Man jailed after huge cocaine haul
Inquiry after hospital power failure caused major incident
Health commissioning body rated inadequate
Updates from Friday 22 July 2016
Dan Wheeler
BBC Sport
French midfielder Sebastien Amoros has today become Port Vale manager Bruno Ribeiro's 12th signing. , external
Image source, Port Vale FCThe club say the 21-year-old joins from AS Monaco where he has mostly played in their B side.
He's been signed on a one-year deal with an option of another year if things work out.
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
NHS managers running Leighton Hospital in Crewe say "more patients than ever" are turning up to the site. , external
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says nearly 1,600 extra patients were seen between April and June compared with the same period last year.
The trust is apologising for increased waiting times and is urging only people with serious or life-threatening conditions to use its A&E.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This evening's headlines include:
- Two Syrian refugee families who were moved out of their homes in Stoke-on-Trent following an alleged racist incident, have been rehoused by the city council
- Unemployment has risen in the West Midlands even though, external it's fallen nationally to an 11-year low
- NHS managers running Leighton Hospital in Crewe say "more patients than ever" are turning up to the site, external
Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM
West Midlands MEP and UKIP leadership candidate Bill Etheridge says there should be a referendum on the death penalty and he would back its reintroduction.
He said: “For my part I believe that the very worst crimes deserve the ultimate penalty and I propose that those who murder and rape children, those that commit sadistic acts of murder and torture and those that commit acts of murder through terrorism against our country or our people should be subject to the death penalty at the discretion of the presiding judge."
The MEP, who stood in 2012 as UKIP’s Police & Crime Commissioner candidate in the West Midlands Police force area, also said three strikes should mean "life behind bars for violent criminals".
The death penalty is opposed by the UK government, Amnesty International, the UN, the European Union and 16 US states.
BBC Travel
Coppice Lane in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire is closed in both directions between the Rosemary Road junction and the Littlewood Road junction.
It's because of an overturned car and police are directing traffic.
Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite tells BBC Radio Stoke that bids they have received for Anthony Grant "wouldn't fuel my car for a year."
Read MoreA student who feared she wouldn't pass her GCSEs is celebrating graduating with a First Class degree in Psychology, external with Child Language Development.
Image source, Cannock MercuryPort Vale make their 12th signing of the summer as Monaco midfielder Sebastien Amoros agrees a one-year deal.
Read More
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
This stunning picture of the sun setting over Audley last night was taken by Duncan Richardson, who then tweeted it to @BBCRadioStoke, external.
Image source, Duncan Richardson
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Port Vale's chairman Norman Smurthwaite says the club are deciding whether to take "a risk" on the captain of Monaco's B side.
Image source, Port Vale FCThey've already signed Anthony de Freitas (pictured) from the French club and he impressed during last night's 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Quote MessageThere's been a revelation as it were within the scans. He's had three scans today on one of his knees and, even though he was the captain at Monaco reserves team, fabulous player, there's a question mark."
Norman Smurthwaite, Port Vale chairman
BBC Midlands Today
Police are warning about the dangers of carrying replica guns after a string of scares caused by fake firearms in the West Midlands.
There are warnings from police about the dangers of carrying replica guns
They say armed officers have attended more than 80 false alarms in the past three months where people were spotted with ball bearing guns.
Last year, Hanley city centre in Stoke-on-Trent was sealed off after teenagers were seen waving the guns in a shopping area.
Officers say it's an offence to carry air weapons in public without a reasonable excuse.
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Two Syrian refugee families, who were moved out of their homes in Stoke-on-Trent following an alleged racist incident, have been rehoused by the city council.
One of the families was said to be terrified after receiving racist abuse within hours of moving to the city as refugees at the end of June.
Image source, ReutersThe family, along with another they were related to, have spent nearly three weeks in a hotel while the council found new homes for them.
The authority says both families - six children and three adults - moved into their new homes yesterday.
We don't know where they are but the area was based on finding two large enough homes close together.
They're being supported with school places and health care - two other Syrian families, part of 20 the council agreed to resettle, are thought to be settling in well.
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
If you want to get the latest weather forecast at any other time for your part of Staffordshire or Cheshire you can get it from the BBC Weather website.
Weather for the West Midlands
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the stroke rehabilitation ward, external at Stafford's County Hospital to stay open.
They say they are doing it because of rumours that a review, launched last month, could see the ward close with patients receiving specialist care at home instead.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust , externalsays some patients are staying in hospital beds for too long.
The Conservative MP for Stafford Jeremy Lefroy says he has raised the issue with the Department of Health.
A special charity event is taking place in Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday in memory of Milly Jane Hill, a little girl who passed away last year, one day, external before her second birthday.
Image source, Lichfield MercuryLee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are some of the top stories we're looking at this afternoon:
- Two Syrian refugee families who were moved out of their homes in Stoke-on-Trent following an alleged racist incident have been rehoused by the city council
- Unemployment across the West Midlands has gone up, external
- A 14-year-old boy's been seriously hurt in what police, external are calling a "hit and run incident" in Tamworth
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Unemployment across the West Midlands has gone up, external.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn the March-to-May period, 165,000 people were out of work in the region - an increase of 13,000 on the previous quarter.
In contrast, figures for the whole of the UK show a fall of 54,000 to 1.65 million.
BBC Travel
There are severe delays on the northbound M6 in Cheshire this afternoon between junctions 18 and 19.
It follows an accident earlier involving several vehicles in the roadworks area - all lanes have been reopened.
Congestion is back to junction 16.
League Two club Crewe Alexandra sign Chelsea academy winger Alex Kiwomya on loan until 9 January 2017.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
These wildflowers were spotted and photographed by Paul Guest between Cauldon Canal and the River Trent, near Birches Head.
Image source, Paul GuestWhile this sunrise has come from Dave Hall in Eccleshall.
Want to see your photo of the area featured on our live page? Send them in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram (adding the tag #bbcstoke), external.
Image source, Dave Hall
