Stoke sign Scotland striker Fletcherpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Stoke City sign free-agent Scotland international striker Steven Fletcher after Sheffield Wednesday exit.
Read MoreSummary
Updates on Thursday 23 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 06:00
Stoke sign Scotland striker Fletcherpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Your photos: Scenic viewspublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Our local BBC Weather Watchers keep us updated on the forecast in their area and they also snap some great photos of the West Midlands.
Here are three we've had sent in today from users Videoman in Leek, Staffordshire; Mrs Baggins in Bromyard, Herefordshire; and Liam Ball in Horsehay, Shropshire:
Image source, Videoman
Image source, Mrs Baggins
Image source, Liam BallCommunity rallies for lighting-struck churchpublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
BBC ShropshireThousands of pounds have been donated to help a church after it was struck by lightning this week and suffered electrical damage.
Image source, GoogleThe Reverend Zoe Heming said St Andrew's in Church Aston, near Newport, was hit on Wednesday night. , external
She said she didn't know how much repairs would cost but more than £2,000 had already been raised on a crowdfunding website.
Mrs Heming told BBC Shropshire the response had been "utterly humbling" and residents have also been coming forward to make sure a wedding took place this weekend.
Murder arrest after woman found dead at housepublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
A woman has been arrested after another woman in her 40s was found dead in Stoke-on-Trent.
Read MoreAround the web: Fire crews tackle house blazepublished at 13:32 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
From the Shropshire Star today:
Investigation after death of utility workerpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
BBC Radio StokeA utility worker has died while he was working at a housing estate.
The 32-year-old man, from Runcorn, died at the Bishops Wood estate on Bridle Hey, Nantwich, yesterday afternoon, Cheshire Police said.
The Health and Safety Executive said the death had been referred to it and was investigating.
Sixth demolition planned at former power stationpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Allen Cook
BBC NewsThe latest building at a former power station is set to be demolished with explosives next week.
Image source, ENGIE UKThe coal-fired plant in Rugeley, Staffordshire, closed in 2016 and five demolitions have already taken place at the site.
Owner ENGIE UK says it plans to bring down the site's boiler house at about 10:00 on Thursday 20 August. , external
It adds there will be an exclusion zone around the area before, during and just after the collapse - with no viewing area for people to watch.
The firm says the other remaining structures such as the cooling towers and chimney are set to be demolished at a later date with the work due to finish next year.
Plans to build more than 2,000 new homes and a school on the site were approved by councillors earlier this year., external
Stoke 'open to offers' for Butlandpublished at 12:02 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Stoke City are "open to offers" for England goalkeeper Jack Butland, says Potters chairman Peter Coates.
Read MorePub closes after Covid-19 contact casepublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Allen Cook
BBC NewsA pub in Staffordshire has closed after one of its staff came in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
Image source, GoogleThe Red House in Caverswall, near Stoke-on-Trent, said on Facebook , externalit had temporarily shut as a precaution so all staff could be tested.
The pub added it was likely to stay closed for the rest of the weekend.
Soil from old canal aims to stop illegal traveller campspublished at 10:27 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
Allen Cook
BBC NewsSoil dug up from a canal as part of a restoration scheme is being used to try to stop future illegal traveller camps in part of Lichfield.
Image source, Lichfield City CouncilThe city council said, external it was making the move after a recent unauthorised encampment at Netherstowe.
The authority, with the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, is moving to the site 150 tonnes of soil, dug up from the former canal on Tamworth Road.
The soil's being formed into a mound to stop vehicles coming back and will be planted with wildflowers, with bollards added.
M6 congested after lorry hits bridgepublished at 08:39 British Summer Time 14 August 2020
BBC News TravelDrivers are facing heavy congestion on the M6 northbound near Stoke-on-Trent after a lorry hit a bridge., external
Image source, Highways EnglandIt happened at about 03:30 between J14 and J15 and two lanes remain shut., external
There is about five miles of slow moving traffic approaching the area and motorists are being warned to add an extra half an hour to their journey time.
Image source, Highways EnglandParalympic ambitions for injured horse-riding teenpublished at 18:06 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Leonie Saffy, 18, shattered her pelvis and hip and fractured a thigh bone in the fall.
Read MoreIndoor market to reopen after floodingpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
An indoor market which had to close today due to flooding will reopen tomorrow., external
Stafford Borough Council said last night's heavy rain forced the town's market, off Broad Street, to shut but it has been cleaned and repaired today.
Image source, Stafford Borough CouncilAttack on dog walker 'was attempt to steal his pet'published at 16:02 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Allen Cook
BBC NewsA dog walker's been attacked in what police believe was an attempt to steal his pet.
Image source, ReutersThe man, aged in his 50s, was on Wereton Road, Audley, Staffordshire, on Tuesday night when police said a man came up and asked for directions.
As he did, officers said , externala woman tried to unhook the harness and lead on the dog, a white Bichon Frise.
The victim grabbed his dog and was then assaulted, suffering a serious injury to his face which needed hospital treatment.
Around the web: Venues probed over Covid-19 concernspublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Stoke-on-Trent LiveThe Stoke-on-Trent Live website is covering these stories today:
Alton Towers reopens after storm disruptionpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
The Staffordshire theme park was forced to close after storms affected its water supplies.
Read MoreAlton Towers reopening after thunderstorms disruptionpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Alton Towers is reopening to visitors today after having to shut on Wednesday when thunderstorms disrupted its water supply.
Image source, GoogleGuests were told to "leave at their leisure" as the theme park was gradually closed yesterday afternoon after engineers failed to quickly restore full supply.
A spokesperson for the theme park said it would reopen as normal today but, as tickets currently have to be booked in advance, it was sold out.
Watch: Flash floods leave roads under waterpublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Allen Cook
BBC NewsParts of Staffordshire also saw flash flooding in last night's storms.
David Cadman took this video in Eccleshall and tweeted , externalthis was after "over two hours of torrential rain".
Media caption, Flooding in Eccleshall, Staffordshire
Roads shut after 'significant' floodingpublished at 09:35 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Several roads in and around Telford remain shut this morning due to flooding.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilTelford and Wrekin Council said, external heavy rain last night had caused "significant issues".
It tweeted four roads were still shut:
- Hadley Road Oakengates
- Chetwynd Road, Newport
- B4394 (Allscott) Blacksmiths Lane to rail bridge
- Boughey Road – in vicinity of Gravelly Drive
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilWomen rescued from flooded vehiclepublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 13 August 2020
Two elderly women were rescued from a vehicle after severe flooding near Newport, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said., external
Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue ServiceCrews were called just before 22:00 to Sambrook and said several homes had also been flooded.
