9AM: That's it for our Morning Grill today. Did you find the Easter bunny?
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We'll be back tomorrow with Grace in Narromine, but in the meantime take a look at what else is making news:
8.48: This week take a look through 80 Fitzroy Street, Dubbo.
Relaxed rural views and a lengthy list of inclusions and features will bring a smile to your face with this well designed family home located on the edge of Geurie.
Modern, spacious living areas, a kitchen with loads of bench space and three spacious bedrooms cater to your needs, outside there is a large shed with a studio that has its own amenities.
More photos and information here.
8.39: Applications for the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia 2015 Community Funding Program are now open. Applications will close at 5.00pm on 2nd April 2015. Visit http://goo.gl/4TJ8xd for more information.
8.34:
8.26: In local sport:
*DUBBO: CLUB Dubbo, along with the West Dubbo men's and women's committees, is proud to announce the formation of the Club Dubbo Junior Bowls Academy. Following negotiations with Sainsbury Automotive representative Graham Miller and TATA Motors, Club Dubbo is very excited about this new partnership that will enhance the skills of the club's junior bowlers, both on and off the greens.
*DUBBO: THE Dubbo Division 1 side failed to stop powerhouse Orange in the GrainCorp West/Central West State League decider on Sunday but there was still plenty to cheer about on grand final day. For the second consecutive year Dubbo met Orange in the Division 1 final at Orange PCYC but the home side prevailed 66-29 in a dominant display.
*TRANGIE: In a thrilling finish St John's School Trangie have won the title of "fastest small school in NSW" beating their closest competitor from the Hunter Region by just over one second at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships. The championships were held at the Sydney Aquatic Centre in Homebush last Thursday.
*NARROMINE: Opening Day for Ladies Golf on March 25 turned out to be perfect day weather-wise with an attendance of 46 players. After a good watering Tuesday plus 11mm of rain the fairways were very heavy. However this did not present a problem to some players. Consequently Narromine players were accused of having too much inside information after winning six out of eight trophies.
8.17: Curious about what was making news this time last year? Have a look at what made the front pages of some local publications:
8.10: What do you think of the mayor's announcement about the duplicate LH Ford Bridge?
I am of the belief that Dubbo is a big enough city to withstand a toll so I am today announcing that the new bridge will include a toll - which will also be retrofitted to the existing LH Ford Bridge so the charge will occur in both directions.
The toll will be fully compatible with the e-tag system and start at $5 initially and only charged for the first two years of operation.
At 20,000 vehicles per day this will generate $73 million over two years with the additional money to be put into consolidated revenue for future infrastructure projects. This is an exciting day for Dubbo and it shows we really are a modern progressive city.
Let me know what you think of the idea of a toll on the bridge and what you think of the idea of making major announcements on the 1st of April.
7.59: Guess what time it is? It's time to spot the Easter bunny! Can you find him in this gallery?
7.53: Taking a closer look at the Daily Liberal front page:
An assumed identity has allowed an ex-prisoner to defraud the Commonwealth of more than $40,000 in welfare payments at Dubbo but the deception has ultimately unravelled.
Matthew Kurt Hupp claimed a carers payment under his own name while receiving other Centrelink benefits under the name of James Ian Hancock.
The real Mr Hancock did not know Hupp, even though Hupp had served a six-month prison sentence under the assumed name, being released in April 2010.
The offences took place from September 2010 until September 2012, when the Australian Federal Police (AFP) attended a Centrelink office at Parkes where Hupp was, executed a search warrant and found a drivers licence and Centrelink pension card in the name of James Hancock.
7.45: Today's April 1st, also kown as the dreaded April Fools Day! Here are some simple pranks you can pull:
7.37: In regional news:
ORANGE: DRIVERS who think they’ll tempt fate and get behind the wheel with illicit drugs in their system better think twice, with Orange police now able to conduct random roadside tests for both drugs and alcohol. Previously drug testing teams have travelled to the region once every three months to conduct the random roadside tests, however Orange police station now has its own Draeger drug test 5000 device.
ORANGE: ORANGE’S most disadvantaged children will not have to go without Easter eggs this weekend, thanks to James Sheahan Catholic High School’s highly successful chocolate egg appeal. The Easter appeal, which normally collects 250 chocolate rabbits, rose above expectations with more that 1000 eggs donated by students this year.
*BATHURST: Elephant and Castle Hotel manager Campbell Gibson was praised for helping save the building after a fire broke out in it on Tuesday. Mr Gibson called emergency services at approximately 10.20am after a dryer at the back of the Keppel Street hotel, containing tea towels, caught fire.
*BATHURST: SIX of Bathurst’s largest schools have seen a jump in the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds over the past 12 months, My School data has revealed. In addition, five of these large schools (more than 230 students) had at least 32 per cent or more of their students in this category.
GULGONG: Three members of the Gulgong Public School Paparazzi Club are among the best under 14s photographers in New South Wales. Summer McPhail won first prize in the under 14s section at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Mark Germon won second prize, and Isabelle Germon was awarded a Highly Commended.
7.21:
7.12: Making local headlines this morning:
DUBBO: Residents are being encouraged to donate blood over the Easter period to help the Dubbo Blood Centre's quest to find the city's "good eggs". The Australian Red Cross Blood Service requires at least 65 "good eggs" from Dubbo to boost vital blood supplies over the Easter long weekend.
DUBBO: The recipient of stolen cards who then used them to purchase goods has been sentenced to serve concurrent 12-month good behaviour bonds in Dubbo Local Court. Kody Joshua McKellar was convicted of four charges, but another more serious charge of break, enter and steal from a house was dropped by the prosecution.
DUBBO: The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) would have been forced to stop representing clients in courts around Dubbo if funding cuts were not reversed, according to ALS chief executive Phil Naden. "We were in the process of closing 12 courts across NSW and the ACT. We looked at closing some courts around the Dubbo circuit and the Wagga circuit," Mr Naden said.
NARROMINE: It's all about hot cross buns this Easter at Brenno's Hot Bake. The popular local bakery has been preparing for an influx of customers searching for their fresh buns.
NARROMINE: Narromine Shire Council has knocked back an offer of state government funding for the installation of CCTV cameras. Re-elected Dubbo member, Troy Grant said he offered funding to the community 12 months ago for CCTV cameras but the offer had been rejected.
7AM: Good morning and welcome to the Grill! You're in Dubbo with Landy this morning.
Do you have an interesting tidbit to share? Is there someone you would like to give a birthday shout out to? Send me a message at orlander.ruming@fairfaxmedia.com.au
TODAY'S WEATHER:
* Dubbo / Trangie / Nyngan - Mostly sunny with light winds. A top of 29 in Dubbo and Trangie. Nyngan will be slightly warmer with a top of 30. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 16
* Bourke / Cobar - Sunny morning. The chance of thunderstorms in the far northeast during this afternoon and early evening. Top of 32 in Bourke and a maximum of 30 in Cobar.