Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Health bosses in Nottinghamshire have confirmed about 50 care homes are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks.

Speaking at the area's regular health briefing Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health, confirmed this represented about 40% of the county's total care homes.

He said: "These are outbreaks of various scales, from two or so members of staff testing positive to wider infections, some of which will be symptomatic.

"Also, they are at various stages with some being newly notified and subject to active outbreak control, while others have been dealt with and are about to be stood down."

Image source, Getty Images

It was also confirmed that while infections showed signs of levelling off at a point below the national average, the situation in hospitals was still "critical".

Dr Andy Haynes, executive lead for the area's integrated care system, said: "One in four hospital beds is occupied by a Covid patient. The number of beds occupied by Covid patients is twice that in April.

"Admissions are still high and will remain high for at least two weeks."

People were urged to keep infections as low as possible by observing lockdown rules, including social distancing and the wearing of masks when on essential trips.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

A woman who was on a hands-free call while driving has been found guilty of causing a fatal crash.

Nottinghamshire Police said Natasha Labidi, of Anson Road in Newton, was driving along the A46 near Flintham on 11 December, 2019, when she hit John Aves - who was on a moped - from behind.

A force spokesman said investigators found she had been on the phone via a Bluetooth headset at the time.

Although the 40-year-old said the moped was stationary at the time and had a broken rear light, her account was challenged by witnesses.

She was found guilty of causing death by careless driving at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, and is due to be sentenced at a later date.

The pub's owners, customers and staff are fined and a prohibition notice is issued.

Alex Regan
BBC News

A woman has offered a £1,500 reward after her flightless pet crow has gone missing following a burglary at her home in Leicestershire.

Michelle Johnson had been looking after Eddie the crow since he was found abandoned in a school playground last year.

She said: "All of the wildlife hospitals were closed due to the first Covid lockdown, but I knew they wouldn't take it because it would never be able to be released, because it was crippled.

"So I decided to keep it as a pet."

Image source, Michelle Johnson

Leicestershire Police have recovered some jewellery after the break-in in Stoney Stanton on Monday but Eddie is still missing.

Three people have been arrested, including a 47-year-old, of Market Harborough, who has been charged with burglary dwelling and theft, while a 54-year-old man has been released on bail.

A 39-year-old woman has been released with no further action.

Ms Johnson said: "[Eddie] might have been dumped or released somewhere, he won't survive very long if that's the case. He might have been sold on."

She initially offered a £1,000 reward for the crow's return, but a local "animal lover" increased it by £500 after hearing about the suspected theft on social media.

"It's quite humbling," she said.

Kit Sandeman
Local Democracy Reporter

A third company owned by Nottingham City Council is set to be examined as the local authority undertakes a strategic review.

Nottingham Revenue and Benefits (NRB), which provides "transactional services to local authorities", is fully owned by the council, with accounts showing it has just under 200 employees.

The latest accounts, filed with Companies House for the year ending March 2020, show a moderate profit of just over £350,000, and total pension liabilities of more than £10m.

NRB was set up as part of a seven-year contract – which is now in its final year – between the council and Northgate Public Services, in which the latter provides the revenue and benefits service for Nottingham residents, with delivery sub-contracted to NRB.

The review comes after government inspector Max Caller, who warned the authority it is at risk of going bankrupt, told the council it needed to examine the rationale for keeping its portfolio of council-owned companies.

A review into the collapse of council-run Robin Hood Energy resulted in the council selling the customer base, and a separate probe is also ongoing into another council-owned firm, Enviroenergy, which bosses say requires a £300m investment over the next 30 years to update the district heating infrastructure.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

Two yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for today and tomorrow.

The Met Office has put a warning for ice in place for the East Midlands between 08:00 and 10:00 this morning.

It said there may be icy surfaces and difficult travel conditions as a result.

Image source, John Bradburn

A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for parts of the region, including Derby and Nottingham, external, between 03:00 and 21:00 tomorrow.

The Met Office said a band of heavy snow expected on Saturday could lead to travel disruption.

BBC Weather

Today will start off with some low cloud, mist and fog but that should lift and break a little to allow for some sunny spells in the afternoon, with highs of 1C expected.

This evening it is due to be clear for some time but cloud and wind is to increase overnight bringing with it rain by dawn.

On Saturday, any wintry showers should change to rain which will then clear in the afternoon but it will continue to be blustery and Sunday will be dry with plenty of sunshine and a strong north-westerly wind.

Image source, Anthony C

Derby County's takeover by the Derventio Holdings Group is "absolutely going ahead" says Rams chief executive Stephen Pearce.

Fuel poverty campaigners say the study makes "grim reading" for those struggling before lockdown.

Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet is out for around three months after picking up a hamstring injury against Stoke in the FA Cup

The man is "fighting for his life" in hospital, police say.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

At least two lorries have run into trouble dealing with the winter conditions in parts of the East Midlands this afternoon.

Nottinghamshire Police said it had closed a section of road near the A60 Bishops Walk in Church Warsop due to a jack-knifed HGV and there were also reports of a second stricken HGV in Netherfield Lane between Meden Vale and Budby.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

The force advised drivers to avoid these areas and only travel if "absolutely necessary".

More than 5,000 delays of longer than an hour are recorded across acute trusts in England.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Police in Derbyshire are appealing for help from the public after two dogs went missing from a car breakers in Allenton.

Officers were called to the business on Gosforth Road after an overnight burglary was reported on Wednesday.

Two Akita dogs belonging to the owner went missing, a force spokesman said, along with "a substantial quantity" of tools and car parts.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Rob Sissons
Health correspondent, East Midlands Today

The big impact of pharmacies being allowed to offer the Covid-19 vaccine is that it is local.

If you are over 80 years old, it might be far more realistic to pop to your local chemists for a jab, rather than having to go to a big vaccination centre.

At the moment, no pharmacy in the East Midlands is offering this, but Nottingham-based chemist Boots is involved, with its Halifax branch now stocking the vaccine.

That company started as one shop in Nottingham back in 1849 and now has branches across the country. They will be hoping they can put them all in to work in the coming months.

Image source, Reuters

The big problem remains supply. While these pharmacies are ready to go, it's worth noting that on Monday and Tuesday this week, they had to stop vaccinations at the Derby Arena because they had run out.

So while everyone is excited and willing to play their part, it fundamentally comes down to the production of the vaccine, not just the distribution.

Eddie Bisknell
Local Democracy Reporter

The replacement for a Derbyshire school that was destroyed in a fire has been without internet and phone services for months.

Harrington Junior School in Long Eaton was accidentally destroyed during refurbishment works on 28 May.

It was replaced with a temporary school unit built from an array of modules in August but the lack of a phone line meant staff were left using their own mobile data in order to access the internet for classes.

Internet access was eventually restored to the school, which is currently closed to most students due to the national lockdown, on Friday.

Head teacher Rachael Wilmot said: "Getting all the technology destroyed in the fire back up and running has been a big job and we've done everything we can, working with our internet provider, to ensure our communications have continued, including adding a mobile phone number for everyone to use.

"All lessons are on our website every day for children to access, and we have had some good feedback from parents.

"Following the connection of our new internet service last Friday, we expect to be fully up and running in the next couple of days.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their support over these difficult last few months."

A permanent replacement for the school is due to open in September 2022.

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Another five coronavirus vaccination centres will open in Leicestershire this week, meaning every GP practice in the city and county will be offering vaccines to high-priority patients.

The new centres are:

• Merridale Medical Centre, Leicester
• Hinckley Leisure Centre
• St Peters Health Centre, Leicester
• Peepul Centre, Leicester
• Measham Leisure Centre

Image source, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Eligible patients will receive an invitation from their GP practice to book their vaccination.

Caroline Trevithick, from Leicestershire and Rutland clinical commissioning groups, said some patients are also being sent letters offering a vaccination at one of the mass vaccination centres - the closest being in Birmingham.

She said: "I’d like to reassure patients they do not have to accept this invitation if it’s not practical for them.

"If patients choose to wait for a vaccination more locally, they will still be contacted by their GP when it is their time to be vaccinated.”

Image source, Google

The Peepul Centre, an arts centre in Belgrave, will have 36 vaccination stations.

Nash Chhatralia, from the Peepul Enterprise, said: “It’s an honour for us to be given the opportunity to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Both the Peepul Centre and the NHS teams have worked very hard to get the site up ready for the vaccines."

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Students living in accommodation provided by the University of Leicester will receive a refund on their rent.

A spokesman for the institution said the move came following the latest government guidance advising students on non-exempt courses not to travel back from the address where they've spent the Christmas period.

Rebates on rent will be arranged in April "once the full impact of the current national lockdown is assessed".

The university is also to write to Universities UK and the government "to ensure that there is a fair outcome for all students and universities that have been financially impacted by the recent lockdown", including those based in private accommodation, and said it is also looking into tuition fee refunds.

Students in universities across the UK have been calling for rent reductions following the lockdown announced at the start of January.

Image source, University of Leicester

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

More schools have confirmed they are shutting due to poor conditions caused by snow.

St Giles CE Primary in Killamarsh said it is closing early to pupils due to "worsening snow".

Park House Primary School in Chesterfield will be closed to all pupils from 13:00. It said parents can collect their children from this time.

Image source, Steve123v

In Nottinghamshire, Sherwood Forest car park has been closed due to sudden, heavy snowfall in the area.

It said there would be an update when it is safe to reopen.

A family who enjoyed their first white Christmas in Buxton were left shocked by snowfall in Spain.