Regional WA

court‘God’s grace’ saves Bunbury drunk driver

A magistrate warned a Bunbury man he was lucky his car did not “end up in someone’s bedroom” after he was caught recklessly driving while drunk and refused to comply with a breath test.

Ailish Delaney

drunken crashBunbury drink-driver lucky to live after crash

A Bunbury musician who found himself in hot water when he was caught by police after crashing his car while drunk has been told by a magistrate he was lucky to be still alive.

Ailish Delaney

CROSS-EXAMINATIONMayor ‘constructing story to cover-up assault’

The prosecution has accused Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn of constructing a story after he denied punching a man at a Kalbarri hotel in 2019, saying he simply raised his hand to push the man away.

Liam Beatty

lifeline for clubsDalyellup club grateful to Shire for donation

A Dalyellup soccer club has given the Capel Shire Council a framed team shirt as a token of the club’s appreciation for the council throwing them a lifeline through its COVID-19 community donation.

Ailish Delaney

lifestyleChick Elson: not the type to give up

A punctured lung, broken leg, jaw, ribs and several broken fingers are just a few of the injuries Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup Football Club legend Malcom “Chick” Elson has suffered in his career.

Nicolette Barbas

Fears unfoundedProspectors’ Aboriginal heritage law fears quashed

The EGPA raised concerns with the Kalgoorlie Miner the proposed reforms would have far-reaching implications for people venturing on land that had, or could have, Aboriginal heritage sites.

Jason Mennell

Throughput upIron ore leads Esperance port export surge

Southern Ports’ annual report unveiled last month revealed total trade through Esperance port was 11.4 million tonnes for the 2019-20 financial year.

Jason Mennell

Health pitchNationals back PATS in $58m poll pledge

Under the plan, the fuel subsidy would be increased to 21¢ per kilometre, the threshold for accessing flights would be reduced to 700km and dental services would be made eligible through PATS

Tom Zaunmayr

cars on displayGears in motion for Bunbury motor museum opening

The Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum is shifting into gear, with work almost complete for the official opening ceremony.

Ailish Delaney

Donnybrook long table lunchGallery: Visitors get a taste for region

The Donnybrook Food and Wine Festival was originally cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However in its place on Saturday came a rustic long table lunch.

Ailish Delaney

Slow progressPush to extend Kalgoorlie’s trading hours thwarted

Opening hours on Kalgoorlie’s main street are unlikely to change much after local councillors watered down a push to deregulate shopping hours.

Tom Zaunmayr

ASSAULT TRIALMayor’s accuser was ‘looking for trouble’

The man who accused Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn of assaulting him at a Kalbarri hotel last year was antagonising patrons on the night, a court has been told.

Liam Beatty

Bush to big timeChampion jockey got his start on Goldfields bush tracks

Born in Kalgoorlie on March 20, 1986 and reared in Coolgardie until he was 14, Pike never anticipated he would ever get the chance to ride on tracks such as Flemington, Caulfield and Moonee Valley

John Terrell

Wild weatherKununurra storm a ‘horrible blow’ to local tourism

A massive East Kimberley storm that flipped planes over like toys has been described as a ‘horrible blow’ for the local tourism industry still struggling with the affects of COVID-19.

Ben Anderson

Trainee turns mentorLocal returns to mentor Leonora netball girls

Ms Beaman said she planned to use her experience across community, local government and corporate sectors to give back to her community.

Taylar Amonini

Lift offHelispirit to start scenic Esperance helicopter flights

The opportunity for expansion came as the tourism organisation, in liaison with Australia’s Golden Outback, took a road trip to Esperance to explore operation expansion.

Taylar Amonini

Top dogEsperance shire selects new chief executive

Mr Burge, who had been acting in the top job since the departure of Matthew Scott, was selected from a field of 22 applicants at a special council meeting this morning

Tom Zaunmayr

Helping friendsShed loads of friendship

Few people know about The Birdcage and what it is doing to help women out of tough times.

Shannon Smith

Cultural celebrationNAIDOC-inspired events celebrate culture & recognition

Despite NAIDOC Week officially being postponed until November, Newton Moore Senior High School continued its own tradition of hosting NAIDOC-inspired events on September.

Jackson Barrett

Bush foodsSaline bush food benefits on menu

The gates of an innovative saline bush food farm will open to the public for the first time next month.

Shannon Smith

Big spenderEnvironment cash splash to boost WA tourism

A new Federal Budget environment and heritage package will pump funds into expanding WA's oyster reefs and also give cash to a Fremantle prison renovation.

Annabel Hennessy

ASSAULT TRIALKey witness saw ‘cut’ knuckles but no punch

The State’s key witness in the assault trial of Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn yesterday conceded under cross-examination she did not see him physically punch 32-year-old Tahnwa Graham Manrique.

Liam Beatty