107.3 Touch FM: Local News

Troops honoured in Warwick

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:45:19 +0100

Up to two thousand people are expected to pack into Warwick Castle today (Friday) to honour local troops.

Many more people are due to line the streets as soldiers from MOD Kineton are given the Freedom of the town.

A parade's taking place ahead of a military service at St Mary's Church.

There will be temporary road closures in the town centre while the parade takes place.

New road safety campaign for Warwickshire

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:43:45 +0100

Police are concerned about the number of pedestrians being knocked over and killed on Warwickshire's roads.

Officers say mobile phones and MP3 players are becoming a major distraction.

Last year 33 people were killed on the county's roads - although there are no figures on how many of them were using such devices.

Warwickshire Police Head of Incident Resolution, Superintendent Adrian McGee said:

"This may appear to be a trivial issue to some but the risks are clear. It is all too easy for an inattentive pedestrian using a mobile phone to take a quick glance before stepping off the kerb to cross when they should take the time to look both ways properly. This makes it easy to miss an approaching vehicle.

Similarly a pedestrian listening to music impairs their ability to hear approaching traffic. Pedestrians need to be aware of the risks they are unknowingly taking and ask themselves how important is that text, everyone needs to take more responsibility for their personal safety"

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection added:

"The immense popularity of mobile phones and other portable devices presents a major risk to pedestrian safety. It's not uncommon to see pedestrians so completely absorbed in their phones that they are entirely oblivious to where they are and what's going on around them.

People are increasingly using mobile phones on the move to perform complex tasks that demand a huge amount of attention, such as texting, accessing emails and the internet, updating social media or making use of apps. If you are focused on texting or selecting a play list you can't be fully aware of traffic. It's a recipe for disaster"

Mum speaks out about Barford boat tragedy

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:17:33 +0100

A Barford woman who lost her husband and youngest son in a boating tragedy at the weekend has spoken for the first time about her ordeal.

Emma Mynott says her family is 'devastated' by the deaths of forty two year old Julian and three year old Freddie when their boat overturned on Saturday afternoon on the River Avon.

In a statement released by Warwickshire Police Mrs Mynott has also praised the support from local people and thanked emergency services for their role in helping the family.

Mrs Mynott's 7 year old son and 6 year old daughter were rescued from the water and are making a good recovery.

Here's Emma Mynott's full statement:

"We are all devastated by what has happened, but I want to thank my neighbours and all the people from the community who have helped and offered support, and the many people who have sent good will messages.

"The children’s school in particular has been very helpful and supportive at this difficult time, for which we are very grateful.

"I would also like to express my immense gratitude to everyone involved in the massive effort on Saturday evening to rescue my family. I would like to thank all the emergency services and all other agencies who were there, and who have become involved since.”

"Our appeal now is to be allowed our privacy, which we know that many people have already respected, in order that we can be allowed to grieve and to come to terms with what has happened.”

Latest following Barford boat tragedy

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:14:25 +0100

A girl involved in a boating accident that killed her father and brother in Barford remains in hospital - but is said to be out of immediate danger.

The six year old was one of four people on board a rowing boat that capsized in Barford on Saturday evening.

42 year old Julian Mynott and his three year old son Freddie both died.

A seven year old boy was taken to hospital but has since been allowed to go home.

The children's mother was not on the boat. She is now at her daughter's bedside as she continues to receive treatment.

Free parking in Warwick to help businesses

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:41:29 +0100

Free parking is being offered in Warwick at weekends to try and offset the impact of major roadworks there.

Every weekend until the start of June motorists will able to leave their car for free on streets and in town centre car parks.

The council says they don't want shoppers to ditch the town because of the work to make Warwick more pedestrian friendly.

UPDATED: Local flood warnings and updates

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:09:00 +0100

A flood warning on the River Leam in Leamington has now been lifted.

The Environment Agency say there's now no longer danger of flooding in the town centre or in villages like Eathorpe, Offchurch and Hunningham.

However there are still alerts on other local rivers in Warwickshire like the Itchen through Grandborough.

Experts say river levels are expected to keep falling.

For all the latest Environment Agency advice click here

Teenager sentenced to life in prison for murdering a Hampton Lucy man in Florida

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:10:50 +0100

Shawn Tyson has been found guilty of murdering James Cooper and his friend James Kouzaris in Florida

The 17 year old was convicted of two counts of first degree murder by a jury at Sarasota County Court on Wednesday.

He shot dead 25 year old James Cooper from Hampton Lucy and his friend James Kouzaris from Northampton in a Sarasota street last April.

It's thought the two friends, who were on a night out, accidentally wandered into the rundown neighbourhood and Tyson shot them in a bungled robbery.

In a DVD played to the court just after the guilty verdict the families and friends of Cooper and Kouzaris told how their lives had been shattered and their hearts broken by their deaths.

Shortly afterwards the judge sentenced Shawn Tyson to life in prison without parole.

HS2: Listen again to our documentary

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:24:28 +0000

Find out more about the plans here.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening has given the green light to the £32 billion project.. The scheme known as 'HS2' will cut journey times between London and Birmingham to 49 minutes but will could change some of our communities forever as it ploughs through the countryside on its route.

The first phase is expected to be complete by 2026 with an extension north of Birmingham finished by 2032/2033.

Last year our reporter Nick Jewers spoke to people involved in the HS2 project....those who want it built and those who could lose their homes because of it.

Listen again to the documentary here...

Part 1

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Part 2.

{flaAud_http://29.mm.g-media.com/220705.mp3_260}