Organisers of Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival say it will continue next year, despite the death of its founder.
Phillip Martin, who owned the town's Crown Hotel, passed away suddenly last month at the age of 65.
Acts already booked for the Easter bank holiday weekend include Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze, and the team say they want the festival to be the biggest yet in Mr Martin's memory.
A planning application to turn the A500 into a dual carriageway, between Crewe and junction 16 of the M6, could be submitted in the new year.
Cheshire East Council leader Rachel Bailey told a council meeting this morning that the proposals are moving ahead.
Image source, GoogleThere were previously concerns that the Queen's landowner the Duchy of Lancaster wouldn't sell the council the land needed to widen the road.
Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today
Unions are warning there could be jobs cut at the region's newest rail operator, West Midlands Trains.
A letter from the rail operator, which has been sent to staff, talks about outsourcing cleaning services and train maintenance.
Some administration work could also be transferred to a centre in Scotland, already used by West Midlands Trains's parent company Abellio.
The RMT union said its biggest concern relates to changes to how trains are operated with the driver opening and closing doors instead of a guard.
It's an approach already used by several other train operators, although it's also led to strikes on routes operated by Southern and Greater Anglia, among others.
West Midlands Trains, launched earlier this week, maintains that whatever happens safety won't be compromised.
Ambulance workers say demand for their services is significantly up - with crews being 12% busier than expected.
A spokesman said anecdotally crews were seeing a lot of people who had slipped, tripped or fallen, for whatever reason. The roads seem ok, but pavements are icy in places, he said.
He urged people to be good neighbours and check on elderly people so they did not need to go out.
Image source, AFP / Getty ImagesHow are you finding travelling around in the icy condition, whether by road or or on foot. Let us know by via email, Twitter , externalor Facebook, external.
Care home company Four Seasons Health Care, which has its head office in Wilmslow, has won a reprieve on a major debt repayment which threatened the future of the firm.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe group, which looks after 17,000 elderly and vulnerable residents, had been due to make an interest payment of £26m by Friday.
However, Four Seasons has only £24.8m in cash and is £540.2m in debt.
It said the delay "ensures continuity of care for Four Seasons' residents" and stability for its employees.
Primary school league tables show pupils with special needs are dropping further behind their classmates.
Read MoreThe Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog was covered in blood and had a broken neck, the RSPCA said.
Read More
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
People in Stoke-on-Trent say they're outraged that a nativity scene in the city has been vandalised.
The vandalised nativity scene in Fenton
It happened in Fenton over the weekend, with offenders smashing their way into the display through a window.
They then took the figures of Joseph and two wise men which were later found nearby, broken into pieces.
On Facebook,, external the vandals have already been called "scumbags" and "mindless idiots" while police say they are investigating.
Speaking ahead of his final competitive tournament before retirement, Stoke-on-Trent's Phil Taylor says he understands why some darts players have envied him.
He's aiming to leave the sport at the top by winning his 17th world title.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe PDC World Championship kicks off today and Taylor, who plays tomorrow, says there'll be some people who'll be glad to see the back of him.
Quote MessageYou stop them earning a living, I understand that. Some of the players, Kevin Painter for one, says I've cost him millions. And I probably have done to be honest with you. It's hard for them, of course it is. When I was dominating everything, I was killing them really."
Phil Taylor
Here are three of the headlines from the Shropshire Star website today:
There are still patches of snow lying across the region.
BBC Weather Watcher Peter Steggles took this in All Stretton, Shropshire this morning showing a good covering.
Image source, Peter StegglesIt's a bit heavier up in Leek, Staffordshire, as shown in this taken by notvideoman.
Image source, notvideomanBut this picture, taken in Southam, Warwickshire, by Old Salt shows it's almost disappeared there.
Image source, Old SaltA warning for ice across the region has been extended until 11:00 on Friday, external.
The Met Office said roads could be a hazard as heavy showers, rain, sleet and snow alternate with clearer periods, allowing temperatures to dip sharply.
Image source, Met OfficeThese are three of the top stories on the Stoke Sentinel website this lunchtime:
A man from Stafford has criticised health bosses after being told he can't have an MRI scan at the town's hospital.
Tony Young says he was told he'd have to go to Cannock to have a scan on his knee, because the scanner at Stafford doesn't take referrals from GPs.
Image source, GoogleThe Stafford and Surrounds Clincial Commissioning Group, which awarded the contract for GP scans to Cannock, said the arrangement to send GP referrals to Cannock Chase hospital has been in place since June 2015.
It said it would review that decision when that arrangement ends in two years, but that it had been "popular and flexible" and had provided good value for money.
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News
The cost of suspending and investigating Cheshire East Council's three most senior executives is forecast to reach £720,000 by the end of the financial year.
Cheshire East Council's chief executive and chief finance officer are both suspended on full pay and so was the chief legal officer until he resigned this week.
Image source, GoogleHe didn't get a pay-off, but they've all had interim staff appointed to their positions, costing an extra £500,000.
The council says suspensions are a neutral act, but it needs to deal with the concerns responsibly.
Two lanes closed for pothole repairs on the M6 northbound have now been re-opened, although Highways England say traffic is backing up 12 miles.
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Two lanes between junctions 20 and 21 were closed to allow emergency repairs to be carried out on the Thelwall Viaduct in Cheshire.
There are severe delays on the M6 northbound this morning as emergency repairs are carried out to a large pothole on the Thelwall Viaduct in Cheshire.
Image source, North West Motorway PoliceHighways England say the pothole was flagged up by a member of the public, and are warning commuters to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and expect severe delays.
Two lanes have been closed between junctions 20 & 21 and there is currently congestion back towards junction 19.
The latest information can be found here, external.
Virgin Trains says it will be running the majority of services tomorrow during industrial action by rail workers on the West Coast Main Line.
Image source, VirginTickets are valid today and Saturday if trains are no longer serving a station on the strike day.
Members of the Rail, maritime and Transport union (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will walk out tomorrow over over pay.
The firm said: "We remain open to talks with the RMT and TSSA, and urge them to call off these strikes which will cost their members pay for no gain."
Details of the revised services can be found on the company's website., external
BBC News Travel
The A54/A537 Cat and Fiddle road is closed in the Staffordshire Moorlands, due to heavy snow.
Derbyshire County Council says vehicles trying to use the route are hampering efforts to clear it.
Image source, Flash Bar StoresJust two schools remain shut in Staffordshire due to the icy conditions:
