9:00am:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's all from me today, make sure you check back in on Monday!
In the meantime, keep an eye on the regional sites:
DUBBO | NARROMINE | WELLINGTON | NYNGAN | THE RIDGE | WESTERN MAGAZINE|
8:50am:
Is it your day of days today? HAPPY BIRTHDAY IF IT IS!
Did you know you share November 14 with actor Josh Duhamel and the only and only Prince Charles?
Earlier this week, Prince Charles proved he's only getting better with age after filming a segment for Countdown's 40th anniversary and "that interview" with Molly Meldrum.
8:40am:
X Factor judge Redfoo apologises for sexist 'art' after Wikipedia page hack -
The internet is turning against Redfoo, literally.
Since his latest single, Literally I Can't, was released via YouTube a Change.org petition has been launched to have him fired from his mentoring role on Channel 7's X Factor while his Wikipedia page was updated on Thursday to describe the singer as "close to 40 years old but acts like an entitled, irritating child". Read more here.
Offspring, Party Tricks not among Network Ten shows for 2015, but not ruled out -
For months, Offspring fans have been kept in suspense about the fate of their favourite drama - but an announcement is not likely until next year, the Ten network has revealed.
Despite rumours that Ten would make Offspring's renewal a highlight of its 2015 program launch on Thursday night, there is still no news on the popular Australian series - or Ten's political comedy-dramaParty Tricks. Read more here.
Katy Perry tells Melbourne schoolgirls 'don't waste too much time thinking about boys' -
On the carefully manicured lawn at Loreto Mandeville Hall Catholic girls school in Toorak, a sea of girls in white hats waited patiently for the arrival of international superstar Katy Perry.
The singer is in town for her Prismatic tour and will perform Friday night at Rod Laver Arena but on Thursday afternoon she fielded questions from the excitable students, winners of a Telstra-sponsored competition for their film clip that sung the virtues of their school and included Katy Perry lyrics.
8:35am: Just in case you missed yesterday's #TBT album -
8:30am:
BOXING: Dubbo boxer Ayla Barker has added another belt to her collection, claiming the NSW amateur title in the 63kg division at a fight night at Nyngan on Saturday.
Trained by Robert Toomey and Graham Wallace at the Pound For Pound gym, Barker stopped Newcastle-based opponent Jess Batty in the third round of their bout on a night which Wallace described as one of the best he's seen in a long time. Read more here.
CRICKET: The Cyms Cougars have gone for a mix of experience and youth as they look to open their McDonald’s Megahit season with a win against RSL-Colts at No. 1 Oval tonight.
The Cougars suffered a disjointed Twenty20 campaign last season with washouts affecting their momentum while in the two matches they did play they suffered heavy losses against Newtown and Christie’s Crackerjacks. Read more here.
GOLF: More than $10,000 will be distributed to charities and organisations within Dubbo after the local liquor accord held a very successful golf day at Dubbo Golf Club on Tuesday.
About 60 players took part in the inaugural event, which was played under a four-person ambrose format and also attracted good sponsorship for each of the 18 holes. Read more here.
GREYHOUNDS: Trangie trainer Colin Williams was on the phone quickly to Duncan McGinness yesterday after the local veterinarian's namesake won the Sires On Ice Stakes (400m) at Dawson Park.
Williams named his racer after the vet who delivered the dog and when Duncan McGinness recorded an impressive start to finish victory, Williams was quick to say the vet would be happy to hear about the win. Read more here.
8:20am:
The Taronga Western Plains Zoo clan has welcomed a Przewalski horse foal!
The female foal was born on November 3 to mother Suren, who has been keeping a protective eye on her offspring.
About a metre tall, the foal was named Mila, which means 'loved by the people' in Russian.
Keeper Natacha Richards said the foal was doing really well and had continually gained more strength and confidence. Read more here.
8:15am:
Toasty weather is upon us!
Narromine residents will be hit by the full force of summer today with temperatures to sizzle into the 40s.
There is an extreme UV rating around the region today with the Trangie weather station expecting a scorching 42 degrees and a low of 21 degrees.
Paramedics advise hot weather can lead to heat exhaustion and life-threatening situations for people who do not manage their health. Read more here.
8:10am: Have you seen the entries for the 2014 Harvest Photo Competition?
If you've captured a Kodak moment, send it through to grace.ryan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
8:00am:
Dubbo Police are investigating the use of a stolen credit card at a number of businesses in Dubbo on 31 October 2014.
Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify the man depicted in the attached CCTV footage stills. Police believe the man may be able to assist them with their investigation.
The Male is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 35-40 years old, with long brown hair, possibly dreadlocks, wearing a grey bandana and grey jacket
Any persons with any information should contact Dubbo Police Station 6883 1599 or Crimestoppers 1800 333 000. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
7:50am:
NARROMINE: Narromine Shire Council is abolishing its Planning and Environmental Services Department.
Councillors decided at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday to reduce the number of council departments from four to three.
Planning and Environmental Services will fall under the Corporate and Community Services Department with the exception of waste management which will go to engineering.
Narromine Shire Council General Manager Greg Lamont suggested the move in his report on Wednesday evening and councillors subsequently moved the motion.
Narromine Shire Mayor Bill McAnally said the move should make council more efficient.
"A lot of (other councils) are getting down to two (departments). We have engineering, corporate and executive services and a Chief Financial Officer," he said.
7:45am:
University cheating: 10 years on, nothing has changed -
Newcastle University, a leading regional institution with a heavy reliance on international students, allowed business students at an offshore campus to receive close to top marks despite some of the most blatant examples of plagiarism possible.
The university ignored the pleas of academics to address the issue until it was uncovered by Fairfax Media, and then aired in newspapers across Asia, particularly in Malaysia, where most of the students lived. Read more here.
We're not for sale, says ME Bank - The ownership of ME Bank is under the spotlight as part of the $380 billion not-for-profit superannuation sector's structural review.
Commonwealth Bank had been sounded by the owners of ME Bank, according to a well-placed source who added the bank would likely be sold in 2015.
But ME Bank chief executive Jamie McPhee insists the business is not for sale. Read more here.
New Westpac boss Brian Hartzer to focus on technology, efficiency -
New Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer has pledged to maintain strong shareholder returns by focusing on technology and lifting efficiency at Australia's second-largest bank.
On Thursday, Gail Kelly announced she would retire in February, after a seven-year stint that has delivered shareholders a total return of around 25 per cent, including share price gains and dividends. Read more here.
7:30am:
Man offers free US flights to anyone with his ex's name - Samantha Reynolds - Chris Reynolds’ heartbreak could be your lucky break, providing your name is Samantha Reynolds.
The 28-year-old Novocastrian was planning a Christmas holiday to the US with his wife. But then they broke up. Now Mr Reynolds, who works as a barista at Ground Floor cafe in Hunter St, is looking for someone to take her place.
Throat cut in brawl at Bright Rod Run - A MAN who had his throat cut during a brawl in Bright, narrowly missing major arteries, says he is lucky to be alive.
John Walker, 27, who moved to Bright from Texas two years ago, was walking home in the early hours of Saturday morning when a brawl broke out before him.
He said he tried to walk around the fight, but found himself on the ground trying to kick and punch his way out. Read more here.
Man charged over Macey Stewart hit-and-run - A DEVONPORT man has been charged over the hit-and-run crash involving world cycling champion Macey Stewart.
Members of the Western District Road and Public Order Services yesterday interviewed a 29-year-old man in relation to the incident.
The man will be proceeded against on a number of driving charges, including failing to remain at the scene of a crash. He will appear in court at a later date. Read more here.
7:15am:
DUBBO: The Orana region has missed out on selection to pilot a new arrangement for councils that one mayor hopes will not become "empire building".
Cr Bill McAnally said it was important that "no fourth tier of government" emerged as a result of reforms to the sector that provides roads, rubbish and other services. He was speaking after an announcement about the five regional groups of councils chosen to pilot "Joint Organisations" (JOs), mooted as an alternative to amalgamations of councils. Read more here.
DUBBO: Farmers are the unsung heroes of the land, with many doing it tough as a result of the drought, which is why Dubbo local Carla Pittman decided to take action and help farming families.
Earlier this year Ms Pittman decided she could do more to ease the burden, help lift the spirit and remind those drought-stricken families they had not been forgotten. Read more here.
DUBBO: A SERVING police officer has been accused of lifting his seven-year-old son off the ground by the neck and dragging him down the main street of a town north-west of Dubbo.
The 37-year-old is attached to a metropolitan command in Sydney. By law, he cannot be named to protect the identity of the child.
DUBBO: Overall care at Dubbo Hospital in 2013 has ranked worse than Orange and Bathurst, but is almost on par with the NSW average.
In the NSW Adult Admitted Patient Survey for Jan-Dec 2013 64 per cent of the 558 Dubbo Hospital inpatients said they would rate the care they received while in hospital 'very good', while an additional 28 per cent ranked their care as 'good'. Read more here.
7am: Good morning and happy Friday!!!!!
You are here with Laura McIntyre in Dubbo HOORAY!
If you have anything you would like me to include in the Grill, shoot me an email at laura.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
It is going to be a scorcher today - make sure you don't melt!
Dubbo is going to hit 40 degrees (GAH), Trangie and Nyngan will reach 42 (double GAH).
Cobar will be treated to a cool 43 degrees and Bourke is going to be burst into a ball of 45 degree flames.
