Hamish MacLean

The recently completed helipad at the West Otago Medical Centre could save people's lives.

Police searching for a missing Invercargill boy believe they have found a car in Southland's Curio Bay.

Thieves have caused a ''major setback'' to plans at Sinclair Wetlands, stealing about $3000 worth of fencing material last week, wetlands co ordinator Glen Riley says.

Tapanui's Hollywood fling is over.

'Massive'' rates rises proposed by the Clutha District Council for Balclutha ratepayers are going unnoticed in the town, former councillor Margaret Collins says.

A train struck the cab of a Fonterra milk tanker stuck on the tracks near Gore early this morning.

Mike Vaughan, of Dunedin, packed a picnic lunch with his wife, Nola, and ventured south to Table Hill, in the North Catlins, for the opening of the Matai Rail Trail on Saturday.

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan is not to blame for a missed opportunity for a new museum in Milton, Clutha District Council chief executive Steve Hill says.

Clutha ratepayers will pay the same amount for water services right across the district after the district council approved the controversial ''same service, same charge'' policy in its long-term plan yesterday.

A replacement gathering place for the Kaitangata community will cost $500,000, supporters say.

The Cross Recreation Centre needs nearly double its current annual contribution from the Clutha District Council, or the management committee might have to ''wind it down''.

The greatest challenge facing rural firefighters in Clutha is fleet safety as no fully operational water tankers are in service between Dunedin and Clutha Valley.

Scorch marks remain on the walls of Carol Geissler's Papatowai home after a lightning strike ''blew'' her landline while she was talking on the phone during an intense thunderstorm last month.

A group of 40 people celebrated 125 years of the Blind Foundation in New Zealand at the South Otago Town and Country Club, in Balclutha, on Saturday.