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An independent inquiry has delivered its final report on Stafford Hospital, described as having appalling standards of care.

New shops and offices creating up to 200 jobs will be built as part of the first phase of a Black Country canalside development.

The big freeze has sparked hundreds of requests for new grit bins across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, it emerged today.

Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire are supporting a nationwide campaign which aims to help end the scourge of mass marketed scam mailings in the UK.

Free fruit trees will have been given out to 1,700 people in South Staffordshire this year, it emerged today.

A national retailer is preparing to hand Rugeley a significant jobs boost by opening a new store in place of boarded-up Woolworths.

A boxing club which was recently granted academy status is now offering children the chance to study a GCSE – in boxing.

Staffordshire Police has splashed thousands of pounds over the last five years on gift vouchers to reward staff who take “only” a handful of sick days.

An MEP claims the latest hike in charges to use the M6 Toll could drive more traffic onto the traffic-clogged A5 near Great Wyrley.

Thousands of motorists faced a nightmare journey to work today as overnight snow and ice caught councils on the hop.

Wintry weather returned to the West Midlands today – causing travel problems across the region.

Car drivers will be charged £5 to use the M6 Toll road from March following the sixth price rise on the motorway in just seven years.

People who fail to look after their council-owned properties in the Cannock Chase district face being evicted.

The leader of the Labour group at Cannock Chase Council has labelled defections between the ruling Conservatives and Liberal Democrats as “a farce which makes a mockery of the political system”.

A Staffordshire post office will move to a supermarket across town despite a campaign by residents who will be left without a service at all for three days.

Members of a pool team are calling for a Staffordshire snooker hall to provide disabled access as a wheelchair-bound player is repeatedly forced to miss games they say.

The leader of the Conservative group on Cannock Chase Council has quit following a series of defections to the Liberal Democrats.

Highways bosses at Staffordshire County Council have said work has started to reduce a backlog of projects caused by the severe snow and ice earlier this month.

Staffordshire Police has used special counter-terrorism powers to spy on more than 300 suspected criminals in the county over the last two years.

A Staffordshire council is to buy its own gritting machine to grit roads which were missed during recent bad weather – causing chaos across the district.

A new band called Black Country will feature legendary Midlands rockers Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham. Debbie Bennett and Ian Harvey speak exclusively to the group’s frontman.

Charity retailer Newlife has emerged as the likely replacement for an abandoned Staffordshire nightspot as part of a major expansion that will create 24 jobs for local people.

Almost 400 drink drivers were caught by police on roads in the West Midlands over the Christmas period, it was revealed today.

A campaign has been launched to raise £150,000 to modernise a popular community centre in Hednesford which is in desperate need of a makeover.

Construction work on a new multi-million pound fire station in Cannock is to start tomorrow.

Conservation teams are planning another onslaught on invading scrub on Cannock Chase this winter to protect rare heathland and the wildlife which depend on it.

As Gill Carswell shows the young man into the office she is not surprised when he hands her his coat and asks for a cup of tea with two sugars.

Warnings have been sent to 29 Staffordshire police officers and staff who frequently claim sick days during Christmas and New Year.

Britain’s weather woes continued today with warnings of localised flooding as alerts were issued on Midland rivers.

Staffordshire X Factor star Faye Bray is all set to start her first tour with a major gig in her home town. Her first gig will be at Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre on March 7.