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Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson

The Public arts centre opens

THOUSANDS of people converged on West Bromwich’s £54 million interactive arts centre as the wraps finally came off. Read

Landlady’s relief over Lye pub horror

THE licensee of a Midland pub which was left in ruins when a speeding car careered out of control and ploughed into it has spoken publicly about the incident for the first time. Read

Drunk coach driver jailed

A MIDLAND coach driver who was almost twice the drink-drive limit when he lost control and crashed on a motorway slip road, leaving passengers seriously injured, was today jailed for ten months. Read

Family mourns crash victim

TRIBUTE has been paid to a young man who died when the vehicle in which he was travelling left the road and crashed. Read

Opening of art centre tinged with sadness for creator

THE launch of West Bromwich’s £54 million interactive arts centre will be tinged with sadness for the woman who dreamed up the idea 15 years ago. Read

Cost threat hits Smethwick church

A CHURCH which has served a Midland community for almost 80 years may have to be demolished because of crippling repair costs. Read

Blue plaque in honour of Black Country comedienne Dolly Allen

THE son of much loved Midland comedienne Dolly Allen today spoke of his pride as fellow entertainers prepared to unveil a blue plaque in her honour. Read

Beatles fan Steve Holmes turns hobby into business

ALL you need is love – Beatles fanatic Steve Holmes has turned his lifelong obsession with the Fab Four into a thriving business. Steve, who lives with his partner Gloria Walmsley at Codsall, near Wolverhampton, has been a huge fan of the Beatles for as long as he can remember. Read

Jeff Astle widow 'snubbed'

THE widow of West Bromwich Albion's 1968 FA Cup hero Jeff Astle said today she felt "terribly hurt and stunned" after learning only surviving players had been presented with commemorative gifts. Read

Police to name man killed in roof collapse

POLICE were today expected to name a man who died in a massive roof collapse in the Midlands. Read

Laurel and Hardy tribute club to open in West Brom

THAT’s another fine tribute club in West Bromwich – Laurel and Hardy superfan Phil Ruston is ready for curtain up to the legendary comic duo at his new pub. Read

Escapologist to cheat the gallows for the first time in 20 years

ESCAPOLOGIST and illusionist Vic Odin is hoping he won’t be "hung out to dry" when he takes to the stage for the first time in 20 years for a special tribute show. Vic, aged 74, from Dudley, was one half of famous act The Odins with his wife Louise for 30 years. Read

Devastated couple cancel big day after brain tumour discovered

A DEVOTED Midland couple have been forced to abandon their wedding after being told the bombshell news their three-year-old son has cancer. Read

Accidents spark Black Country rush hour chaos

MOTORISTS faced traffic chaos across the Black Country today after separate accidents in Dudley and Halesowen. Read

Police officers may be charged in Leanne Moore hit-and-run probe

TWO police officers involved in a pursuit of a car which failed to stop before killing a young mum in a hit-and-run smash may face charges of misconduct, it was revealed today. Read

Family of Mark Speight announce future stars scheme in his memory

THE father of children's entertainer Mark Speight today unveiled ambitious plans to keep his memory alive by unearthing stars of the future. Read

Life in the slow lane for fundraisers Roger Bedson and James Nott

A LONG road ahead is beckoning for a Midland charity fundraiser travelling from Lands End to John O' Groats on an old tractor. Travelling at a heady 15mph, former Lichfield Round Table chairman Roger Bedson and his friend James Nott are crawling down the country on Massey Ferguson tractors dating from the 1970s. They set off yesterday and expect to take a full nine days to complete their 845-mile journey, in aid of Cancer Research UK. Read

Lenny Henry's still raising roof 30 years on

IT'S hard to believe that it's more than 30 years since a young Lenny Henry burst onto the scene with success in New Faces. Read

Brummie chef wants to become next Gordon Ramsey

PHILIP Veal's cooking is just champion - and now the chef who wants to follow in the footsteps of kitchen heroes Gordon Ramsay and Raymond Blanc has the trophy to prove it. Read

Book your place in Smethwick history

GIANTS of industry and lesser-known firms whose products spread the name of Smethwick all over the world are to live on in a new book about the town. Read

Author Profile

Steve is the chief reporter at the West Bromwich office and has been a journalist for more than 30 years.

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