A Mackay horse trainer Mark Cochrane has been suspended for a year by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner. He's been found guilty of beating a thoroughbred racehorse with PVC piping at Mackay's Ooralea Racecourse last week. Mr Cochrane has also been fined $400.00
Two Mackay men Mala Owen Geissler and Joshua Don Francis Wales are charged with the murder. They’ve appeared in the Mackay Magistrates Court yesterday for their committal hearing but are yet to enter a plea. It's alleged a samurai sword was used to kill Tyrone Michael Baynton in North Mackay in 2015. The hearings to continue today.
A 75 pensioner from Finch Hatton has lost all her money. She's one of a phone scammer's latest victims. Senior Constable Steve Smith explains what happened
While a 14 year old three metre pet coastal carpet python is missing from an East Mackay home. Police say 'Dutches' was stolen from a home on Park Street sometime between Tuesday and Thursday last week.
There's a fresh push to see the Adani coal mine west of Mackay, not go ahead. Environmental Justice Campaign Director Sam Regester says it'll only make the coral bleaching event around Mackay and the Whitsundays worse.
While Mackay locals are being encouraged to apply for the up to 1000 Adani jobs set to come online soon. Dawson MP George Christensen says they'll open by mid-year as Adani moves into pre-construction work.
LOCAL SPORT
Mackay's David Nicholas has a few medals to add to his collection following his showing at the Track World Championships. He took out a win in the 3 kay pursuit a silver in the 1 kay time trial and a bronze in the scratch race in Los Angeles.
Local dancer Keava Brennan will jump onto an international stage next month. The 11 year old's training four times a week as she prepares to represent Australia at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin.
WEATHER
Partly cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds northerly 15 to 20 km/h tending northeasterly 20 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.