Black Sabbath Seem to Have Called It Quits-At Least According to a Facebook Post

Early last month in their hometown of Birmingham, England, heavy metal legends Black Sabbath played their very last tour date , calling an end to their yearlong The End tour, not to mention their 49-year-long career as a touring entity. Just a few days later, however, guitarist Tony Iommi hinted that Sabbath might still play the occasional one-off show-or even record together.

Islam-inspired terror offences – nearly double in UK in five years’

The number of Islamism-inspired terrorism offences in the UK has nearly doubled in the five years to the end of 2015, according to a new report. The period from 1998 to 2015, studied in a report on Islamist terrorism on British soil, has also seen a surge in the number of women taking part in these crimes with offenders are getting younger and the bulk of the Islamism-inspired threat coming from home-grown terrorism.

Boy dies after collapsing at school following suspected allergic reaction

Brigid Jones, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for children, families and schools, said on Twitter: “My thoughts are with the family of the young man who tragically died following an incident at school yesterday.” A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place and police are working with the school and council to establish the circumstances of the boy’s death.

Mayor set to enjoy a cuppa for Fairtrade Fortnight

Dudley’s Mayor – will be calling into the Fairtrade Break Coffee Morning at St Thomas’s Church Hall, Market Street, Stourbridge, on Saturday March 11 which is being organised as part of the annual campaign. The coffee morning, running from 10am to 12.30pm, is being organised by Stourbridge Fairtrade, who were instrumental in achieving Fairtrade status for Stourbridge in 2010.

Three-year-old boy falls out of lorry on Rugby roundabout

A three-year-old boy fell out of a flatbed lorry and went under the vehicle after the nearside door flew open as it went round a Rugby traffic island. Driver Brian Medcraft jumped from the cab and scooped the badly-injured boy up in his arms, put him back inside and drove off before being stopped by the police.

Thursday morning’s traffic and travel

Roads are looking generally clear this Thursday morning with just a few minor incidents to look out for across the Black Country and North Worcestershire, including: Water main work and temporary traffic lights on A442 Franche Road in Kidderminster at the Woodland Avenue junction, so expect delays. Some delays again on A451 Stourbridge Road in Kidderminster at the Springfield Lane junction due to gas main work and temporary traffic lights.

Smallbrook Queensway demolition set for go ahead

A 70 million regeneration project including plans for one of Birmingham’s tallest residential buildings is expected to get the green light next week. City planners have been recommended to approve both elements of Commercial Estates Group’s project in Smallbrook Queensway which will see the end of part of the sweeping Ringway Centre spanning the length of the street.

Before the courts

Alexander Colin McDonald, aged 28, of Gibbs Road, Lye, was given a seven month community order for entering the Chequers Inn, Stourbridge, as a trespasser on September 27, 2016, and stealing cash of a value unknown. He was also sentenced for entering Customark, Dudley, as a trespasser on November 13, 2016, with intent to steal and driving without insurance in Lye on January 2. He was given six penalty points and must pay compensation of A 500, a victim surcharge of A 85, A 185 court costs and a A 100 fine.

12 killed after truck rams Berlin Christmas market crowd

A truck rammed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and injuring around 50 as it tore through tables and wooden stands. Police said a suspect believed to be the driver was arrested nearby and a passenger died as paramedics were treating him.

Lions hope sleigh outings beat previous festive fundraising efforts

KINGSWINFORD and Stourbridge Lions hope to beat previous festive fundraising efforts with this year’s Christmas sleigh outings with a brand new Santa mobile. The charitable group has been treated to an all-new sleigh this time – thanks to sponsorship from a number of local businesses and organisations including NatWest Bank, West Bromwich Building Society, Asda, Stourbridge Motor House, Imperial Commercials, Crown Butchers.