BBC Weather

Jersey met has issued a red warning for the Channel Islands with north westerly winds of up to force 10 imminent. A red storm warning urges people to avoid outside activity.

Guernsey Press

There is frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress towards bringing in a tougher system to manage so-called ‘white van men’ coming to work in the island, external.  

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

The States of Jersey Public Accounts Committee says it plans to thoroughly investigate the Jersey Innovation Fund.

It says it'll include looking at how many jobs were created for local people and how much economic growth has been achieved.

The fund was set up to provide loans to companies to help them grow with the aim of stimulating the local economy.

A report by the comptroller and auditor general called for the £5m fund to be suspended and reconsidered due to multiple failings in governance.

Deputy Andrew Lewis, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said he wants to "understand how such poor governance of the fund was allowed to continue for a sustained period without being brought to the attention of ministers."

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Higher salaries will be paid to teachers from outside Jersey to fill areas that have been difficult to recruit, such as maths and the sciences.

Jersey's Education department will also be targeting experts in IT as it plays a greater role in the school curriculum. 

It comes after the government voted to cut the starting salary offered to newly qualified teachers by £8,000, something Director of Education, Justin Donovan says gives them more flexibility when approaching teachers in certain subjects.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The president of Guernsey's education committee says he is "disappointed" at the lack of support from the island's top politician while facing a vote of no confidence.

Deputy Paul Le Pelley, along with the other members tasked with overhauling Guernsey's school system, survived the vote by a margin of 22 to 13, but there were some key political names within those that voted to change the committee.

Among those that wanted to see the committee step down was experienced States member Deputy Peter Roffey, Policy and Resources member Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, and the President of Policy and Resources, Deputy Gavin St Pier.

Deputy Le Pelley says that despite not having the support of Deputy St Pier, it's "time to get on with what we've been asked to do".

BBC Weather

Jersey Met Office has issued a wind warning for the Channel Islands. It's warning of winds up to force nine, or 60 knots.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

A senior nurse wrongly concluded there were "no major midwifery issues" after the death of a newborn baby, a tribunal has heard.

Lisa Granville was working at Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey when Baby A was born in January 2014.

Image source, Thinkstock

The child died a few days later and Ms Granville's investigation decided there were "no issues with the practical midwifery care delivered".

Midwives Tuija Roussel and Antonia Manousaki also face misconduct charges.

Ms Granville admits failing to identify inadequate midwifery care and that her investigation into the death of Baby A was inadequate. She denies all other charges.

Ms Manousaki admits administering Syntocinon without a written prescription but denies failing to challenge a culture of midwives acting outside the scope of their practice.

Ms Roussel admits administering Syntocinon without a written prescription and participating in inappropriate working practices. The hearing, sitting in London, continues.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A government backed innovation fund that has given more than £2m in loans to companies since it first launched has been suspended, according to the chief minister.

Senator Ian Gorst told BBC Radio Jersey he "feels angry and let down" by the way the innovation fund had been run by civil servants. He said no payments had been made in 2016 and the fund was suspended. 

A report by the comptroller and auditor general into the fund was very critical, suggesting a range of governance problems.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey have recalled Craig Gascoyne to the Island Games table tennis squad for the 2017 event in Gotland.

The sport's former development officer in Jersey was controversially omitted from the squad when the island hosted the last Games in 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

He is joined by 2015 singles silver-medallist Jordan Wykes, Josh Band and Luc Miller in the men's team.

Irene Bree and Kelsey Le Maistre are in the women's squad, with 2015 bronze medallist Sofia Uddnas not going.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Jersey's Director of Education, Justin Donovan, says the department will offer higher salaries when recruiting teachers in  subjects such as maths and science.

Politicians voted to cut the starting salary of newly qualified teachers by £8,000 which the department says gives them more flexibility.

Jersey Evening Post

The launch of an app which will allow drivers to pay to park using mobile phones instead of paycards has been delayed until the summer, external.  

BBC Travel

• There's a tree down in St Saviours. It's blocking Rue De Quanteraine, so please avoid that area 
• There's temporary traffic lights going up on the Southside in St Sampsons this evening and tomorrow evening from 19:00  
• There's also temporary traffic lights on Rue Des Cottes in the Vale until Sunday and on Bulwer Avenue until next Friday
• Le Neuf Chemin Road in St Saviour is closed between St Saviour's Community Centre and Rue des Choffins. To get to the centre, approach from the St Saviour's Church end 
• Tower Hill has been closed until the end of the month due to emergency works on a building with loose masonry on the road
• The Rohais is closed between the Rohais du Haut junction and the Waitrose 'out' gate. Access to St Pierre Park is from the Collings Road junction and drivers will be guided through

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

The owner of Mr Bronx says there should have been a clear process to assess a dog suspected of being a banned breed, to prevent a repeat of what happened to his dog.

Image source, Jason Gomes

Mr Bronx was kennelled at the Jersey Animal Shelter for 10 months, costing about £7,000, after the family returned from holiday in France when customs officers suspected he was a pit bull type dog.

Jason Gomes said: "To prevent something like this happening again, if they are going to enforce a law for the first time in 20 years they should warn the public. When dogs who look nothing like a pit bull could be caught by the legislation, they need to let the public know." 

The States have been contacted and are yet to respond.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A report from Jersey's auditor general suggests a controversial fund set up by the States to support new business could be linked to criminal activity. 

It says the £5m Jersey Innovation Fund should be suspended and reconsidered due to multiple failings in governance.

The Auditor General, Karen Mcconnell, has hinted she may have uncovered criminality in outside parties which have dealt with the fund, which would force her to take her findings to prosecutors.

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said the fund had been suspended and the public accounts committee have announced a full review of all activity from the fund.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

St Ouen have gone back into third place in Jersey's Premiership after a 3-1 win over Rozel Rovers.

Image source, Jersey Football Combination

Rupert Murray scored twice for the parish side while Dane Sutton got their other goal, with island forward Karl Hinds replying.

St Ouen are now one point above Jersey Wanderers, who drop to fourth ,while Rozel remain in fifth place.

Guernsey Press

Aurigny is offering passengers the chance to re-book their flights free of charge to avoid potential problems if snow hits the island, external.  

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A man from St Clement who was reported missing sparked an overnight search involving the rescue helicopter and the RNLI inshore lifeboat.

At the time Jersey Police posted on Facebook that they were "seriously concerned" for the welfare of 38-year-old Gareth Collins.

A police spokesman said he has since been found safe and well.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Elaine Torrance, head of midwifery in Guernsey said: "I have noticed on social media that there have been a number of comments following the media coverage on the NMC hearings currently being held in London.

"Whilst no-one has contacted me or other staff on Loveridge Ward directly, I am mindful of the fact that women in the Bailiwick who are pregnant may be concerned or anxious.

"The media is reporting on hearings that are looking at historical cases. Substantial investigations, reviews and improvements have been made in the service over recent years.

"If any women, or their partners, are concerned and would like to speak to me about their individual circumstances, they can contact me directly on 707430 or email Elaine.torrance@gov.gg, external."

BBC Weather

Cloud and rain, heavy at times, will be moving eastwards during the day, accompanied by strong winds, with gales in places. 

Rain will clear to leave scattered wintry showers during the evening, and it will feel colder, particularly in the strong north-westerly wind. 

Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).

Jersey

Image source, Bbc

Guernsey

Image source, Bbc

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Nearly £7,000 of public money was spent kennelling a dog while officials decided whether if it was a banned breed, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Mr Bronx was kept at an animal shelter for 10 months after being confiscated by customs officers when his family was returning from holiday in France. 

A court decided he is a pit bull, which is a banned breed, but he's been allowed to return to his family as long as certain conditions are met. 

Image source, Jason Gomes