Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

BBC Weather

Thursday night looks set to be dry with clear periods and patchy cloud cover. Cooler than it was last night too.

Minimum Temperature: 12 to 16C (54 to 61F).

Friday will see some sunshine at times, but here will often be a good deal of cloud around with the chance of a shower. A breezy day.

Maximum Temperature: 13 to 17C (55 to 63F).

BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey mother says she travels to Portugal to access support for her autistic son, because there is not enough help available in the island.

Sandra Brinco claims she saves all year to send her six-year-old son Jamie abroad for treatment.

When Jamie is home she says she has to find her own solutions to ensure he is supported. It's included getting him a dog, in a bid to keep him calm and focused.

Mrs Brinco says one-to-one therapy has made a huge difference to her son, but she is unable to get that treatment for him in Jersey.

A spokeswoman for the States of Jersey's Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills confirmed a meeting had been arranged to discuss Ms Brinco's issues in detail.

BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey homeowner, who a States panel found was discriminated against by government officials, is refusing to take down protest banners on his property in St Mary.

The States of Jersey Complaints Board found Ivor Barette was treated in an "oppressive way" during a dispute over renovation work at a house he owned.

In 2016 Mr Barette was fined £50,000 for removing windows and flooring from the grade three listed property, without permission.

He said the fine meant he did not have the money to renovate the property and says the signs will stay up until he gets financial compensation.

The States of Jersey has been approached for comment.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A new reciprocal health agreement between Guernsey and the UK is sorely needed, a politician has said.

Image source, Getty Images

The old agreement ceased in 2010 on the grounds it did not represent "value for money" for the UK taxpayer.

Visitors to the UK from the Channel Islands were able to access NHS healthcare at no cost under the old terms.

But UK's Department of Health judged that more was spent by the UK on treating Crown Dependencies visitors to the UK than was spent by the Crown Dependencies on UK visitors to the islands, external.

Currently islanders are eligible for free treatment in accident and emergency departments in the UK.

Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc says health cover for islanders visiting the UK was "essential", and the States of Guernsey's external relations representative were working "really hard" with the UK government on a new agreement.

BBC Radio Jersey

A total of 1,617 Jersey pupils were entered for 7,724 GCSE or IGCSE examinations, with a pass rate of 99.1%, says the States.

This includes pupils taking exams early and resits.

In the preliminary GCSE results 77% of grades were C, 4 or higher, which is up from 70.6% last year.

Senator Tracey Vallois, Education Minister, paid tribute to students, the support of their families and the dedication of teachers.

She said teachers "deserve recognition for the significant effort involved in introducing a new system and guiding our young people through these reformed GCSEs".

BBC Radio Jersey

Government intervention to bring down healthcare costs is not the answer, according to Jersey's Consumer Council.

Anne King, from the council, said regulation should not be used to control prices, as this could stop private companies being "competitive" by introducing special offers and discounts.

She says it is good companies have to "win" business from competitors and transparency over the prices of private health services was the best way to reduce costs.

The council is setting up a new website for people to compare the costs of doctor and dentist appointments in surgeries around the island.

Ms King says whilst dental prices have gone down in the island, she would like to see more "competitive prices" from GPs, who benefit from some States funding.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Schools in Guernsey have released this year's GCSE results.

More than 20 subjects have departed from the old A* to G grading to the new numerical system of grades 9 to 1.

Image source, States of Guernsey

Overall 72.8% of GCSE students in schools across Guernsey and Alderney achieved five or more grades nine to four, roughly equivalent to A* to C grades under the old system, a 2.5% rise on 2017.

68.4% of those students received five or more grades nine to four including English and Maths.

The totals include results from the three grant-aided private colleges in Guernsey, and those in special schools.

GCSE pass rates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have also risen this year - despite an overhaul to make the exams more demanding.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Police are investigating after 27 swastikas were drawn on World War Two German fortifications at Jersey's Elizabeth Castle.

Officers said the symbols were drawn in black permanent marker pen, with the letters SS and HH drawn nearby.

Two German bunkers were targeted with the graffiti, one near the castle's gatehouse and one in the corner of the parade ground. The lookout tower at the top of the castle was also vandalised.

Image source, States of Jersey Police

The fortifications form part of German modifications made to the 16th Century castle during the occupation of the Channel Islands, which lasted from 1940-1945.

In June, vandals daubed 68 swastikas across a memorial to Russian slave workers who suffered during the occupation in Jersey.

Image source, States of Jersey Police

More on this story:

• Jersey World War Two bunkers sprayed with 40 swastikas

Rob England
BBC News Online

An initiative to create special habitats for bees and wasps in Guernsey has proved successful, according to the Societe Guernesiaise.

Image source, Barry Wells

Members taking part in the "pollinator project" created small "bee cliffs" in an area of hillside at Fort Le Marchant in the Vale, and cordoned off the area.

"Within a few weeks, the area was being used by Silvery Leafcutter Bees, a species of insect with a limited distribution in Guernsey, as well as other tiny mining bees," a spokesman said.

Image source, Barry Wells

He added the European Beewolf, a solitary wasp, was also seen in the area.

The project was taken on to improve the biodiversity of the area, according to the Vale Commons Council, who supported it.

It will be extended into the autumn, with project members adding more to the habitat, ready for next year.

BBC Radio Jersey

Schools in Jersey are being warned of the dangers from an increasing number of Asian Hornet colonies.

Environmental experts and emergency services will meet on Thursday to draw up plans to deal with any new nests discovered ahead of schools reopening next month.

Eight colonies have been destroyed in St Saviour this year. Beekeepers in Jersey have been hunting the nests in an attempt to control the spread of Asian hornets across the island.

Asian hornets are an invasive species which preys on all pollinators, and threatens fragile bee populations.

More on this story:

• Asian hornet scientists in 'breakthrough' to stop spread
• Beekeeper on the hunt for Asian hornets in Jersey

Rob England
BBC News Online

You don't usually hear about a toucan crossing, and now two have come along at once in the Channel Islands.

Toucan crossings, external are so named because they allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and cross roads at the same time.

Meaning "two can" cross...

In Guernsey the crossing is planned for the junction of Grandes Maisons Road and Bulwer Avenue, St Sampson. It could be the island's second crossing, or crossing number two(can).

And in Jersey a crossing is being suggested , externalbetween Corbiere and St Aubin on the railway walk or La Rue du Pont Marquet.

Deputy Kevin Lewis, the island's Minister for Infrastructure said it could make the area safer for families with young children in particular.

Rob England
BBC News Online

People learning to drive in Guernsey will have to show they can follow a route on a sat nav, according to the States, external.

Image source, Getty Images

A spokesman said the changes are being introduced on 10 September to reflect the UK test, which was updated last year.

The UK government modified the test , externalto reflect more real-life scenarios. The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency says about half of all car drivers own a sat nav.

The existing "independent drive section" of the test will be replaced by a 20-minute section where the candidate will be asked to follow a highlighted route on a sat-nav, the States spokesman added.

BBC Radio Guernsey

A politician has apologised for saying officials in Guernsey's planning authority find public panels "annoying".

Deputy John Gollop, the president of the authority, made the comment after Deputy Lester Queripel called for the board to hold more public meetings in the future, to allow islanders to comment on planning applications.

Recently the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) was questioned over its decision not to hold a public meeting over a property development in Cobo.

Deputy Gollop says he will now look to have "greater public engagement" and more "open planning meetings".

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Plans for a major junction in St Sampson, Guernsey, to become a light-controlled toucan crossing have been submitted to the Development and Planning Authority.

The junction of Grandes Maisons Road and Bulwer Avenue in Guernsey is a major commuter route for workers heading to St Peter Port.

Here's what you've been saying on Facebook.

Brian: "This would give the only such crossing between Town and Bridge. Guernsey’s busiest road, pavement opposite the houses, wide in places, 35mph, largest vehicles. That ratio seems to reflect the approach to pedestrian safety and encouraging people to think beyond the car as a means of travelling from A to B, even when B is close to A."

Sam: "This makes me happy. Such a horrible place to cross. Pedestrian/cycle subway would be great here and at the main roundabout."

Wayne: "I like the idea, but its not that road that has the problem, most people that cycle that way towards the bridge use the zebra crossing to get safely across the road about 200m away."

Bobby: "If you’re that intimidated why don’t you walk down the road to the zebra crossing."

Rob England
BBC News Online

Rue Du Friquet in Castel is now clear after a two-car crash, according to police.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Concerns over possible vandalism have led a Guernsey parish to restrict the opening hours of public toilets.

The South Side toilets at the bridge in St Sampson will be open from 08:00 on Friday morning, and from then 07:00-19:00 each day.

Douzenier Chris Pattimore says the parish had a "finite amount of resources" and he hopes the limited hours will keep the toilets from being ruined.

The toilets were closed in 2011.

Mr Pattimore said he wanted to reopen the facilities after he heard feedback from shopkeepers, boat owners and islanders.

Previously, public toilets in the St Sampson area have been vandalised.

BBC Radio Jersey

A complaints board has found a man was treated in "an oppressive and improperly discriminatory" manner by the Jersey government.

Ivor Barette, from St Mary, was fined £50,000 in 2016 by the island's planning authority for removing windows and flooring in his grade three listed property, which is near the parish hall.

He later put up signs around the property complaining about his treatment, and claimed the fine meant he no longer had the funds to renovate the property.

Mr Barette told the complaints board communication broke down with the department and described the emotional impact of unannounced visits by enforcement officers.

He told the complaints board "excessive monitoring" of ongoing building works by two enforcement officers had created an atmosphere of distrust and conflict.

The board has recommended the department send Mr Barrette a written apology.

The Department for Planning and Environment has said it tries to work with clients to agree the best way to protect the island's heritage.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A road is blocked after a crash involving two vehicles in Guernsey.

It happened at about 09:50 near La Baguette, Rue Du Friquet, Castel.

Officers have asked the public to avoid the area.

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