Tunstall imam found guilty of terror offences
Arrests after alleged axe threats
Ceramics Biennial starts in Stoke-on-Trent
Mental health staff off work more than doubles
More time to consider putting down stray dogs if owners don't pay
Updates from Friday 22 September 2017
Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
A cyclist who rushed to help after a plane crashed in a Staffordshire field has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke.
Chris Lamb was cycling near Abbots Bromley in August, when he saw the light aircraft nosedive.
He told me: "The plane was smoking at the time... he had a deep cut on his head, his legs were completely smashed, but [he was] very remarkably calm."
Staffordshire Police say they deployed the force helicopter at 04:30 this morning after concerns for the safety of a missing man, external.
BBC Sport
It was a chastening night for Stoke City in the Carabao Cup as they were knocked out by Championship side Bristol City.
The Potters conceded two goals in 10 minutes after changing to a 4-4-2 formation for the second half.
Image source, Getty ImagesFamara Diedhiou opened the scoring with his third goal in as many games, and Matty Taylor wrapped up the win for the hosts with a fierce low strike.
Stoke made six changes but retained three of their back four from Saturday's defeat at Newcastle United.
The A500 outside Crewe could become a dual carriageway under plans put forward by Cheshire East Council.
The local authority says upgrading the route from Crewe to junction 16 of the M6 would ease congestion and encourage growth in the town itself.
Image source, GoogleA design has been outlined and people who use the road are being asked to share their views as part of a consultation that will run until 1 November.
Mel Coles
BBC Weather presenter
It’s a dry morning with bright or sunny spells. There’ll always be some cloud about, which will turn the sunshine hazy at times.
It will feel warmer than it has done recently with highs of 20C (68F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
Welcome to Stoke and Staffordshire Live on Wednesday morning.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.
If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbcradiostoke, external or message via Facebook, external.
BBC Sport revisits the 2006 FA Cup tie between Burton Albion and Manchester United, before the two clubs meet in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Read MoreStoke City are knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Bristol City, with Famara Diedhiou scoring his third goal in as many games.
Read MoreWe'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Hazel Morgan
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A funeral directors in Stafford has become the first in the county to have a bereavement therapy dog.
Nala is an eight-month-old Cavachon puppy who's been helping clients at Jill's Samphier's funeral directors since the start of the year.
Meet Nala, the grief-therapy dog
The funeral home told BBC Radio Stoke that Nala's been a comforting distraction for families who've lost loved ones.
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
We're forecast a dry night and more of the same tomorow, with some light cloud around.
Temperatures are expected to reach 18C (64F).
Weather forecast for the West Midlands
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
There are calls for a professional cycling event to return to Stafford.
In 2015 two elite races formed the 'Stafford Sportive' as part of the RideStaffs Staffordshire Cycling Festival.
The event in the town was televised and attracted some of the world’s best riders.
Image source, Getty ImagesRideStaffs wants to work with local businesses and councils to try and see them return next year.
Plans to stage the races again have already been backed by the town’s MP, Jeremy Lefroy.
Chris King
South Cheshire reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
We've been sent this picture of a horse being winched after getting stuck a 5ft ditch in Scholar Green.
A vet sedated the horse before Cheshire firefighters used mechanical lifting equipment to rescue it.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
A Stoke-on-Trent election candidate allegedly praised Hitler on her online blog, a court heard today.
Barbara Fielding-Morriss, 78, from Draycott, contested the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election in February as an Independent candidate.
She's alleged to have published a blog between September last year and February describing Hitler as a good man and of wanting Great Britain and Germany to be "white-only".
She denies charges of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, against Jews in particular, and of sending offensive material by public communication.
She'll face trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 20 October.
Electronic devices are being installed along a road through Cannock Chase where 35 deer were killed last year alone on a 1km stretch.
The deer deterrents, which make a sound and light up when animals approach, are supposed to prevent deer from straying onto the road when cars pass.
Staffordshire County Council Ranger Service will be installing the new devices on the A513 between Milford and the Punchbowl.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceQuote MessageIt’s hoped the new devices will help reduce deer collisions and make the notorious stretch of the A513 safer to all road used users
Ian Skelton, Chairman of the British Deer Society Midlands branch
The devices will be active just before the deer mating season which occurs between late September through to mid-November. New deer warning signs will also be installed with the deer posts which is partly funded by Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase AONB and the Staffordshire Local Community Fund.
BBC Radio Stoke
Two kittens have died after being abandoned in a box at the side of a Stoke-on-Trent road.
Image source, GoogleThe RSPCA says four kittens were found by a member of the public on Settle Grove in Longton on Thursday 31 August.
They were only a week old. The two kittens who survived have been named Doris and Norris and they're being hand-reared by an RSPCA foster carer.
BBC Sport
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is set to name a strong line-up against the Championship team.
Defender Glen Johnson, midfielder Charlie Adam and striker Peter Crouch are all in contention for starts.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere's full coverage of the match on BBC Radio Stoke tonight with all the build-up in Sport at Six.
Commuters and visitors to Tamworth Railway Station were left concerned after armed police officers were spotted, external in the area.
Image source, Tamworth Herald
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
The number of recorded complaints about Staffordshire and Cheshire Police forces has gone up compared to last year.
The latest figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission reveal in Staffordshire there were 421 recorded complaints in total, a 3% increase on last year.
In Cheshire there were 595 recorded complaints - up by 11% compared to last year.
Ex-Port Vale boss Micky Adams is not in line to be the League Two club's new manager, says owner Norman Smurthwaite.
Read More
