Check in with the daily blog for the latest news across the region.
Hello Shepparton,
Caitlyn Grant here to tell you that we’ve done it, we’ve made it. It’s Friday.
Today is looking to bring in tops of 32 degrees, don’t let those dreary skies fool you, it’s not looking to get wet until later tonight.
UPDATE, 5.20 pm: Weekend woohoo
It’s time, we’re clocking off and getting ready for the weekend.
In honour of dancefloors being open once more, I’ll pop this here for a few tips for those who are a bit rusty. Happy Friday!
UPDATE, 4.30 pm: Treaty Day Out and by-election voting opens tomorrow
Huge day tomorrow!
First Nations people in the region will be able to vote tomorrow on which of the four nominated candidates will represent the North East as part of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria in the Treaty process
Four Traditional Owners will stand as candidates: Lisa Rose Thorpe, Travis Morgan, Madison Connors and Nicole Atkinson, with voting open until March 27.
Coinciding with the by-election’s voting commencement is inaugural festival Treaty Day Out, being held as a celebration aimed at raising awareness and support for Victoria’s path to Treaty.
If you haven’t heard, the outdoor event is hosting an absolute stellar lineup including Scott Darlow, Briggs and Archie Roach, being held at Rumbalara Football Netball Club.
We’ll be taking some hot snaps, so if you can’t make it, tune in on Monday to have a look and a see at all you could have been a part of.
UPDATE, 3.30 pm: Hume Freeway reopened
The citybound lanes of the Hume Freeway, Craigieburn have been re-opened between the Hume Highway and Amaroo Road, following a truck roll over.
Delays on the freeway and on surrounding roads are beginning to ease.
UPDATE, 2.15 pm: What’s on the cards this weekend?
You’d be dreaming to go anywhere else this weekend other than the sweet, sweet Goulburn Valley.
Not only do the next two days have a ripper lineup of events, today marks the start of the Shepparton CBD Summer Sale so if you’re after some new kicks or perhaps a fun hat, today is the day.
We’ve done the work and compiled all the big bits and pieces going on in the next few days here, but here are few fun highlights to chuck in the calendar.
Treaty Day Out will make its debut on Saturday with a hit lineup of First Nations artists at Rumbalara Football Club and to back it up Sunday, we’ve got the Codference coming to Eastbank ‒ hook, line and may I add, sinker.
UPDATE, 12.40 pm: Citybound lanes of Hume Freeway closed
If you were planning to duck off work early and get on the road, there will be some delays on the Hume Freeway.
The citybound lanes of the Hume Freeway, Craigieburn are closed between the Hume Highway and Amaroo Road, due to a truck rollover.
Traffic delays on the freeway are building rapidly in both directions.
Motorists are being directed along a brief detour onto the Hume Highway exit, then back onto the freeway from Amaroo Road.
The road will re-open when investigations are complete and it’s safe to do so.
UPDATE, 12.15 pm: It all comes down to this
Cricket Shepparton’s home-and-away rounds come to a thrilling conclusion tomorrow, and the sports team has been across all of the Haisman Shield possibilities.
Plenty of focus will be on the result of the clash between Waaia and Northerners, with the Jets needing to win to stay in the six.
The Bombers can pinch top spot — and the only guaranteed double chance along with it — with a victory of their own though, so will not be taking a backwards step.
Numurkah is on the outside looking in, and needs a big win over Euroa as well as a defeat for at least one of Mooroopna, Nagambie or the Northerners to keep its season alive.
UPDATE, 11.25 am: Cobram man missing
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing Cobram man Wayne.
The 54-year-old was last seen on Gemmell St, Cobram on February 23 at about midday, wearing a blue checked shirt and black cut off tracksuit pants.
It is believed he is travelling in a white Ford Falcon ute with registration ‘1EO4CA’.
Police and family have concerns for Wayne as he has a medical condition requiring medication.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Cobram Police Station on 5871 1977.
UPDATE, 10.30 am: Petrol prices looking to soar
Seeing the price of petrol soar is making me, well, a little sore.
Our observant columnist Oddie has been making the rounds in town to see what’s cracking and was met with a strange sense of relief when pulling into the servo.
“Fancy that, feeling good about paying $1.75,” he said.
Have you noticed prices slowly creeping up? It seems worse is to come with sanctions against Russia (a major energy producer for Europe) scaring the market.
UPDATE, 10.15 am: Victoria’s COVID-19 figures
Victoria has recorded 6,580 cases and sadly, 11 people have died with the virus.
The latest reporting period showed 301 people are in hospital with the virus, four of which are on ventilators.
The last time less than 300 people were in hospital with the virus in Victoria was in the first week of December in 2021.
There are 41,125 active cases in the state.
UPDATE, 9.15 am: Missing girl found
Police have confirmed Shepparton 14-year-old Tiearne has been found “safe and well”.
Shepparton police was asking for public assistance yesterday with concern for the 14-year-old’s welfare.
The police said a family member was supposed to pick up Tiearne from school on Hawdon St, Shepparton, on Wednesday, February 23.
Tiearne was not there when they arrived, and was still missing Thursday morning, February 24. Thankfully, she has now been found.
UPDATE, 8.45 am: Headlines of the morning
Shepparton is gearing up to host a two-night festival of lights in March based at the Shepparton Art Museum and Victoria Park Lake. Lasers and projections? I’m in.
In case you missed it, a gas leak in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall on Thursday morning resulted in an evacuation of the area for about two hours.
Nursing staff at Goulburn Valley Health’s Emergency Department have received assistance to upskill after a donation of $150,000 from Peter Copulos, six nurses will receive scholarships of $5000 a year for five years.
A little further away from Shepparton, Ukraine's top diplomat in Australia has called for more financial, military and humanitarian assistance for his country as Russia's invasion continued overnight.
Torrential rain is expected to continue on the north coast of NSW as Sydney rounds out what is likely to be its wettest summer in three decades. Us little folk in the GV can also expect a bit of a downpour in the coming week, so please, do better than me and take your washing off the line.