ULTRALIGHT CRASH CLAIMS PILOT’S LIFE

An elderly man was killed when his ultralight crashed on a mid north coast property this morning.

Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low before the deadly impact.

JOYCE THE CHOICE FOR NATIONALS

Barnaby Joyce says he’s humbled to be returning home, after his National Party preselection win today.
And he’s wasting no time commencing his election campaign.

TINKLER REACHES 11TH HOUR SETTLEMENT

Nathan Tinkler has avoided a long-running royalty dispute after reaching an 11th hour settlement with former business partner Matthew Higgins.

Mr Higgin’s barrister Douglas Savage told the Supreme Court in Brisbane today his client and Mr Tinkler had settled their dispute over royalty distribution for the Middlemount coal mine in central Queensland.

The Australian Tax Office has also withdrawn from a number of proceedings against Mr Tinkler’s companies, after telling the Federal Court in Sydney, debts had been paid.

The ATO had been pursuing several of Mr Tinkler’s companies, including the Newcastle Jets and his building arm the Buildev Group, over unpaid debts.

TWO BODIES FOUND AT GOLD COAST HOME

Police are investigating after two bodies were discovered at a house in Ashmore on the Gold Coast.

Regional Crime Coordinator Brian Swan says a family member found the body of a 28-year-old man early this morning and called police.

When emergency services arrived at the house they also discovered the body of a 53-year-old woman in a car.

Police say there doesn’t appear to be any obvious signs of violence, but forensic examinations are only just commencing.

LUCKY ESCAPE FOR THREE FISHERMEN AT HARRINGTON

Three commerical fishermen somehow escaped serious injury, when their trawler ran aground at Harrington on the mid north coast this morning.

The men made it to shore safely, using a surfboard and lifeboats.

TORBAY RESIGNS FROM NSW PARLIAMENT

Richard Torbay has resigned from his Northern Tablelands seat in NSW parliament.

It comes after news last night that Torbay had withdrawn as the Nationals candidate for the federal seat of New England at the request of the party.

Nationals state chairman Niall Blair says new information has come to light over the past 24-hours that the party was previously unaware of, which has prompted the move.

The party is now seeking legal advice as to the information received.

Torbay was widely tipped as current Member for New England Tony Windsor’s stiffest competition heading into the September 14 election.

Torbay’s campaign office in Tamworth has already been stripped of his image.

Since the announcement, Torbay’s Twitter account has been shut down.

HUNDREDS OF CANNABIS PLANTS FOUND

Police have uncovered a large cannabis crop hidden in national parkland near Armidale.
They say the assault of an undercover officer who was monitoring the site, could hold the key to catching those behind the plants.

GRANTO’S WHEELS KEEP TURNING FOR CHARITY

When it comes to charity and helping people, some people are shameless self promoters, while others just get on with the job quietly. Lake Macquarie’s Grant O’Henley falls into the latter. This Sunday he’ll ride his bike around Lake Macquarie, not once, but twice, a journey of nearly 170 kilometres. He’ll raise close to $10,000 in the process.

47-year-old Grant, or Granto as he’s known around the lake, lost his father Brian to cancer in the late 1990′s. He was just 53. Grant saw the great care taken by those at the Mater Hospital’s cancer treatment centre and was inspired.

There are others who have inspired Grant along the way.

“I met a kid who had leukaemia and that really jolted me because I was still pretty raw after dad died. I remember thinking about this girl and her family and how tough it is because of how young she is.” Grant said.

He’s been on a money raising mission ever since and estimates that he and his wife Rebecca have raised close to $100,000. Not that he tells anyone.

It’s charity with a twist. Grant’s money raising efforts include three 24 hour golf marathons (try chasing a golf ball around Waratah Golf Course in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter in torrential rain), celebrity auctions (Grant has auctioned off a round of golf with mate Peter Sterling three times) and sports memorabilia auctions (Grant auctioned off Danny Green’s gloves when he was World Champ.)

This Sunday Grant will be one of thousands of people who take to the road for the annual Loop the Lake charity bike ride. This year the money will go towards the John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

Visit the loop the lake website HERE

“I’ll set off about 6.30 and finish my first lap about 9.30, then take it easy with a few mates on the second.” said Grant.

Visit the Every Day Hero website to get behind Grant

REMEMBERING SENIOR CONSTABLE RIXON

Today marks one year since the tragic death of Tamworth police officer David Rixon.
His wife Fiona has thanked the community for its unwavering support – as a memorial plaque was unveiled in the highway patrolman’s honour.

HIP HOP SENSATION TAKES NATIONAL CROWN

Most seven-year-olds are performers – but this next one really knows how to entertain a crowd.

Joe Dufty has been dancing since the tender age of four, now he’s been crowned a national hip hop champion.

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