John Rogan-Gaz

The Met Office extended its yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain across Teesside until 1 p.m. on August 20. Downpours could produce 15–20 mm of rain in under an hour and 30–40 mm over several hours, with possible flooding, lightning and hail. The conditions may disrupt road and rail travel, damage buildings, and cause short-term power or service outages.

Jonathan Kenneth Collingwood, 29, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court charged with attempted murder and dangerous driving after a Cleveland Police officer was struck by a car while conducting enquiries in Horden. The officer suffered arm and leg injuries and was taken to hospital. Collingwood entered no pleas, and the case was referred to Durham Crown Court. He was remanded in custody until a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 16, 2026.

Cleveland Police are seeking 34-year-old Stephen Gibson in connection with an attempted murder in South Bank on August 3, in which a man suffered stab and slash wounds to his head and arm. Two 25-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to murder and later bailed while enquiries continue. Police are asking anyone with information about Gibson’s whereabouts to contact them or Crimestoppers anonymously.

An 18-year-old trainee, Ada Peake, helped a five-person crew aboard the Dominator A land a 338kg bluefin tuna off Whitby, the first such commercial landing there since 1939. The fish was later recorded at 302kg ashore and sold to seafood merchant Hook and Plate, while a second tuna estimated at 310kg was landed the following day. Bluefin tuna have returned to UK waters as herring stocks recover and fisheries management improves, although commercial fishing remains tightly regulated. The Dominator is one of only 30 UK vessels licensed to target the species in 2026 and the sole permitted vessel operating along England’s North East coast.

Cleveland Police confirmed that officers found a man’s body while searching for missing 74-year-old Terrence Shippey from Redcar. Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Shippey’s family has been informed. Police said the death is not currently being treated as suspicious and will prepare a file for the Coroner.

A collection of 995 Dinky die-cast cars, trucks and other vehicles amassed by a private collector over 50 years sold for £146,400 at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby, exceeding the £100,000 estimate. The top-selling item was a cream-and-maroon double-decker bus, while rare Foden wagons also achieved much higher prices than expected, including a red 501 Foden diesel wagon that sold for £4,655.

We Are Scientists will perform at KU Stockton on August 29, 2026, during UK festival dates celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakout album With Love and Squalor. The New York indie rock band, led by Keith Murray and Chris Cain, is known for tracks including “After Hours” and “The Great Escape.” KU Stockton says the booking highlights both the band's enduring appeal and the strength of the North East's grassroots live music scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses, information or footage after a man was repeatedly punched in the head while walking along Sea View Terrace in Hartlepool at around 12:20am on August 9. A 24-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and released on conditional bail. Information can be given to police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

A 55-year-old man died after being critically injured in a dog attack on an old railway footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield on August 15. West Yorkshire Police arrested another 55-year-old man on suspicion of murder and of being the owner of a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused injury in a public place. The suspected dog has been seized, and police are appealing for two people who assisted the victim, including someone named Sophie, as well as anyone who witnessed the altercation, to come forward.

A vehicle was deliberately driven into properties on Pilkington Street and McBean Street in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, on August 12. The properties sustained significant damage, but no one was injured. Cleveland Police said the incidents appeared targeted and linked, and a 19-year-old man from Thornaby was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before being released on conditional bail while the investigation continues.

Hollywood Vampires, featuring Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen, performed before 8,000 fans at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in their first UK show in nearly three years. The set included original songs and covers by Aerosmith, David Bowie, AC/DC, Run-DMC and Pink Floyd, and concluded with a tribute to Jeff Beck through his song “Hi Ho Silver Lining.”

Daniel Smith, 40, of Hartlepool, has been charged with attempted kidnap after a report that a man approached and tried to grab a child riding a bike on Grosvenor Street. The child escaped safely, while Smith was detained by a member of the public and arrested. He remains in custody and is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on August 17. Cleveland Police are seeking information or footage from witnesses.

A 50-image gallery revisits nights out across Teesside in July 2015, featuring venues in Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees, including Vault Hidden Bar, The Empire, Atik and Valentino's Bar. The photographs are credited to Barrington Dent, Jeff Atkinson, Nicola Thompson, Matthew Skelton and Eddy Maynard.

A 40-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap after allegedly trying to grab a child riding a bicycle on Grosvenor Street in Hartlepool. The child escaped safely, and a member of the public detained the suspect before Cleveland Police arrived. Officers believe the incident was isolated, are conducting patrols for reassurance, and are appealing for witnesses or footage.

A major partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on 12 August 2026, with more than 90% of the Sun expected to be obscured in many locations. In Teesside, the best viewing window is roughly between 6pm and 8pm, and a postcode tool provides exact local timings. Clear skies are expected in much of England and Wales, although cloud could affect parts of the North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Viewers are warned never to look directly at the Sun or use ordinary sunglasses; specialist eclipse glasses, solar telescopes or pinhole projection are recommended. The event is described as Britain’s most significant visible eclipse for decades, with a comparable event not expected until 2081.

Dog-assisted therapy sessions at the Golden Jubilee Regional Spinal Cord Injuries Centre at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough are helping patients cope with lengthy hospital stays, limited mobility and rehabilitation. Funded by Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, ten free sessions allow patients to walk with and interact with therapy dogs such as Kyro. Patients and staff say the visits provide comfort, companionship, motivation and improved psychological wellbeing, while research indicates animal-assisted therapy can reduce anxiety and stress.

A free roadside car park beside the River Wharfe, just beyond Barden Bridge and roughly a mile from Bolton Abbey’s Strid Wood area, offers visitors an alternative to the estate’s £15 daily parking charge. From the car park, a gateway provides free access to the estate, with a walk of about 15 minutes to The Strid. Visitors are warned not to confuse it with another car park near Barden and to exercise caution around The Strid, a scenic but dangerous section of the river.

The Met Office expects temperatures to rise across the UK, potentially reaching 36C in East Anglia and south-east England on Thursday. Teesside could reach 27C on Tuesday and 30C on Wednesday and Thursday. The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health alerts for several regions, while forecasters warn of heavy rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland and increasingly hot, dry conditions elsewhere. Recent heatwaves have been linked to excess deaths, drought and wildfires, with fire risk expected to become exceptionally severe across much of eastern and south-eastern England.

Knaresborough in North Yorkshire is presented as an appealing day-trip destination between Harrogate and York, offering a castle, viaduct, caves, river views, gardens and a market, with convenient rail links from Leeds and York. Visitors and residents praise its scenery, activities, community atmosphere and family appeal, although locals Cliff and Jean say extensive new housing has increased congestion.

A photographic gallery revisits nights out in July 2015 across Teesside, featuring 50 images from Vault Hidden Bar in Stockton, Ku Bar, The Empire, Atik and Valentino's Bar in Middlesbrough. The gallery includes photographs by several local photographers and invites readers to identify themselves or others pictured.

A gallery profiles 26 dogs at Dogs Trust Darlington that are seeking permanent homes, including long-term residents such as Pixie, Toby and Amber. Each profile outlines the dog’s personality, training progress, behavioural needs and preferred home environment, including requirements concerning children, other pets, gardens, walking areas and adopter experience. Prospective adopters can indicate their preferences and select up to four favourite dogs through the charity’s application process.

A 30-year-old cyclist was taken to James Cook University Hospital with a non-life-threatening head injury after colliding with a Renault Symbioz at the junction of Cargo Fleet Lane and Longlands Road in Middlesbrough. A 40-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having no insurance and driving under the influence of drugs. The Trunk Road closure has since been lifted, and Cleveland Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

A £1 million EuroMillions Millionaire Maker prize from a ticket bought in Hartlepool on 13 March 2026 remains unclaimed. The winning ticket bears code JLZG97793, and the holder must claim the prize by 9 September 2026, 180 days after the draw. Allwyn is urging players to check old tickets; if no claim is made, the prize and accrued interest will go to National Lottery-funded projects.

Police drone footage captured 19-year-old Junior Lavin carrying out a crack cocaine deal in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park on February 16. Officers arrested him after a short foot pursuit and seized an electric bike and more than 30 deals of crack cocaine; a second bike was recovered during a search. Lavin was later convicted of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, possessing criminal property, and driving without a licence or insurance, receiving a two-year sentence suspended for two years. Police said they would continue using drones and other tactics to target class A drug dealing and illegal bikes.

Alexandra Walker and her boyfriend Harrison Simpson were sentenced to life in prison for the murder and cruelty of Walker's two-year-old daughter, Isabelle Welsh, in Thornaby. Simpson received a minimum term of 28 years and six months and Walker 22 years, less time served on remand; Simpson was also convicted of sexually assaulting Isabelle. The court heard that Isabelle endured weeks of severe abuse, including 21 broken bones and a fatal head injury, while both defendants delayed seeking medical help and attempted to conceal what had happened. The judge described the injuries as sadistic and said Walker's actions focused on protecting herself rather than her daughter.

Plans for Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s 2027 season are already well advanced, according to promoter Peter Taylor of Cuffe and Taylor. Taylor’s wishlist includes Bruce Springsteen, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys and Take That, while he would also like to welcome back Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi and Kylie after successful previous shows. The venue has reported record-breaking box-office demand during its 2026 season, which features acts including Hollywood Vampires, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and the Sex Pistols.

Teesside chef Scott John-Hodgson has been promoted from head chef at Solstice to executive chef overseeing both Newcastle Michelin-starred restaurants operated by Kenny Atkinson: Solstice and House of Tides. The move follows John-Hodgson’s 2026 Restaurant Chef award from the Craft Guild of Chefs and recognizes his progression since joining Atkinson’s team in 2018. He will lead the day-to-day running of both kitchens while continuing to develop seasonal, locally focused menus and mentor junior staff. Atkinson will remain involved in the kitchens but plans to devote more time to business development and brand collaborations.

One person died and another suffered life-changing injuries after an incident on railway tracks near Eaglescliffe, Teesside, on July 28. British Transport Police and multiple emergency services attended, and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. A separate passenger who became unwell on the train was assisted off the train but did not require treatment.

Zakariya Horvath was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to participating in a conspiracy that impersonated police officers and targeted at least 28 elderly people across North East England between December 2020 and January 2021. One North Tyneside woman was manipulated into withdrawing £7,500 from her savings, which a courier collected after she could not deliver it to London. Other victims resisted the scam, although several suffered significant stress and anxiety. Horvath absconded before sentencing and was arrested three years later; the judge described the offending as sophisticated, planned and deliberately focused on vulnerable people.

Tom Jones delivered a sold-out 90-minute performance at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in North Yorkshire, marking his fifth headline appearance at the venue. His set included hits such as “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s Up Pussycat,” “Sex Bomb” and “Delilah,” followed by an encore featuring “Green Green Grass of Home,” “Johnny B. Goode” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Stone Foundation opened the show, while the venue’s summer season continues with performances by The Streets and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter.