Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Our coverage across the Channel Islands has finished for today.

We'll be back on Friday from 08:00 with the latest news, weather, travel and sport.

Don't forget BBC Channel Islands News on BBC One at 18:30 and 22:30.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

September 2017 was wetter, duller, and cooler than average, according to data released by the Guernsey Met Department.

Rainfall was more than 30mm more than the September average.

October was milder and drier than average, with the average temperature 13.7C (57F), nearly one degree higher than average.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A leaflet from the Arrive Alive campaign is warning ride-sharers in Jersey of the dangers of paying for lifts from strangers.

Image source, States of Jersey Police

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Mobile phone coverage on mobile 4G networks on Sark and Herm falls below targets set by the Channel Islands' regulator.

CICRA says there are "particular issues" on the islands owing to their terrain and the existing masts. Overall, 4G coverage was rated as excellent when Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney were included. , external

"We are facilitating discussions between operators and those jurisdictions to see where things can be further improved,” CEO Michael Byrne said.

There have been no complaints from island customers, he said, but where 4G coverage was limited, operators have made modifications to the existing 3G networks to improve speed.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

An airline hoping to operate commercial flights from Alderney says a second aircraft is due on the island "in a matter of weeks", as it prepares to launch.

Air Alderney is yet to receive an Air Operator Certificate to carry passengers, but is conducting trials including helicopter flights.

In an update on Facebook, the company said: , external

• The airline's first aircraft is in Alderney, with a second named 2-BILL due there "in a matter of weeks"
• Three pilots have been recruited, and efforts are continuing to secure ground handling services locally and at destination airports
• An airport office is operational and an office in Victoria Street will open in the coming weeks to handle reservations
• The airline intends to offer direct flights from Alderney to Jersey, Cherbourg, Solent, and a summer service to Brighton
• No launch date has been confirmed

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey farmers are using a weedkiller banned by the European Parliament to reduce the need for chemicals after planting, Jersey's farmers union says.

Peter Le Maistre believes glyphosate-based herbicides are used mainly for cereals and are more common in the UK than in Jersey.

He says it isn't sprayed on bare soil but on weeds and grass.

"Some farmers believe that by burning off grass before you ploughed in, you reduce the amount of weeds that will come up once the potatoes are planted, so consequently you don't have to use as much chemical after."

BBC Radio Guernsey

The head of the island of Sark Major Christopher Beaumont is to discuss his vision for the future of the island.

Sark's Chamber of Commerce is hosting the open event on 21 November 2017 at the Sark Sanctuary Centre.

Mr Beaumont inherited the title from his father, Michael, who died in July 2016.

He's expected to talk about his plans for La Seigneurie, the ancestral home his mother and father had moved out from.

BBC Weather

Cloud will start to thicken from the north later today.

It will lead to a milder night than of late, but some clear spells are possible allowing the odd patch of mist or fog to form.

Jersey:

Guernsey:

BBC Radio Guernsey

The States of Guernsey has launched an initiative to try and stop cars being left for sale in coastal car parks

Rather than making all car parks disc zones, and subject to charges, the environment and infrastructure committee will place signs at popular car parks, including Vazon and Cobo.

From Monday, expect to see the following messages:

"Guernsey’s beautiful west coast, famous for its wrecks…..So we don’t need any sold from this car park."

"Buyer beware, rust is not your colour! Salt is very corrosive, don’t waste your money. Please don’t buy vehicles from this car park."

Vale Castle car park will, however, be subject to parking charges as it moves to a "23-hour approved parking place" after vehicles were being left in the car park for extended periods of time, the States said.

Jersey Evening Post

Police negotiators were deployed on more than 30 jobs last year, almost all of them related to suicide prevention, figures released to the JEP show., external

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The big boys of the top Priaulx League enter the Guernsey FA Cup in the second round.

This morning's draw included both the first and second rounds, and will see Alderney face North.

Here's the full draw:

Manzur FC or Rovers AC Vets vs Rovers AC Jackson or Centrals FC

Rovers AC vs Valencia or Red Lion

Vale Recreation FC or Rovers AC Railway vs UCF Sylvans

St Martins vs Manzur Yew or Drainforce North

Police or Rangers vs Belgrave Wanderers or St Martins

Kitchen Transformations or Rocquaine Pirates vs Sylvans SC Railway or Thrive Physiotherapy

Alderney vs North

London House Bels or CF Independent vs Rangers

Sylvans SC Railway vs Thrive Physiotherapy

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The sighting of a lone Asian hornet flying near Guernsey's Belvedere field in St Peter Port has prompted a States of Guernsey appeal.

Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services is asking all land and property owners living within a 2km radius of the Belvedere lookout to check all trees, hedges, outbuildings, attic spaces and walls for signs of a nest.

Should you discover any hornets, you are asked to email or call the States. , external

Queen hornets will shortly be leaving the nest over the winter, with survivors going on to build new nests next year.

The States says it is therefore important any nests are found soon.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey police could ask insurance companies to withdraw cover from people who offer lifts in their vehicles for money on social media.

Police are issuing leaflets to people advertising their services on Jersey Lifts, warning they will pass on their registration number to insurers.

The leaflet has been created with the support of local insurers.

In a statement Jersey Lifts said, external police have taken a "heavy-handed, oppressive, tone" and provided "vague information on legal repercussions".

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

September was the wettest in 24 years, according to data released by the Jersey Met Department.

The month was much wetter, a little cooler, and duller than average, with more than double the average rain falling.

In October, temperatures were a degree higher than the monthly average, and total rainfall was significantly lower than the 30-year average.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Image source, CICRA

The Channel Islands' competition regulator says average speeds and coverage on the islands' mobile 4G networks are "excellent".

The group recently tested 4G coverage across Jersey, Guernsey. Alderney, Sark and Herm. , external

“In most cases Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney are achieving download speeds and coverage that are 10 times more than the target and exceeding those in much of the UK; these are excellent results for telecoms customers,” CEO Michael Byrne said.

“Overall this is very good news for the Channel Islands and demonstrates our mobile connectivity is among the best in the British Isles.”

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Herm's outgoing chief executive says his successor's experience means he's in a "good place" to takeover running the island.

Jonathan Watson is stepping down from his role next month after nine years in the job.

Craig Senior, who has management experience in the UK hospitality sector, is taking on the CEO role

Mr Watson said: "He comes from a hospitality and leisure background in the UK, where he operates multi-sites.

"I think he'll be in a good place to pick the reins up and work with the team here on the island."

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's environment minister says island farmers will continue to use a pesticide banned by the EU.

Glyphosate is commonly used in Jersey, but has been banned from 2022, with its use being restricted in the meantime.

The cancer research arm of the World Health Organization says glyphosate could cause cancer, but other organisations say the research hasn't proved a danger, and the chemical is safe.

Deputy Steve Luce says people in Jersey will continue to use glyphosate ahead of the ban coming into force.

"It's a very important chemical, but it's only used by certified operators using machines which are properly calibrated every year, passing all the codes of conduct.

"The product we use is tested, and tested, and tested."

Jersey Evening Post

Calls to increase the minimum wage by a further 38p per hour, on top of the 21p already proposed, have been made by Jersey’s only political party., external

Guernsey Press

Grass is now all that stands between young people and the new section of playground at Saumarez Park., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Image source, Air Alderney

An airline hoping to offer flights from Alderney to Jersey, France and the south of England says it's trialing a helicopter this week.

In a Facebook post Air Alderney said it was exploring possibilities at how the island can be best served by air., external

It said: "As such we are trialing a helicopter this week to ascertain whether this could be beneficial in medevac circumstances."

The airline said it was "working hard" to obtain an Air Operator Certificate so it can begin commercial flights.