam Waterer, Individual Giving Fundraiser at St Barnabas Hospice said, “It is a wonderful feeling to know our little dragonflies will be helping so many people who are grieving loved ones. An amazing amount of visitors came to Doddington Hall and Gardens during the two weeks our display was in place."

Image source, St Barnabas

A police officer has been taken to hospital with a fractured skull after she was struck by a car.

Image source, Google maps

Lincolnshire Police say the female officer was speaking to a man in a black Nissan Juke car at Sainsbury’s, in Grantham, at around 10.40 BST today when the car reversed and struck her before driving off.

The officer sustained head injuries including a fracture to her skull and was taken to hospital, but the full extent of her injuries is not yet known.

The force said the vehicle was pursued by officers and a man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision in connection with the incident.

He was then further arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, and possession of cannabis.

Stuart Harratt
BBC News

An outbreak of Covid-19 has occurred at a meat processing factory.

A number of workers at the Karro Food plant in Scunthorpe are self-isolating after testing positive, and a mobile testing unit has been brought in.

The firm said it was working closely with North Lincolnshire Council, Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.

It is not known how many of the 434 workers at the bacon and gammon slicing factory have been infected.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Karro has always, and will continue to, follow government advice and guidelines which do everything possible to protect its people, including allowing its employees to choose to wear face coverings if it is deemed safe to do so.

"Those who have tested positive for Covid-19 and those identified as working near to a colleague or having extended close contact have been sent home to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution and preventative measure."

We might not have had Halloween yet but Christmas decorations have already appeared on a house in Skegness, more than 11 weeks before the big day.

Image source, Richard Hutchinson

The decorations include giant a inflatable gingerbread, snowman and Santa, 25 metres of home-made garlands, 100 metres of lights and five Christmas trees.

Image source, Richard Hutchinson

Richard Hutchinson the man responsible for the display, said he decided to decorate his house early this year as "everyone needs cheering up".

The dad-of-five says his family were fully behind the idea and have loved helping him decorate their home.

He added that it had proved so popular people are now driving to the house to take photographs outside.

Image source, Richard Hutchinson

A former police officer has been charged with making an explosive substance and importing prohibited weapons after an incident in Lincoln.

Image source, Google maps

Zoe Watts, 34, of St Helen's Avenue, was arrested on Sunday, after chemicals "of a potentially explosive nature" and a number of weapons were found at an address in the street.

Ms Watts, a former PCSO now employed as "a serving member of police staff", is due to appear before Lincoln Magistrates' Court later.

She has been suspended by Lincolnshire Police while the investigation takes place.

Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson said: "We know that this is an unusual and worrying incident which will concern our communities.

"We within Lincolnshire Police share these feelings and, although this relates to someone who works for the force, we will investigate this meticulously without fear or favour."

An arts venue will shut as a result of the pandemic and loss of funding, with the loss of 19 jobs.

Image source, Google

Lincoln Drill Hall, which hosted concerts, comedy shows and community events, closed its doors in March due to lockdown.

In August, the city council voted unanimously to end the £187,000 yearly grant to the venue.

Phil Hamlyn Williams, chair of trustees, said he was "desperately sad". "We've got 19 lovely people who've worked together for a long time, and are now facing a bleak future," he said.

"I'm afraid it is the virus - so many arts venues across the country have closed.

"We were kept sort of alive by the furlough scheme but with it coming to an end at the end of October that was curtains."

BBC Weather

A dry and bright start to the day but clouds will increase through the afternoon. There will be a brisk westerly wind for a time but this will ease later on.

Rain develops from the west in the evening, possibly heavy at times tapering to showers overnight. There is the chance of a thunderstorm.

It will be mainly dry in Lincolnshire tonight. Here's the latest forecast:

Rob Makepeace
BBC Radio Lincolnshire sport

Lincoln City have signed the West Brom striker Jamie Soule on a short-term loan.

He's the third player to join from the Premier League side this summer.

The Imps are in action tonight in the EFL Trophy at Mansfield Town.