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Incredible Surplus says it has helped almost 85,000 people in the past six months.

From the Shropshire Star today:

West Midlands Police said it was called to a series of house parties across the region at the weekend, and issued a number of fixed penalties.

England's second lockdown came into force on Thursday, with this weekend the first under those restrictions.

Incidents saw officers dispersed to the Caldmore area of Walsall after reports of loud music from a flat.

They found about 40 people - including a number of children - at a birthday party.

Image source, Gett

The force said most people adhered to the new restrictions which have seen non-essential shops and hospitality businesses closed, and a ban on household mixing indoors.

����ý Midlands Today

An events company has diversified to produce "visitor pods" for those wanting to visit family and friends in care homes.

Showplace, in Warwickshire, normally produces exhibition trailers but this has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The company, which at first furloughed nearly all its staff, has now recruited extra workers to keep up with demand.

Dr Joost Van Delft, owner of Swimbridge House Nursing Home where the pods have been used, said: "It has been a real joy to see families reunited after being apart for so long, and it has brought many smiles to all of us.”

From the Express and Star today:

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The mayor for the West Midlands said he found self-isolation hard after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Andy Street said he didn't leave his home for two weeks and said it was important for people to look after each other during the second lockdown.

A 39-year-old man is due to appear in court this morning charged with the murder of a mother from Stoke-on-Trent.

Kimberley Deakin, 29, was seriously injured on Leigh Street, Burslem, just before 16:45 GMT on Friday and died a short time later.

A post-mortem examination found she died from stab wounds.

The accused, Lewis Crofts, of Broadstone, Dorset, is due at North Staffordshire Justice Centre later.

Image source, Google

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A new social media drive is being launched today to attract new recruits to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It says it wants to find new candidates to replace staff who are retiring over the next twelve months.

As well as people of a certain level of fitness, the service says it also needs people who have "compassion, empathy, good teamwork skills" and "a certain level of courage".

A challenge to run seven consecutive marathons for charity begins today.

Jack Pickett, 19, from Ellesmere, Shropshire, is taking on the challenge for Cancer Research UK and Omega the National Association for End of Life Care, a small end of life charity in honour of his grandfather, who is undergoing cancer treatment.

Image source, Omega

Thomas Memery, director of Omega, said Mr Pickett was "remarkable".

Remembrance Sunday was marked yesterday.

Restrictions due to coronavirus meant many events were cancelled, but thousands were able to watch a virtual event broadcast from the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Image source, PA Media

The arboretum's honorary chaplain Rev Vic Van Den Bergh drew comparisons between the fight against the virus and armed conflicts.

"There is an obvious parallel between past conflicts and today's pandemic," he said.

Sara Blizzard
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Some early mist and fog will lead to heavy showers later. A milder day, with temperatures rising to 16C (60F)

Sophie Madden
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