News Updated Tuesday 07-08-10
(Next "News Extra" Update Will Be Friday 10-09-10).
Wild Weather Weekend.
Wild weather on the weekend has seen several trees topple onto buildings, and power cut to thousands of homes across the western region.
Saturday night saw State Emergency Service personnel kept busy with strong and gusty winds, and rain, causing problems, while power crews were also busy.
Electricity was cut over the weekend to homes in the Orange, Bathurst, Millthorpe, Oberon, Black Springs and Shooters Hill areas.
Bathurst high school was lucky to avoid major damage, after a small tree prevented a large Pine tree from crashing through the roof of a 2 story building.
SES crews attended 16 calls for help in Bathurst, but in Orange, around 70 residents contacted volunteers for help.
However, only minor damage to homes was recorded in Orange, but 1 carport was destroyed when a tree fell onto it.
Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash – Western NSW.
Police Media Release.
2010-09-05.
Police in the state’s west are conducting inquiries into a fatal single-vehicle crash near Dubbo.
A 20-year-old man was driving his white 2008-model Toyota Hilux utility west along the Mitchell Highway at Wongarbon, east of Dubbo, sometime before 3am today, when it left the roadway and crashed into a large tree.
Police from Orana Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance Paramedics were alerted to the incident by passing motorists and attended the scene.
Upon arrival, they located the driver – believed to be a 20-year-old Dubbo man – deceased in the wreckage.
The highway was closed while investigations were carried out at the scene.
Police are now appealing for public assistance as they continue their inquiries.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or the circumstances leading up to it is urged to contact Dubbo Police (02) 6883 1599 or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.
Attempted Robbery At Fast Food Outlet - Orange.
Police Media Release.
2010-09-06.
Police are investigating the attempted robbery of a fast food restaurant in the state’s Central West last night.
About 9.40pm, a 15-year-old employee was threatened by a man armed with a knife will working at the drive-thru window at the outlet on Bathurst Road.
The girl ran away from the man and alerted other staff.
The man left the scene empty-handed.
Police from Canobolas Local Area Command established a crime scene and searched the area for the offender.
They think the man entered the restaurant car park through an open rear fence and possibly left the same way.
He is described as being of Aboriginal appearance and was wearing a hooded jacket.
Anyone with information about the attempted robbery should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Former Stannies Priest May Avoid Court.
An elderly priest charged with indecently assaulting two boys at a Bathurst school, could avoid facing court due to health issues.
The Downing Centre District Court in Sydney will examine Hugh Edward Murrays' inability to recollect events due to dementia, and may deem it inappropriate for the eighty one year old to stand trial.
The accused is charged with five counts of indecently assaulting two boys more than 50 years ago and was the ninth man to be charged with historic child sex offences, linked to Saint Stanislaus' College.
The Judge, Greg Woods, yesterday heard that Murray a diabetic who has suffered more than 10 cardiac arrests, and is not fit to stand trial.
When commenting on Murrays health, Doctor John Albert Roberts said his capacity to give evidence under the stress of cross examination, would be deemed to be seriously compromised.
Chifley Engine Homecoming On Track.
Bathurst Regional Council has awarded the contract for construction of a shed to house the historic Chifley Engine.
The news follows council's decision last year to put the restored steam locomotive on permanent static display, in the city's railway precinct.
The train used to be driven by former Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley, when he worked on the railways in Bathurst, before he eventually entered politics.
Council says building the shed will cost about $186,000 but insists it will be something that compliments the city's heritage.
Bathursts Webber Concrete Constructions will start work soon, with hopes the engine could be on display early next year.
South Orange Devlopment Controversy.
Some residents have expressed concern over a proposed residential, and retail development in South Orange.
The Department of Industry and Investment New South Wales concept plan includes 550 residential allotments, and 3500 square metres of retail floor space.
If it goes ahead, seventy hectares of land at the Agricultural research institute, adjoining Forest road, will be sub-divided and sold by the state.
Environmentally concerned citizens of Orange President, Neil Jones says plans for the development completely bypassed Orange city council, and did not take into account the importance of agricultural research.
A meeting will be held tomorrow night at 7:30 in the function room of the Parkview Hotel for residents to voice their opinion.
Regional Health Council Chair Moves On.
The current head of the Greater Western Area Health Advisory Council, will not seek to be involved in a proposed new Local Health Network region, to include Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo.
Council Chairman, Doctor Steve Flecknoe – Brown, says he will not seek the Central West role, instead opting for the Far West job, centred around Broken Hill.
Applications are open until September the 17th, with Doctor Flecknoe – Brown admitting he is encouraging some current board members to nominate.
The application process has started despite the state government not yet having a new health structure confirmed, to replace the current Area Health Service model.
Under the proposed changes, the current large Area Health Service regions will be replaced by smaller Local Health Networks.
Call For Commemoration Ideas.
Lithgow City Council is calling for submissions from residents, for ways to commemorate the centenary of Australia's initial involvement in World War One.
Between 2014 and 2018, Australia will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, and pay tribute to the thousands of Australian service men and women who served.
The National Commission for the Commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary is taking ideas from the Australian public, on how best to mark the occasion.
Lithgow City Council Deputy Mayor, Ray Thompson is encouraging everyone in the city and the region to have a say.
Public submissions will be accepted up until September 17th.
Mid West Vandal Bounty.
Mid Western Regional council is offering a ten thousand dollar reward, for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for recent vandalism in the area.
The most recent incident involved the destruction of fifty trees lining Ulan Road, outside Mudgee Cemetery.
Earlier incidents include vehicles driving over road signs, mail boxes and trees being ripped out in Gulgong, vandalism of grandstands, sporting fields, playgrounds and public buildings.
Mid West Mayor, Percy Thompson says earlier incidents involving trees and signs being knocked over, are similar to the recent vandalism near the cemetery, and speculates that it could be the same person or people involved.
Councillors say they hope the reward will motivate anyone with information to come forward and local police.
Nominations For Oberon Council Vacancy Open Soon.
The first expression of interest has been received, to fill a vacant spot on the Oberon Council
If Jill Evans is elected, she will serve for a two year period, instead of the regular four.
According to Ms Evans, the 2 year stint is an ideal learning experience time frame.
Despite running unsuccessfully for council in two thousand and eight, Ms Evans says she has attended every council meeting for the last three years, and knows how things work.
Using her skills as a retired businesswoman, Ms Evans says she is confident of offering a fresh approach and an open mind to the position.
Nominations are open between September the 13th and 22nd.
Orange Cyms Win Local Rugby League Grand Final.
In the Group 10 rugby league first grade grand final yesterday, Orange Cyms defeated Mudgee twenty three to sixteen.
The Dragons' suffered another loss in reserve grade, going down twenty four to four against Bathurst St Pats.
And in a tight under 18's decider, Bathurst Panthers ran out 6 - 4 winners over Cowra.
In Rugby Union First Grade, the Bathurst bulldogs had a close match against the Orange City Lions, winning fourteen to twelve in the preliminary final on Saturday.
In Second Grade, the Orange Emus defeated CSU 10 - nil.
CSU suffered another loss in Thirds, with the Dubbo Roos winning seventeen - nil.
The CSU Colts side had a win though, defeating the Dubbo Rhinos eighteen to seven.
In Women's Rugby Union, the Bathurst CS-Ewes defeated Narromine on a forfeit.
In Hockey, and in the Men's Premier League preliminary final, Bathurst St Pat's defeated Parkes United five nil, meaning St Pat's will next week play the grand final against the Lithgow Panthers.
And Bathurst had good wins in the Women's major semi finals as well.
St Pat's defeated Lithgow two one, and the Bathurst City side defeated Kinross-Cyms two nil.
This means Bathurst City to the preliminary final on Saturday, where they will play Lithgow, while Pat's go straight to the decider.