City of Culture 2021 shortlist expected soon
School minibus crash inquiry to take months
Nails on the road cost almost £8k to clear up
College brings in security after travellers move on to land
Updates on Friday 14 July 2017
After a largely dry and bright evening, there may be some showers at times overnight.
However, many places will stay dry and mild with some clear spells - lows of 15C (59F).
A charity says dealing with travellers is costing the local community "thousands of pounds".
Caravans were set up on land just off Milehouse Lane at Wolstanton High School last night.
It followed a similar incident earlier in the week at Newcastle-under-Lyme College that saw about 15 caravans set up on the campus car park.
Police confirmed they received numerous calls about the travellers last night. They've been issued with conduct notices.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageIt's cost the high school thousands in time, going to court, getting them moved on, the rubbish they leave afterwards, gas canisters, lots of waste. It's hassle we could do without basically."
Mandy Price, Peter Pan Centre
We've had some great photos sent in today from our BBC Weather Watchers.
Thanks to Digital George, In Milton (top), and Videoman in Leek for these shots.
Image source, Digital George
Image source, Videoman
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
More than 250 people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving in Cheshire last month.
Cheshire Police says of 256 people, 16 were detained for drink driving in the Crewe policing area, and 23 for drug driving.
The overall total is up on the same period last year,when there were 214 arrests in the county.
Stoke-on-Trent is among 11 towns and cities vying for the City of Culture status in 2021.
That list of 11 is expected to be shortlisted to just four - we're told it could happen any day.
Perth, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Coventry, Hereford, Warrington, Portsmouth, Wells, Swansea and the smallest city in Britain, St Davids have all thrown their hats in the ring for the title.
Graffiti in Hanley
Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire is enjoying its year of culture - see what it is up to online. Question is, could Stoke-on-Trent see similar benefits?
So fingers crossed for Stoke-on-Trent, will the (rather cheeky!) promise of a never-ending supply of oatcakes be enough for the judges to shortlist the city?
BBC News Travel
The M6 is back in business at J10a, although traffic is expected to be heavy for a while yet.
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A 57-year-old man is due to stand trial after, external he was accused of assault at a Swadlincote construction college.
Crewe sign defender Eddie Nolan on a one-year deal, with the option of a further year based on appearances.
Read MoreDrivers are being warned to expect delays on the M6 southbound between junctions 11 (Cannock) and 10a following a crash.
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Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
People across Staffordshire are helping premature babies keep warm by click-clacking their needles together.
The neo-natal unit at Royal Stoke which cares for more than 20 newborns at any one time says it has a team across the county knitting blankets, cardigans and booties to help.
Hillary, a nurse says they are so so grateful to receive the handknitted with love garments, from volunteers including members of the Women's Institute and Mothers' Union.
Quote MessageBesides keeping the babies warm, they add a little bit of colour to the unit, especially in the intensive care room which is very clinical. The blankets add some personality and of course keeps them warm. Parents have a long journey ahead of them, so anything like this just make it more comfortable."
Hillary, Neo-natal nurse
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today
Hundreds of schoolchildren are getting a taste of open water by outdoor swimming this week, in an effort to keep them safe over the summer holidays.
The Swimsafe initiative, external usually takes place near the coast, but for the first time ever it's being done in Birmingham's Salford Park., external
It involves pupils from across the Midlands, who are being taught the perils of the open water such as cold water shock and currents.
Controversial plans to demolish an empty pub to make way for a housing development, external are expected to be approved today.
Kamran Hussain denied publishing sermons encouraging terrorism and supporting Islamic State.
Read MoreA 39-year-old imam has denied publishing sermons encouraging terrorism and supporting Islamic State at the Old Bailey.
Kamran Hussain, who worked at a mosque in Tunstall, is accused of encouraging acts of terrorism between June and September last year, as well as encouraging support for Islamic State.
The mosque at the centre of the allegations is based at High Street, Tunstall.
Mr Hussain appeared before video link from Wandsworth Prison, where he's been remanded until his trial which is expected to start on 11 September.
Image source, GoogleA number of homes are affected by a powercut in the DE13 area of Burton upon Trent.
Western Power says it hopes to have power restored by 14:00.
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West Ham are reported to have offered Stoke City Robert Snodgrass, external as part of the deal to wrest Marko Arnautovic from the bet365b Stadium.
Graham McGarry
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
The top sport stories for Staffordshire and Cheshire this morning that we're looking at include:
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Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A group of travellers who settled on the car park at Newcastle college have now been moved on from the site.
On Tuesday around 15 travellers caravans entered the grounds-off Ashfields New Road.
Last night, the college heightened security on the site and the travellers left.
Vets in Rugeley are warning ramblers and those enjoying the great outdoors this summer, external to resist the urge to interfere with wildlife which they think has been abandoned.
Stafford railway station is a transpotters' paradise as everything from freight to tilting trains pass through.
Neil Macnamara walks his dog Jake through the station on a daily basis as he's become transfixed by them.
The Collie-cross-German-Shepherd, who is 15 years old, drags his owner on to the platform to go see trains as they speed past the platform, barking at them.
Quote MessageJake is the famous train spotting dog of Stafford. He's fascinated by them. I used to walk on the road bridge which the trains pass under and if he heard a train he jumped on the wall. I took him down to the station and now he lives it. It's become part of his daily routine."
Neil Mcnamara, Assistant trainspotter to his dog Jake
Of course every trainspotter has a favourite and Jake is no different - he loves the Virgin Pendalino and is partial to a freight train.
