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MAN ARRESTED OVER FATAL CRASH Police in Leicestershire have arrested a man after a pile-up on the M1 near Lutterworth left one driver dead. The driver was questioned in connection with a number of alleged motoring offences and released on police bail. The crash, between junctions 19 and 20, involved 14 vehicles. Seven people were injured, five seriously, and the motorway was closed for five hours. £24m NURSERY FUNDING ANNOUNCED Early Years and Schools Minister Catherine Ashton has announced almost £24m of educational funding for three-year-olds in the West Midlands. The cash for 2002/3 will go towards providing free part-time nursery places, the minister has said. "This Government believes that nursery education for all will improve the prospects for children," she said. BURMA TRACK TO GO ON DISPLAY An original section of the notorious Thai-Burma railway, which cost the lives of thousands of allied prisoners, is to have a permanent home in Staffs. The 30-metre stretch of track will be transported to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas this month. The remnants will form a tribute to the 16,000 men who died constructing it during the Second World War. RAIDERS THREATEN SHOPWORKER A shopworker has been threatened at knifepoint by two raiders at a supermarket in Tividale, near Dudley. One man vaulted the counter and held the 30-year-old City Road Supermarket worker at knifepoint, while the second, armed with a hammer, demanded cash. They made off with £2,000. Both where white, aged 17 to 18 and about 5ft 10in tall. RESIDENTS TOLD TO RECYCLE TREES Bromsgrove residents are being urged to recycle Christmas trees into mulch once the festive season is over. Bromsgrove District Council said people should think of the world's natural resources and take their pines to one of 13 recycling sites in the area. Last year's appeal resulted in 6,290 trees being recycled, a 50% increase on the total in 2000. PENSIONER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED Detectives are investigating a serious sexual assault on a pensioner who was attacked in her Birmingham home. The 78-year-old victim was alseep in bed in the Brandwood Park Road area of Kings Heath when she was woken by an intruder who assaulted her. She is now traumatised in hospital. The offender was white, in his early 20s, about 5ft 8ins and of slim build. ALCOHOL WORTH £55,000 STOLEN Thieves have escaped with vodka and champagne worth £55,000 after breaking into a Walsall business premises. The offenders forced their way into the warehouse in Charles Street after approaching the premises from a canal tow-path. It is not known how the offenders made off with the haul as no getaway vehicle was spotted. HOSPITAL CONDUCTS STUDY More than 98% of non-emergency cardiac patients at Coventry's Walsgrave Hospital recover from operations to enjoy better lives, a new study says. The research by the hospital also found that the emergency death rate has fallen to the lowest for six years. The study was made after the hospital fared badly in national league tables for coronary artery by-pass surgery. CALL FOR STAMPS TO MARK FILMS A Birmingham-based philatelist has added his voice to calls for a special set of stamps to commemorate the new Lord of the Rings feature film. Peter Jennings said the movie, as well and its big screen rival Harry Potter, should feature on Royal Mail stamps. Mr Jennings, a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, said the Royal Mail had missed a chance to mark the films. SCHOOLS TO GET £9m Schools across Warwickshire have learned they will benefit from almost £9m for building projects this year. The money will upgrade facilities and improve the condition of schools and also provide £3m for individual schools to use on their own capital projects. County Education Officer Eric Wood, said: "Good buildings are essential for a suitable learning environment." FAMILY APPEALS FOR HELP The family of a 78-year-old woman sexually assaulted in her Birmingham home on New Year's Day have said she is unlikely to ever go back. In a statement, the family of the OAP, who was woken up by the intruder at her home in King's Heath, said the ordeal had "devastated" her. They have asked anyone with information to call police on 0845 113 5000. MATERNITY WARDS AMONG BUSIEST Two hospital maternity wards in the West Midlands have emerged as some of the busiest in Britain, according to figures in a new childbirth guide book. Solihull Hospital has the second busiest maternity ward, with 1.3 births per bed every day, while Birmingham Heartlands was sixth with 1.2 births. The hospitals were listed in the new Dr Foster Good Birth Guide. MAN DIES IN COLLISION WITH BUS Police in Redditch are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian died in a collision with a bus. The male victim, thought to be in his 20s, was near the Griffin pub when the accident happened. He was taken to the Alexandra Hospital but later pronounced dead. A spokesman for West Mercia Police said any witnesses should call 01527 585888. HISTORIC TOPOSCOPE RECOVERED An historic toposcope stolen from the top of the Malvern Hills nearly two years ago has been recovered during a police raid in the West Midlands. The engraved metal plate, which shows landmarks around the Worcestershire Beacon was stolen in February 2000. A man has been arrested and released pending further inquiries into the theft following a raid in Walsall. DRINK-DRIVE FIGURES RISE Police in the region have expressed dismay that the number caught drink-driving increased over the festive period compared to last year. New figures show 7.4% of motorists stopped between December 4 and January 2 tested positive for alcohol, compared to 6.5% for the same period last year. A spokesman for Staffordshire Police described the rise as "disappointing". TWO IN COURT OVER MURDER BID Two men have appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a man was assaulted and stabbed in Crewe. The 18-year-old victim, who was stabbed a number of times, was taken to Leighton Hospital after the incident. The two men from Crewe, aged 18 and 19, appeared at Crewe Magistrates' Court and were remanded in custody to appear again on January 9. SUNDAY BUS SERVICES SAVED Winter bus services on Sundays for many parts of Shropshire have been saved thanks to extra funding from the Countryside Agency. Shropshire County Council decided last summer that it would have to cut back its network of Sunday bus services. But the council said it will keep the services going on Sundays thanks to a grant from the agency. SUSPICIOUS DEATH OAP NAMED Police have named a pensioner who was found dead in suspicious circumstances at her Coventry home on New Year's Eve. Elisabeth Smyth, believed to be in her 80s, was discovered in her lounge at home in Allesley Old Road. A post-mortem examination into the death of Mrs Smyth proved inconclusive and police are continuing to treat the death as suspicious. POLICE NAME STABBING VICTIM Police have named a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death during a fight outside a nightclub in Birmingham. Farook Abdullah Hussain, of Edgbaston, died in hospital after an incident outside Handsworth's Monte nightclub. Two men arrested in connection with the incident have been charged with violent disorder and remanded in custody by Birmingham Magistrates' Court. POLICE LAUNCH OPEN CONSULTATIONS FOR THE REPORTING OF HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENCES IN WALSALL Officers from Walsall and Willenhall operational command unit are reaching out to the gay and lesbian community by offering consultation at local cafes and pubs to allow offences of homophobic incidences to be discussed or reported to officers. Police Constable Julie Skidmore, from the community safety bureau at Walsall police station, said: "We take reports of homophobic incidences very seriously and are holding these special open consultations to encourage people to report crimes that otherwise may not be dealt with. "Any incidences, large or small, can be discussed in a relaxed atmosphere with the knowledge they will be dealt with confidentially and professionally." The first of the open consultations will take place at the Blue Cafe, Ablewell Street, Walsall on Saturday 5 January between 10 am and 12 noon. Other consultations will take place at the Golden Lion pub, Birchills Street, Walsall on Tuesday 15 January between 9 pm and 11 pm. FIVE KILLED IN PLANE FIREBALL Five people are feared dead after a private executive jet crashed in a fireball during take-off at Birmingham International airport. It is understood the plane, a twin-engined Canadair Challenger jet, was bound for Bangor, Maine, in the USA. Eyewitnesses reported seeing one of the jet's wing tips clip the ground shortly before the crash.
WITNESS DESCRIBES PLANE CRASH SCHOOLS 'SITTING ON CASH PILE' Birmingham and Walsall schools ended the financial year 1999-2000 with a big cash surplus, according to a union. In Birmingham, Thornton Primary was left with £374,243 and Christ The King had £268,533, said the Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers. In Walsall, Sir Thomas More had £976,055 unspent and Catholic school Shire Oak £892,796, the union claims. MAN KILLED IN HIT-AND-RUN A pedestrian has been killed in a hit-and-run accident in Birmingham, police said. The man was struck by a black Honda Civic car in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, near the junction with Castleford Road. West Midlands Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who has seen a black Honda with damage to contact them. TALKS OVER TYRE FIRM'S FUTURE Union officials at Wolverhampton-based tyre manufacturer Goodyear are to meet the company's senior vice president as concern grows for almost 500 jobs. The American firm said in November it is considering axing 460 workers due to severe overcapacity at the plant. The Transport and General Workers' Union wants to "secure some commitment" from bosses about the site's future. ANNE FRANK EXHIBITION OPENS An exhibition about Jewish Second World War diarist Anne Frank is being unveiled in Worcester with a message of support from Steven Spielberg. Holocaust survivor Paul Oppenheimer is opening the month-long exhibition in the city's cathedral. Prizes will be given to winners of a competition challenging children to write diaries from an imaginary camp. SOLDIER DIES DURING PARTY A soldier from Dudley has died after apparently taking six Ecstasy tablets while on leave to visit his family. Gary Smith, 26, of the 9th Regiment Army Air Corps, collapsed during a New Year's Eve party in Wolverhampton. The father of a three-year-old son had been on leave from Canada, where he was serving a nine-month secondment. He had been celebrating at the Britannia Hotel MANUFACTURERS' EFFORTS PRAISED Manufacturers in the West Midlands have been praised for resilience after new figures showed an upturn in business confidence in the region. The West Midlands Regional Group of the Chambers of Commerce's quarterly economic survey showed manufacturers feel renewed determination. Chairman Isabella Moore has praised manufacturers' "resilience". ATTACK VICTIM TO BE INTERVIEWED Detectives in Herefordshire probing the attempted murder of a mother-of-two are to interview her about the attack which left her fighting for her life. Clare Thomas, 36, was left for dead after being bludgeoned by an intruder at her home in Kinton, Leintwardine. Detective Superintendent Mark Howard said the victim would be interviewed by specially-trained officers. WOMAN QUIZZED OVER COLLISION A woman from Daventry has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a teenage girl was killed in a car crash on New Year's Eve, police said. Thirteen-year-old Jennifer Fullard, of Daventry, died when the car she was in left the road and struck a tree. A 31-year-old driver was questioned but later released on bail pending the results of a blood test. HOUSE PRICES CONTINUE TO GROW House price growth in the West Midlands is expected to remain resilient to the economic slowdown, according to the Nationwide building society. During the last quarter of 2001 prices rose by 12.8% compared to 2000, with average prices reaching £85,976. Nationwide said 2001 was the strongest year of growth since 1988, with average property prices rising by £11,000. POLICE WARN OVER DANGERS OF ICE Warwickshire Police have warned children of the dangers of playing on iced-over ponds and lakes as the cold snap continues to bite. A force spokesman said several children, some thought to be as young as five, have been spotted playing on a frozen lake in Nuneaton. Police are urging parents to emphasise how dangerous playing on ice can be. AIRPORT SET TO REMAIN CLOSED Birmingham International Airport is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day as investigations continue into a fatal jet crash. The airport is still being searched by Air Accident Investigators after the accident in which five men died. More than 20,000 passengers and 170 flights are expected to be diverted to airports across the country.
SECOND BLACK BOX RECOVERED Air accident investigators have recovered a second black box from the private jet which crashed shortly after take-of in Birmingham killing five men. A thorough search of Birmingham International Airport, where two company executives and three flight crew died, is continuing. The five men, all American, were killed when their Challenger jet crashed. CRASH VICTIMS WERE EXECUTIVES Two of the men who died in the Birmingham air accident were executives with a company which employs 1,800 people at a factory in Coventry, John Shumejda, 54, and Ed Swingle, 59, were executives with the AGCO Corporation which owns Massey Ferguson. A spokesman said: "The situation has stunned everyone in the US as well as in Coventry." TWO KILLED IN HOUSE BLAZE Two people have been found dead after a blaze swept through a house in Staffordshire, police said. Emergency services were called to the fire in Hints Road, Hopwas, near Tamworth and recovered the bodies of two unnamed adults. A police spokesman said the victims were being formally identified. The cause of the fire is not yet known. BUSINESS HAILS SALES FIGURES Business leaders in the region have welcomed figures which showed that retailers, including British motor traders, saw sales grow in December. The West Midlands branch of the CBI said this is good news in an area where tens of thousands of jobs depend on the automotive sector. A spokeswoman said retail sales also appeared strong over December. STUDENTS REACH FOR STARS Star students will soon be looking to the heavens for inspiration after a Birmingham school was chosen to house a new observatory. The facility, part-funded with Lottery cash, will be built in the 17-acre grounds of the Priory School in Sir Harry's Road, Edgbaston. It will be home to the Birmingham Astronomical Society. APPEAL OVER ENGINEERING JOBS Bromsgrove District Council has urged Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt to help a bid to save hundreds of jobs at an engineering firm. Council leader Nick Psirides, who has written to Ms Hewitt, pledged not to give up efforts to help United Engineering Forgings Limited. The move follows an announcement that the firm will be wound down by March. CAMCORDERS STOLEN IN RAID Camcorders valued at £20,000 have been stolen during a burglary at the Comet store in Dudley Road, Halesowen. The thieves - all white and wearing balaclavas - smashed through roller shutters and smashed display cabinets before stealing around 30 camcorders. The gang then made off in a stolen red Audi A4 estate. Police are appealing for witnesses. WARNING OVER FROZEN WATERWAYS A Birmingham-based safety group has expressed concern that warnings to stay off frozen lakes, reservoirs, canals and ponds are being ignored. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said police in the region had received hundreds of reports of people, particularly children, playing on ice. A spokesman said people were continuing to risk their lives despite warnings. WARNING OVER BREAK-INS Police in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, have warned residents to be vigilant and keep doors and windows locked after a recent spate of break-ins. Police said the area stretching from Brownhills to Reginald Mitchell Way had been particularly badly hit. Some "sneak-in" offences, where offenders take advantage of unlocked doors, have also occurred in the area.
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