Helena de Reus

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.

Police are warning farmers to lock up their property following a spike in rural burglaries.

Two men face a raft of charges after a 45-minute police chase near Balclutha early on Sunday.

Heavy traffic was backed up along State Highway 1, south of Balclutha, for several hours yesterday after a truck and trailer unit tipped over.

Old Lombardy poplars in the Lawrence Picnic Reserve were felled this week.