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
Mountain rescue teams are still working hard
Holme Valley, Woodhead and Calder Valley mountain rescue teams have all been pitching in with the unprecedented winter madness up on the tops.
There’s not been much reporting of their sterling efforts so far but that will all change soon as we have something going online shortly.
If you’re reading this ‘down south’ this will do nothing to change your mind about northerners.
If you look closely you can see three young women in short skirts and heels in the sub-zero snowy St George’s square, Huddersfield.
Two of them don’t even have coats on.
The picture was taken today by Mandeep Soor.
Don't get your skates on
Fire chiefs have warned people not to try and walk on frozen ponds or lakes.
The temptation to try your luck as the next Torvill and Dean may cost you your life.
Firefighters have issued advice if you do fall into frozen water that can be read by following the link below.
Giants game is on Sunday
In case you missed the news yesterday, the Giants fixture against Wakefield was postponed.
It was due to be the Sky game tonight but it is now on Sunday.
Tickets are only available from the club shop.
Police hunting Jake Mangle-Wurzel
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of one of Huddersfield’s best-known characters – Jake Mangle-Wurzel.
The eccentric jester was supposed to be in court this morning to stand before magistrates accused of owning a dog which was dangerously out of control.
He failed to show and the chairman of the bench, Derek Walsh, authorised a warrant for his arrest.
Drink driving mayor stands down
The Mayor of Mirfield, Paul Blakeley, has handed in his chains of office.
Blakeley, 26, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates court today and admitted a charge of drink driving.
The chairman of Dewsbury County Conservative Association, Mark Eastwood, has just updated the Examiner that Blakeley informed Mirfield Town Council last Tuesday that he was standing down as mayor.
He has not - so far- resigned from Mirfield Town Council but is still suspended from the Conservative party.
Blakeley, of Dalton, pleaded guilty to driving a BMW in the early hours of February 10 on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, having drunk three pints of cider.
Kirklees Magistrates Court heard a breathalyser test revealed he had 54 micrograms of alcohol on his breath - the legal limit being 35.
It's not over yet
There may be more snow this evening, Paul Stevens says.
The Huddersfield weatherman has forecast between 5cm and 10cm later on today, with showers dying out overnight.
Snow will visit again late on Saturday and then Sunday could be the turning point for getting back to more normal spring weather.
Rail strike tomorrow
Some non-weather related news for rail travellers. There’s industrial action tomorrow that will affect some local routes.
Latest on neighbour murder trial
A 28-year-old man who stabbed his neighbour in the chest has told a murder trial jury that he was scared of his victim and was trying to get him away from his bedsit door.
Former trainee chef Adam Grant said he had had a fall-out with his next-door neighbour and claimed that Martin Wyatt had threatened to punch him. The trial is being held today at Bradford Crown Court.
Mr Wyatt, 32, suffered a fatal stab wound to the heart during the tea-time incident at the property on Mixenden Road in Halifax last September and was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of the emergency services. Grant told the jury today that his lies to the police were “disgraceful” and said he regretted stabbing his neighbour.The judge is expected to begin his summing up of the case on Monday.
Mayor admits to drink driving in court
The Mayor of Mirfield appeared in court today admitting to drink driving.
Paul Blakeley, 26, pleaded guilty to driving a BMW in the early hours of February 10 on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, having drunk three pints of cider.
Kirklees Magistrates Court heard a breathalyser test revealed he had 54 micrograms of alcohol on his breath - the legal limit being 35.
More on this story on our website shortly.
National news
Here’s a round up of the main stories in the UK today.
ARMY DRAFTED IN AS NHS STRUGGLES AND SNOW STRANDS THOUSANDS ON ROADS AND TRAINS
Hundreds of motorists and rail passengers were left stranded overnight as extreme weather continues to wreak havoc across the UK. Strengthening winds caused blizzards and drifting snow in some parts, bringing roads to a standstill and leaving commuters facing travel disruption for the fourth day in a row. Two police forces declared “major incidents” as the Army was drafted in to help rescue those trapped in their cars and provide assistance to hospitals and medics. Rail passengers were stranded in frosty carriages overnight, while thousands of homes across the country were left without power.
MEGHAN AND HARRY INVITE 1,200 MEMBERS OF PUBLIC TO SHARE WEDDING DAY
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced that thousands of people will be invited into the grounds of Windsor Castle to share their wedding day. Kensington Palace said 1,200 members of the public will be among a crowd of 2,640 allowed in to watch the arrivals of the bride and groom and their guests at St George’s Chapel on May 19, and see the newlyweds start their carriage procession through Windsor.
TRAIN COMPANIES HIT BY FRESH STRIKES IN LONG-RUNNING GUARDS’ DISPUTE
Workers at two rail companies will stage fresh strikes on Saturday in the long-running disputes over the role of guards. Services on Merseyrail and Arriva Rail North (Northern) will be disrupted by the 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. The union said attempts to resolve the disputes had been “kicked back in our faces”, pledging to press ahead with industrial action.
Fears for missing Holmfirth man
Have you seen Reuben Smith? He hasn’t been seen since Wednesday night and people are concerned for his welfare given the freezing temperatures outside.
Reuben, 47, from Holmfirth, was last seen in Huddersfield at about 6pm on Wednesday. He is described as slim, 5ft 7ins tall and as having dark hair. He was last seen wearing an Adidas woolly hat, army style Superdry jacket, black boots and jeans.
Inspector Hazel Ward from Kirklees Police, said: “We do have concerns for Mr Smith’s welfare and would ask him or anyone who has information about his whereabouts to contact Kirklees Police on 101 referencing police log 1970 of February 28.”
Dedicated M62 live blog
If you’re looking for M62 updates we’ve got a dedicated live blog running. The army has been drafted in to help clear stranded motorists. Click here to follow updates.
Serial flasher sought after sex assault in Halifax
Police are hunting a serial flasher who they believe sexually assaulted a woman on Wednesday.
The woman, in her 30s, was not injured during the evening’s assault in the subway at the bottom of Pellon Lane, near Cow Green.
But police say they have received a series of reports of a man exposing himself in the same location since February 12 - and they think this is linked.
The incidents have all taken place between within the same subway between 9am and 5.15pm, where the victims have reported a male aged between 20-30 exposing himself to them.
In the most recent incident, the victim, in her 30s, was walking through the subway at about 5.15pm when a man standing at one end exposed himself and then assaulted her before she ran off.
Anyone with any information should contact Calderdale CID via 101 quoting 13180099200. Information can also be passed anonymously and in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Today's weather
The Arctic conditions we’ve been experiencing over the past two days are showing no signs of abating - see our hour by hour forecast for today here.
Today's Examiner
Here is today’s front page - it seems many won’t be getting much of a chance to get out and grab one today!
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 .
