Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A union official has warned that teachers won't look to work in Guernsey while the future of secondary education remains uncertain.

National Union of Teachers regional secretary, Andy Wooley, says in the wake of the education committee surviving its vote of no confidence, it now has to press ahead with changing the system.

He believes until those changes are decided, teachers looking to leave the UK for a new role won't be looking to Guernsey.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Sark's government says it's sad to hear of any potential job losses after the Barclay brothers' Sark Vineyards announced it's to close. 

In a statement, Chief Pleas refuted claims by the company that the government had obstructed its progress, saying measures relating to the production of alcohol and a proposed new tax don't undermine the financial viability of the vineyard.

Island hotelier Paul Armorgie, who runs Stocks Hotel, says it's a shame the vineyards are closing.

Jersey Evening Post

A UK restaurant group is to invest £1 million in enhancing the food outlets at the Airport, it was announced today, external.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

A senior midwife accused of misconduct in the death of a newborn baby initially claimed the care provided had been "very good", a tribunal heard. 

The child - referred to as Baby A - was born just after midnight on 30 January 2014 but died hours later.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) says Lisa Granville's initial assessment "flavoured" the subsequent investigation.

Three midwives face misconduct charges relating to the death of Baby A.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

There are calls from backbenchers for the minister responsible for a Jersey business start-up fund to resign. 

The way the £5m innovation fund was managed was heavily criticised in a report by the auditor general. The fund has now been suspended by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst. 

The calls for resignations are building, with Deputy Jeremy Macon and St John Constable Chris Taylor saying Senator Philip Ozouf should step down.

Constable Taylor stops short of calling for a vote of no confidence in the chief minister, who's already said there'll be a review and disciplinary action may follow.

Senator Ozouf is due to comment later.

BBC Weather

A tide warning has been issued for the west coast of Guernsey this evening, with a 9.5m tide at 19:26 in potentially gale force winds, although it could drop off before then.

A tide warning is one level lower than a flood warning.

A flood warning is till in place this morning, with high tide having just passed us by.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Two separate unions believe uncertainty around the future of secondary education in Guernsey is impacting on teacher recruitment. 

Wayne Bates has joined Andy Woolley from the National Union of Teachers in saying potential teachers will simply look elsewhere until firm decisions are made. 

It comes after Education survived a vote of no confidence, and yesterday appointed Deputy Neil Inder to its board. 

The vote of no confidence was triggered over concerns the education committee would not be able to implement proposals voted on by the States including an end to selection at age 11 and the possible closure of a school.

Mr Bates represents the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers - Guernsey's largest teaching union.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Sark's Chamber of Commerce says the closure of the vineyard - owned by the reclusive Barclay brothers - is a "tragedy", and that the Government of Sark "must change its attitude towards inward investment".  

The billionaire brothers - who live on the neighbouring island of Brecqhou - have decided to close their company, Sark Vineyards, after what they called an "undermining tax" on alcohol production.

Sark's government claim the tax is actually a licencing fee designed to pay back the costs of implementing the necessary laws that come with alcohol production.

Sark is a part of the Channel Islands, and home to about 500 people - but has its own government and tax regime.  

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Guernsey's Heather Watson has drawn world number 21 Sam Stosur in the first round of the Australian Open.

Image source, Getty Images

Watson, who is ranked 75 in the world, has not won a game at Melbourne Park since she made the third round in 2013.

But Australian Stosur has not fared well at home, progressing beyond the second round just once since 2012.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Jersey has been removed from a Portuguese 'tax haven' black list, the States of Jersey has confirmed. 

Image source, bbc

The Portuguese Minister of Finance, Mario Centeno, signed the order based on Jersey's strong track record of transparency and cooperation in financial matters.

Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, Jersey's External Relations Minister, says he's confident the withdrawal will help build stronger relations between the two countries.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The owners of the only vineyard in Sark have announced that it's going to close, external.

But who are the Barclay brothers? 

Image source, Getty Images

• Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay are billionaire twin brothers who have lived in Brecqhou since 1993
• Coming from a humble background in Hammersmith, their father died when the boys were 12, and around the age of 16 they set up a painting and decorating business, later moving into property   
• They now own the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and the Spectator, but are famously reclusive and rarely give interviews
• They were knighted in 2000 for services to charity, and are thought to have donated around £40m to various organisations including medical research
• The brothers have had a chequered history with the island of Sark, closing four of the islands major hotels in 2014 which are owned by their company, Sark Estate Management
• The brothers closed their businesses in the island for nearly two weeks in 2008 after the majority of the candidates they had supported failed to win seats in the island's first fully democratic elections

Guernsey Press

Driving rain did not deter dozens of ormer gatherers from heading to the west coast yesterday for the first tide of year, external.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Christmas signalled the arrival of two new additions to La Societe's Conservation Herd.

They're being tended to at Old Farm near Footes Lane - and once they've been weaned, will join the herd's other six members.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey Reds have made seven changes to the side for the trip to Merthyr Tydfil to face Cardiff Blues Premiership Select in the British and Irish Cup.

Six changes are in the pack with captain Pierce Phillips back for the first time since September.

He partners Uili Kolo'ofa'i in the second row while prop Sean McCarthy and hooker Jack Macfarlane come in, as do flankers Max Argyle and James Doyle.

Jack Cuthbert returns at full-back after injury to Heath Stevens as Jordan Davies slots to centre to replace Stevens with Ross Adair moving from full-back to Davies' place on the wing.

On the bench Bristol loan signing Callum Sheedy is set to make his Jersey debut.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

UK company, Casual Dining Group, has signed a 10-year agreement with Ports of Jersey to provide food at the island airport.

Image source, Ports of Jersey

The company will invest £1m in enhancing the five outlets to deliver a "variety of freshly prepared food with a different service style".

Work will start in March. 

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's bus operator says it's cooperating fully with police after footage shared on social media appears to show one of its fleet being driven in a dangerous manner.

The bus is seen drifting into the centre of the road around corners, and forcing an oncoming vehicle to mount the pavement. 

CT Plus says it's unable to discuss further details of its own investigation. 

Environment and Infrastructure President Barry Brehaut says it's a matter for the bus company.

Mike Weir
BBC Radio Jersey

Police cells should not be regarded as a safe place for mentally ill people, according to a report by the Jersey Police Authority.

The authority has just published its policing plan for the next year and Chairman Jonathan White said the time the police spend dealing with vulnerable people - though important - is a source of concern.

He said the force has been working with Health and Social Services to find alternatives.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy has joined Championship side Jersey Reds on a two-week loan deal.

The 21-year-old kicked 35 points over two legs in the Championship play-off final as Bristol won promotion.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheedy has not featured at all for Bristol in the Premiership this season after suffering a hamstring injury.

"He's worked his way back to fitness and should be an exciting addition to our back-line," Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon said.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

The Model Yacht Pond's being pumped out today for checks and maintenance to be carried out. 

The pond's emptied every year and work is expected to last about three weeks. 

Colin le Ray, from Guernsey Harbours, said the pond leaks and requires regular top ups.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A man whose business benefited from the Jersey Innovation Fund says the suspension sends out the wrong message to local companies needing investment. 

It comes after a report found money from the fund was given out without the right checks and balances - and there could even be criminal links to how it was used. 

Rupert Langly-Smith, the co founder of Proviz, got money from the scheme and says the company is going from strength to strength. He does say he understands why the States have to be careful with public money.