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That's all from me ladies and gentlemen, hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!
Make sure you check back in on Monday for your daily news fix!
In the meantime, keep an eye on our regional pages for breaking news updates.
DUBBO | NARROMINE | NYNGAN | WELLINGTON | THE RIDGE | WESTERN MAGAZINE |
TOODLES!
8:50am:
Can you believe how the year is flying by?
For all those born on March 20, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Make the most of your glory day!!!!
8:45am:
Seniors Week celebrations have kept hundreds of locals entertained all over the city the past few days.
Wednesday was another busy day with local Aboriginal elders holding a special gathering at the Japanese Gardens. Photos: BELINDA SOOLE
8:40am:
RACING: Prettylittlefellow lines up for the Country Championships Qualifier
Prettylittlefellow wasn't a horse that jumped straight into the bridle and firing.
In fact it took the Cecil Hodgson-trained gelding seven starts before he finally won his maiden at Warren in November last year.
However, since then Prettylittlefellow has developed into more than a handy horse.
The son of Snippetson now faces the biggest moment in his career when he lines up in the $100,000 WDRA Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Dubbo Turf Club on Sunday. Read more here.
SQUASH: State's best show how it's done in squash competition
Some of the state's best young squash players were in Dubbo recently with the staging of the annual Dubbo Junior Open.
Players travelled from far and wide to take part in the bronze-level event and all those in attendance were impressed with high quality matches played, especially in the finals. Read more here.
NETBALL: Three wins boost season start for 14s team
Dubbo Netball Association 14s team has made an early start to the 2015 representative season, competing in the Camden and District Netball Association Representative Carnival at Camden on Saturday.
The girls finished with three wins and four losses for the day but were very happy with their overall performance at the high-level competition. Read more here.
8:30am:
The countdown is on to the March 28 State Election.
We want to know what you want from your state member.
We have put together a survey of what's most important to you.
8:20am:
Dubbo City Council advises that with the reopening of the intersection of Darling Street and Church Street a number of new traffic arrangements are now in place for motorists.
· Darling Street is reduced to one lane in both directions between Wingewarra Street and Talbragar Street
· A sheltered right turn lane is in operation for southbound traffic on Darling Street turning into Church Street
· A sheltered right turn lane is in operation for traffic entering Darling Street from Church Street
· Vehicles have priority at the intersection. Pedestrians must give way to all vehicles
· Pedestrian refuges have been established on the intersection to facilitate safe crossing.
Motorists are advised to be aware of these changed traffic conditions.
8:15am:
8:10am:
After another spate of petty crime in Narromine, the council and small business owners are asking are drugs the problem?
Crimes that are small in size but big in cost are placing a bigger burden on small business owners in the Narromine area.
Autorepairs owner, Sharon Doherty, Narromine Shire mayor, Bill McAnally, Narromine acting duty officer, Chris Drummond and Heather Auld and Raelene Splitt of Country Fair Flowers and Beauty all put in their two cents worth on the issue. Read about it here.
8:05am:
What began as a dream of starting a new life in Timboon away from a spectacular history as a conman has come to a grinding halt.
Last night with his reputation in tatters Harrison O'Connor (also known as Dene Mussillon, Dene Broadbelt and Harrison Eyles) began packing to exit the tranquil south-west Victorian town and hopefully find somewhere else to prove he can make an honest man of himself.
Less than three weeks ago he arrived with grand plans to lease premises, hire staff and obtain goods and services. Read more here.
8:00am:
The Office of Environment and Heritage is hosting a free workshop today that no one in Narromine can afford to miss – how to save money on your energy bills.
The Home Energy Savings Workshop will be held at the Keeping Place, Narromine and everyone is welcome to attend.
Event Organiser Karin Stark from the Office of Environment and Heritage, Regional Clean
Energy Program said with electricity prices increasing over recent years and clean energy options becoming more affordable, it’s a wise choice which also benefits the environment.
“The free workshop will feature experts who will cover topics such as helping you understand your electricity bill, which appliances use the most electricity, how to make simple changes to save money, how to access no interest loans (for low income earners) and solar leasing opportunities.
“Everyone is encouraged to bring a copy of their electricity bill on the day and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions to our expert.
“There will be lots of free give-aways including door snakes, light globes and thermometers that tell you if your fridge is at the right temperature.
“We are also offering 30 free in-home energy assessments that attendees can sign up for on the day. This is a great opportunity to have a qualified assessor visit your home, provide tips on how you can save money and point out other changes you can make to cut your energy use,” Ms Stark said.
The workshop is on Friday 20 March at the Keeping Place, 55 Dandaloo Street Narromine, starting at 10am and morning tea will be available. RSVP to Karin.stark@environment.nsw.gov.au or 6883 5321
7:45am:
Lamborghini crash in Wetherill Park in Sydney's west kills driver
Police are investigating whether the driver of a Lamborghini who died when his luxury sports vehicle smashed into a power pole in Sydney's west on Thursday night was speeding in the lead-up to the crash.
Witnesses called police just after 6pm to say the driver was still trapped in the wreckage of his vehicle, which had crashed on Hassall Street in Wetherill Park. Read more here.
Australia ready to join $US100 billion China bank
Cabinet's National Security Committee has cleared the way for Australia to invest as much as $3 billion to join the China-led $US100 billion Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Fairfax Media can reveal the committee's green light is expected to lead to a formal decision to sign up to the precedent-setting Chinese initiative when the full cabinet meets on Monday, marking a milestone for China's influence in the region. Read more here.
Sydney Boys High students stopped at airport on way to join Islamic State
When he was just 13, he was so conscious of the perils of being a teenager that he helped set up a website offering support to disaffected teens.
Four years later, authorities believe the high-achieving Sydney Boys High student had himself grown increasingly disaffected.
The 17-year-old, who Fairfax Media has chosen not to name, and his brother, 16, were stopped at Sydney Airport on March 6, believed to be on their way to the Middle East, via Kuala Lumpur, to join Islamic State. Read more here.
Malcolm Turnbull gives thumbs up to journalists using online encryption services
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has played the role of salesman for online encryption services, giving the thumbs up for journalists to do their best to try and avoid leaving an electronic trail which might prevent their metadata from being accessed.
Speaking on the ABC's Lateline program with Tony Jones, Mr Turnbull began explaining the current state of talks surrounding metadata laws, before offering his opinion on what he would do if he was a journalist again. Read more here.
7:30am:
The cyclone has weakened from a category 4 to a category 1.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Victoria Point IT company focuses on wearable heads-up display
A south-east Queensland IT company, founded by two men in their early 20s, has got its eye on breaking into the international world of wearable heads-up display technology.
Start-up company Buckham and Duffy is one of a handful of Australian businesses Google has approved to develop its latest "Glass" display technology. Read more here.
WA Police swoop on criminals living in caravan parks, camping grounds
Criminals who use short-term accommodation to avoid being located are on notice, as police swoop on caravan and camping grounds across the state.
Six arrests were made on Thursday morning similar crackdowns continuing from Esperance to Kununurra. Read more here.
7:15am:
The Dubbo Ratepayers Association has a simple response to the introduction of organic waste bins- "we all say no!"
The idea for the new bins was floated at Dubbo City Council's Works and Services Committee meeting on Monday.
Under the proposition, the organic waste bin would be collected weekly, while the mixed waste and recycling bins would be collected on a fortnightly basis. Read more here.
Dubbo students were treated to a workshop unlike any other on Wednesday afternoon.
As a part of their national tour, 360 All Stars, a dynamic group of seven males showcasing physical performing at its finest, ran an after school workshop for students at Apollo House, Clontarf Foundation and the Dubbo PCYC.
360 All Stars is an exhilarating combination of circus art with break dancing, BMX tricks and more. Read more here.
Orana Mall is more than two thirds of the way towards "repositioning" itself in the ever-changing retail market.
The third and final stage of the more than $30 million redevelopment of the shopping centre in East Dubbo is well under way.
Centre manager Cherie Forrester expects the under-construction extension that "runs from the Reject Shop doors towards the Mitchell Highway" will be finished and operational in the fourth quarter of this year. Read more here.
Dubbo City Council's Finance and Policy Committee has made 10 recommendations to improve the showground following a strategic review of the facility.
The review, undertaken by SGL Consulting in December, highlighted the positives and negatives of the showground, before suggesting improvements. Read more here.
7am:
Good morning Dubbo and TGIF!!!
You were meant to be here with Nick Guthrie, but lucky for you it's Laura McIntyre instead.
Never send a man to do a woman's job - am I right?
Dubbo, brace yourself, winter is NOT coming yet. We're expecting a top of 36 degrees (gahh). Trangie, 36 and Nyngan slightly cooler at 34.
Bourke, you're in for 38 and Cobar a lovely 32.