Helena de Reus

Telford's new course training rural animal technicians has been welcomed by farmers and vets.

War history is preserved in a book featuring the wartime diaries of a Southland soldier and the travels of his daughter, launched in Owaka on Saturday.

Old concrete pipes in Milton's urban water supply could be leaking 490,000 litres of water a day, at a cost of nearly $50,000 a year.

A book featuring the wartime diaries of a Southland soldier and the travels of his daughter will be launched in Owaka today.

Owaka's Dawn Smith and her family are ''gutted'' the killer of her teenage daughter will appear before the New Zealand Parole Board again next year, despite being denied parole when a parole board hearing released its decision earlier this week.

Random drug and alcohol testing is being carried out at Telford, director Charley Lamb says. It was introduced to protect students and to bring Telford in line with industry requirements, Prof Lamb said.

Strengthening of the Clydevale Bridge is set to begin in mid-July now that a contract has been awarded to upgrade the bridge to full heavy vehicle capacity.

The hunt is on for a new organiser for the Big River Festival.

Clutha Health First has joined other primary health care practices in the country in meeting the standards set for New Zealand general practice.

Hunters across the region are gearing up for the start of the duck-shooting season, with mai mais spruced up, decoys tested, and food prepared for opening day tomorrow.