NewsBank (Oamaru Mail)

The restoration of the ‘‘heart’’ of Waitaki Boys’ High School was celebrated last week.

A truck driver airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition following a crash north of Hampden has five fractures on one side of his body and his family has been left asking for financial help.

Paddy Spillane will represent the South at an international event this year.

Police arrested a man after an alleged assault ‘‘during a professional meeting’’ last week.

A chance to enjoy ‘‘great food’’ and dress in traditional costume will all be part of the Oamaru Chinese Association celebrations of the Chinese New Year next weekend.

North Otago Tennis is bringing back its junior open this weekend.

Despite less than perfect summer conditions in Oamaru, North Otago tennis still put on a show.

North Otago farmers are being invited to go organic with Fonterra’s organic business now inviting applications from farmers in the South Island for the first time.

Oamaru families will have to find their own New Year’s Eve entertainment this year, after the Waitaki District Council opted not to hold annual celebrations to cut costs.

Vanished World Centre has received a face-lift.

A strong showing at the final regatta of the calendar year has the Oamaru Rowing Club riding high.

Members of the Oamaru Coastal Defence Group, also known as the Southern Gunners, along with RSA members and veterans will gather at the Phoenix Bar, formally The Galleon this Sunday at 2pm.

Thousands of people bring out their bikes in the holiday season. North Otago is no different. Whether they are seasoned bikers or are new to cycling they are plentiful in all age groups.

Looking for the perfect spot to relax, explore and soak up the sunshine?

Artist Judith Lofley believes in the Jacques Costeau saying — ‘‘the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever’’.

Oamaru and Maheno pets are blessed. St Luke’s and St Andrew’s Anglican Churches held special pet blessing services on Sunday. St Luke’s vicar Rev Andrea McDougall (pictured) was at both services and said she blessed about 15 animals.

It was inevitable that electrification would find its way into John Cooper Works (JCW) performance models, bastions of traditional British performance models.

At is has in previous versions, the ‘‘Limited’’ is still the luxury standard bearer in the top selling RAV4 range SUV, Toyota’s most popular passenger vehicle globally, and poised for another sales surge when all new version arrives here in 2026.

An important win in a rivalry game puts Waitaki Girls’ High School on the brink of a playoff appearance.

Former vice-chairman Robert Roodnat was elected the new chairman of Waitaki Multicultural on May 1. Oamaru Mail reporter Jules Chin spoke to Mr Roodnat to find out what has been happening at the organisation that supports people of more than 50 different ethnicities throughout the district and organises a range of activities, social gatherings and community events celebrating diversity.

The looming threat of a government ‘‘specialist’’ being parachuted in to decide how to set up Waitaki’s water services has been labelled a case of ‘‘local democracy done poorly’’.

Are you suffering from foot, ankle, knee or hip pain? This can significantly impact daily life.

I’m sick of getting to a stage where we retirees (and other types of rate-paying households) are getting to the point where we can no longer afford to live in our homes.

The Waitaki District Council is reminding building owners in Oamaru it is time to gull-proof roofs before the breeding season.

Expansion plans at the Macraes gold mine near Palmerston can move forward ‘‘as scheduled’’, after the Department of Conservation (Doc) said it would allow the clearance of lizard habitat there.

Mitsubishi continues to prove age isn’t necessarily a barrier to new vehicle sales success in this country, with three of their models, all SUVs, among our top five best sellers for the year to date.

Make memories these school holidays in Waitaki!

In a twist, Oliver! will not only be played by one girl, but two, for the Musical Theatre Oamaru production next month.

THIS winter, Mt Dobson is calling all snow lovers, school groups, families, and local adventurers to come together for another unforgettable season on the slopes.

Moving raw milk between farms for cattle feed comes with new reporting regulations from next month, news that is a surprise to some farmers.