Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
Key Events
Just two people a day are caught on the phone while driving in West Yorkshire
We thought it would be more. Full story here.
Your Bonfire Night weather forecast
Is it going to rain on your parkin or stay nice and dry?
Here’s what our resident weatherman Paul Stevens says.
Man seriously hurt in machete attack
A man suffered serious head injuries in a machete attack in a Fartown street.
A relative of the man also suffered minor hand and facial injuries while trying to defend the 53-year-old victim during the attack on Holly Terrace, on November 1, at around 9.45pm.
The assault took place while the main victim was returning to his car.
The suspect was described as mixed race, 5ft 5in, slim and wearing a dark coloured hooded top with the hood up.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Huddersfield District CID on 101 referencing crime number 13170509753.
Road police are having an M62 photo competition
With its red sky and light trails this is a pretty good effort.
Some schools in Kirklees so oversubscribed you need to live next door
Children at some Kirklees schools have to live just one minute’s walk away in order to secure a place on the school roll.
Based on last year’s offers, the last child offered a place at Royds Hall Community School in Huddersfield lived 0.71 miles away – a 14-minute walk away.
There were seven primary schools in Kirklees and one in Calderdale where the last child offered a place lived less than five minutes walk away. Find out more here.
Pictured: A peek inside the house on the M62
We’ve been at Stott Hall Farm this morning taking a look around following news the farm will be transformed into a wildlife haven.
In case you missed our Facebook Live, have a look at some video we shot from the farm. Because we’ve all wondered what it’d be like to live there when we’ve driven past...
"Any jobs going?" Ferret calls in at RSPCA centre
A ‘job hunting’ ferret was rescued by the RSPCA after he wandered into a jobcentre in the middle of a busy high street.
The male ferret walked into the jobcentre in Wombwell, near Barnsley, behind a woman who didn’t realise the cheeky critter was following her inside.
He gave the jobcentre staff a shock when he was discovered on Friday last week. Staff placed a box over the ferret to contain him and contacted the RSPCA. He’s now been moved to a centre in Sheffield and will be rehomed.
Inspector Paula Clemence, from the RSPCA, said: “Sadly the cheeky fellow wasn’t microchipped and we are struggling to find his owner. It is so important to have your pets microchipped whether they are a dog, cat, or small rabbit or ferret. Microchipping your pets and keeping the details up-to-date is the only foolproof way of ensuring they can be found if they are lost or go missing.”
Collins dictionary name the word of the year
It’s fake news. No, literally, the word of 2017 is “fake news”.
Collins made the announcement today. The phrase, used frequently by US President Donald Trump, is defined by Collins as “false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting”. And no, it’s not something we do at the Examiner.
Use of the phrase has soared by 365% in the last 12 months following the election of Trump almost exactly a year ago. Last year’s word of the year was Brexit.
Other contenders on this year’s list of newly-added words included gender-fluid, gig economy and fidget spinner.
National news
There’s a lot going on today - here’s a brief of the main headlines.
WILLIAMSON NAMED DEFENCE SECRETARY AFTER FALLON QUITS AMID SLEAZE SCANDAL
Gavin Williamson has been appointed Defence Secretary after Sir Michael Fallon resigned from the job amid Westminster sleaze allegations, Downing Street has announced. Sir Michael quit after admitting his behaviour had “fallen below the high standards required” in the role and acknowledging that what might have been acceptable in the past was no longer appropriate. Mr Williamson, who was the Government’s chief whip before this appointment, will take the job having never held ministerial office.
PARTY LEADERS TO MEET TO DISCUSS HARASSMENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE, SAYS LEADSOM
Party leaders at Westminster have agreed to meet to discuss a new independent grievance procedure to deal with harassment and abuse complaints, the Commons Leader has said. Andrea Leadsom’s comments came after Theresa May invited the leaders of Westminster’s political parties to a crisis meeting on Monday to discuss plans for tackling sexual abuse and harassment.
TWO SAS SOLDIERS CHARGED OVER DEATHS OF RESERVISTS ON BRECON BEACONS TEST MARCH
Two special forces soldiers have been charged with negligent performance of duty over the deaths of three reservists during a 16-mile SAS test march. Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Lance Corporal Craig Roberts were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons after suffering heatstroke in July 2013. Corporal James Dunsby died at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital from multiple organ failure more than two weeks later.
Care home rated 'inadequate'
A care home has been rated inadequate - for the second time in six months.
Aston Manor Care Home in Dewsbury was rated inadequate in all areas except one, for which it was advised it required improvement. The home was previously rated in April this year.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) noted staff had not held regular meetings and that “staff culture was not always positive and messages from managers displayed in the staff room had a negative tone”. The report added “most staff we spoke with lacked knowledge of the fundamental principles of good dementia care”.
Mauricare Ltd, who run the home, have issued a statement to say: “The home has improved massively in the eyes of our residents, families and visiting professionals. We remain committed to the ongoing improvements and maintaining them. We would welcome anybody to visit and judge for themselves the standard of care we provide.”
CCTV released in theft appeal
Do you recognise this man? Kirklees police want to speak to him and have released his image over a theft in the Batley & Spen ward.
The offence occurred last week on Friday. Anyone with information should contact police via 101 quoting crime reference 13170499937.
Kitten survived by holding onto her dead litter mate after falling into drain
A terrified kitten discovered in a drain had to hold on to her dead litter mate to survive.
The two are thought to have fallen into the drain in Crosland Moor, and a charity suspect it’s because a pet owner forgot to neuter their cat. The upsetting pictures were posted online by Huddersfield Feral and Strays to raise awareness of the consequences of unwanted pregnancies in cats.
The charity said: “On arrival two kittens had fallen down into a drain system and sadly one had died by drowning. The other managed to survive by clearly using its dead litter mate to keep above water.
Teenagers charged with conspiracy to murder by counter-terror police
Two teenagers will appear before magistrates today charged with conspiracy to murder.
The 14-year-olds, from Northallerton in North Yorkshire, were charged following an investigation by counter-terror police. The two were arrested at the weekend and questioned by West Yorkshire Police, and are due before Leeds Magistrates Court today.
Neither can be named due to being under 18. One is charged with Conspiracy to Murder and Aggravated Burglary, while the other is charged with Conspiracy to Murder.
DCC Lisa Winward of North Yorkshire Police, said: “We would like to reassure the public that local officers are committed to ensuring the public remain safe, and are working hard to reassure those communities who have been affected.”
Live from the farm on the M62
Ever wondered what it looks like inside? Wonder no more...
Our reporter Andrew Robinson is at Stott Hall Farm this morning finding out more about plans to transform it into a wildlife haven. Watch below or head to our Facebook page once the broadcast is over.
Huddersfield weather
Here’s what the weather has in store for us today...
A dry and cloudy day overall with temperatures of around 10 to 11 degrees.
No serious injuries in M1 smash
An update on the road closure on the M1 earlier - polcie say no one was badly hurt in the four-vehicle pile up.
A car and two lorries were involved in the collision on the southbound carriage just before 5am this morning, causing the motorway to shut between junctions 31 and 30. Diversions are still in place as emergency services attend the scene.
A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: “No serious injuries reported at this time, however all lanes are blocked and there is not estimated time as yet when they will be clear.”
Fears for missing Honley pensioner
Fears are mounting for a pensioner missing from home.
Penelope Jackson, 61, from Honley, is believed to have travelled to St Pancras Station in London on Tuesday and was reported missing yesterday.
She is described as white, of a small build, with grey hair and wearing glasses. Items of clothing she is known to wear include a vivid green hip length coat and a blue bag.
Detective Inspector Mark Atkinson of Kirklees CID, said: “We are concerned for Penelope’s well-being as she may be in need of medication and we would ask her or anyone who has knowledge of her whereabouts to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 referencing police log 683 of 1/11/17.”
Youths started fire - then threw bricks at fire engine
Here’s a tale that will make you despair for humanity...
A gang of up to 20 youths started a fire yesterday, only to throw bricks at the fire engine once crews arrived to extinguish it. Now fire fighters have revealed they will be needing police escorts at the weekend as bonfire night looms.
Halifax fire station were called to the small fire just off Gibbet Street, Halifax, which had been deliberately started by the gang. As they were putting it out, the group threw items - including bricks - at the fire engine. Luckily no crew members were hurt.
It comes after the service released a video yesterday revealing five separate attacks on them the night before. Crews this weekend, which is traditionally their busiest of the year, will be accompanied by police to certain callouts to ensure their safety.
Today's Examiner
Here’s our front page today - leading on the story of a Sharon Scargill who stole from her trusting elderly neighbour in Longwood.
Scargill, 48, broke into the 75-year-old’s home while she was away stealing thousands of pounds’ worth of possessions.
Traffic update
Very busy at Salterhebble Hill this morning due to the roadworks. No major incidents on the M62 to let you know of - all looks to be moving well.
Traffic is also busy on Huddersfield ring road at the Trinity Street traffic lights and Halifax Road through Edgerton/Birchencliffe.
M1 southbound closed
Major problems on the M1 this morning if you’re heading south.
The motorway is closed between junctions 31 and 30 due to a serious accident between two cars and two lorries. Police are at the scene.
A diversion is in place at junction 32.
Good morning, Huddersfield
Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
