Cat killer jailed serving a minimum of 24 years in prison
Scarlet Blake, 26, has been jailed for life for the murder of Jorge Martin Carreno, 30.
Four months before the murder, Blake killed her family's pet cat and decided to kill Carreno in homage to the Netflix documentary, 'Don't F*** With Cats'. Prosecutors said Blake had a “fixation with violence and with knowing what it would be like to kill someone”.
The prosecution said Blake had an “extreme interest in death and in harm”, and got sexual gratification from violence and killings.
Fundraiser set up to raise money to revive patient favourite radio station
A fundraiser has been set up to get a local radio station back on air after it was forced to close nearly two years ago.
The patient favourite, Sheffield Hospital Radio, has been off air since 2021, after its radio room in Royal Hallamshire Hospital was closed due to health and safety concerns.
The charity organisation is asking for donations to get back on the airwaves in a new location on Beech Road so they can provide their services to hospital patients across Sheffield.
Steve Flowers is the programme coordinator for the radio station and believes it’s important for patients that the radio keeps broadcasting.
“It's not very pleasant being in hospital at the best of times. Some people don't have regular visitors,” said Mr Flowers. “It gives them a bit of a focus. Hopefully it entertains them and it gives them some commonality with the people around them.”
Before the pandemic, the radio presenters would visit patients in the wards across the hospital, creating connections with those who might have felt lonely in hospital.
Jon Price, Vice Chair of the station, said only 40% of patients in the hospital get visits and “by playing requests it makes them feel more involved and cared for.”
The new studio has been set aside for the charity but they cannot resume broadcasting until new equipment has been purchased.
To raise money, the radio station has been taking their show on the road, setting up at local supermarkets, most recently at Morrisons in Hillsborough, asking for donations of any amount.
At these roadshows, Mr Flowers says customers can meet the radio's mascot, Foxy, and request music while they shop. Their next roadshow is planned for 16 March in Crystal Peaks Shopping Mall.
Mr Flowers said: “We'd like for people to come and enjoy what they do, come out to the roadshows, raise some money and just have some fun and that's what it's about.”
The radio first began broadcasting, then known as Northern Radio from Lodge Moor Hospital in 1976, and are a registered charity. With their new radio room, the station also plan to broadcasting on internet radio for the first time.
A GoFundMe has been set up where people can donate to the radio station. People can also purchase the old radio equipment that is no longer needed by contacting emailing info@sheffieldhospitalradio.co.uk.
Mr Price has said that everyone working at the radio station is a volunteer, and they are always looking for more. Information about volunteering can be found here.
Owls bury Bristol with hard-fought win
Sheffield Wednesday made it three wins from four after narrowly beating Bristol City 2-1 at Hillsborough.
Ike Ugbo scored either side of Jason Knight's header to give the Owls a precious three points in the relegation scrap.
They were forced to dig in for the final ten minutes after Di'Shon Bernard was given a second yellow for a badly timed challenge, but the ten owls clung on for victory to boost their survival hopes.
Ugbo opened the scoring with a quick turn in the penalty area and an accurate finish into the bottom corner, but Bristol equalised ten minutes later thanks to Knight's fine looping header.
On the stroke of halftime Canadian Ugbo reacted well to direct Marvin John's cross goalward and make it five goals in his last four games.
The upturn in form could not have come at a better time for Danny Rhol's men, and they are just three points off Queens Park Rangers in 21st.
After the game, the manager said: "I think, it was a big, big win today for us.
"It wasn't easy, we played against a strong side from Bristol, I think they have a good manager, they were well organised and had solutions with the ball."
The final ten minutes could have proved tricky for Wednesday after Bernard went sliding in recklessly, but Bristol failed to take advantage and it was Wednesday who perhaps should have scored after Max O'Leary reacted well to Michael Smith's stoppage-time effort.
Sheffield face a short trip to local rivals Rotherham next, the only team currently below Sheffield Wednesday, in a South Yorkshire clash that the Owls will feel confident of emerging from victorious.
Revenue budget is approved by Doncaster City Council
Revenue budget proposals have been approved by Doncaster City Council, at their meeting today.
These proposals set out a balanced budget, intending to make support for Doncaster people, businesses, and communities a priority during upcoming decisions.
Sir Keir Starmer hits out at Rishi Sunak for lacking “a backbone”
Mr Starmer has said that Islamophobia should be called out by every political leader.
He said: “I think this is straightforward. It’s Islamophobia and the Prime Minister should call it out for what it is.
“The reason he won’t is because he is so weak. They are divided, chaotic and if they are re-elected we are going to have five more years of this.”
Tennis club on the brink of collapse urges residents to donate to their fundraiser
Due to safety standards, Thorncliffe Tennis Club, a non-profit organisation mostly run by volunteers, will be forced to shut down if they cannot raise enough money to resurface their courts.
The club is urging residents to help save the club by donating to its Crowdfunder.
Due to safety standards, the club will be forced to shut if they are unable to raise enough money to get their courts resurfaced.
John Stanton, 59, who has been a member for over 30 years, believes tennis can be an outlet for mental health struggles. He said: "I’ve got an 88-year-old father who has terminal cancer so the club is a godsend for me.
“You can come out and forget about your problems for an hour.”
Other tennis clubs in Sheffield, including Hallamshire, Fulwood and Ecclesall have all been thoroughly financially supported but Thorncliffe's "little tennis club has been forgotten."
Although it only has 60 members, the club is a vital part of the Thorncliffe community. It has been serving the community for 73 years and members would like the club to remain a significant part of the High Green community as it is the only club in north Sheffield.
It aims to raise £54,000, with Sports England pledging £17,500 to the organisation once it achieves 30% of the target amount.
Cheryl Lunn, 60, the club’s secretary, has been a member since she was a teenager and feels a deep connection to the club. She said: “We just want to make sure the club continues to survive, that's all we ask”.
The club does its best to keep membership fees low to encourage people of all ages and all backgrounds to get involved. The oldest member is Eric Smedley, who is 92-years-old and has been playing there every week for 73 years.
To donate to Thorncliffe Tennis Club go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/court-resurfacing
Sheffield City commemorates 80 years since Mi Amigo Crash
Fighter jets flew over Endcliffe Park last Thursday, in memory of the 10 airmen who died in the Mi Amigo crash 80 years ago.
The fly over, by the US air force took place last Thursday and is an important part of remembering the crew who made the emergency crash landing in the park, to avoid further civilian deaths.
Corporate Plan for 2024/2025 approved by City of Doncaster Council
City of Doncaster Council has approved The Corporate Plan for 2024/25, in their council meeting today.
The plan outlines Doncaster's headline strategies for the upcoming year, and how they contribute to the long term partnership strategies of Doncaster Delivering Together alongside the Doncaster vision for thriving people, places, and planet.
Manchester City is looking to repeat last season’s glory
The club's manager, Pep Guardiola, is promising fans that the team are going all in for the upcoming titles.
He said: “The decisive part of the season is here ahead of us, in front of us, not far away, and we are going for it.
“It’s better to play for this than being 10th in the table and (having) no chance for that. The feeling is that if you lose – bye-bye. It’s so nice.
“The problem is September, October – you see the expectations far, far away. In that moment you don’t think about any titles.
“We don’t even now. I would say how we’ll define the end of March, beginning of April depends on what we have done this next month. Tomorrow and this month will (determine) our options.”
“How proud these lads would be”: City commemorates 80 years since Mi Amigo crash
Fighter jets flew over Endciffe Park last Thursday in memory of the 10 airmen who died in the Mi Amigo crash 80 years ago.
Tony Foulds, 87, was at the park with his friends when the plane crashed.
He said: “We never expected to get a fly by because the US air force are always on alert, of course. For them to decide to send F-15s and to come here, for me and my lads – it’s out of this world.
“How proud these lads would be… I’m one of those who firmly believe that they are still here, but I shall be over there with them soon.”
The fly over, by the US air force took place last Thursday and is an important part of remembering the crew who made the emergency crash landing in the park to avoid further civilian deaths.
Mr Foulds has looked after the memorial in the park for many years and he constantly remembers the sacrifice the airmen made to save him and other children in the park that day.
The first flyover, marking 75 years since the Mi Amigo crash, took place in 2019 after journalist Dan Walker met Mr Foulds by chance while on a dog walk.
Mr Foulds claims to be the only remaining person alive who saw the crash happen and has made it his life’s mission to ensure the crew are not forgotten.
Mother of man killed in a knife-attack says she will “never recover”
The mother of Sheffield Hallam worker, Jacob Billington, has said that his death is something that their family will "never recover from", at the inquest held into his death.
Billington, 23, was killed in a knife-attack in Birmingham on 6 September 2020.
Ms Billington said: "For us, Jacob’s death is something we will never recover from and has changed the lives of everyone who knew him.
“He wanted to be alive, he grabbed life with both hands and he was at a great point in his life.”
The inquest continues.
Sheffield’s Ukrainian community gathers for ‘precious’ commemoration
Over 100 people gathered in Sheffield Cathedral last night to commemorate the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
The event consisted of an evening eucharist with Ukrainian orthodox prayer and was followed by live traditional Ukrainian music. The cathedral is also hosting an exhibition of artworks created by wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Event organiser Tanya Klymenko said: “It means a huge amount to the refugees because despite the warmest welcome we got from locals who opened their hearts and homes, it is still important for people to have a sense of belonging and to speak their own language.”