Lynda Van Kempen

Lesley and Warren Johnston were a good, community-minded couple and Mrs Johnston's murder by her husband sent shock-waves through the district, a friend of the couple said yesterday.

The Government launched the New Zealand Cycle Trail project in 2009 and provided funding for 18 "Great Rides" around the country.

There is a "hell of a lot" of support out there for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, says trail trust chairman Stephen Jeffery.

More than $450,000 has been spent restoring and renovating one of Alexandra's "landmark" homes - Henderson House.

A steel safety barrier was all that stopped a vehicle plunging down a 7m bank between Raes Junction and Island Block early yesterday.

A man who died at the Vincent County Motorcycle Rally "passed away while he was doing what he enjoyed," one of the rally organisers said yesterday.

Maniototo has lost its "Jack of all trades". Jack Rutherford, a mainstay of a host of community organisations and tireless "behind the scenes" worker, shifted to Dunedin last week after spending the past 38 years living in Ranfurly.

Work should begin within a month on a new Roxburgh water treatment plant and pipeline, finally turning off the tap on the stream of "boil water" notices residents have long endured.

A plea for groups to provide community work so offenders in Central Otago can complete their sentences has been heeded, but there is still a shortage in Queenstown and Wanaka.

Location, location, location applies to motorcycle rallies as well as real estate.