Chloe Aslett

Police are seeking a group of young people suspected of deliberately starting a grass fire on Harthill Road in Sheffield’s Woodthorpe area. The blaze spread to two houses, severely damaging one, while firefighters also tackled another suspected deliberate fire on Musgrave Road. Authorities said South Yorkshire had experienced an exceptionally busy period involving several suspected arsons, including fires at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust sites and a cornfield in Rotherham.

Peter Etherington, 68, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to 18 months and two weeks in prison after admitting that he continued acting as a director of PP Global Media Ltd while disqualified between April 2019 and October 2022. The court found he remained the driving force behind the business and had concealed his role, despite a previous conviction for similar conduct. Etherington also made unsupported claims about being in an induced coma and undergoing surgery to avoid court and probation appointments. He was disqualified from serving as a director for a further 10 years, while the Insolvency Service said it would pursue strong sanctions against persistent offenders.

Nine-year-old Oliver Smith from Barnsley raised £16,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity by running nine marathons in four months after his father, Tom, was diagnosed with a meningioma. BBC's The One Show surprised Oliver with a trip to London, where he met Spider-Man stars Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon before attending the film premiere with his family. Tom has recovered after successful surgery and returned to work, while Oliver is continuing his fundraising with a triathlon challenge.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report found that two teenagers were struck by a Sheffield Supertram at the Staniforth Road crossing in June 2025, seriously injuring a 15-year-old girl and causing minor injuries to a 17-year-old boy. The tram was travelling below the speed limit, but the teenagers had about one second to react and were not alerted by the tram’s horn, crossing layout or signage. The report said risk management by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd was not sufficiently effective. It recommended reviewing the crossing and assessing all Supertram locations where pedestrians could face credible injury risks, as well as addressing inconsistent horn use across the network. The authority welcomed the findings and said safety remained its highest priority.

A 22-year-old man died after becoming trapped under glass on York Street in Bradford. Emergency services attended at about 22:20 BST on Thursday, and the man was taken to hospital before later dying. West Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are conducting a joint investigation, with HSE inspectors making initial enquiries at the site.

Whitby will host a parade to mark the granting of the town’s highest civic honour to 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The battalion will parade from Church Street Car Park through central Whitby to Pannett Park, where a ceremony will take place. Town Mayor Sandra Turner urged residents to attend and recognize the unit’s service and long-standing relationship with the town. Rolling road closures will affect the route.

American Chad Hefty has attended Sheffield’s Tramlines festival several times after befriending Sheffield resident Mark Morgan in New York. Hefty, who has tattoos of the Tramlines logo and Sheffield crest, says the festival and the community surrounding it are personally significant. The friends are looking forward to the 2026 event, whose lineup includes Fatboy Slim, Blossoms, Wolf Alice, The Courteeners and Wet Leg.

More than 2,000 pigeons were shot at UK railway stations and depots over 16 months, according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. York Station recorded the highest number, with 608 birds killed, while LNER accounted for more than 800 shootings across its stations. Railway operators and pest controllers say pigeon droppings can create slip and health hazards and that shooting is used only after deterrents fail. Animal-welfare advocates argue the practice is inhumane, challenge claims about disease transmission, and call for more humane community-based management. Several operators have stopped or reduced culls, using deterrents or egg removal instead.

Andy Burnham’s pledge to end homelessness receives mixed reactions from former rough sleepers and support organizations in Yorkshire. Some express renewed hope, while others remain cautious given previous challenges in Greater Manchester. Charities highlight the need for coordinated services to address complex issues such as addiction and mental health. ONS data shows slight regional declines in rough sleeping, but workers and residents emphasize ongoing problems in cities like Bradford and Doncaster.

The Sheffield Grand Prix returns to the city centre for its 12th year, featuring elite cyclists such as Matt Bostock, Ollie Wood and Jenny Holl on a 1.4km circuit. Organiser Marc Etches highlighted the race’s fast-paced appeal and its place in the National Circuit Series, where teams and riders compete for points. The event includes community and youth rides before the elite races, and several city streets will be closed throughout the evening to accommodate the competition.

A burst water main in York flooded several streets and caused major damage to Salisbury Terrace, forcing its closure while repairs are carried out. The flooding damaged nearby properties, including a pub under redevelopment and a neighbouring home, and impacted several vehicles. Yorkshire Water is repairing the pipe, assessing damage, and assisting affected residents, while emergency services responded to the incident on Sunday evening.

Authorities seized an estimated £5,000 worth of counterfeit goods, illegal vapes and tobacco from three shops in Sheffield city centre, prompting legal action by Sheffield City Council. Officials emphasised the risks posed to consumers, particularly young people, and urged retailers to comply with regulations by sourcing legitimate products and ensuring correct labelling. The council did not disclose the shops involved due to ongoing legal proceedings.

Actor Suranne Jones received an honorary degree from the University of York, reflecting on her unconventional path into the arts and emphasizing curiosity, community and the value of small daily contributions. The university said her work aligned with its core values. Several other prominent figures, including N.R. Narayana Murthy and Lord Karan Bilimoria, were also set to receive honorary degrees.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care while unfit through drink after a crash that killed rugby volunteer Brian McClure in Castleford in February 2025. McClure, a long-serving figure at York RUFC, was remembered as a well-loved and dedicated club member. The case has been sent to Leeds Crown Court for a hearing on 11 August.

A Leeds man who fired gunshots at a Halifax house and fled the UK has been jailed for five years and three months, with an additional three years on licence. Ellis Thornton was arrested in the US after fleeing through multiple countries and was extradited to the UK, where he pleaded guilty to firearms offences. Police condemned his actions as showing disregard for public safety and said the case should serve as a deterrent. Rashawn Bedeau, who fled with Thornton and supported him while he evaded authorities, was previously sentenced to two years in jail.

The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors between 14 and 17 July, offering animal competitions, entertainment, food and exhibitions. Most tickets are sold out except for Friday, and organisers encourage use of public transport, with shuttle buses available from Harrogate station. Road users are advised to expect congestion and temporary traffic measures, including one-way systems and controlled junctions. Forecasts indicate warm, sunny conditions with a small chance of thunderstorms, and the event maintains a strict no‑dogs policy except for assistance animals.

A Sheffield couple who spent their life savings during their son's lymphoma treatment say families need greater financial and wellbeing support. Jolanta and Adrian Otlewski faced mounting costs after Jolanta left her job to care for their son Jakub, prompting concern about gaps identified by Young Lives vs Cancer in support and wellbeing services. The family welcomed government plans for a national cancer strategy including travel and wellbeing assistance, while the charity urged prioritisation of the proposed measures.

A major podcasting festival, Crossed Wires, has returned to Sheffield for its third year, featuring headline presenters including Alice Levine, Paul Whitehouse and Zoe Ball. Organisers expect large crowds after attracting 25,000 attendees last year, significantly boosting the local economy. BBC Sounds is again sponsoring the free Fringe programme, with additional BBC stages across venues in the city. The event continues to expand, with aspirations for future editions abroad, supported by funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

A historic 260-year-old pub in Whinmoor, The Old Red Lion, has been added to SAVE Britain’s Heritage at-risk register amid concerns over its deterioration since closing in 2021. The charity highlights the building’s long community role and colourful history while urging redevelopment that preserves its heritage. Two proposals to demolish the pub and replace it with a McDonald’s were rejected by Leeds City Council, and a fire during the planning period increased concerns about further damage. The at-risk register now includes a record number of buildings, with SAVE stressing their cultural value and the need for sustainable future uses.

A Sheffield man who installed imitation grenades in his flat and threatened utility workers, prompting an extensive police and Army response, received an 18‑month prison sentence after admitting affray and causing a public nuisance. The incident triggered an eight‑hour evacuation and cost more than £10,000 as bomb disposal teams and dozens of officers responded before determining the items were fake. The judge condemned the behaviour as exceedingly stupid, and the man is expected to be released soon due to time already served.