News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 13th December 2017

Mackay Police are investigating a hold up at an adult store in Wood street on Monday night. A man armed with a hammer entered Diva's Den just before 9pm demanding cash before ripping out the register himself and fleeing. Detective Senior Sergeant David Tucker says the worker wasn't hurt but it's still a significant impact. Reece D'Alessandro from 9 News Mackay has more. 

Local life guards are reminding residents to swim within the flags at all times during the summer season after a box jellyfish was found at Eimeo Beach. The 5cm long juvenile stinger was caught in a drag net at the weekend. Jellyfish are at their worst following a light northerly breeze and when the water is warm.

Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan has missed out on a leadership position with the LNP. He had expressed interest in becoming deputy leader...instead Deb Frecklington and Tim Mander securing the top spots. Mr Costigan teamed up with the Gold Coast's John-Paul Langbroek for a tilt at the LNP leadership yesterday. Here's what he had to say before stepping into the ring.

 Locals artists are being invited to enter their songs in the 2018 Queensland Music Awards- with submissions being taken until January 21. Mackay songstress Tia Gostelow has had a breakout year. As a standout nominee- Tia was asked to perform at the QMAs in front of her peers and the Queensland music industry. 

The Whitsundays have tapped into the Chinese Tourism market, as a new Airline deal will inject nearly $200,000,000 into the state's economy. 9 News Mackay's Keziah Sullivan has more. 

LOCAL SPORT

Pioneer Valley first grader Kepler Bourke is making his mark in the Mackay Cricket Association's DBCT Poole Cup- opening the batting for his side.

It's off season for the Mackay Road Runners but that hasn't stopped the dedicated squad completing 5.5 and 11 kilometre runs south along East Point Road. The social training group meet of 20 saw Carl Pinkstone take the lead in long distance.

WEATHER

MACKAY: Partly cloudy. Medium (60%) chance of showers. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h.

WHITSUNDAYS: Mostly sunny. Medium (50%) chance of showers near the coast, slight (20%) chance elsewhere. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southeasterly before dawn then tending east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning

ON THE WATERS:  Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots, tending east to northeasterly inshore south of Sarina during the afternoon. Seas 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres offshore, decreasing to around 1 metre during the morning.

 UV Alert - Sun protection recommended from 7:50 am to 3:50 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme]