Former Northamptonshire County Council leader leaves party
The former leader of Northamptonshire County Council has resigned from the Conservative Party.
Announcing her resignation on Twitter, councillor Heather Smith called it a "sad day", but said she could not "cope with continuing unfair quotes from new councillors".
BBCCopyright: BBC
She had been a Conservative councillor for 11 years, representing the Oundle ward, and was leader between May 2016 and March this year.
The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, Simon Edens, retires from the police force this weekend.
Mr Edens, who has been chief constable since 2015, has spent a 37 years as a police officer.
Office of Northamptonshire Police & Crime CommissionerCopyright: Office of Northamptonshire Police & Crime Commissioner
Mr Edens (right) has been chief constable at Northamptonshire Police since 2015Image caption: Mr Edens (right) has been chief constable at Northamptonshire Police since 2015
He began his career in 1981 serving as a constable and sergeant with the Royal Ulster Constabulary before moving to Cambridgeshire in 1991 where he served for 17 years, rising to the rank of chief superintendent.
In 2008, he became assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police and then deputy chief constable at Leicestershire in 2012.
His successor Nick Adderley joins Northamptonshire Police as Chief Constable on Monday.
M40 Oxfordshire northbound severe disruption, from J11 for A422 to J12 for B4451.
M40 Oxfordshire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M40 northbound from J11, A422 (Banbury) to J12, B4451 (Gaydon), because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M1 Northamptonshire southbound
BBC News Travel
M1 Northamptonshire southbound severe disruption, from J18 for A428 to J16 for A4500.
M1 Northamptonshire - One lane closed on M1 southbound from J18, A428 (Rugby) to J16, A4500 (Daventry), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M40 Oxfordshire northbound
BBC News Travel
M40 Oxfordshire northbound severe accident, from J11 for A422 to J12 for B4451.
M40 Oxfordshire - Two lanes closed and heavy traffic on M40 northbound from J11, A422 (Banbury) to J12, B4451 (Gaydon), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
M1 Northamptonshire northbound severe accident, between J16 for A4500 and J17 for M45 Dunchurch.
M1 Northamptonshire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M1 northbound between J16, A4500 (Daventry) and J17, M45 (Dunchurch), because of an accident involving.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Get involved
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Office of Northamptonshire Police & Crime CommissionerCopyright: Office of Northamptonshire Police & Crime Commissioner Mr Edens (right) has been chief constable at Northamptonshire Police since 2015Image caption: Mr Edens (right) has been chief constable at Northamptonshire Police since 2015 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images - Northampton Town 2018-19 fixtures
BBC News Travel 
BBC News Travel BBC News Travel BBC News Travel 
BBC News Travel 
Latest PostSecond council cuts services to 'minimum'
East Sussex County Council said it had saved £129m since 2010 and needed to be realistic about the future.
Read moreFormer Northamptonshire County Council leader leaves party
The former leader of Northamptonshire County Council has resigned from the Conservative Party.
Announcing her resignation on Twitter, councillor Heather Smith called it a "sad day", but said she could not "cope with continuing unfair quotes from new councillors".
She had been a Conservative councillor for 11 years, representing the Oundle ward, and was leader between May 2016 and March this year.
Councillor Smith has not responded to a BBC request for interview, but in an expletive-laden interview with the Local Government Chronicle said she had become a "scapegoat".
The Conservative group on the council confirmed news that her resignation "had been tendered", but did not comment further.
Listen: Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Durham Jets
Northamptonshire Steelbacks host Durham Jets in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary
Catch upNorthamptonshire Police chief constable retires
Laura Cook
BBC Radio Northampton
The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, Simon Edens, retires from the police force this weekend.
Mr Edens, who has been chief constable since 2015, has spent a 37 years as a police officer.
He began his career in 1981 serving as a constable and sergeant with the Royal Ulster Constabulary before moving to Cambridgeshire in 1991 where he served for 17 years, rising to the rank of chief superintendent.
In 2008, he became assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police and then deputy chief constable at Leicestershire in 2012.
His successor Nick Adderley joins Northamptonshire Police as Chief Constable on Monday.
Listen: Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Birmingham Bears
Northamptonshire Steelbacks host Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary
Catch upWelcome to Moulton: Northamptonshire's village of the year
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Moulton - the place where all new residents are sent a welcome pack - has been named village of the year after wowing judges with its community spirit.
Weedon fire leaves house 'totally destroyed'
Daventry Express
An elderly man's home has been "totally destroyed" by a fire in Weedon.
Cobblers to start life in League Two
The new Football League season kicks off on Saturday, with Northampton Town opening their League Two campaign at home to Lincoln City (15:00 KO).
The Cobblers were relegated from League One at the end of the 2017-18 season, but are being tipped for promotion this time around by bookmakers.
During the summer, the club has appointed caretaker manager Dean Austin as their full-time boss, while a sponsorship deal has seen Northampton's Sixfields Stadium renamed as the PTS Academy Stadium.
After opening against fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln, Town travel to Carlisle United on Saturday, 11 August.
Somerset beat Hampshire in T20 Blast - watch the best moments
Watch video clips as Somerset beat Hampshire by six wickets in the T20 Blast at Southampton.
Catch upListen: Derbyshire Falcons v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Derbyshire Falcons host Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary.
Catch upDry pitches could delay football season
Clubs are struggling to get their grounds ready, with one council advising teams to delay the season.
Read moreEnvelope update
Severe disruption: M1 Northamptonshire northbound
M1 Northamptonshire northbound severe disruption, from J18 for A428 to A14.
M1 Northamptonshire - One lane closed on M1 northbound from J18, A428 (Rugby) to A14, Catthorpe Interchange, because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Durham make it five Blast wins in a row
Durham win a fifth T20 Blast match in a row and go top of the North Group as Kent, Notts, Sussex and Birmingham also win.
Read moreEnvelope update
Severe disruption: M40 Oxfordshire northbound
M40 Oxfordshire northbound severe disruption, from J11 for A422 to J12 for B4451.
M40 Oxfordshire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M40 northbound from J11, A422 (Banbury) to J12, B4451 (Gaydon), because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M1 Northamptonshire southbound
M1 Northamptonshire southbound severe disruption, from J18 for A428 to J16 for A4500.
M1 Northamptonshire - One lane closed on M1 southbound from J18, A428 (Rugby) to J16, A4500 (Daventry), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M40 Oxfordshire northbound
M40 Oxfordshire northbound severe accident, from J11 for A422 to J12 for B4451.
M40 Oxfordshire - Two lanes closed and heavy traffic on M40 northbound from J11, A422 (Banbury) to J12, B4451 (Gaydon), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Tributes paid to 'bright' quarry swimmer
Luke Murphy, 17, died while swimming at a disused quarry in Warwickshire last week.
Read moreLightning strike could leave Northampton residents without phone lines
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Elderly residents on a Northampton street could be without their landlines until Sunday, after a lightning strike destroyed phone lines.
Envelope update
Severe accident: M1 Northamptonshire northbound
M1 Northamptonshire northbound severe accident, between J16 for A4500 and J17 for M45 Dunchurch.
M1 Northamptonshire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M1 northbound between J16, A4500 (Daventry) and J17, M45 (Dunchurch), because of an accident involving.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Urgent care centre changes put on hold
A judge orders a full public consultation into plans for walk-in patients to require appointments.
Read more