In the papers: Mystery over boat cruisespublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
The Worcester News has these headlines today:
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In the papers: Mystery over boat cruisespublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Yields of wheat shredded in heatpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
A Worcestershire farmer says the hot weather has led to a significant fall in the amount of wheat being harvested on his land.
The National Farmers Union is warning of crops being "parched to the bone" and says livestock farmers are already using winter rations.
On Overbury Farms near Bredon Hill, Evesham, yields of wheat are reportedly down by about a fifth.
Quote MessageThere are financial implications. Obviously, that has an impact, slightly offset by the fact this heatwave is going right across Europe and into Russia so world supplies of wheat will be tight this year."
Jake Freestone, Farmer
Beauty spot blaze was 'arson'published at 12:18 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Lee Blakeman
BBC Radio StokeA large grassland fire that almost threatened residents' homes in a nearby village was started deliberately, the fire service said.
Image source, James SandersAt its height last night, about 30 firefighters had to be called to the blaze in Mow Cop, Staffordshire.
Crews said the blaze spread across an area of 100m by 20m and plumes of smoke could be seen for miles around.
Football boss signs face on fan's bottompublished at 11:59 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Well, this gives a whole new meaning to bottom of the league...
Birmingham City fan Kevin Tomlinson has had club boss Gary Monk tattooed on his backside and last night, Monk came face to face with the image - or should that be cheek to cheek?
The flattered manager signed the masterpiece - a bum note, if you will
Image source, Birmingham City Football ClubImage caption, Fan turns the other cheek
Mr Tomlinson vowed to have Monk's face etched on him if Blues clinched survival by beating Fulham in the final match of last season.
When City came out 3-1 winners, Monk contributed to the May inking, putting £80 towards the endeavour.
And if you're yet to have your fill of football-themed designs added to lower halves, remember this from earlier in the summer?
Media caption, England fan hopes Harry Kane tattoo will 'boost' team
Sentence increase for death crash driverpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Casper Platt-May, two, and his brother Corey, six, had their lives "ripped away" by Robert Brown.
Read MoreTwo jailed for killing taxi driverpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Andy Giddings
BBC NewsTwo men have each been jailed for six years for killing a Telford taxi driver.
Brandon Dowen, 19, of Telford, and John Cox, 32, of Wolverhampton, had both previously denied manslaughter but were found guilty at Stafford Crown Court.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceImage caption, Cox and Dowen
In passing sentence at the same court earlier, judge Michael Chambers QC set out how 51-year-old Ishfaq Hussain had stopped on 7 August 2017 to ask directions of Dowen’s girlfriend.
He said the attack had been triggered by their mistaken belief that Mr Hussain had tried to “proposition her sexually”.
Judge Chambers said the pair had set out to “teach [Mr Hussain] a lesson” and Cox drove after him in a “high speed pursuit”, with Dowen carrying out a “repeated and sustained attack”.
He added when Mr Hussain drove off at speed to escape, he collided with a tree, causing fatal injuries.
Villa changes could affect Chester dealpublished at 11:38 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Stoke City boss Gary Rowett says Aston Villa's change of ownership may affect their chances of signing centre-back James Chester.
Read MoreChief constable on beat amid 'high demand'published at 11:35 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said his experience on the beat was a test of memory and skill.
Read MoreBrothers' crash deaths: Killer's sentence increasedpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
A speeding driver who killed two young brothers in a hit-and-run crash has had his prison sentenced increased.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceCoventry boys Corey and Casper Platt-May - aged six and two - died when they were hit by a car driven by Robert Brown in February.
Brown, 53, admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving and was jailed for nine years.
At the Court of Appeal in London earlier, his sentence was increased to 10.5 years.
Sir Brian Leveson, sitting with two other judges, said the case justified a term "at the very top of the sentencing range" for the offence.
Steve Bruce 'delighted' to stay on as Aston Villa bosspublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Aston Villa fans have welcomed the news that Steve Bruce will stay on as manager following a meeting with the club's new owners.
There had been speculation he was to be replaced with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. But Bruce has been assured he has the owners' "full support".
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End of twitter postWarning issued for thunderstormspublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Parts of Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands could experience thunderstorms this afternoon, the Met Office is warning., external
It's issued a yellow warning which is in place between 14:00 and 21:00 today.
Image source, Met OfficeIn the papers: Teen sexually assaulted while cyclingpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Stoke-on-Trent LiveStoke-on-Trent Live is covering these stories today:
Crews dealing with hundreds of outdoor firespublished at 09:25 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
The fire service in the West Midlands has been called to tackle hundreds of outdoor fires in the hot weather.
It said it's had a "higher than expected" number of call-outs, with crews dealing with 479 outdoor blazes between June 20 and July 1 - up from 301 during the same period in 2017.
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End of twitter postMan arrested after city centre incidentpublished at 09:09 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
A man remains in custody this morning after part of the Bullring in Birmingham was cordoned-off on Wednesday, police say.
The West Midlands Force said the 33-year-old from Erdington, Birmingham, was arrested just after 19:00 last night on suspicion of possessing a bladed article in public.
Woman hurt by corrosive substance remains in 'serious' conditionpublished at 08:52 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
A woman who suffered facial injuries when a corrosive substance was thrown at her remains in hospital in a "serious" condition, police say.
Image source, GoogleDrag queens give support to banned teenpublished at 08:35 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Performers have offered Lewis Bailey the chance to perform at events across the country.
Read MoreMedal company wins £50m contractpublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
A family-run medal manufacturer has won a £50m contract to supply the Ministry of Defence.
The Worcestershire Medal Company, which has a base in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, already makes items for knighthoods and military MBEs.
The contract includes an order for medals which haven't been made outside the Royal Mint for 200 years.
In the papers: Racist chanting investigation droppedpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
On the Express and Star website today:
Crews tackle large grassland firepublished at 07:56 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
Fire crews are still at the scene of a large grass fire in Mow Cop, Staffordshire.
They were called to the Rockside area, close to the former quarry site, at about 19:40 on Wednesday.
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End of twitter postAbout 30 firefighters tackled the blaze overnight, with some remaining to deal with hot spots.
The fire covered a 100m by 20m section of land, the fire service said.
Brothers' crash deaths: Court to rule on 'too lenient' sentencepublished at 07:48 British Summer Time 26 July 2018
The man jailed for killing two young brothers in a hit-and-run crash earlier this year is set to find out today whether his nine-year jail term will be increased.
Image source, Family handoutCoventry boys Corey and Casper Platt-May - aged six and two - died when they were hit by a car driven by Robert Brown in February.
Brown, 53, admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
Solicitor General Robert Buckland argued at a hearing earlier in July that Brown's sentence was "unduly lenient".
Judges are due to give their ruling at the Court of Appeal later this morning.
