News for Chester

Parents Warned Over Measles Outbreak

A measles outbreak in Cheshire’s promoted calls for children to get the MMR vaccine.

Sixteen cases have been reported so far since the beginning of July.

Children as young as ten months have been diagnosed, with two requiring hospital treatment. Both have since made a full recovery.

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Saltney Fundraiser for Military Hospital

Fundraisers in Saltney are trying to raise money for a military hospital.

Margaret McKeegan is spearheading the campaign in an effort to raise thousands for Selly Oak in Birmingham.

The hospital cares for troops who have been injured in Afghanistan.

The event will be held at Saltney Social Club later this month.

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Chester Event Takes on Big Challenge

Chester’s Giant Festival is set to have a more global flavour come 2012.

The event’s organisers want 206 giants to take part in the annual parade that year.

They would represent the number of countries taking part in the London Olympics.

The event attracts thousands of visitors every year.

News for Chester

Ex-Cheshire Jets Star Dies in Shooting

A former Cheshire Jets player has died in the United States.

Shuan Stegall was shot while trying to break up an argument. He later died from his wounds at a hospital in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Police have been unable to find his killers.

The 25-year-old American played for the Jets for a number of seasons before leaving the Chester side in 2008.

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Excessive Drinking on the Increase

Irresponsible boozing is on the up across our region.

According to a study by Liverpool John Moores University, we are among the worst areas for bad drinking habits.

The death toll in England now exceeds fifteen and a half thousand people a year.

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Regeneration for Ellesmere Port Shopping Centre

Work is about to start on the revamp of a shopping centre in Ellesmere Port.

The Council’s hoping it’ll help boost the local economy; create jobs and attract more business investment.

The Port Arcades Shopping Centre is to expand with up to four new units.

The expansion will take over two years to complete, with work due to start on 6th September.

News for Chester

Exercise Benefits ‘Help Prevent’ Cancer

Health experts are urging people across Chester and North Wales to exercise to prevent cancer.

We are being told that,  nationally, more than 10-thousand cases of breast and bowel cancer could be prevented each year if people took more exercise.

Everything from taking a brisk walk to doing the vacuuming can make a difference.

They recommend 45 minutes a day of moderate activity.

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Householders Face More Negative Equity

People who bought their homes at the height of the housing boom in Cheshire could face another four years of negative equity, before they can get back what they paid.

The National Housing Federation is forecasting a lack of new-build housing will boost prices by 2014.

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Delay for Chester School’s Return

Over two hundred pupils at a Chester primary school are to get two days extra summer holiday.

Building work on a Children’s Centre at Elton school has been delayed and won’t be finished in time for their return on 2nd September.

News for Chester

Scam Warning Issued

Residents are being advised to look out for  a scam involving alarm systems.

It follows a number of reports alarm companies using dubious selling techniques are in operation.

People have been persuaded to sign up for an alarm system by businesses claiming that it had been endorsed by the police, fire service or the home office.

Trading Standards tell us some residents have been misled into thinking the system was going to be free or provided at a heavily discounted cost, but have subsequently been faced with a large bill.

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Chester School gets Later Start Date 

Two hundred pupils at a Chester primary school are to get a longer summer holiday.

Building work on a Children’s Centre at Elton school has been delayed and will not be finished for them to return on 2nd September. 

Parents and carers have been sent letters warning of the delay.

A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council says the decision to delay the start of term has been taken on health and safety grounds and in the best interests of the children.

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Housing Help for Residents 

Cheshire West and Chester’s ‘Housing Solutions’ team is being expanded.

It follows being awarded “Trailblazer” status and £240 thousand pounds to develop their services.

They have now recruited seven new members of staff who specialise in employment and training, money and mortgage arrears advice, offender resettlement and rough sleeping.

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Chester FC Game Postponed

Chester Football Club’s  game against Prescott Cables has been postponed.

It’s because the Blues’ opponents are involved in an FA Cup replay.

Chester are next in action when they travel to Wakefield.

News for Chester

Obesity Costs NHS Billions

Obesity is weighing heavily on the NHS.

There has been a 785 percent rise in the number of weight-loss operations in England over five years.

It is costing the health service more than 4 billion pounds a year.

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Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Work with Local Schools

Almost three thousand deliberate fires are started in our area every year – and according to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, most of them by children and teenagers.

They are now working with local schools on a special competition to raise awareness.

It focuses on teaching children the dangers of matches and lighters.

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Underage Drinking Campaign Continues

A campaign against underage drinking is continuing in Cheshire.

Retailers are being subjected to trials to see if they sell alcohol to underage volunteers.

Officers are targeting youngsters in the evenings and at weekends

News for Chester

GCSE Results Expected to Show Another Rise

Teenagers across Cheshire and North Wales will receive their GCSE results today.

The pass rate is expected to show another rise.

For those who do not get the grades they had hoped for, there are words of
encouragement from employment experts.

They say many firms recruit young people based on their attitude and
potential, not simply their academic record.

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Anti-Social Behaviour Scheme Praised

An anti-social behaviour project is being praised for reducing re-offending rates.

Teams of youths have been helping to restore Chester Cemetery.

According to Cheshire West and Chester Council, the amount of anti-social behaviour appears to have dropped since the scheme began.

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Deeside Attack Investigated

Police are investigating an assault on a man in Deeside.

The victim was repeatedly kicked by a group of three men while on the ground in Shotton.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning on the A548 at the junction with Shotton Lane.

News for Chester

The Results Are In…..

Thousands of students across Cheshire and North Wales are getting their A-level results.

The pass rate has risen for the 28th year in a row.

One in 12 exams scored the new top A-star grade and more than one in 4 entries gained an A grade.

But there are concerns thousands of students could miss out on a university place, as a result of cut backs and higher demand.

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Chester Bank Faces Possible Job Losses

The Chester-based Bank of America could cut over a hundred jobs.

Staff have been told positions may be at risk as the company looks at restructuring.

They currently employ four thousand people at Chester Business Park.

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Chester FC Fundraiser

A special golfing day is being held for Chester Football Club.

As the Blues embark on their new season, fans and local businesses are taking part.

All the money raised from the day in Tarporley will go to the club.

A special golfing day’s being held for Chester Football Club today.

As the Blues embark on their new season, fans and local businesses are taking part.

All the money raised from the day in Tarporley will go to the club.

News for Chester

Quarries Warning for Youngsters

As the school holidays continue, young people in Cheshire are being warned to stay away from quarries.

Every year a young person is killed or injured.

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Number Plate Thefts on Rise

Cheshire Police are urging the public to pick up security screws after a rise in number plate thefts.

Drivers are not able to use the cars if the plates have been stolen and they have to pay for replacements.

Security screws, ultra-violet pens and Smart water can be used to deter thieves.

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 Campaign Focus on Passive Smoking Threat

The Smoke free Campaign is coming to Cheshire.

It is encouraging parents to protect their children from second-hand smoke.

It can damage their hearing, bring on asthma attacks and even cause cot death.

News for Chester

Underage Drinkers Targeted by Police

Shops, bars and clubs are being targeted by Cheshire Police in a crackdown on underage drinking.

It comes after a local retailer was caught selling booze to a child.

More trial runs are being planned to see if other shops are checking for ID before making sales.

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Hunt Continues for Armed Robbers

Residents and businesses in Frodsham are being told police are doing all they can to find two armed robbers.

They held up a post office and threatened the postmistress with a gun on Monday morning.

In a statement, Cheshire Police says its local officers are out in the area to offer reassurance to residents and businesses.

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New Sports Campaign Launched to Combat Drugs

A new campaign is underway in Cheshire to engage children with sport.

It comes after findings showed parents think playing at sports is the best way to combat the temptation of drugs.

Now a range of activities are being staged across the county to encourage youngsters to take part in games.

The initiative has the backing of leading sporting figures and celebrities.

News for Chester

Person Struck by Train at Chester

British Transport Police are investigating after a person was struck by a train at Chester.

It happened early Tuesday morning.

Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin services via Chester were affected.

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More Police Patrols to tackle Anti-social Behaviour

Police patrols are being stepped up to reduce anti-social behaviour among Cheshire youths.

Evenings and weekends will become the focus for officers.

Youngsters will also be encouraged to take part in activities to occupy their time over the summer holidays.

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Local Man Cycles From Spain to Chester

A Chester man’s raising money and awareness for a rare illness – by cycling a thousand miles.

Jack Yates will be making the journey  from Spain to Chester.

It’s for Attaxia UK which provides support for sufferers of the condition, which  affects the nervous system.