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.
Snow caused major problems on the roads and public transport earlier today.
After last week's hammering from the Beast from the East and Storm Emma Huddersfield has been hit again.
Several roads were left impassible and there are some delays on the motorway network.
Schools have had to close or announce late starts.
We will bring you latest on the disruption.
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 .
Firefighters tackle house fire
There has been a house fire in Ruskin Grove at Deighton earlier today.
Firefighters from Huddersfield and Rastrick tackled the fire shortly after 4.30pm.
The fire started in an upstairs flat and is believed to have started by discarded smoking materials.
No-one has been hurt but the fire caused damage to flats on the ground floor and first floor.
Anger after latest Dewsbury town centre raid
Businesses are really suffering in Dewsbury town centre because of the actions of thieves and vandals.
Last month we carried this story about the problem of vandalism and burglaries.
Man jailed for mentally abusing elderly woman
A man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for controlling and mentally abusing a vulnerable and elderly woman.
Daniel Sowerby, 46, from Outwood, Wakefield was sentenced to two years, three months at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour.
He was also subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.
Sowerby was arrested in January this year after residents reported concerns about an elderly neighbour.
Following his arrest he was charged within 24 hours with the coercive and controlling offence.
Coercive and controlling behaviour itself became an offence in December 2015 and gives powers to the authorities to bring prosecutions for psychological abuse, closing the gap in the law around patterns of such behaviour.
Controlling acts may include, but not be exclusive to, manipulation, intimidation, and psychological abuse. The behaviour is intended to make a person become submissive, or to isolate them from sources of support, such as their friends and family.
It might include monitoring their time, or communication with others, including checking someone’s mobile phone or online communication.
The offence carries a maximum 5 year prison sentence and a fine
Detective Inspector Dan Tillett of Wakefield District CID, said: “Sowerby subjected his elderly victim to genuine emotional trauma and behaved in a fashion which many of us would find completely abhorrent.”
Reminder of road closure
Spen Lane in Cleckheaton is closed due to burst water main between Brooke Street and Gomersal Lane
Can you report being a victim of crime online?
It’s a busier day than usual for West Yorkshire Police call handlers and they are urging those who can to use their online reporting service.
Sunshine is out
What a difference a few hours make with the sunshine having melted the majority of the snow already
North Yorkshire fatal crash victim's named
Tragic news from over in North Yorkshire where two boys who died in a horror crash near Thirsk have been named.
The 17-year-old boys, named locally as Mason Pearson and George Turner died at the scene of the three-vehicle crash on the A61 in North Yorkshire.
The teens, from Thirsk, were travelling in the same car when the tragedy happened between Busby Stoop and Carlton Miniott at around 9.25pm yesterday morning.
Another five people and two children were hospitalised after the crash involving a black Ford Focus, a black Vauxhall Corsa and a green Volkswagen Bora.
Update from Highways!
#Woodhead - Traffic report from the gritters who have returned to our depot at Birdwell for a refil of salt. A616 & A628 Stocksbridge Bypass & Woodhead Pass. All lanes clear and surfaces treated. Traffic is flowing well in both directions. Planned treatments will continue. pic.twitter.com/ZVjRR0YV7N
— Highways England (@HighwaysYORKS) March 8, 2018
Travel update
Good news if you’re heading over the tops!
Traffic easing and normal driving conditions, snow cleared on A628 Woodhead Pass between A57 Mottram Moor.
Free parking could be scrapped
Hundreds of free car parking spaces are under threat after the cash-strapped Labour-run authority revealed plans to end the perk.
Kirklees Council hopes to raise as much as £250,000 from the change if it decides to adopt the controversial policy – just months ahead of the local elections in May.
Appreciation for gritters!
Residential Field Study Centre staff have praised gritters for helping them get to work!
Snow fun in Fixby
Here’s some light relief from all the traffic updates and school closures.
Reception class children at Fixby Junior & Infant School having fun in the snow.
Piazza unaffected by lorry crash
We’ve just spoken to the Piazza Shopping Centre and the earlier lorry crash outside M&S has not affected the stores.
Centre Manager Vernon O’Reilly said: “It was around 10am we picked up on our CCTV cameras a M&S lorry has caught the canopy when manoeuvring from the service yard on Victoria Lane.
“The lorry has then become wedged on the concrete canopy and the driver alerted staff.
Mr O’Reilly said as far as he was aware the crash wasn’t related to the bad weather and the road was fairly clear due to other vehicles going down it.
He added: “There was only cosmetic damage to the building and no major damage to the lorry.
“Unfortunately the service yard was designed long before vehicle sizes increased and this does pose a bit of a problem for lorry drivers.”
Lorry stuck in Piazza
We’ve just heard a lorry has become wedged when reversing in Huddersfield town centre.
The M&S lorry is stuck on Victoria Lane.
We’ll update you on this as we get more but we believe it’s not affecting the shopping centre.
Woodhead pass
There’s very slow traffic and hazardous driving conditions due to snow on A628 Woodhead Pass between A57 Mottram Moor.
Bus service update for Almondbury
Good news if you are trying to get out from Almondbury as services are returning to normal.
Bus service updates from Yorkshire Tiger
Here’s a quick look at how Yorkshire Tigers service is running:
Advice from Northern Gas Networks
Due to the severe weather Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is advising customers of the correct numbers to call should they have an issue with their gas supply, boiler or appliances.
The advice is being issued to help customers to get back on gas as quickly as possible and stay safe and warm.
If you smell gas, have a gas leak or suspect carbon monoxide please call the National Gas Emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
If you have an issue with your gas boiler or any other gas appliance, please call a Gas Safe registered engineer or contact your gas supplier. To find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area call 0800 408 5500 or visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer
Outlane
Residents reported Outlane was completely blocked earlier. Lorries and abandoned vehicles everywhere, particularly near White Swan.
Take care out there.
