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.
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Key Events
Flooding update from University
Here’s the latest from Huddersfield University which has had to close several buildings because of flooding which has affected the electricity supply.
Violence at working men's club
Violence broke out while people celebrated a christening at a working men’s club in Huddersfield.
Four people were injured during an altercation in the pool room at Deighton Working Men’s Club at around 11.30pm on Friday March 16.
Two of those injured needed hospital treatment and police are now seeking witnesses to the violence at the Deighton Road club.
A police spokesman said: “A group of people were at the venue celebrating a Christening, as well as other members of the public at the club.
“There was an altercation in the pool room between a group of people which then continued outside the venue.
“Four people were injured. Two people - a man and a woman - needed hospital treatment.”
The suspects fled the club, which on the website describes itself at the ‘friendliest in Yorkshire’.
Police enquiries are taking place to establish the circumstances.
Only 6,000 miles from home....
This tiny lizard is recovering after journeying around 6,000 miles from Costa Rica to West Yorkshire in a bunch of bananas.
The one-inch-long animal - known as an anole - was found in an unnamed warehouse in West Yorkshire - dehydrated and underweight after the big trip.
It is now recovering at the Reptilia Rescue Centre at Ossett and, once it has recovered, will be up for adoption.
Woman killed in collision is named
A woman who died in a road traffic collision in Batley has been named by police.
Sandra Lee, 56, from Batley, died from her injuries after she was hit by a reversing Skoda Fabia on Brookroyd Lane on Tuesday March 13.
Police today issued a renewed appeal for witnesses.
The incident happened at 12.42pm when a Skoda Fabia was reversing down Brookroyd Lane.
Officers are continuing enquiries into the incident and are still trying to trace two pedestrians – a male and a female - who may have witnessed the incident.
Any witnesses are asked to call the Major Collision and Enquiry Team on 101 quoting log 799 of Tuesday 13 March.
Teams announced for Tour de Yorkshire
Tour de Yorkshire have announced the teams for next month’s race.
The men’s race – which takes place between 3-6 May – will include six UCI WorldTour teams, seven Pro Continental outfits and six British squads, plus the new Yorkshire-based (although Irish registered) Holdsworth Pro Racing making their debut alongside Astana, Euskadi Basque Country – Murias, Rally Cycling and Vital Concept.
The Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race on 3-4 May also boasts an expanded field. Seven of the 12 top-ranked teams in the world will be in action along with five further European and eight British squads. Of those, Boompods EDCo, Experza-Footlogix, Movistar Team, Parkhotel Valkenburg and Team OnForm are new additions for 2018.
National news
Here’s a lunchtime update on today’s main headlines:
NHS WORKERS IN ENGLAND SET FOR 6.5% PAY RISE
A deal to give NHS workers a 6.5% pay rise over three years is set to be agreed, marking the end of a seven-year wage cap. Leaders of unions representing more than a million workers including nurses, midwives, ambulance drivers, porters and other staff will meet employers on Wednesday to finalise the increase. Workers will have to be consulted but it is expected they will receive higher pay from July, backdated to April.
I’M BEING USED AS A SCAPEGOAT, SAYS ACADEMIC LINKED TO CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA
The academic who developed an app used by Cambridge Analytica to harvest millions of Facebook users’ data has claimed he has been made a “scapegoat” in the row. Psychologist Dr Aleksandr Kogan insisted he believed what he was doing was “perfectly legal and within the terms of service” of the social network. The backlash against Facebook over its handling of personal data has seen a co-founder of WhatsApp appear to back calls for users to delete their profiles and wiped billions of dollars off the social media giant’s market value.
TEXAS BOMBING SUSPECT BLOWS HIMSELF UP
The suspect in a spate of bombing attacks in Austin, Texas, that have killed two people and injured four others this month blew himself up with an explosive device as authorities closed in, police have said. Authorities had zeroed in on the suspect in the last 24 to 36 hours and located his vehicle at a hotel on Interstate 35 in the suburb of Round Rock, Austin police chief Brian Manley said at a news conference. The vehicle drove off and an explosive was detonated inside it. Authorities identified the suspect only as a 24-year-old white man and would not say if he was from Austin.
Northern announces more strikes
Northern Rail have released timetables as more strikes are set to go ahead next week.
Services will be cut by more than 40% due to union members striking on Monday and Thursday next week. The vast majority of services between 7am and 7pm are expected to run as usual, but be extra busy. On some routes, where trains are not able to run, Northern will supplement its services with the addition of a large fleet of rail replacement buses.
You can see their updated timetables here.
Unemployment up in Yorkshire
Unemployment figures in the region have risen by more than 5%.
The latest figures from between November and January show that there are 136,000 people out of work in the Yorkshire & the Humber region - an increase of 5,000.
Man released after being questioned over Lockwood stabbing
A 19 year old man arrested after a teenager was seriously injured in a stabbing in Meltham Road has been released.
The man was arrested on suspicion of wounding following the incident at about 5pm last Thursday. West Yorkshire Police this morning said he has been released under investigation.
Motorway fully open
All lanes are now back open on the M62 eastbound following this morning’s closure.
Officer accidentally incriminates himself
Well, this is embarrassing...
A police officer was left red-faced after accidentally filling in his own details on a penalty form for an untaxed vehicle. The unnamed officer had their awkward mistake highlighted when it was tweeted out from the Road Policing Unit’s social media account.
Some really supportive colleagues you’ve got there, pal.
Report of assault in Birkby
Police have been at an address in Birkby this morning after reports of an assault.
An object was thrown in what is believed to be a dispute between neighbours on Blacker Road earlier this morning.
A police spokesperson confirmed they were called to the street at 9.45am after a person reported being assaulted and attended the scene. Nobody has been badly hurt.
M62 update
Congestion on the M62 eastbound is now back as far junction 25 for Brighouse and delays are around one hour and 20 minutes, according to our travel partners Inrix.
One lane reopens on M62
Good news - a lane has reopened on the M62 eastbound.
Roadworks are ongoing and there are still delays of up to 70 minutes so I’d avoid this area of the motorway throughout the morning if possible.
University closes several buildings
Buildings on the University campus are closed today and teaching postponed due to flooding affecting the electrics.
Buildings shut include:
- The Faith Centre
- Sir Patrick Stewart Building
- Queen Street Building
- Cockroft Building
- Joseph Priestley (Science) Building
- Ramsden Building
FREE CAKE
If you’re in Leeds today, a huge celebration cake is being shared around. And the best news is it’s absolutely free.
Trinity shopping centre is celebrating its fifth birthday today and is marking the occasion with a huge cake. The four-tiered patisserie masterpiece includes statues from around Leeds city centre, Leeds town hall and the Leeds United crest (no, not that one, thankfully).
Trinity have also announced that the first 2,000 people will each receive a £5 gift card to spend in the shopping centre.
Traffic now back to junction 27
Here’s the extent of the traffic on the M62 eastbound at the moment:
"Severe delays"
Avoid the M62 if you’re heading towards the Rothwell and Castleford areas this morning:
More cash for local NHS dentists
The government have agreed to fund more dentists on the NHS in West Yorkshire.
A BBC report last year found that one in 10 dental surgeries in the region was able to accept new patients. Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin raised the issue in Parliament and Health Minister Steve brine confirmed yesterday afternoon that more money will be made available.
Jobs in danger as carpet chain plan multiple store closures
Carpetright have announced they will be closing poorly performing stores in a bid to ease financial troubles.
The retailers, which have a branch at the Great Northern Retail Park on Leeds Road, are “burdened” with too many stores on “unsustainable” rents, according to the chief executive. No details have been released over which stores are to be axed, but talks are currently in place.
Roadworks close M62 eastbound
The M62 eastbound is closed this morning at junction 30.
This is due to emergency repairs ongoing and a diversion is in place but congestion is back to junction 28. It’s affecting traffic heading towards East Yorkshire from Leeds and Huddersfield.
Today's Examiner
Here is our front page this morning, leading on yesterday’s breaking news of plans for a snow slope in Huddersfield being given the green light by Kirklees.
Travel updates
Here are a few updates on the public transport, including local road closures:
Traffic update
Traffic is heavy as per on the M62 eastbound at junction 24 for Ainley Top. There are also queues on the M1 eastbound on the exit slip road at junction 42 with traffic backing up onto the main carriageway.
Otherwise no major issues to report on the roads this morning. We’ll keep you posted.
Morning, Huddersfield
Good morning, world. Let’s see what’s happening in and around Huddersfield so far today.