9am: That's it from me this morning - join Faye Wheeler tomorrow as she takes you through the Morning Grill.
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Head to our websites today for all your local news as it comes to hand: Dubbo | Narromine | Nyngan | Wellington | Western Magazine | Lightning Ridge
8.50am: Australia is in demand as a destination for international exchange students and Dubbo could serve as their home away from home.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program Committee is on the lookout for Dubbo families to be hosts from July.
Students interested in doing an exchange and their parents, as well as parents willing to host a student for three months are invited to attend an information night on Thursday to be held at Club Dubbo from 6pm.
For further information contact Rotarian Geoff Smith on 6889 5447 orgsmi2709@bigpond.net.au
8.45am: The Canowindra Balloon Challenge will be held again in April.
The competition tests a hot air balloon pilot’s accuracy, speed and skill as they perform a number of tasks, such as dropping markers as close as possible to specified targets and using wind currents to travel in specified flight patterns.
This year both the men’s and women’s world champions will take to the sky in Canowindra.
Organisers are looking for volunteers to act as competition officials for the duration of the event.
Volunteer observers travel with balloon crews (on land) to impartially record data relating to positions, times, distances, etc. that a balloon achieves during a flight.
8.40am: It's Throwback Thursday! Take a look at this week's history galleries by clicking the links to the galleries below ... and we have a added a few photos from each paper into this gallery -
8.25am: What would you like to see in the Dubbo Rescue Squad's 2015 Dubbo Show display?
8.15am: ROADS ANNOUNCEMENT: On behalf of the Roads and Maritime Services, Dubbo City Council will be undertaking pavement crack sealing repairs on the Mitchell Highway this Thursday night, February 26 February from 8pm until late.
The works will be taking place between LH Ford Bridge and the roundabout near Hungry Jacks.
Motorists are advised to follow directional signage and instructions from traffic controllers.
Council apologises for any inconvenience.
8am: Taking a look at regional and national news:
► ORANGE: Orange motorists are three times more likely to be issued with a parking fine than drivers in Bathurst and the reason may be mobile parking patrols which keep Bathurst drivers on their toes.
► BATHURST: A man who sped away from police in his vehicle in a bid to try to avoid detection has been put off the road for 18 months after being convicted of high-range drink driving.
► BLAYNEY: Blayney Shire mayor Cr Scott Ferguson says there is no information at present to suggest an amalgamation with neighbouring councils is in the best interest of ratepayers
► CANBERRA: A busy corridor at the Canberra Hospital was transformed into a wedding aisle on Wednesday evening so a stoic father could walk his daughter to her husband-to-be. Like many daughters, Kate Gibson always dreamed of walking down the aisle on her father's arm but feared a cruel accident would rob her of the chance. In December, her father Malcolm suffered a serious fall which left him in the intensive care unit with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
► GOULBURN: A 27-year-old Goulburn man was last week found guilty of obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. In March of 2010, Luke Brett Moore opened a Complete Freedom account with the St George Bank’s Goulburn Branch. He wasn’t expecting to have complete freedom, however. Over a two year period, Moore overdrew the account to the tune of $2.189 million.
7.45am: Dubbo Stampede ambassador Jane Fardell with Dubbo City Council's Wes Giddings.
7.37am: A closer look at what's making news around the region this morning:
► A hard-working Dubbo teen has been the target of vandalism after his ute was damaged on four separate occasions at his work car park and outside his house. Bailey Edmunds saved for two years to buy his 2012 model Proton Jumbuck but now faces hundreds-of-dollars worth of bills to fix a smashed windscreen and keyed bodywork.
► A Sydney man who grew up on a farm near Geurie is the brainchild of a non-profit and community-focused campaign aimed at getting trumpet, cornet and bugle players from across Australia and possibly New Zealand out of bed at dawn on Anzac Day.
► The sheep yard expansion at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets was officially opened on Wednesday, with the upgraded facilities catering for an additional 9000 head in selling pens.
► Dubbo City councillor Ben Shields is calling on authorities to offer a reward to catch those responsible for slashing the tyres of Dubbo residents in the hope someone might dob them in.
7.20am: Police are appealing for for information as they investigate an armed robbery at a service station in Dubbo
Just after 7pm on Wednesday, a man armed with a knife entered a service station on Cobra Street and threatened a staff member, demanding money.
The 19-year-old attendant complied with the man’s demands, and handed over cash. She was not injured during the incident.
The armed man was last seen walking south on Fitzroy Street.
Officers attached to Orana Local Area Command are investigating the incident and would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance in his mid 30’s. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded jumper with a ‘Bulldogs’ motif across the front, and sunglasses.
7.15am: Taking a look at the weather today:
DUBBO/ WELLINGTON/ NARROMINE: Partly cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers on the northern slopes, slight (20%) chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening. Winds NE/SE 15 to 25 km/h tending NW/NE in the morning then tending SE/SW in the early afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures 31 to 37.
COBAR/ BOURKE: Hot. Sunny morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the northeast in the early afternoon. Winds S 20 to 30 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures in the mid to high 30s.
Do you have a weather photo from yesterday's storm or this morning's sunrise? Email it to lpinkerton@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we will add it to our summer weather gallery - only a couple of days left for this gallery.
7am: Good morning and welcome to your Morning Grill today.
You are here again today with Lynn Pinkerton in Dubbo to take you through the next two hours. Don't forget to refresh your page as we take a look through your local, regional and national news. We also have a few community notices for you this morning.
If you have something to contribute email me at lpinkerton@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Today's Grill photo was taken by Lana Eather. Each day we feature your amazing photos in our Morning Grill and on the Daily Liberal Facebook page. If you have a photo to share email it to me, or PM us on Facebook, you can also tag @dailyliberal on Instagram.