Palestinian pianist returns for concert
A Palestinian pianist who has played around the world, thanks in part to fundraising by people from Staffordshire, is returning to perform.
JCB announces record profits
Midlands digger manufacturer’s earnings at £365m
Great-grandmother stops thief with her handbag
A have-ago-hero great-grandmother has earned herself the unofficial title of 'supergran' after she stopped a shoplifter with her handbag.
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Pensioner banned from selling plants
A pensioner has been banned from selling plants at his home for charity because he does not have planning permission. Watch Keith Wilkinson's full report.
Drink-drive footballer rejoins club
A goalkeeper jailed for killing two young boys in a car crash in Staffordshire while drink-driving has rejoined the football club he was playing for at the time.
Luke McCormick, 29, has signed a one-year deal with Plymouth Argyle, the club said.
He was jailed for seven years and four months in October 2008 for killing Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, in a crash on the M6 in Staffordshire as he returned from a team-mate's wedding while twice the drink-driving limit.
League Two side Argyle, said the goalkeeper had said he would donate "a significant sum of money" and give his time to support a local children's charity after he rejoined.
The club originally cancelled his contract "by mutual consent" a month after the crash in June 2008.
James Brent, the club chairman, said: "Although Luke made a dreadful mistake with unthinkable consequences, he has served his time and is totally remorseful."
"While I respect others who have alternative views, from a moral standpoint, the board and I think Luke is entitled to rehabilitation._
"John Sheridan (the team manager) wanted to sign him and the club is totally supportive of that."_
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Conservative Councillor thanks voters for support in Staffordshire
Conservative Councillor Philip Atkins thanks voters following confirmation they have retained control of Staffordshire County Council.
Staffordshire counting over: Conservatives retain control
- Conservatives – 34 seats
- Labour – 24 seats
- Liberal Democrats – 0 seats
- UKIP – 2 seats
- Other – 2 seats
UKIP takes first Staffordshire seat by two votes
by Charlotte GrantUKIP has won its first seat in Staffordshire taking Keele, Knitton and Silverdale.
It was extremely tight, they beat Labour by just two votes.
An improvement for Labour in Staffordshire but not looking promising
by Charlotte GrantThe final results in Staffordshire are not back yet but it is not looking promising in terms of Labour gaining control of the Conservative controlled council.
The Conservatives currently have 29 seats to Labour's 21. To take an overall majority, the Conservatives need to reach 32.
It has been an uplifting picture for Labour so far in Staffordshire, compared to the 2009 results when they were almost completely wiped out. Up until then, Labour had controlled the Council for 28 years.
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Drive to keep treasure hoard together welcomed
The archaeologist who helped uncover the original pieces of the Staffordshire Hoard has welcomed a campaign to bring new finds back to the West Midlands.
Staffordshire County Council’s Principal Archaeologist Stephen Dean worked in the field in Hammerwich when the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever discovered was found in 2009.
Stephen also supervised the recovery of new artefacts from the same field in November 2012.
These were declared part of the Hoard at an inquest and have now been valued at £57,395.
Steve McQueen's motorbike up for auction in Stafford
A motorbike once owned by Hollywood legend Steve McQueen is set to go under the hammer today in Stafford.
The 1914 Indian Model F once owned by the daredevil actor is among more than 240 bikes going up for auction at the Bonhams sale at the International Classic MotorCycle Show.
The bike, which is expected to sell for between £22,000 and £28,000, is an example of a board-track racing motorcycle.
TV show winner did not declare windfall
Caroline Banana, who appeared on the Channel 4 show hosted by Noel Edmonds in 2011, did not disclose her winnings.
She admitted failing to disclose her windfall separately to both the Department of Work and Pensions and Stoke City Council with the intention of making a gain between 28 March 2011 and 13 May 2012.
The council said in total she had been overpaid £6,758.01 in benefits.
She also admitted failing to declare to the DWP and the council her employment at a chemist's, medical surgery and Longton Cottage Hospital.
Banana will be sentenced on Monday following reports.
TV show winner admits benefit fraud
A mother from Staffordshire who won £95,000 on the television show Deal Or No Deal has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.
Caroline Banana, 40, of Stoke-on-Trent, admitted six counts of failing to disclose financial changes in her circumstances with the intention of profiting from the situation, North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court confirmed.
She had been facing trial over 10 charges in a prosecution brought by Stoke City Council at the court on Thursday.
However she admitted the six charges, while the other offences were dismissed.
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