News
- Store hit by a flood after bath overflows
22 Feb 12
A Wednesbury shop was partially flooded today after an upstairs neighbour accidentally left a bath to overflow, leaving a one-inch deep pool of water. - Deadline missed over Halesowen fire cuts
22 Feb 12
WEST Midlands Fire Authority has failed to meet a deadline calling for cuts to Halesowen’s fire service to be shelved and vital documents to be sent to protesters proposing legal action. - Wolves mad Wednesbury youngster chosen as team escort for England v Holland match
22 Feb 12
Sport-mad youngster Luke Stevenson from Wednesbury will walk out at Wembley as a team escort when England take on Holland. - CCTV cameras cost region’s taxpayers £8m in four years
22 Feb 12CCTV cameras in the Black Country and Staffordshire cost taxpayers £8.7 million over the past four years, new figures showed today. - Titanic actor’s family link to tragic ship
22 Feb 12When Ellen Shine boarded the Titanic on April 11, 1912, she was excited about starting her new life in America. - Halesowen lorry crash driver may have dozed off
22 Feb 12A LORRY driver who was killed when his vehicle crashed into a bridge on the M5 at Halesowen may have fallen asleep at the wheel, an inquest was told. - New plaque marks the day Malcolm X visited Smethwick
22 Feb 12A BLUE plaque has been unveiled in Smethwick recalling a momentous visit by US civil rights leader Malcolm X. - Remaining stray horses seized by Sandwell Council
21 Feb 12All of the roaming horses plaguing Sandwell’s streets have been seized following a nine-month operation, council bosses announced today. - New role for Rachel at Cradley Heath accountants
21 Feb 12A CRADLEY HEATH chartered accountants has appointed a new general practice manager. - James Morris MP February column: Welfare reform is the hot topic
21 Feb 12In February’s monthly column for the News Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris explores the issue of welfare reform. - Police probe reports of fugitive John Anslow on continent
21 Feb 12Detectives hunting fugitive prisoner John Anslow – suspected of killing a Staffordshire businessman – today revealed they are investigating potential sightings of him in Spain. - Chefs serving up school winners
21 Feb 12They used to be associated with turkey twizzlers and cold pizza. - Result as stunned fan says ‘yes’
20 Feb 12A Walsall football fan received a major shock when his girlfriend proposed on the Saddlers pitch in front of more than 3,000 people. - More than 180 caught stealing from bosses
20 Feb 12More than 180 people have been arrested and charged for stealing from their employer in the past two years alone across the Black County and Staffordshire, figures show. - Metal thieves strike on M6 at least once a month
20 Feb 12Metal thieves are striking along the M6 in the West Midlands at an average of at least once a month, highways bosses have revealed. - Council bills for funerals rise by 90%
19 Feb 12Councils are being forced to foot the bill for rising numbers of funerals as cash-strapped relatives cannot afford to pay, it has been revealed. - West Midlands Ambulance paramedic sacked after he lied about football hooligan crimes
19 Feb 12
A PARAMEDIC failed to tell ambulance bosses that he had TEN convictions for football hooliganism, health watchdogs have been told. - Vandalism, thefts and arson hit school budgets
18 Feb 12Vandalism, arson and metal thefts are costing schools hundreds of thousands of pounds a year across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, figures reveal. - Office space at The Public is filled by three tenants
17 Feb 12Office space at West Bromwich arts centre The Public has finally been filled – more than three years after the venue first opened. - Paul gets set for 130-mile trek in five days
17 Feb 12A school site manager from Oldbury is aiming to run from Sandwell to the top of Mount Snowdon in just five days to raise money for Cancer Research UK. - Opposition to loss of traffic notices in local newspapers
17 Feb 12Concerns have been raised about proposals to remove the requirement for traffic orders to be published in local newspapers. The Express Star has called on local MPs to support its opposition to plans to let councils stop placing public notices… - Police chief calls for riots training review
16 Feb 12The number of police officers trained to deal with public disorder needs to be reviewed following summer riots that broke out across the West Midlands, a report revealed today. - Fire support staff take 9.7 sick days each year
16 Feb 12Back office staff at West Midlands Fire Service are taking nearly twice as many sick days as front-line firefighters, it has emerged. - Lions ABC join the Sportivate initative
16 Feb 12Lions ABC in Dudley have become the latest Black Country institute to throw their weight behind Sport England’s ‘Sportivate’ initiative. - Council boss in appeal over West Brom move
15 Feb 12The leader of Sandwell Council has written to board members of The West Brom building society in a bid to persuade them not to uproot to a business centre in the Dudley borough, it has been revealed.
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Police
- Members of the public rate their local police online
22 Feb 12
760 MEMBERS of the public have used a website to rate the service provided by their local police. From issues around… - Cyclist injured
22 Feb 12
Wednesday 22nd February 8.30am Suzie Fothergill
A man has been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Smethwick last night.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Tollhouse Way in Smethwick shortly before 10pm yesterday… - Police Stop Stolen Vehicle on M6 Motorway
21 Feb 12A police pursuit began at around 1:45pm after a vehicle traveling on M40 northbound near junc 16 failed to stop for… - Appeal for witnesses after cash delivery robbery at Sedgley petrol station
20 Feb 12DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at a busy Woodsetton petrol station this morning (Monday… - Man charged over West Bromwich stabbing
20 Feb 12A MAN has today appeared in court, accused of stabbing two men following a birthday party in West Bromwich last…
Sandwell Council
- Sandwell Arts Trust
22 Feb 12
Response by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to marcus gardener on 22 February 2012. Awaiting classification. Dear Mr Gardener Freedom of Information Request FOI 1-197420017 : Payments to Sandwell Arts Trust Thank you for your Freedom… - Street light, 21st February, B65 8AA
21 Feb 12
Has been out for 5 months Nearest road to the pin placed on the map (automatically generated by Bing Maps): 44 Causeway, Rowley Regis Report on FixMyStreet - Wednesbury Youth Council launches to represent young people
21 Feb 12
A new group has been set up in Wednesbury to give the town’s young people a chance to express their views and suggestions on local issues and concerns. - Scout hut revamp thanks to local budget boost
21 Feb 12Scouts in Smethwick have given their run-down scout hut a big facelift – after getting a £5,000 grant from the local council. - Keeping Sandwell residents warm
21 Feb 12Sandwell Council bosses today reminded people they can still get advice on keeping warm in their homes from the borough’s Winter Warmth Team.
Sandwell blogs
- Pete Williams @ The Glee Club, Tuesday 21st February
22 Feb 12
Why does a guy (and a fellow Bearwoodian as well)with so much obvious talent take so long (30 odd years) to record and release his debut solo album eh? Life, with all of its varied ups, downs and side to sides seems to be the culprit. The benefit of waiting three decades or so is clear when you listen… - Stall holders wanted for Easter festival
22 Feb 12
Craft sellers from across the Midlands are invited to take part in one of the most eagerly anticipated indie festivals debuting this year. - A message for Chris Huhne
21 Feb 12
Ex-Premier League striker Leon McKenzie jailed over fake letters to police in bid to dodge speeding convictions - Buy Bearwood or Bearwood bye…
21 Feb 12
Welovebearwood think it’s great that Bearwood’s putting an application together for the Portas Pilot Funding Scheme. £80k could make a big difference to our High Street. We’d love to see the money go towards trees along the High Street (maybe even its partial pedestrianisation too), more cafes, pop… - Hand in glove
21 Feb 12
Next time you hear the Tories talking about Labour being funded by the trade unions… Via The Green Benches - Andrew Lansley… do you know what it’s like to clean up your own mother’s piss?
20 Feb 12Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant! - Growing towards the promise of Spring by Andrew of Andrew's Plants
20 Feb 12
Andrew of Andrew’s Plants contacted welovebearwood and told us why he is excited that Spring is on its way. “We are coming to the end of the winter, the evenings are slowly beginning to lengthen, we are beginning to wake to sunshine peeping through the curtains and even more gradually life is beginning… - The BIG Sandwell READ
20 Feb 12
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/bigread - Was Rupert Murdoch aware of the bail conditions imposed on his staff when he lifted their suspension?
20 Feb 12
Mr Bernard Hogan-Howe QPM Commissioner Metropolitan Police Service New Scotland Yard Broadway London SW1H 0BG 20 February 2012 Dear Commissioner, Bail conditions of staff at News International You will have seen reports that Rupert Murdoch has personally lifted the suspensions of journalists at The… - Has West Norwood got it right?
19 Feb 12
There have been some really good contributions on this blog and on the Bearwood Facebook Page following Richard Marshall’s initiative to put in a bid for what is being called the Mary Portas High Street money. We need them to keep rolling in, and the next meeting is tomorrow (Monday) at 6pm at… - Wooden Heart
17 Feb 12
It may be just a little late for Valentine’s Day, but someone with a pot of red paint and a creative eye, has painted this on the fallen tree in the woods on Barclay Road. - You’re getting sacked in…
16 Feb 12Terry Wills is a VERY happy Baggie.
Blog features
- Reply to Yew Tree petition
22 Feb 12
Councillor Ian Jones, cabinet member for jobs and economy, said he could confirm that planning permission has been granted for residential development on the Yew Tree sports and social club site. “As far as the consultation process is concerned I can confirm that the statutory requirements have been… - A midweek ramble…
22 Feb 12
Oops… I described this building in yesterday’s blog as a church. It does look like a church! I zoomed in on that coat of arms over the door, it says Tipton free library. Oops, it’s a library. It doesn’t appear to be in use, though. That would be a shame for such an amazing building not to be used. That… - Sandwell Hospital Visiting Restrictions Update
21 Feb 12
Sandwell Hospital is now open for visitors on all wards except Priory Five following the outbreak of norovirus. Visitors are… Read more - Neodigital Art | Winter locations
21 Feb 12
Art or photography? I regard photography as a branch of art. Just snapping a picture isn’t art but if you put some effort into producing something aesthetically pleasing, then I think it’s art. I don’t edit a great deal and wouldn’t consider making the sky in my photograph blue. I think the trees looking… - The Only Ones in Touch
20 Feb 12
In today’s Independent, Mary Ann Sieghart, who is not a Christian believer, eloquently defends the Church of England against recent attacks from Richard Dawkins, who appears to think that the church is a worthless and even malign institution. One of Ms Sieghart’s reasons for that defence… - International Friends
20 Feb 12
Sunday afternoon photography I took this photograph yesterday afternoon, we tend to go out on a Sunday because the roads are quiet; in theory. Yesterday, I got caught in a traffic jam and again trying to come back because of road works. I can share this information using my blogs and when I got back… - Zumba Zumba hits that number!
19 Feb 12
Zumbathon 2012 was a bug hit! Thank you to all those that attended and showed their support! For more photos from the event join us on Facebook - Friends Group Meeting
17 Feb 12
Dear Member of the Friends Group, I am writing to invite you to the next Friends of Lightwoods Park and House meeting. The meeting will be held as follows: Date: Thursday 8th March 2012 Location: St Mary’s Church Hall, St Mary’s Road, Smethwick Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm The agenda for the meeting will… - Autism West Midlands resource café
17 Feb 12
Autism West Midlands are setting up three new Resource Cafés across Sandwell that will be taking place at The Orchard School, Cradley Heath Library and The Westminster School. The aim is to inform parents of the various types of support they are entitled to access if they have a child with autism… - Young Carers Advocacy Project
17 Feb 12Sandwell Advocacy’s ‘Young Carers Advocacy Project’ supports children and young people (5-18 years of age) who provide regular or on-going care and emotional support. This could involve a family member or individual who may be affected by a physical impairment/learning difficulty, mental health condition…
Sport
- Man City & Liverpool Games Moved
22 Feb 12
Man City Liverpool Games Moved Vitalfootball:WBA:22/02/2012 16:37:00 Our league games against Manchester City and Liverpool have both been rescheduled. - Baggies Free Travel Offer
22 Feb 12Baggies Free Travel Offer Vitalfootball:WBA:22/02/2012 16:31:00 The Baggies are again going to be offering free travel for the Wigan game as a thank you to the away supporters. - Dawson Going Nowhere
22 Feb 12Dawson Going Nowhere Vitalfootball:WBA:22/02/2012 16:26:00 Roy Hodgson has said Craig Dawson will not be leaving the club on loan. - SussexBaggie speaks
young guns and Sunderland
22 Feb 12
Tom Harper looks forward to this weekend’s game - Loan move ruled out for Craig Dawson
22 Feb 12Albion boss Roy Hodgson today ruled out a loan move for young defender Craig Dawson after he signed a new long-term Hawthorns contract. - First – TIVIDALE EDGE OUT PENNCROFT
22 Feb 12
Tividale edged Penncroft out of the J.W. Hunt cup last night at The Beeches after the visitors staged a spirited second half comeback after being three goals down to push their hosts all the way after looking dead and buried. - West Brom lay on free coaches for Wigan match
22 Feb 12West Brom are laying on up to 40 free supporters’ coaches for the club’s trip to Wigan on March 17. - West Brom fan of the week: Andy Webb
22 Feb 12Here is this week’s West Brom fan of the week. - West Brom: Roy Hodgson talks injuries ahead of Sunderland game
22 Feb 12PAUL Scharner is a major doubt for this weekend’s visit of Sunderland – but Chris Brunt is edging closer to full fitness. - West Brom: No loan move for Craig Dawson
22 Feb 12ROY Hodgson has no plans to send Craig Dawson out on loan this season. - Scharner doubt for Sunderland clash
22 Feb 12West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner looks set to miss Saturday’s Hawthorns clash with Sunderland because of a rib injury. - Reserves report: Aston Villa 4 West Brom 1
22 Feb 12A FINE hat-trick from Andreas Weimann and a super strike by Eric Lichaj ensured Aston Villa ran out winners in their top-of-the-table Premier Reserve League showdown against neighbours West Brom, who had Scott Allan notching his first goal… - Villa Reserves 4 Albion Reserves 1
22 Feb 12West Brom’s reserves were put to the sword as Andreas Weimann gave a reminder of his ability with a hat-trick in an emphatic win for a strong Villa second-string. - West Brom: Roy Hodgson on George Thorne's Portsmouth loan
22 Feb 12Roy Hodgson has explained the reasoning behind George Thorne’s short-term departure to Portsmouth and hopes it will suit West Brom, as well as the troubled south-coast club. - Thorne Appy To Help Out Michael
21 Feb 12Thorne Appy To Help Out Michael Vitalfootball:WBA:21/02/2012 16:57:00 George Thorne has said he's more than happy to return to Pompey to help out Michael Appleton. - Elford-Alliyu Leaves For The Season
21 Feb 12Elford-Alliyu Leaves For The Season Vitalfootball:WBA:21/02/2012 16:49:00 Lateef Elford-Alliyu has joined Bury on a youth loan until the end of the season. - Why Wolves could learn a thing or two from Albion
21 Feb 12When Wolves do get round to appointing a new manager, relief and goodwill will most likely greet the new regime. Unless, of course, it’s Steve Bruce in which case God help us all, writes Martin Swain. - West Brom: Live Q&A with Chris Lepkowski
21 Feb 12West Brom write Chris Lepkowski will be live online on Wednesday midday to answer your questions. - Craig Dawson signs new Albion deal
21 Feb 12Albion defender Craig Dawson today signed a new three-and-a-half-year Hawthorns contract. - West Brom: Chris Brunt knows he's got a fight on his hands to regain starting role
21 Feb 12RECOVERING from the worst injury he has sustained in his career has been hard for Chris Brunt.
Business
- MG Rover Longbridge cash battle reaches court
22 Feb 12
A preliminary hearing next Tuesday will decide whether MG Rover parent group Phoenix Venture Holdings can pursue its legal fight against banking giant HBOS. - Tata set to double investment in Jaguar Land Rover to £1.5bn
22 Feb 12
JAGUAR Land Rover parent Tata Motors is set to double its investment in the vehicle manufacturer in order to sustain its spectacular growth.The Midland vehicle maker has announced third quarter profit… - CBI calls for £500m business boost from George Osborne's Budget
22 Feb 12The Government has been urged to give a £500 million Budget boost to business through a series of changes to the tax system aimed at stimulating growth. - NFU conference in Birmingham: Government urged to stick to planning reform plans
21 Feb 12Farming leaders urged the Government today to “stick to its guns” over controversial reform of the planning system to help the countryside prosper. - Talking Business: Jason Wouhra of East End Foods
21 Feb 12
In the latest in a series of \’Talking Business\’ interviews, Jason Wouhra of East End Foods chats to TheBusinessDesk.com publisher Marc Reeves, and KPMG\’s Narinder Paul.COMMENTKeeping it in the fami… - Jaguar Land Rover selects partner for Chinese assembly plant
21 Feb 12Tata Motors has revealed Jaguar Land Rover has selected a partner to build an assembly plant in China. - Enterprise on the agenda at Black Country event
21 Feb 12
BUSINESS opportunities created through the Black Country Enterprise Zone will be showcased at a networking event next month.The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership is supporting the Forum for t… - No go for Tarmac and Lafarge joint venture
21 Feb 12
PLANS for a merger between Midlands building industry giants Tarmac and Lafarge have been scuppered by the Competition Commission which has ruled the joint venture would be anti-competitive.The body h… - Asda to step up price guarantee
21 Feb 12The boss of Asda, the UK’s second biggest supermarket chain, has turned up the heat on major rival Tesco as he pledged to step up its price guarantee scheme. - Competition Commission puts Tarmac's Lafarge merger under threat
21 Feb 12Merger plans involving the UK operations of Tarmac and France’s Lafarge have been put under threat after criticism from competition chiefs. - New MG dealership opens for business
20 Feb 12An established Staffordshire car dealership has become Britain’s newest MG outlet. - Travelling by train will increase productivity, claims Chiltern
20 Feb 12
RESEARCH by Chiltern Railways – which runs train services between Birmingham and London – reveals that business travel train users are more than three times more productive than drivers during working…