News blog, May 11: Shepparton in top eight of tourism award; two Mooroopna boys arrested

The daily news blog has been a way for our team to keep you updated hour-by-hour in the middle of a global pandemic.

While the continuing serious nature of the COVID-19 outbreak across the globe is not to be downplayed, the conversation has shifted from what do we do ‘now’ to what do we do ‘next’.

The need for analysis, in-depth coverage and exclusive content outweighs the ‘breaking’ nature of the news cycle, and with that comes the commitment of more resources to the daily blog.

It means that from Wednesday, May 4, this content will return to its place behind our paywall. For full digital access, subscribe to our ‘welcome’ bundle; it’s just $2 per week for 12 weeks. Join | Shepparton News

We’ve loved having you along for the ride as we explored a new way to deliver content to you directly – and we hope you will stay with us for the next step on the journey.

Tyler Maher, Shepparton News editor

Good day Goulburn Valley,

Caitlyn Grant back at it again for the day of days, hump-day.

We’re looking at a top of 17 degrees with a fair bit of rain, so if you have washing on the line, skedaddle.

UPDATE, 5 pm: Headlines to finish off the day

To end your Wednesday, here’s a collation of all the latest that has been happening.

In a hit of politics news, Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud joined a united front of Nationals candidate Sam Birrell and Liberal candidate Steve Brooks in Ardmona to urge the region not to vote independent. Have a read here on the visit.

Mr Littleproud also announced the coalition’s agriculture policy while he was at it.

Shepp has landed itself in the top eight finalists in the Victorian Tourism Awards’ towns category, personally I think it’s the cows but others have said it could be my stunning personality reeling people in.

And finally, a Shepparton man who mailed his friend methamphetamines as a “birthday present” was caught after a police sniffer dog detected the parcel at a mail centre in the Northern Territory.

Have a good night!

UPDATE, 3.25 pm: Two Mooroopna boys arrested

Two Mooroopna boys are among four teenagers arrested after a car was allegedly stolen in Melbourne early on Wednesday, May 11.

Police said they had been told unknown people forced entry to a house on Vista Grove in Toorak just after 6am.

Read more here.

UPDATE, 1.50 pm: The Run Down

You heard it here first, or maybe second, our sports podcast The Run Down has dropped its third ep.

Third time’s a charm and the boys have well and truly gotten in the swing of the podcasting world but if you’re not yet up to date, here’s the first ep and the second.

Chatting with Central Coast Mariners rising star Garang Kuol about his rise from the Goulburn Valley all the way to A-League, the midday warriors (aka the sports desk) have produced a lovely listening.

AND they’ve also added a guest star ‒ senior digital reporter Max Stainkamph weighs in on the sporting life. Hopefully I’m next.

UPDATE, 12.15 pm: Van almost crashes with police vehicle

We have some court news hot off the press.

A court has heard a Mooroopna man was driving on the wrong side of the road and almost crashed into a police van as he drove around a corner.

The court also heard he drove off on police who chased him for 1.5km.

Have a read here.

UPDATE, 10.45 am: Flu vaccine available at McIntosh Centre every Friday

In addition to the first, second, third and fourth COVID-19 vaccination doses, the vaccination hub at the Shepparton Showgrounds McIntosh Centre will be offering influenza vaccinations every Friday starting from this week.

The influenza vaccinations will be available for people eligible through the National Immunisation Program.

No appointment is required for the influenza vaccination and if people are due for their COVID-19 vaccinations this can also be given at the same time.

The vax hub is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Tuesdays from 1pm to 9pm.

UPDATE, 9.15 am: Headlines to start the day

A Shepparton family has called on schools and the broader community to make themselves aware of important cultural and religious dates after their children missed out on school photos because they clashed with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Not sure if you noticed, but a 17-day construction blitz at six level crossings along the Shepparton rail line was finished on the weekend.

As we make our way into election week, independent candidate for the federal seat of Nicholls Rob Priestly says minimum service standards in health and aged care would be the major policy he would bring to parliament and his bargaining chip to garner support from a major party in the event of a hung parliament.

And finally, on early Saturday morning, people were allegedly threatened with a machete outside the Australian Hotel in Shepparton.