The monster dust storm that hit Parkes on Sunday after 6pm made headlines all over the country, while the beautiful rain of the past week has brought a lovely green tint to our brown environment. (Photo: Barry Green)
Four Days Of Double Demerits: Double demerit points will be in force for four days for this long weekend from today (Friday), 24th January to Monday, 27th January (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences. Key double demerit points in force are: exceed the speed limit by 10km/h and under; exceed the speed limit by over 10km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 20km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 30km/h; exceed the speed limit by over 45km/h; driver not wearing seatbelt; driver penalty for each passenger not wearing a seatbelt; rider on a motorcycle not wearing helmet; rider penalty for passenger on a motorcycle not wearing a helmet; use a mobile phone while driving. NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Melanie Maguire is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time this long weekend.
Hear All About It: The Parkes Shire Council started audio recording of its council meeting in December last year to give greater access to the open sessions of its monthly meetings. Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM said the audio recordings would facilitate even greater transparency between council and the community, enhancing accessibility to council decision making, as well as encouraging residents to be better informed and more involved. The audio recordings will complement the written minutes to provide a more complete public record of the proceedings of the council meetings. Audio files will be uploaded to Council’s website within five working days from the date of the meeting and will be available for a period of three months. Thereafter, the recordings can be made available upon written request to Council.
Elvis At Currajong: Currajong Disability Services (CDS) in Parkes celebrated the Parkes Elvis Festival with one of the top tribute artists Ray Perrone. It has become a regular highlight of the festival calendar and this year Ray returned to entertain and sing with NDIS participants at Currajong. “I love coming here each year,” said Ray. “I think I get a bigger buzz than the participants and staff do. It’s one of my favourite gigs. Seeing them sing and dance and laugh is what it’s all about,” he said. Dane Millerd from CDS said Ray had become part of the Currajong family where he had made many friends.
Ray Perrone with Jeanette Lovett.