Hartlepool

Hartlepool Borough Council has approved plans for a new cafe in the town centre.

Proposals were submitted earlier this year to convert 92 York Road into a cafe, with it previously being used as office.

Hartlepool Borough Council

A statement submitted by planning agent 3B Evoloution read: "There are a number of economic benefits associated with the proposed development as it will utilise an existing vacant unit along a key arterial route within Hartlepool Town Centre therefore improving the street scene in this location and supporting the economic growth of this area."

The North East Ambulance Service said it had sent six resources including a specialist hazard team to the former SSI plant in South Bank.

Fire crews are also on the scene.

An ambulance spokeswoman said there were no details about any casualties.

We will bring you more details when we have them.

A man has been charged with the murder of a father of two in Hartlepool.

Hemwand Ali Hussain, 30, was found dead in a house on Charterhouse Street on Sunday.

Mr Hussain's family said they were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss".

A 38-year-old man will appear before Teesside magistrates this morning.

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It's that time of year again, we're looking for your community's unsung coaching hero. In particular, we're celebrating the projects that have really made an impact in the last 12 months, and we need your help to find them.

Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald has reacted angrily to the news Sirius Minerals has been forced to cancel plans to issue a $500m (£403m) bond for a fertiliser mine it is developing near Teesside.

He said: "This government has completely taken its eye off the ball and, like the podium in Luxembourg, Boris Johnson and his hard right pals have gone missing at a time of crisis.

"This mad administration, propelling the country to economic cliff edge, seems determined to do everything they can to destroy the industrial base of Teesside. They’re keen enough to give tax breaks to gambling bankers but won’t lift a finger to help our industries.

"Sirius is critical to Teesside’s future and if government stands aside as they did with the Redcar Blast Furnace they will never be forgiven.”

Sirius Minerals

Ron Hogg, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for County Durham and Darlington, has asked the chair of the Police and Crime Panel to consider appointing an acting commissioner.

Mr Hogg is not standing down, but is "unwell".

The panel will discuss his request on 20 September.

A man who walked 200 miles this summer to raise money to buy books for Cumbrian children is starting to hand them out today.

Wildlife expert, Jamie Normington, from Old Hutton near Kendal, raised about £7,500 by walking from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay.

Half of the money will be used to buy 200 copies of the children's wildlife book, "The Lost Words", and the rest will go to the National Autistic Society.

BBC Tees is looking for new blood to make themselves known during a open audition later this month!

Plans to install two CCTV cameras to help crackdown on anti-social behaviour in a Hartlepool park have been given the go-ahead despite privacy concerns from residents.

The proposal is for two CCTV columns, measuring 8m and 10m in Rossmere Park.

It's part of plans to install CCTV security cameras at all major parks across the town to help combat anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

But there were eight objections and a 27-signature petition over the height of the cameras and concerns over a loss of privacy.

Objectors also questioned the sustainability of the cameras and monitoring.

The council planning committee approved the plans after reassurances that the cameras would not invade people’s privacy.

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An innovative "box park" using shipping containers is coming to a Hartlepool retail park.

Plans for six shipping containers at Tees Bay Retail Park were agreed by councillors.

Some of the retail units will also have other empty containers on top for visual effect, and will be between Poundstretcher and The Range.

Helen Heward, for planning agent Planning House, told Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee it would boost the town.

With the possibility of a no-deal Brexit looming, some North East councils are meeting today to discuss how they'll deal with any negative impact leaving the EU could have on the region.

The North East Combined Authority - the body which represents Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland - will discuss proposals including free ports and a free trade zone.

Boris Johnson faces a showdown in Parliament later as rebel Tories and Labour MPs are planning a bill to stop the UK leaving the EU on 31 October without a deal.

The Government's own predictions are that the North East economy would be the hardest hit if the UK crashes out of Europe without an agreement in place.

Hartlepool Council is to begin talks to buy a car park near the town's marina after locals and businesses called for cheaper parking.

Businesses says rising parking charges introduced by private landlords are driving people away from the waterfront area.

The council says despite financial challenges, it is doing all it can to help the Marina's "hard-pressed" shops and restaurants.

Hartlepool dad Nik Boddy is taking part in the Great North Run next Sunday - alongside his wife and step-daughter.

Nik, whose five-year-old daughter Lucia was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma, a cancerous tumour, will be helping raise funds for the Rainbow Trust.

He said: “Our daughter Lucia is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital and Rainbow Trust plays a big part in making sure the visits for treatment are a little less tough for her.”

This will be the first time Nik has attempted the race.

His wife Natalie and step-daughter Polly will be running for their chosen charities

Rainbow Trust

Five men have been charged with the murder of 39-year-old Michael Phillips, who was found with multiple injuries at a property on Rydal Street in Hartlepool on 10 June.

The men, aged between 30 and 54, are all from Hartlepool.

They will appear in court later, Cleveland Police said.

FAMILY PHOTO

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Students in County Durham have scored the highest pass rate of A and A* in Media Studies in England, with 17.5 % of pupils achieving the top grades, Ofgual figures show.

In Maths, which was the most popular subject this year, County Durham students gained most A and A* regionally, as 43.8% of students reached the highest grade.

This is slightly ahead of Northumberland (43.6%) and Tyne and Wear (39.2%).

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Hartepool United say they are devastated over the death of the mother of loan player Romoney Crichlow-Noble.

Natalie Crichlow, 44, died in Barbados after being doused in a flammable liquid and set alight while in bed.

She was in Barbados to look after her disabled brother when the attack happened. She suffered 75% burns to her body and died in hospital on 6 August.

Hartlepool United chief executive Mark Maguire said: "Since we heard the news last Friday we have done all we can to support Rom and have been proud of the way the lads have pulled around him.

“As always in circumstances like this, we will be guided by Rom and his family in anything we do or say publicly but it is important that he knows we consider him part of our family and, as such, we will do all we can to help.

“To Rom’s huge credit he has insisted on continuing to work hard in training and has been exemplary in his commitment since the terrible news. His family should be suitably proud of him."

A multimillion-pound bid is being made to ease traffic woes between Wynyard and Hartlepool.

Stockton and Hartlepool councils are jointly applying for £26.75m from the government.

The wishlist is headed by improvements to roundabouts and junctions on the A689, and a new footpath and cycle links to Wolviston, Billingham and Hartlepool.

Following growing concern from residents about the absence of safe crossings, it also includes a pedestrian crossing on the A689 at the Meadows roundabout and new footbridges over the road at Wynyard and the A19 at Wolviston Services.

The bid is backed by Tees Valley Combined Authority and Transport for the North.

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