January 25, 2026
Surprise cash purchase tips cops to huge cocaine stash Two men were arrested on the vessel and another three men were nabbed on shore. Photo: NSW Police.
National

Surprise cash purchase tips cops to huge cocaine stash

More than a thousand blocks of cocaine were found on a motorboat off the NSW coast. Photo: NSW Police. Two men were arrested on the vessel and another three men were nabbed on shore. Photo: NSW Police. The 13-metre motorboat was tracked off the NSW coast before being intercepted. Photo: NSW Police. A BOAT bought […]

Read More
Pope Leo XIV’s election celebrated across Australia, including the Mid North Coast Pope Leo XIV's first address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica: Photo: Diocese of Lismore.
National

Pope Leo XIV’s election celebrated across Australia, including the Mid North Coast

THE Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has welcomed the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the ACBC, extended his congratulations on behalf of the Church in Australia. “The Catholic Church in Australia assures Pope Leo […]

Read More
Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Port Macquarie’s Coastal Walk A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS.
National

Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Port Macquarie’s Coastal Walk

A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. A playful humpback close to the shoreline. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. HUMPBACK whales have been sighted off the coast of Port Macquarie, signalling the start of their annual migration. Each year, approximately 40,000 humpback whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds and travel north […]

Read More
Australia’s first intergenerational virtual reality program launches at Garden Village Garden Village resident Phyllis Goodwin with Intergen Connect founder Casey Baldwin and Heritage Christian School students Jasmine and Kennedy. Photo: supplied by Garden Village.
National

Australia’s first intergenerational virtual reality program launches at Garden Village

Garden Village resident Phyllis Goodwin with Intergen Connect founder Casey Baldwin and Heritage Christian School students Jasmine and Kennedy. Photo: supplied by Garden Village. Garden Village residents Stan and Margaret experience VR. Photo: supplied by Garden Village. Adam Spencer at the Future of Technology Summit, Port Macquarie. Photo: supplied by Garden Village. PORT MACQUARIE is […]

Read More
Average speed camera trial begins between Kew and Lake Innes
National

Average speed camera trial begins between Kew and Lake Innes

AVERAGE speed cameras have been turned on between Kew and Lake Innes, operating in warning mode for light vehicle speeding offences. In a NSW Government trial which started on 1 May, average speeds are now being measured over a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway. The Kew to Lake Innes stretch is one of two […]

Read More
Thousands show support as young and old join Anzac Day march in Port Macquarie Cadets representing the Australian Air Force, Navy and Army march with pride. Photos: Sis Higgins.
National

Thousands show support as young and old join Anzac Day march in Port Macquarie

THOUSANDS gathered in Port Macquarie CBD on Thursday 25 April, to commemorate Anzac Day. Representatives of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were joined by those who may one day serve, as they marched with pride through the CBD to the Town Square. Veterans, their families, current servicemen and women, and young cadets from the Air […]

Read More
NSW Gov moves to crackdown on illegal tree clearing
National

NSW Gov moves to crackdown on illegal tree clearing

THE NSW Government has promised action to address the growing number of cases of illegal tree clearing in NSW. An Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) has been released, offering stakeholders the opportunity to consult on reforms to the urban tree clearing framework. A new resource to help planners, developers and builders tackle urban heat has […]

Read More
Dangerous beach conditions close Bennetts Beach Paris, Peta and Andrew were kept very busy restocking supplies and checking on weather patterns.
National

Dangerous beach conditions close Bennetts Beach

  DANGEROUS surf conditions in the wake of gale-force winds and rain closed Bennetts Beach last weekend. ‘Beach Closed’ signs in the middle of the school holidays are never a happy sight, but the visible churning of the waters, and waves averaging two metres in height, were more than enough to bring out the signs […]

Read More