The Local Paper CFA VOLUNTEER ARSON CHARGES
Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
Fax: 1800 231 312.
www.LocalPaper.com.au
‘The Local Paper’ (Trade Mark Pending) is published by Yea Ne wspapers, a division of Local Media Pty Ltd
FREE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016
Welcome to your new Local Paper
‘Lit fire at Mount Disappointment’ - Court told
■ Nicholas Archer, 27, CFA volunteer, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, to face more than 25 arson and sabotage charges, including the allegation that he lit a bushfire at Mount Disappointment, near Flowerdale. Archer, a Metro Rail employee, of Waterford Park, near Kilmore East, is also accused of setting fire to the Clonbinane CFA fire station last July, and a grassfire at Sunday Creek Rd, Kilmore East on February 3. A Bail Justice was told that Archer was first on the scene at the Clonbinane and had won praise from colleagues for his prompt action in driving a fire tanker from the building. The Court was told that Archer is also accused of breaking into a stationary train and causing it to derail at Hurstbridge last November. Damage from the derailment was quoted to be in excess of $3 million. The train crashed into carriages, fencing and security boxes. Archer is also charged with fires at Newport Steam Rail club warehouse, the Newport rail museum, a Tottenham railway signal hut, a rubber matting centre at Brooklyn, and also at Taradale and Malmsbury. Archer also faces burglary, sabotage and criminal damage charges after allegedly damaging signal cabling at the Newport and Sunshine North railway signal huts last year. Police executed a search warrant at Archer’s Waterford Park home at the weekend. He was remanded in custody but will apply for bail.
Torri stars on stage
● Lauren Dwyer is now operating Yea Hair Studio in the High St premises that formerly housed the Snippe Shoppe. To celebrate the launch of The Local Paper, Lauren is making a half-price hair-cut offer. More details are on Page 10.
Court hears ‘battery’ allegations ■ John Paton Russell, 77, has lost his Supreme Court case in which he made allegations of ‘battery’ against three prison officers Reid, Tomkinson and Paton. Supreme Court Judge Jack Rush heard that Russell was a prisoner at the Melbourne Remand Centre whilst there on a charge of attempted murder, since withdrawn in July 2013. Russell said he had never been been held
in custody prior to this time, and had never been the subject of any conviction in his life. Judge Rush said Russell had a misplaced sense of entitlement: “a person that does not readily accept direction, particularly if he feels aggrieved”. Judge Rush said he did not believed force used on Russell at the Remand Centre was in any way excessive. Full story, Page 17
● Torri Parke starred on the community stage of the Whittlesea Country Music Festival on Saturday. The Tamworth Golden Guitar finalist was backed by a local band. More Festival photos are on Page 13.
● Ash Long, Editor, The Local Paper ■ You are holding the first issue of your new local weekly newspaper. The Local Paper is free. We do not believe that the weekly news of local people should be hidden behind a cover price or an internet paywall. You should not have to pay to read what is happening locally. The Local Paper will be published early every Wednesday morning, February-December, with the exception of ‘Easter Wednesday’ (March 30 this year). The Local Paper will have circulation of MORE THAN DOUBLE of any other local newspaper in the Yea-Kinglake district. Copies will be available free every week at more than 40 outlets in the region. Copies will also be delivered FREE to more than 1000 addresses in the Yea, Flowerdale, Ghin Ghin, Glenburn and Murrindindi areas by contractors. Additionally, The Local Paper is available digitally. We can send you a free email each Wednesday, with a link to our electronic e-dition, which is an exact replica of our print edition. You will also be able to read the current issue, and back copies, of The Local Paper free at our website: www.LocalPaper.com.au It is the 21st Century, so we will also have updates of breaking news, sports results, local weather, and ‘people pars’ at the website, plus Facebook and Twitter. The Local Paper promises energetic news coverage. Our reporting will be headed by editor Ash Long, who ran local newspapers in Yea, Kinglake and Whittlesea from 1984-1993. Long was named statewide winner of the Best Local Reporting Award by the Victorian Country Press Association for his coverage of Yea Shire Council affairs. Advertising in The Local Paper will be at competitive prices. Your message with get to more people - in print and online - at a better price. Trades and Services Directory advertising starts at just $5 per week. There will be free classified advertising for private-party ‘For Sale’ notices. The Local Paper will build a substantial ‘What’s On’ guide, with free listings for local organisations. The Local Paper is not associated with any other local publication. It is proudly independent, and warmly welcomes your news, letters, photos and contributions. The Local Paper is backed by Local Media Pty Ltd, publishers of the Melbourne Observer newspaper, which was first published 47 years ago, in 1969. The Local Paper looks forward to being a part of your life every week. Enjoy your free copy. Connect with us online. Let us share your news. Tell us what you think. We are your Local Paper. - Yea Newspapers, a division of Local Media Pty Ltd
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