Girl dies in school trip crash
Drugs gang jailed for more than 21 years
Arrest after reports boy, 4, 'grabbed' as sat in car
Updates on Friday 7 July 2017
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A man's been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after another man died on a road near Nantwich at the weekend.
Neil Shoane, 44, from Aston, was walking on the A530 from Nantwich to Whitchurch, say Cheshire Police, when they believe he was hit by a vehicle. , external
This afternoon the force says a 27-year-old from Nantwich is in custody.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Tins of dog food are being requested by a Cheshire animal centre which says it needs them to feed baby birds., external
Image source, RSPCAThe RSPCA's Stapeley Grange in Nantwich says it has hundreds of the young animals and some of them need a diet of "meaty loaf" dog food to grow.
The centre says any donated tins which aren't used to feed baby birds will then be used when rescuing dogs and cats.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Four hectares (10 acres) of a golf course in Staffordshire have been destroyed in a grassland fire, external.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire ServiceIt happened yesterday afternoon, the county's fire service says, at Tamworth Golf Course, Eagle Drive, Amington.
Over around three hours, three fire crews used beaters and other equipment to put it out but they say they don't yet know what caused it.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A man's been charged after 92kg (203lbs) of cannabis was found in a van on the M6 in Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Police says they'd stopped the white Ford Transit on the southbound side at Stafford services on 30 June.
They've charged a 25-year-old man from Enfield, London with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B.
Crewe sign defender Eddie Nolan on a one-year deal, with the option of a further year based on appearances.
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Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra have today signed the former Blackpool defender Eddie Nolan., external
Image source, crewealex.netThe 28-year-old has agreed a one-year deal with the option of another year based on appearances.
Nolan featured 10 times for Blackpool last season after starting a Blackburn with stints at Preston, Scunthorpe United and York City in between.
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
An arrest's been made after a supermarket in Leek was evacuated when a man went in this morning with a knife.
Staffordshire Police says they were called to the Aldi on Haywood Street just after 11:00.
The force says no-one has reportedly been hurt, a knife has been recovered and they've arrested a man in connection with the incident.
Two men died after being exposed to harmful levels of Legionella bacteria from a hot tub.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
The families of two men who died after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in a hot tub have accused the owner of the site of being "faceless" through the five years since.
Richard Griffin from Stoke-on-Trent and William Hammersley, 79, of Chesterton, died in 2012.
Today JTF were fined £1m after admitting a health and safety breach following the outbreak, when a hot tub on display at their Stoke-on-Trent branch exposed people to harmful levels of legionella bacteria.
After the sentencing at Stafford Crown Court, the families of the two men said the deaths had left a "huge void" and said JTF had shown no compassion to them.
They added that the outbreak in 2012 meant a daughter would not have her father walking her down the aisle at her wedding this year.
In a statement, JTF said it apologised unreservedly following the outbreak and failings in 2012 and said it expressed "deepest regret" for those affected five years ago.
Ex-Wolves and Norwich chief executive Jez Moxey joins Championship side Burton Albion as a non-executive director.
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Gavin Bevis
BBC Local Live
Former Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has joined Burton Albion, external as a non-executive director.
Moxey has also held senior roles at Partick Thistle, Rangers and Stoke City, where he oversaw the club's move to the Britannia Stadium in 1997.
Image source, Getty ImagesBurton Albion chairman Ben Robinson said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jez onto the board.
"He lives in the Midlands and brings with him a wealth of experience at a number of high-profile football clubs."
John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Thousands of runners helped raise more than £70,000 in the annual JCB Mud Run, external.
The event in Rocester, which is into its sixth year, saw competitors take on the eight-kilometre (five-mile) course on Saturday.
JCB says the money raised is going to the NSPCC to support its work at Carole House service centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Gavin Bevis
BBC Local Live
Burton Albion's home game against Birmingham City has been brought forward by a day, external after being selected for live television coverage.
The game will kick off at 19:45 on Friday 18 August.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A firm fined £1m after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in a hot tub has apologised "unreservedly" for failings at the time.
Image source, GoogleIn 2012, two men died and 20 others were affected after they were exposed at the JTF warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent to harmful levels of Legionella bacteria from a hot tub on display.
The company admitted a health and safety breach last week and were fined today at Stafford Crown Court.
In a statement, JTF says it has a completely new board of directors and senior management since 2012 and has conducted a "rigorous and extensive review" of its health and safety controls.
Joan Cummins
Midlands Today reporter
A firm's been fined £1m after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in a hot tub led to the deaths of two men.
Twenty others were also affected after a hot tub on display at JTF warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent exposed people to harmful levels of Legionella bacteria.
Richard Griffin and William Hammersley, 79, from Chesterton died in 2012.
JTF were sentenced today at Stafford Crown Court after previously admitting failing to ensure the safety of employees and customers under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
There was glorious afternoon sunshine as thousands enjoyed the family fun affair at the annual Burntwood Wakes Festival., external
Image source, Express and StarAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Two large hay bales were deliberately set fire near Nantwich, external, the fire service says.
Cheshire Fire Service were called to Green Lane early on Sunday morning and say the bales were "well alight" when they arrived.
It took them more than an hour to put out and they say they now believe the fire was arson.
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
One of Prince Charles's charities has been asked to help find a new use for Stafford's Shire Hall, after Staffordshire County Council said it could no longer afford to keep it open.
Campaigners were angered by the decision to close its doors on Sunday.
But now the authority says it's talking to the Prince's Regeneration Trust about how the Grade II listed building's future could be funded.
It's previously been used as an art gallery and courtroom.
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The family of a man who died on a road near Nantwich yesterday morning have described him as "a wonderful loving dad, husband and friend".
Image source, Cheshire PoliceCheshire Police says Neil Shoane, 44, from Aston, was walking along the A530 from Nantwich to Whitchurch early on Sunday morning when it's believed he was hit by a vehicle.
The force says the driver failed to stop at the scene.
In a statement, his family says they're devastated and need to know why it happened.
BBC Midlands Today
Birdwatchers at two quarries in Staffordshire are being warned not to stray off the paths to see nesting birds., external
Notices have been put up at Uttoxeter Quarry and Newbold Quarry after people were seen climbing over safety barriers.
Image source, GoogleThe quarry operator says, if the problem continues, they will call the police to deal with trespasses.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has echoed the warning, urging nature lovers to be responsible.
Uttoxeter Quarry is known to bird watchers for green sandpipers and goosanders, external while tufted duck, pochards and little grebes are seen at Newbold Quarry., external
