Father found in fire-damaged car after fatal house fire
Man jailed after fatal Stoke-on-Trent crash
Missing Stone man: Canals and waterways being searched
Man still in hospital a fortnight after being attacked by burglars
Updates from Friday 28 October
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Dog walkers around Stone are being asked to help look for a missing man, external as police say they're searching nearby woodland and fields.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceStaffordshire Police say Joshua Smith, 27, was last seen at his home in Stone yesterday morning and they are "growing increasingly concerned" for his welfare.
Port Vale want a permanent deal for on-loan Birmingham City striker Alex Jones, says chairman Norman Smurthwaite
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Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
More than 300 cannabis plants have been found growing in an old pot bank in Stoke-on-Trent after being smelt by a passer-by.
Staffordshire Police say the person reported a strong smell of cannabis coming from the derelict site on Commerce Street, Longton on Monday morning.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceThey say officers found the plants after searching the site.
The force adds that a 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and released on bailed.
Leather, motorbikes and loud engines was the order of the day at St Editha's Church as one Tamworth couple came together, external to tie the knot with a convoy of bikers.
Image source, Tamworth Herald
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this lunchtime we'll hear from one of the region's MPs who wants an independent review into child sexual exploitation in the town she represents.
There's also news on 12 days of travel disruption for train passengers on one of the Midlands routes.
Plus we'll hear from a Syrian refugee who arrived in the West Midlands in January who is hoping to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Those stories and more along with your lunchtime weather forecasts on BBC One from 13:30.
James Gallagher
BBC News Website, Health Editor
Giving mums and dads the skills to become "super parents" can dramatically improve their child's autism, a long-term study has shown.
"What is remarkable is the pay-off," said Louisa Harrison, from Cheshire, who has seen a huge improvement in her son Frank.
In the training, parents watched films of themselves playing with their child while a therapist gave precise tips for helping their child communicate.
Experts said the results, published in the Lancet, external, were "hugely cheering".
Quote MessageHe loves watching lamp-posts come on in our street, so autumn is a very exciting time for us. Several years ago it was a largely silent interaction, but now he will be so chatty, 'Mummy, Mummy, look they've gone on in a different order.' If you'd told me four years ago he'd come out with a sentence like that then I'd be crying."
Louisa Harrison, Cheshire mother of son with autism
Drivers are being advised to avoid Millstone Lane in Nantwich, as Cheshire East Council says roadworks are causing delays.
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Stoke City forward Bojan Krkic has to be patient for the chance to get back in the side, says assistant boss Mark Bowen.
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Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Let's get you up-to-date this lunchtime with our headlines:
- Nursery bosses claim a new free 30-hour childcare scheme being trialled in Staffordshire will lead to many nurseries going out of business
- More than £200,000 of clothes destined for New Look stores have been stolen from a lorry in Newcastle-under-Lyme, external
- Hundreds of cannabis plants have been found growing in an old pot bank in Stoke-on-Trent after being smelt by a passer-by
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We've had some great pictures sent in via the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external and this one's from Christopher Pritchard who says he took it at Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire.
Image source, Christopher PritchardWhile this autumnal scene shows Wolstanton Marsh in Stoke-on-Trent and was taken by Kerri-Ann Hargreaves.
As well as Facebook, you can email pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire or put them on Instagram (with the tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share them), external.
Image source, Kerri-Ann Hargreaves
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke City midfielder Bojan Krkic has been told to be patient after not starting a game for the club in over a month, largely due to the form of Joe Allen.
Image source, Chris Brunskill/Getty ImagesBut Stoke's assistant manager Mark Bowen insists he is still part of the club's plans for the future.
Quote MessageBojan's a top professional and he looks at a situation. Sometimes you have to be mentally strong and think, from a personal view, 'well, the team's winning games, it's playing well, you've got to be a little bit patient'."
Mark Bowen, Stoke City's assistant manager
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Are we about to see Stone's Olympic hero Joe Clarke do a tango, dance the jitterbug or waltz his way around the dance floor?
Image source, Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesI ask because the man who won gold in his kayak at the Rio Olympics has been named as one of the Team GB athletes taking part in a Strictly Come Dancing special for BBC Children in Need.
According to the BBC, Joe will join other Team GB stars like Helen Glover MBE and Hollie Webb in the show as part of the Children in Need 2016 appeal night on BBC One.
BBC Travel
There's a traffic problem on the A5190 Lichfield Road in Cannock at the A460 Eastern Way junction because of an accident.
Three "career criminals" who organised a spate of van thefts have been jailed after leading police on a 40-minute chase , externalthrough Stafford.
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather
There could be some sunny spells around and here's a fuller look at the afternoon.
If you want to keep up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts, check in with the BBC Weather website at any other time.
Alex Hamilton
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
More than £200,000 of clothes destined for New Look stores have been stolen from a lorry in Newcastle-under-Lyme, external.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say the HGV was parked overnight from 23 October on Spencroft Road on the Lymedale Business Park when someone forced the lock off the rear doors.
The force says 418 boxes of the clothes were then stolen and it's appealing to anyone offered brand new New Look clothes at discount prices in the county to contact them.
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Don't try and tackle fires yourself - that's the plea from firefighters in Stoke-on-Trent after an elderly woman was burnt, external in a severe house blaze.
An elderly man was also taken to hospital after the fire on Baddeley Green Lane, Baddeley Green yesterday afternoon.
Investigators say they believe the blaze was caused by clothes drying in front of a gas heater in the conservatory and spread to the rest of the home, causing "significant damage".
Quote MessageThe elderly couple both suffered injuries, so they were very lucky to escape the property. This incident acts as a reminder to people that you should never attempt to tackle a fire - instead get out, stay out and call 999."
Roy Daniels, Station Manager with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
A scheme offering pre-schoolers 30 free hours of childcare could lead to the closure of some nurseries, providers warn.
Read MoreChris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our headlines this morning include:
- Nursery bosses claim a new free 30-hour childcare scheme being trialled in Staffordshire will lead to many nurseries going out of busines
- Don't try and tackle fires yourself - that's the plea from firefighters in Stoke-on-Trent after an elderly woman was burnt in a severe house blaze, external
- Stone's Olympic gold medal winner Joe Clarke is going to be part of a Strictly Come Dancing special in aid of BBC Children in Need
David Rhodes
BBC News
Nursery providers claim high demand for a new free 30-hour childcare scheme and rising costs will mean many nurseries will "go bust".
A pilot scheme in England allows parents to claim free childcare for three and four-year-olds.
Eight areas of England, including Staffordshire, have been trialling it since September, with the majority of councils involved reporting take-up rates of over 80%.
Image source, Matt CardyNurseries say rising staff costs and inflation will force many providers to close.
The government says it is investing a "record £6bn in childcare".
Ministers hopes that by offering parents 30 hours of free childcare more adults will return to work or look to increase their hours.
