Kind-hearted woman knits 150 blanketspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
A kind-hearted Burton woman has been knitting baby blankets for grieving families whose child has died., external
Image source, Burton MailSummary
Man dies in house fire
Getaway car photo released after security guard robbery
Lab tests carried out to solve cracked paving problem
Self-mutilating dog costs charity £10k in vet bills
Updates from Friday 7 April 2017
Kind-hearted woman knits 150 blanketspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Image source, Burton MailChildren's emergency service to stay shut at Stafford County Hospital published at 14:01 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio StokeChildren's emergency services are not going to be reinstated at Stafford's County Hospital, hospital bosses have decided this afternoon.
Low numbers of staff with the right specialist training at Stafford's County Hospital forced the closure of A&E to patients under 18, on 25 August.
A review was carried out by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and , this afternoon, the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) decided the chidren's A&E would remain temporarily closed. , external
In the meantime, a minor injuries unit (MIU) for children, which was set up in October, is going to be upgraded.
UHNM says 45% of children who arrive at the MIU in Stafford don't have a minor injury but a minor illness, so they're going to upgrade the unit to better meet those demands.
Beggars 'buying drugs and alcohol' with donated cashpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio StokePeople are being urged by police not to give cash directly to beggars in Stoke-on-Trent city centre.
Staffordshire Police claim that they're likely to spend money on drugs or alcohol instead of food, causing anti-social behaviour in Hanley.
Extra officers were on patrol at the weekend as part of a crackdown on the issue.
The force is instead urging people to donate to a city council-run homeless scheme, external called Make it Count instead, which has collection boxes around the city centre.
Quote MessageThe people of Stoke-on-Trent are very understanding and very compassionate and they feel sorry for these people. But what I would implore people is, do not give these people money."
Ch Insp Neil Hulme , Stoke-on-Trent Central Local Policing Team Commander
Crewe extend deals for Jones & Cooperpublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Crewe Alexandra extend the contracts of midfielder James Jones and winger George Cooper.
Read MoreNantwich MP to run London Marathon for Army Benevolent Fundpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is to run the London Marathon to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund and Muscular Dystrophy UK. , external
Image source, Nantwich NewsOn Midlands Today from 13:30: Roadwork dangers and Wembley history published at 13:03 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
BBC Midlands TodayOn Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll have news of a warning from Highways England about the dangers faced by people who work at the roadside.
We'll also hear how school children in part of the region will be learning how to make healthier food and drink choices using a new Public Health England phone app.
Plus reaction to Coventry City's historic Wembley win and your lunchtime weather news, on BBC One from 13:30.
Sci-fi forest tracks carbon impactpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Roger Harrabin
BBC environment analystAn industrial-scale experiment in a Staffordshire forest is aiming to help fill gaps in knowledge about climate change.
The project near Gnosall has created an outdoor laboratory by encircling trees with 25m masts gushing high levels of carbon dioxide.
The site is surrounded by a three-metre-high anti-climb fence, and silvery tubes snake along the forest floor in what looks like a sci-fi alien invasion.
The scientists behind the experiment want to find how forests will respond to the levels of carbon dioxide expected in the atmosphere by the middle of the 21st Century.
Optimists hope that the ability of the natural world to soak up carbon can buy time for humans to wean themselves off fossil fuels.
Football: Stoke goalkeeper 'enjoying every minute' in Premier League published at 12:25 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant says he is enjoying life as the Potters first choice goalkeeper.
Image source, Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesThe 34-year-old came from the Derby County reserve team and has played every Premier League game since the 1-1 draw at home to West Brom on 24 September.
Late drama at Man Utd, Leicester add to Moyes' miserypublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Follow text and radio reaction as Man Utd snatch an injury-time equaliser against Everton, while there are wins for Leicester, Watford and Burnley.
Read MoreAnswering Your Questions: The hunt for gluten-free oatcakespublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveAlan Taylor posed this question on Your Questions : "Where can I buy gluten-free oatcakes?"
Well they're not available universally - both Staffordshire Oatcakes and High Lane Oatcakes say they don't sell them.
But of the firms I asked, Povey Oatcakes say they do sell them and get a fair interest in having them sent across the UK.
And Weston Coyney Oatcakes sell them too, with owner Ian Hammersley telling me they "sell out as soon as they bake them".
He adds that they do take longer to bake and need more care when cooking but he's also sent them - or a dry mix to make them - all over the UK.
If you've got a question about Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire to pose, ask us here and your question could be making the news.
Watch: Baby boy delivered in KFC car parkpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio StokeThe parents of a baby boy who was born in a takeaway car-park in Stoke-on-Trent have told BBC Radio Stoke that the experience was surreal but hasn't really sunk in for them.
Media caption, Baby Zachary born at takeaway's car park
Darren Rogers and Yasmin Powell were driving to the Royal Stoke University Hospital last week but had to stop at the KFC in Goldenhill because baby Zachary was making an early appearance.
They pulled over and Darren says he even had to remove the umbilical cord from around the youngster's neck.
The couple did eventually make it to the hospital where the midwife had Darren cut the cord - all three and big brother Theodore are now back home.
Protesters plan rally over hospital closure fearspublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA rally is being organised in protest over fears a community hospital could close, by a former nurse from the Staffordshire Moorlands.
A consultation is planned to look at the services provided at Leek Moorlands Hospital, but protesters say they feel it will lead to its closure.
The North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which runs the service, told BBC Radio Stoke that changes will be made but insist there are no plans to close it. , external
But Pam Wood, who worked at the hospital, says she is still worried by the consultation and is planning a rally over the issue., external
Quote MessageIf it is a proper consultation were they actually take notice and we keep our hospital and keep our really important rehabilitation beds at that hospital, then yes, it will be a good consultation."
Pam Wood, Former nurse and organiser of rally
Relive Wednesday's EFL actionpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Newcastle's controversial disallowed penalty and Huddersfield's three-goal burst - relive Wednesday's EFL action.
Read MoreTravel: Level crossing fault in Alsagerpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
BBC News TravelDrivers are being warned that the level crossing barriers on Sandbach Road South in Alsager aren't working properly.
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End of twitter postFootball: Stoke Shaqiri in training but may miss Burnley game says manager published at 10:31 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri may still not be fit to play for the team tomorrow against Burnley.
Image source, Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesShaqiri has missed several games for the Potters this season and Hughes told reporters this morning about his injury concerns for Tuesday's game.
Quote MessageFrom the weekend we have a few bumps and bruises. [Striker] Peter Crouch has a bang on his knee. Xherdan Shaqiri will train today but may not be fit for tomorrow. We are waiting on Geoff Cameron but he may well miss out."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
Travel: Trains disrupted between Crewe and Stockportpublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
BBC News TravelRail services are being disrupted this morning between Crewe and Stockport due to an incident in the Wilmslow area.
National Rail Enquiries says journeys may be delayed by up to 60 minutes.
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End of twitter postStaffordshire Fire Service: £10m cuts on way in the next three years putting jobs at risk published at 09:56 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
More than £10m worth of cuts will be made to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in the next three years which will likely see jobs axed , external .
Image source, Express and StarTravel: Overturned lorry delays drivers on A51 in Tarporley, Cheshire published at 09:34 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
BBC News TravelDrivers are being delayed on the A51 in Tarporley, Cheshire because of an overturned lorry.
Cheshire Police say it's happened on the roundabout at the junction of the A51 and A49. , external
Image source, Cheshire PoliceVeterans mark Falklands 35th anniversary at Staffordshire arboretum published at 09:21 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Caroline Gall
BBC News OnlineFalklands War veterans have gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 35th anniversary of the conflict.
They, along with relatives of those who served, have been taking part in a commemorative service at the Staffordshire centre.
Two hundred and fifty five British service personnel and 649 Argentines died in the conflict.
A memorial, incorporating rocks taken from the islands, opened at the arboretum in 2012.
Stafford County Hospital children's services decision due today published at 08:58 British Summer Time 3 April 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA decision will be made today on the future of children's emergency services at Stafford's County Hospital.
Accident and emergency services at the hospital for under 16s were closed eight months ago as a temporary measure, due to concerns about safety.
The hospital trust in September decided to ask the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to carry out an independent review.
At 13:00 today the bosses of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust will use their report as they meet to decide its future., external
