Dog-owning ban after pet left in 'excruciating pain' with broken leg
Man charged after wedding rings stolen in burglary
Boy, 7, seriously hurt in hit-and-run
Sculpture switch-on: Hundreds of hand-written messages in artwork
Updates from Friday 4 November
Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, is calling for a change in the law to help protect police dogs, external from being attacked in the line of duty.
Image source, Lichfield MercuryWelshman Joe Allen says he has been taking goal scoring tips from manager Mark Hughes as he prepares to face his former club Swansea City.
Allen has scored four goals in nine Premier League appearances since joining Stoke, equalling the tally he managed in 91 games for Liverpool.
Potters boss Hughes is Wales' joint-seventh highest scorer and scored more than 150-top flight goals.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageHe's been a special help to me scoring. He's given me more responsibility to push forward, to find myself in the box and try to create goals as well as scoring some too."
Joe Allen
Chris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are this afternoon's top stories:
- A man injured in a car fire in Newcastle towards the end of last week remains in critical condition in hospital
- There will be economic benefits and opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people, external with an HS2 hub in Stafford, according to the leader of the county council
- The families of two men killed in a blaze at a fireworks warehouse have said they are still without answers two years on
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Plans for an HS2 hub in Stafford will build on Stafford’s reputation as an attractive place to live, work and invest in, according to the Borough Council.
Regeneration projects already under way in the area include a £1.2bn investment in new shops, businesses, industrial expansion and housing, external.
Image source, HS2Quote MessageThe Stafford stop is the gateway to open up the economic benefits and opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people."
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council
Stafford Borough Council is planning to oversee the building of 10,000 new homes across the borough, including a major new development by the Ministry of Defence.
Despite having the greater possession in the first half, Orient failed to test Alex goalkeeper Ben Garrett and paid the price when the home side found themselves two goals down at the interval.
Jens Janse sent his intended clearance straight into the path of George Cooper who struck the ball into the top left corner of the net from 12 yard.
On-loan Chelsea midfielder Alex Kiwomya then sent in a sublime cross from the left to the unmarked Harry Davis who was left with the simplest of close-range finishes.
Ex-miners and residents are being sought to tell the story of a former Staffordshire colliery area, thanks to £57,000 of lottery money.
Read More
Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather
A dry day ahead with some sunny intervals. Highs of 14C (57F).
The latest weather for the West Midlands
A professional whistler from Stoke-on-Trent explains her secrets in a new documentary.
Shelia Harrod, a former world champion, said global success had made her feel like a film star.
Last year, she gave BBC Radio 4's Catherine Bott a demonstration and said she was inspired to take up whistling by London-born whistling star Ronnie Ronalde, external.
Image source, BBC AlbaQuote MessageYou wonder ever time you put your fingers in your mouth how can I do this. Why me? I'd like to say it's a blessing, but perhaps other people don't think so."
Sheila Harrod
Sian Grzeszczyk
Staffordshire Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
A man injured in a car fire in Newcastle towards the end of last week remains in critical condition in hospital.
He's the father of two children who died after a suspicious house fire in Birmingham on Friday.
They were named at the weekend as eight-year-old Saros Endris and his six-year-old sister Leanor Endris. The father still hasn't been named.
Image source, West Midlands Police
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
From Creepy Crewe to Killerminster - the train operator London Midland has gone all out to mark Halloween this year.
Horrorford (Hereford) - Spookford-upon-Avon (Stratford-upon-Avon), Liverpool Slime Street (Liverpool Lime Street) and Werewolverhampton (Wolverhampton) are just some of my favourites.
Top marks for creativity!
Image source, London MidlandRugby player Louis Cartlidge took matters into his own hands, external when he saw two people get hit on the head with a bottle in the city centre.
Image source, The Sentinel
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online
Inquiry into blaze at Stafford fireworks warehouse leaves bereaved in limbo
The families of two men killed in a blaze at a fireworks warehouse have said they are still without answers two years on.
The heat on October 30, 2014, ignited the Stafford building's contents, with fireworks lighting up the night sky as Simon Hillier, 41, and Stewart Staples, 57, perished.
Police say the inquiry into what happened is "challenging and lengthy", delaying an inquest into the men's deaths.
The fog is making conditions difficult for the air ambulance based at Tatenhill, near Burton upon Trent.
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Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
A joint investigation by Cheshire Police and the fire and rescue service continues to try to find out how a fire broke out in Sandbach, external in the early hours of yesterday morning.
An eight-year old boy died and a woman, believed to be his mother, was left with serious burns.
Quote MessageIt's just horrendous... sorry... she's a young mum herself so, you know it just really brings home just... there are no words to describe it. I just can't actually believe this is happening to such a poor young family."
Emma Thompson, Neighbour
Neighbours living near to the house say they've been left traumatised by what's happened.
Firefighters were called to Platt Avenue in Sandbach at 02:52 on Sunday morning after reports of a fire at a semi-detached house.
Phil Bowers
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here are this morning's top stories:
- Stafford will have a link to the high speed, external rail line at Handsacre, according to the chairman of HS2
- Volunteers join police in search for missing Joshua Smith who disappeared from home almost a week ago, external
- Stoke City take on Swansea at the Bet 365 Stadium tonight
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Dozens of volunteers will today join police officers in continuing the search for 27-year-old Joshua Smith from Stone, who's now been missing for nearly a week.
His family have asked people to to come forward with any CCTV or camera footage they might have that could indicate his whereabouts.
Police reissued an appeal yesterday saying while there have been several sightings - none had been confirmed., external
Image source, via Staffordshire PoliceThe search area includes Stone, Swynnerton and has now extended to Keele.
Police have asked anyone that finds Josh not to touch him, due to the "potential risk of substance transfer".
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Stafford is the "logical choice for a hub station" for HS2, according to the organisation's chairman.
Sir David Higgins was speaking as it was announced Stafford will have a link to the high speed, external line at Handsacre, 13 miles away.
That cuts journey times between Stafford and London to less than an hour.
Image source, HS2Quote MessageThe really important thing to point out is these are additional new services, HS2 services. They will be HS2 trains and they'll be running through Stoke to Stafford. For all intents and purposes they are HS2 trains, the public won't see any difference."
Sir David Higgins, Chairman, HS2
Stoke-on-Trent was hopeful of getting a hub station itself, but Sir David says Stafford's rail links have plenty of advantages.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council says it'll continue working with HS2 and the Department for Transport to ensure what it calls the "highest level of connectivity" for the city.
Thanks to BBC Weather Watchers Whiston Wanderer and Osmunda for a couple of lovely pictures to start the morning, featuring Whiston (top) and No Man's Heath (below).
Image source, Whiston Wanderer
Image source, Osmunda
Joanne Malin
BBC Midlands Today
Bees in the Midlands overcame summer starvation threats to provide more honey per hive than last year, according to figures released by the British Beekeepers Association. , external
The cold and windy spring meant bee keepers had to feed their colonies to keep them alive.
Image source, ThinkstockBut the industry says its members' hives were saved by a long, warm autumn.
Stoke take on Swansea at the Bet 365 stadium tonight with both teams struggling at the foot of the Premier League.
Stoke defender Geoff Cameron is a doubt after hyperextending his knee during last week's victory over Hull City.
Phil Bardsley is another potential absentee, having been given compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather.
Quote MessageWe're looking forward to the Swansea game. It won't be easy. I think Swansea are a little bit like ourselves where they've got a lot of quality and you feel they're in a false position."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
