Manchester Police are investigating the theft of purses from vehicles parked at the Manchester Recreation Center. According to Manchester Police Investigator Butch Stewart, this isn’t the first time the thieves have stolen purses from vehicles parked at the recreation center. He noted that the center does not have security cameras in place. Stewart said that the thefts are being committed by the Felony Lane Gang.  The gang has been operating in the Coffee County area for about a year now. He explained that the group is based out of Florida and they have been going all over the southeastern United States stealing purses from cars. During the latest thefts the crooks cashed a $2,000 check in Brentwood, and an investigator there contacted the victim.  Stewart warned that woman should not leave their purses, cell phones or other valuables in their vehicles.

A Tullahoma man is facing patronizing prostitution charges following an incident Wednesday. According to a report by Tullahoma Police officer Rocky Ruehling, the 77-year-old man allegedly offered money to a woman on Whispering Oak Circle for performing a sexual favor. The woman told the officer that the man first offered her a job on his farm but later returned and offered her money for performing the sexual act. The woman told the officer that she recognized him from a previous incident when the man allegedly offered money for sex.

Tennessee wildlife and boating officers made 19 boating under the influence arrests last weekend during a special initiative to promote safety on the water. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reported Wednesday that one boat operator on Chickamauga Lake was arrested for his second BUI offense in three years. Officers wrote 180 citations and inspected about 2,400 vessels during “Operation Dry Water” last Friday through Sunday. Through the Operation Dry Water weekend, there have been six fatal boat accidents resulting in eight fatalities. There have been 45 injury accidents and 40 other accidents that have resulted in property damage. TWRA officers have made 87 BUI arrests, up from 51 at the same time last year and two above the numbers following Operation Dry Water in 2010.

Grass fire causes home to go up in flames... By Barry West

State officials are urging citizens to take fire precautions for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is asking the public to refrain from debris burning until significant precipitation is received and to avoid other activities that could cause fire. Burning permits are required by the state Division of Forestry only during official fire season, Oct. 15 through May 15. However, the number of fires statewide has increased since mid-June due to the unusually hot, dry conditions. Forestry officials say that in addition to escaped debris fires, major causes include sparks from field equipment and vehicles, discarded cigarettes, lightening, campfires and arson. Woods arson is a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017. Additional fire safety tips, as well as up-to-date wildfire information, can be found on the TDA Division of Forestry’s wildfire prevention website at www.burnsafetn.org. Manchester and Tullahoma have issued a ban on outdoor open burning until further notice.

Some heat records across Tennessee could wilt as torrid conditions build across the weekend. The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures into the hundreds statewide. According to the weather service temperatures are expected peak over the 100 degree mark through the weekend and the heat index (or what the temperature feels like on your skin) is expected to be between 105 to 110 degrees. If you are going to be outside this weekend be sure to drink lots of water and stay away from alcoholic and carbonated beverages. Also wear light colored clothing and wear some kind of cap or hat.

The Tullahoma Kiwanis Club will host an Air Show and its Forty-Third Fireworks show at the city’s airport Friday evening. Gates to the airport will open at 3 p.m. Friday with the entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free. However, special premium parking closer to the grounds is available at $5 per car. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, sunscreen, hats and umbrellas because the grounds could be hot before the sun goes down. Flashlights are also recommended because lighting will be limited while exiting the grounds.

Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy live music and fireworks at the City of Manchester 4th of July Celebration. Chancy Willis, Charlie Allen and Tony Stampley will perform a FREE concert at the Rotary Park Amphitheater beginning at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs!! Please call the Recreation Complex at 728-0273 or City Hall at 728-4652 for further information.