News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 22nd August 2017

The search is continuing for man who allegedly robbed a Mount Pleasant business armed with a knife overnight. It's alleged he entered a store on Grandview Drive and threatened the female staff member with the knife. It's then alleged he demanded money and cigarettes before taking off with them. He's about 20 years old and described as 165cm tall with a medium build and Caucasian in appearance.

While police are on the lookout for some dirty dancing thieves. It's alleged a man was joined by two Asian women on the dance floor of a licensed venue on Shute Harbour Road in Airlie Beach on Saturday night but when they left his wallet and phone were missing.

There's still a bit of smoke around Dingo beach with crew battling a vegetation fire near Hydeaway Bay Drive yesterday afternoon. It started on Sunday with it coming very close to the Hydeaway Bay caravan and Camping Park.

Mackay and Whitsunday locals are being assured we will likely see more NDRRA Category D funding. It's coming from Dawson MP George Christensen who says extra information which was needed regarding funding for Shute Harbour has been supplied and further discussions have also been undertaken regarding the Bluewater Trail.

Expanded alcohol and drug counselling services are now available for Mackay locals. It comes with the launch of the new ICE Help Program yesterday. Dawson MP George Christensen says it'll be a huge benefit for the community.

Seniors in our region have a big week this week. The Big Sheds of the Mackay Showgrounds will play host to the Seniors Expo today. Council says there'll be something for everyone this Seniors Week.

LOCAL SPORT

The Mackay City Hawks boys are celebrating a win over the Eastern Swans. They defeated them 122 points to 71 in round 18 of the Allied Pickford's cup.

The Audi Hamilton Island Race week is entering day three of racing today. Wild Oats X has been renamed NANOQ by the Crown Prince Frederik Of Denmark who's skippering it for the event and is currently sitting in second place in their IRC Racing division.

WEATHER

MACKAY: Partly cloudy. Slight (20%) chance of a light shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.

WHITSUNDAYS: Mostly sunny. Slight (20%) chance of a light shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. 

ON THE WATERS: East to northeasterly about 10 knots, reaching up to 15 knots inshore during the afternoon. Seas Below 1 metre. Swell East to northeasterly below 1 metre.

SUNRISE: 6:21AM & SUNSET: 5:51PM