Casterton News

24/01/2024

FIRES FROM LIGHTNING STRIKES
Several fires have popped up across the district this morning, possibly the result of lightning strikes, overnight. Our mate Luke Balkin at Pieracle, on the Casterton-Dartmoor Rd, is keeping an eye on the incident near the Digby Strathdownie Rd, where water-dropping aircraft is engaged and sent us some pics and a video.
Smoke is visible from various locations - including Luke's current possie! - but no alerts or warnings have been issued.
Keep up to date at www.emergency.vic.gov.au
Thanks for the update Luke Balkin

23/01/2024

Investigations are continuing into a two-car crash that occurred just west of Casterton at the weekend.
Senior Constable Tim McMahon said two small hatchbacks – one travelling west on the Glenelg Hwy and the other travelling north on the Casterton/Dartmoor Rd, collided at the intersection of the two roads, around 1.30pm on Saturday.
He said a 69-year-old Casterton woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while a 47-year-old New South Wales woman did not require hospitalisation and was assisting police with enquiries.
“There were witnesses to the incident but if there is anyone else with further information or any dashcam footage, we’d asked them to contact Coleraine Police Station or Crime Stoppers,” Sen Cst McMahon said.
“We remain committed to road safety policing in the district and will continue patrolling areas known to be at-risk crash locations.”
***
Police are also, again urging people to ensure their buildings and property are secure, following two more break-ins in the past week.
Casterton Fire Brigade Captain Lee Condon said an offender or offenders broke doors sometime between Monday, 15 January and Thursday, 18 January, to gain access to the brigade’s Noss Road running track facilities.
He said, fortunately, no items of significant value were at the site, however repairing and/or replacing the damaged doors was an inconvenience and expense the brigade did not need.
Leading Senior Constable Karyleen Hateley said police also attended a premises in Casterton’s central CBD, where thieves had also broken a door to gain entry to a building.
“The break-in occurred overnight on the 19th and 20th of January and some items were stolen,” Ldg Sen Cst Hateley said.
Anyone with information about the break-ins or who may have seen any suspicious activity around Casterton on the dates in question, is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

16/01/2024

And hold onto your hats, because there could be a wee bit more on the way!

Provides access to meteorological images of the 512 km composite Mt Gambier Radar Loop radar of rainfall and wind.

16/01/2024

IT came down hard and it came down fast! How much did you have at your place? Our readers have shared some great images of the storm ... we'd love to see yours!

07/01/2024

The Bureau has issued an updated severe weather warning for areas of Victoria including Casterton district and the broader south west. Check the link for full information.

** Update: This warning was updated with the latest information at 6:40 pm Sunday, 7 January January 2024. Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/ **

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall, Damaging Wings, and Large Hailstones for people in Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of Northern Country, North Central and Central Forecast Districts.

Issued at 6:40 pm Sunday, 7 January 2024.

Heavy rainfall for the south west. Isolated large hail, damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall for the northwest

Weather situation: An upper trough and trough to the west, combined with a very moist environment is leading to severe thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of the Northern Country, North Central and Central districts. Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Stawell, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Maryborough.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Mallee and parts of the Wimmera districts. Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Ouyen, Rainbow, Walpeup, Birchip and Warracknabeal.

43mm was observed at Warrnambool Airport in the 1 hour to 4:45pm

The Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next warning is due to be issued by 9:40 pm.

04/01/2024

From Lechelle and her team over the border... Hope everyone is okay. Please avoid area where possible and let emergency crews do their work.

02/01/2024

We have STACKS of old newspapers here, perfect for garden, pet cage, papier mache, drop-sheets for art spaces and anything else you can put your creative mind to.
Have to go TODAY ... if anyone would like them, please drop into the office at 76 Henty Street, asap.
Thanks!

28/12/2023

Sheep sale 9.30am tomorrow!

Full schedule for tomorrows sheep sale @ Casterton Saleyards 🐑

23/12/2023

Last chance to get your Christmas lists in!!!! Casterton Rotary

12/12/2023

LANDSLIP AT MERINO - news just in from Glenelg Shire

Bonds Road, Merino, between Six Chain Road and Glenfern Road, has been closed effective immediately due to a landslip hazard.

A detour is available via Mocamboro Road.

07/12/2023

High fire danger for our patch today ... take care and be careful.

06/12/2023

**FILE PHOTO FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY**
A CASTERTON man narrowly avoided jail, but was banned from farming "effectively, for the rest of his life" and fined $50,000, after pleading guilty to a large number of charges relating to animal cruelty.
Brendan Fitzgerald, 71, appeared in Hamilton Magistrate's Court facing charges relating to cattle in poor condition, failure to provide treatment and malnutrition.
Full story in next edition of CN.
***Comments on this matter are being strictly monitored. Any references to other unrelated court matters, persons or incidents will be deleted.

05/12/2023

COUNCIL POSITIONS FILLED
TWO vacancies left on Glenelg Shire Council after last month’s shock resignations have been filled.
Former councillor, Alastair McDonald was returned to the Glenelg Shire Council after a two-week process to fill the first vacancy left by the departure of Jayden Smith and late Monday, after turning down the same position, Robyn McDonald agreed to take the place of Chrissy Hawker on council.
Three candidates were elected ahead of Cr Alistair McDonald – including Ms McDonald - in a countback process and all turned down the position, before it went to Mr McDonald on Friday.
The Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed that Mr McDonald had accepted the role, but he could not be reached for an interview.
As an unsuccessful candidate in the 2020 council election, (receiving 464 primary votes, 3.48% of the total formal votes cast) Mr McDonald was eligible for the countback to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former deputy mayor Jayden Smith.
Ms Robyn McDonald will take the final seat on the Glenelg Shire Council, after twice turning the role down this year.
“I have decided to accept the challenge of becoming a councillor due to overwhelming encouragement, sentiment and support from a broad range of community members,” Ms McDonald told the Portland Observer on Monday evening.
She fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Chrissy Hawker in October, after winning a countback of results from the 2020 election.
Of the candidates not successful in that election, Ms McDonald was the highest vote getter.
She now joins Alistair McDonald in bringing council back to its normal number of seven councillors.
In the countback, the votes of the resigned councillor, surplus votes form elected councillors, and votes from eliminated candidates are redistributed in line with the preferences on each ballot, until one of the unelected candidates reaches the quota of 1667 votes, or if none reach the quota the position is given to the candidate with the most votes.

30/11/2023

EARLY XMAS FOR THE KIDS!!!
Grab this week's CN, fill out your voucher and drop it into the entry box at the newsagent's. Val will draw THREE winners to take their pick of gifts from under the Christmas tree on Monday.
Three winners EVERY week until Christmas!!

24/11/2023

YOUTH HQ OPENS TODAY! Get down there, get amongst it and check out the new chapter in local youth support!
10am, old Pedens building.

24/11/2023

Update ...

24/11/2023

From our friends, Lechelle and her team over the border at the SE Voice.

Several power outages have been reported in the Limestone Coast.

The largest is in the Kalangadoo and Mount Burr areas, impacting more than 700 properties.

Preliminary restoration time has been set at 11pm.

SA Power Networks crews are on their way to assess the situation.

24/11/2023

Luke Balkin and his family have a smashing view of the storm from their Pieracle property on the Dartmoor Road! Luke sent these ripper pics in just now.
Pieracle has had 43mm rain in 24hrs. "Filled the tanks."
Thanks Luke!
How is your place faring? Send us your totals and pics!

24/11/2023

A severe hail warning has been issued for south east South Australia, for large and potentially damaging hail. Residents have been urged to move vulnerable items undercover and batten down the hatches. The Bureau of Meterology's radar shows some serious activity tracking south-southeast right now.
Visit http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/ and click on Mount Gambier to keep an eye on things.

24/11/2023

A second recount has been held - unsuccessfully - to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Jayden Smith on Glenelg Shire Council. Grab today's Portland Observer & Guardian for full details.

24/11/2023

BLUE FRIDAY! 20 % OFF STOREWIDE AT VINNIES!

24/11/2023

It has stopped for now but the bucketing from overnight and this morning has already cancelled Little Aths for this evening.
How much have you had at your place?

23/11/2023

Forget Black Friday ... all the bargains are blue at Vinnies tomorrow!

22/11/2023

🎄🎄JOIN OUR 2023 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS ALBUM!🎄🎄
🗓 We're putting together our Christmas schedule, for the album in our 20 December edition.
📸 If your club, group or community has a Christmas party, we'd love to have your photo in our community festive season album!
📧 Just send us a message here with the date, time and location of your get-together and we'll pop you in the diary, to come and take your photo ✔

22/11/2023

A very red-faced editor sends huge apologies to Aaron McKinnon, for the obviously incorrect caption on his photo, in today's Casterton News. Aaron had an outstanding Spring Tournament week, taking the B Grade 26-Hole Handicap event on Sunday and a hole-in-one on the second in Saturday's mixed ambrose.
Congratulations Aaron! Casterton Golf Club Aaron McKinnon

20/11/2023

Get down to Digby tomorrow morning and for just $10 brekkie, support the Cox girls in their quest to help vanquish the disease that took their daughter and little sister, Dorothy.

17/11/2023

A CASTERTON man in his 30s will face court on various drug charges after police raided a residential property last night.
A warrant was executed on the house as part of an ongoing investigation and drugs including methamphetamine were seized.
One man was arrested as a result and bailed to appear in court in January next year.

16/11/2023

🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♀️Congratulations to the Casterton Golf Club on another terrific tournament week!
Fairways are looking magnificent and the weather couldn't be better.
🏌️Casterton News and Spectator Group are excited to be part of the event as sponsor of today's Two Person Ambrose Day and we look forward to seeing the perpetual Casterton News Cup 🏆 presented once again to Sunday's Blue Lake Caddyshack Men's Championship winner.
🏌️Well done to everyone who's taken to the fairways this week and best of luck to everyone playing over the next three days!

10/11/2023

Casterton RSL's Remembrance Day service will be held at Island Park today, 10.45am. For those who can't make it, we'll be livestreaming the event here.