North West News

Bathurst and the Hunter Valley have been flagged as potential destinations for the newly married royal couple when they visit Australia in October. But the state member for Tamworth says Harry and Meghan should call into the country music capital.

The fourth of July doesn’t mean much to Australians, but one young local is bringing the American tradition to Tamworth – all in the name of charity. After a personal journey with mental health, Tyler-Jane Lumsden wants to give back.

With animal shelters full across Tamworth today a local charity was doing its best to find some of the animals a home. All pets come vaccinated, micro chipped and de sexed, and the Animal Welfare League says people can adopt from them any day of the year. But if you’re not able to give a permanent home, foster carers are in desperate demand. “We always would love foster carers. That’s for dogs or cats, kittens and puppies if anyone is interested in fostering,” Jenny Campbell, President of Animal Welfare League Tamworth. NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS ONLY

Police are encouraging business owners to check their security measures, after a terrifying robbery at a South Tamworth convenience store this week. Police say good quality CCTV footage was vital in leading to several arrests over the incident and are urging other business owners to install the technology. “We can use it for evidentiary purposes but it is also a deterrent for offenders if they see CCTV inside a premises,” Chief Inspector Phil O’Reilly, Crime Manager Oxley Police. For more advice, residents and business owners can contact the Crime Prevention Team at te Tamworth Police Station.   NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS ONLY

Entrepreneurs from across the region are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lisa Messenger next week. The country-born businesswoman will stop in to Tamworth on Monday evening as part of a regional networking tour.

Beekeepers are on high alert – preparing their hives for the potential onset of a deadly pest. Varroa mite has been killing honey bees around the world.

Nundle residents are be urged to take water usage into their own hands – or see restrictions tighten. The town has been using water from an emergency bore for some time now.

There’s less than four weeks until the New South Wales Budget is handed down. And the Tamworth Mental Health Carers’ Support Group is hopeful of a big funding announcement.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences, including aggravated break and enter and aggravated cruelty against an animal, after he was arrested near the New South Wales Queensland border. Officers made the arrest at a property in Bucknell Street at Mungindi at around 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, taking the man to Mungindi Police Station where he was charged with numerous offences. He was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court later today. A 29-year-old was also arrested at Dirranbandi on Wednesday, and remains before the courts.

A family at Moonbi has captured a rare, up-close meeting with a furry Aussie icon. This inquisitive wombat was enjoying some morning sunshine on New England Gully Road. Remaining cool, calm and collected as the Hystek  family came to say hello. Generations of the family have been in the area for more than 50 years, and never once had they or their neighbours seen a wombat out and about along the Moonbi Range.   NOTE: VISION ONLY