News blog, May 13: Gun found on residential block; Shepparton United’s Kara Blizzard set to play 300th game

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

Hey hey, it’s not yet Saturday,

Welcome all, the Friday vibes are high ‒ Caitlyn Grant here to take you through the day.

Today we’re looking at a top of 21 degrees, with Saturday 19, and Sunday a top of 21 with a bit of sun.

Also, to keep the vibes up, I request many a pet pic please. Send ‘em through to our Facebook inbox and the best of the good boys and girls will be shared throughout the blog today!

UPDATE, 4.45 pm: Headlines to end the day

Clocking off today, I provide you with some of today’s yarns.

First up, of course, is mine.

For this week’s Let’s Talk column, Megan Fisher and I sat down with Yorta Yorta artist Chloe Jones. She talked about navigating her identity and the pressures of being a young Indigenous woman and what that meant for her art. Megan took some stunning pics, so make sure to have a look.

Next we have our lovely girl Rani, golden retriever cross Rottweiller she is a bundle of energy AND is up for a new home!!! Take her!!!

In other news, Police have seized a gun found on a vacant block in a Shepparton residential area and arrested a man nearby.

And with that, I say goodbye. Have a good weekend!

UPDATE, 2.25 pm: Sports break!!!

It’s been a big week for our sporting friends and is set to be an even bigger weekend.

First up, Kara Blizzard is set to hit a phenomenal milestone with the Shepparton United Football Netball Club ‒ her 300th game. Aydin Payne reports here.

A couple of football rising stars from the Goulburn Valley region will be strutting their stuff in front of AFL recruiters and scouts this weekend, if you were wondering how I was spending my weekend, now you know.

Mooroopna boxing product Chris Boland enjoyed the perfect start to his fighting career late last month, reeling off two eye-catching victories in six days.

On the soccer field, after two narrow losses in a row Shepparton United will be pulling out all the stops to rediscover its early-season Central Victorian League league one men’s form on Sunday.

And finally, in my bid to one day become senior sports reporter Aydin Payne’s sporting protégé, I will once more plug the midday warriors’ podcast ‒ The Run Down.

In amongst the banter and giggles, the boys have a chat with Central Coast Mariners rising star Garang Kuol and talk all things ball.

UPDATE, 11 am: Senior Nats rally around Birrell after funding re-announcement derailed

Senior reporter Max Stainkamph braved the cold yesterday to catch the visit of three senior Nationals members and Nicholls candidate, Sam Birrell, on the election campaign trail.

The stage was set for a classic election stunt — three senior Nationals members ready to jump off the train at Shepparton Station alongside Nationals candidate Sam Birrell to show off their ‘track record’ on delivering for regional rail.

However, the plan was derailed when former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, Senator Bridget McKenzie and current deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud joined Mr Birrell at Mooroopna Station only to find the 12.14pm Shepparton service cancelled.

Read more here.

UPDATE, 9 am: Headlines to start the day

A touch of history will be on display at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday for the match of the round in the Goulburn Valley League. Mooroopna will run out against Euroa in the round six clash donning a classy heritage guernsey.

Two men lured another man to a vacant block in Shepparton and attacked him before one of the men stabbed him, a court has heard. Read more here.

A second pre-poll booth opens in Shepparton on Saturday, May 14 for voters wanting to cast their ballots before next week’s Federal Election. Have a look here for some more deets.

And a headline that made me laugh in disbelief, 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.