News blog, March 4: GV families ‘living in fear’ for relatives in Ukraine; police search lake for weapon

We’re looking at highs of 32 degrees, some good times and hopefully, a lunch break nap is on the horizon.

UPDATE, 5.30 pm: Have a good weekend!

This is me signing off for the day, I hope you all have a lovely weekend and get to have a boogie.

Also, I have been alerted my use of “bite the bullet” was in fact very, very wrong, so I hope someone got a giggle out of it.

Happy Friday!

UPDATE, 5 pm: Mozzie virus alert as case numbers rise

People living, working or visiting towns along the Murray River are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquitoes following a rise in suspected Japanese encephalitis virus cases.

Since last week, there have been eight suspected human cases of JEV infection in Victoria, including six people who have been hospitalised.

Children aged under five years old and older people who are infected with JEV are at a higher risk of developing more severe illness, such as encephalitis.

UPDATE, 4.20 pm: Some headlines for the end of day

Friday knock off is nearing, so if you’re one of the favoured few who has chucked your feet up, feel free to frolic in these fan favourites.

In anticipation of the Land of Plenty festival coming to town, I had a chat with Ball Park Music’s Sam Cromack. He had a bit to say on their new album, along with visiting the GV.

Youssef Saudie wrote an in-depth article on how COVID-19 restrictions have impacted not only people in prison, but their families. He spoke with Shenae Mcgee, a mother of seven whose husband is incarcerated, about the effects it has had on their family.

Greater Shepparton City Council will officially open the Dookie Rail Trail, Stage 2, this Sunday, March 6. To mark and celebrate the completion of this community project, a ribbon ceremony, speeches and a free barbecue will take place at the CWA Gardens in Dookie.

If you’re in the market for a new car, it’s your lucky day. Or year. Shepparton car dealers are expecting a bumper year of electric vehicle sales with a fleet of new models hitting the market.

Or if you’re after something a little spicier, I’ve heard there’s a 2006 Holden Astra in The News’ carpark that will forever and always keep you on your toes. (Literally, you will have to walk. He will break down.)

UPDATE, 4.10 pm: Sports o’clock!!!

Our sports boys have had their heads down all week, working out the logistics on how to catch the ball, be the ball and most importantly, write about said ball.

Senior sports journo Aydin Payne reeled out a ripper yarn Shepparton’s Garry Jacobson embarking on his fourth straight Supercars Championship campaign this weekend.

Zac Standish has pedalled a goodie on Shepparton lawyer-turned-boxer Luke Slater, swapping the suits for the gloves this Saturday night.

Mooroopna’s quest for back-to-back Haisman Shield premierships has been covered by James Kleeman here, I hear the clash against Nagambie will be a make-or-break qualifying final.

Petition to make me the next sports journalist?

UPDATE, 3.50 pm: GV families ‘living in fear’ for relatives

Gianni Francis has written an insightful piece on how Numurkah woman, Ruth Hartnett-Carr, feels like she’s watching her ancestral history repeat itself.

Ms Hartnett-Carr is in Australia today because her grandmother, Luba, fled Ukraine to Germany after the Soviets arrested and executed her father, Andrew, in 1944.

She still has relatives in the Ukraine, and as the Russian invasion continues to unfold, Ms Hartnett-Carr has watched with anxiety over the uncertain fate of her family stuck in the war zone.

“For me, this is like watching history, a horrific history that I have been told about coming to life again,” Ms Hartnett-Carr said.

UPDATE, 2.45 pm: Friday blues?

Man, I don’t about you guys but a cheeky Barca Love lunch has well and truly just about done me in. (If my editor is reading this ‒ haha I am kidding, haha I am working so well.)

The Friday arvo slump has got me dreaming about the next 48 hours of my life and gee, it’s looking good.

The region has pumped a whole lot into the coming weekend and you’d be a fool not to stick around and have a gander.

Tonight the good ol’ Twilight Stroll is on the cards and if you’re too knackered to make the walk back, there’s a shuttle bus. Like a courtesy bus, but for kids.

Saturday is hosting the biggest garage sale known to humankind (possible exaggeration, but I will not be fact checked. I am FREE).

Sunday is Clean up Australia Day, so chuck on a hat and gloves will be provided at Kalinga Park in a mass rubbish clean up.

Plus more, check it out here.

UPDATE, 2 pm: Police search Victoria Park Lake

Victoria Police has conducted a search in the Victoria Park Lake this afternoon, looking for a weapon related to a firearms incident that occurred on Wednesday.

Journalist Anna McGuinness was on the ground to see all the action unfold.

More to come.

UPDATE, 12.30 pm: Tongala murals unveiled

Seven murals relating to the Goulburn River were officially unveiled at the Tongala Town Square this morning as part of the Tongala Art Trail.

Ruby Kellett, Aiden Marsh and Ella Hughes from Tongala Primary School cut the ribbon to officially open the new murals.

There was a short ceremony where Lions Club president Ross Taylor thanked everyone for the great turnout.

In the lime light was Murray Ross, the Lions member behind this new addition to the art trail.

More from Gianni Francis to come in next week’s Kyabram Free Press.

UPDATE, 12 pm: Grassfire in Toolamba

A grass fire at Cemetery Bend, Toolamba has been contained by Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA crews this morning.

CFA District 22 Commander Pete Dedman said CFA received a call to the scene at 10.39am, and responded to the scene with three firefighting tankers.

The grass fire was reported to be about 100m by 30m in size, he said.

Commander Dedman said the fire has since been contained, and control has been handed over to Forest Fire Management Victoria.

Commander Dedman also said a member of the public has been left with minor burns after assisting to control the fire - but Georgia Rossiter is just following this information up with Ambulance Victoria.

UPDATE, 10.00 am: Victoria COVID-19 numbers

Victoria has recorded 6,545 COVID-19 cases and sadly, 26 lives lost.

The state recorded 245 people with the virus hospitalised, 128 are in ICU and seven are on ventilators.

UPDATE, 9.15 am: Happy birthday Megan!

Today also marks a very special day for a very special member of the newsroom, our photographer Megan Fisher is celebrating another year.

In honour of her b-day, here’s some of her stellar work that we are very, very grateful for. She rocks.

Happy birthday Megan!

UPDATE, 8.50 am: Headlines of today

After being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, Shepparton’s Eric Brown was told he hasn’t got much time left. Instead of focusing on the negative, Mr Brown will make his way to Queensland on his mobility scooter with his handmade car attached, along with his travel companion his cat, Little Girl, to raise awareness and money for Angel Flight.

Shepparton’s first 7-Eleven officially opened yesterday. Slurpees and Krispy Kremes were aplenty at the Numurkah Road store unveiling.

The Albanian Mosque of Shepparton has been renovated for its growing and vibrant community, and will be officially unveiled on Saturday, March 5.

In national news, parts of Greater Sydney have been spared major flooding after less rain fell in the area than expected, as the focus switches to the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.

Flood stricken communities across Queensland and NSW are being assisted by more than 2000 defence force personnel who will also take part in clean-up efforts, 103 people had been rescued by ADF helicopters since the flood crisis began.

UPDATE, 8.45 am: PressReader is down

PressReader, the hosting platform of our digital replica of the newspaper, is experiencing network outage issues and is impacting the ability to access your Shepparton News online.

The team has said they are working hard to identify and correct the issue and hope to have it resolved soon.

We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause our readers.