New website lists road closure information
February 24, 2010
Motorists travelling in the Northern Rivers area now have ready, reliable access to roads information with the launch of a new website called RoadInfo www.myroadinfo.com.au
“This is especially important in times of emergency,” said Cr Jenny Dowell, president of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC).
“Although the new system will show roadworks and scheduled road closures on an everyday basis, it will come into its own during a flood or in other emergency event.
“It is the experience of most councils that the information people request most is ‘what roads are closed?’ and ‘how can I travel from A to B?’
Five arrested over death of Jeffrey Ryan
February 12, 2010
Five people have been arrested in relation to the shooting death of a 48-year-old man in the State’s north west last year.
About 12.30pm on 24 October 2009, the body of Jeffrey Ryan, formerly of Casino, was found on his rural property on Gowrie Road at Duri. He had suffered a gunshot wound to his back.
Strike Force Chandler, comprising Oxley Local Area Command Detectives, was formed to investigate Mr Ryan’s death.
As a result of those investigations, on Wednesday Strike Force Detectives arrested a man and a woman in Cessnock in relation to the death. The 45-year-old Cessnock man was arrested after a search warrant was executed at a house in Cessnock.
7-year-old boy missing and later found next to flood waters – Casino
February 8, 2010
A 7-year-old boy was reported missing by his grandmother in Casino yesterday after it was thought that the child was heading to the local river with a friend and that he couldn’t swim.
At around 4.50pm on (Sunday 7 February), police were contacted and told that a 7-year-old boy in company with a 12-year-old boy had headed to the Richmond River after jumping out of a bedroom window of his home, against his grandmother’s wishes.
Grave fears were held for the young boy’s safety due to flooding on the Richmond River, and police immediately set up a Command Post, activating VRA and Westpac Lifesaver 4 to commence searching for the two boys.
Police and VRA made extensive patrols of the riverbank on foot whilst patrols were happening in the air by the Westpac helicopter.
Man, woman charged over alleged aggravated indecent assault
February 1, 2010
A man and woman will appear in court charged after an alleged indecent assault on a Casino woman last weekend.
On the afternoon of Saturday (30 January) a 23-year-old Casino woman met a 44-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from South Grafton, at a licensed premises in Casino.
Police will allege that the three people went to a caravan park in South Grafton before the man and woman offered to drive the 23-year-old back to her home in Casino later in the evening.
As the trio drove towards Casino the 44-year-old man allegedly pulled the car into a camping ground at Lillydale and threatened the Casino woman.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
Page electorates gets respite funding
January 22, 2010
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, and Page MP Janelle Saffin have announced more than $127,000 in one-off funding grants for eight services that provide respite for carers across the Page electorate.
The funding is part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to carers through the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) which this year will provide more than $200 million for respite services and programs in Australia.
Ms Saffin said local respite services provide valuable time-out for people who care for family members or friends with a disability, chronic condition or who are frail aged.
“This funding will help important local services continue to meet the needs of carers in our community,” she said.
Police appeal for information after sexual assault in Casino
December 30, 2009
Police from the Richmond Local Area Command are appealing for information following the sexual assault of a woman at Casino in the early hours of this morning.
About 5am (on Wednesday the 30th of December, 2009) a man entered a home in Hickey Street, Casino. He allegedly stole property and sexually assaulted the female occupant of the home. The man was last seen running away in the direction of McAuliffe Park about 6am.
Police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries. He is described as aged between 20 and 40 years old, about 172cm tall, with a medium build and a tanned complexion.
Police are also investigating an incident earlier in the evening in the vicinity of North Street, Casino, where a man was disturbed near a premise in North Street. It is unknown if these incidents are related.
17 Clarence electorate groups share $417,000 in grants
December 18, 2009
Seventeen not-for-profit organisations in the Clarence electorate have won grants totalling $417,000 from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships program, Clarence MP Steve Cansdell has announced.
“The program was launched in the June State Budget to encourage economic activity,” Mr Cansdell said.
“I congratulate the successful applicants who will now be able to enhance their facilities to the benefit of local communities.
“While the Government pledged $400,000 to electorates with higher levels of unemployment like Clarence, I am pleased that an extra $17,000 was allocated towards projects in the Clarence electorate.
Woman charged over former Casino man’s murder
December 15, 2009
A woman will face court today charged with murder following the discovery of a man’s body on a property in Duri, south of Tamworth, in October 2009.
The body of 48-year-old Jeffrey Ryan, formerly of Casino, was discovered on the Gowrie Road property on Saturday 24 October, suffering a gunshot wound.
Detectives from the Tamworth Local Area Command investigating his death yesterday charged a 49-year-old woman with murder, conspiracy to murder, act to pervert the course of justice, and conceal a serious offence.
Strike Force Chandler, comprising detectives from Oxley LAC and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, was formed to investigate the man’s death.
The woman has been refused bail and will appear in Tamworth Local Court later today.
Summerland Way reopened
December 13, 2009
Several fires are currently burning along the Summerland Way, 20 kilometres south of Casino.
Fire fighters are working to contain several bush fires burning along the Summerland Way, approximately 20 kilometres south of Casino.
The Summerland Way between Casino and Grafton has been reopened to through traffic.
Meanwhile, firefighters are being assisted by water bombing aircraft to establish containment lines around a fire burning 3 kilometres west of the Summerland Way on Busby’s Flat road at Busby’s Flat.
Fire crews are providing property propection to some rural properties in the area, which are under threat.
