January « 2009 « « Express & Star

An elderly woman died after a blaze broke out at a flat in the centre of Rugeley.

On the back of ‘Manuelgate’, there had to be a good reason for missing Jonathan Ross’s BBC comeback last night. And Russell Brand’s Scandalous tour date at the Birmingham NIA was it.

Bonser: New boss has transfer control

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings will have the final say on Saddlers transfers – chairman Jeff Bonser has stressed.

Brownhills market to close after 40 years

A Walsall market is to close in May after nearly 40 years. The closure of the Tuesday and Saturday markets in Brownhills will affect scores of traders.

Husband who stole from wife avoids jail

A husband stole more than £16,000 from his wife to buy drugs and drown his sorrows after losing his job at a Black Country bakery, a court heard.

Manor floods as expansion plan unveiled

Parts of Wolverhampton’s Wightwick Manor have been flooded after its water tanks burst for the second time in a matter of weeks. The accident has damaged the reception and bookshop.

Miracle baby Demi celebrates birthday

A baby who was born at just 23 weeks weighing 1lb 3oz is celebrating her first birthday today.

Region sees rise in number of stolen animals

Scores of animals have been stolen in the Black Country over the last year, new figures reveal.

Half a million joining in garden birdwatch

Bird-loving families in the Black Country were today keeping an eye out for feathered friends in their gar-dens as part of the RSPB’s annual survey.

Bid for lights scheme is close

A funding bid to overhaul one of the Black Country’s busiest commuter routes will be submitted within days, it has been announced.