WEATHER
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It might be hard to believe in this sweltering heat, but Ballarat will be one of the coolest places in the state today.
Although a top of 36 degrees is forecast in Ballarat, the mercury is expected to top 43 degrees in northern Victoria, with Melbourne and Geelong to hit 40 and 41 degrees respectively.
There is however, a 40 per cent chance of rain according to Weatherzone, but only a small amount is expected to fall.
Tomorrow is forecast to hit 32 degrees, before a cool change sweeps through Victoria, bringing temperatures down to the low 20s across the weekend.
POLICE
No major incidents from Ballarat police from overnight, although local officers have been running a special operation targeting shoplifters over the past two days.
Full results of the operation are expected to be compiled today, although preliminary reports show police caught a high number of offenders.
Police will also launch Operation Tradie, which will crack down on drunken and anti-social behaviour in Ballarat's CBD.
A combination of hot evening weather and many businesses wrapping up work for the year will see a number of people hitting local drinking holes tonight and tomorrow, with police promising to come down hard on any poor behaviour.
FIRE
Just a couple of false alarms for our firefighters overnight; one to St John of God hospital and another to the Queen Elizabeth Centre in Ascot Street.
In between call outs, crews got familiar with new portable field technology kits, which allow for greater positioning on firegrounds.
Ballarat City Fire Station senior station officer Anthony Pearce said although the official fire danger period started next Monday, today was far too dangerous to be risking any burnoffs.
"Today has the potential to be a high fire danger day, so people need to take every single precaution they can," he said.
SES
Just the one call out for our local SES volunteers overnight.
The Hepburn Shire crew, which is based in Daylesford, was called out to a tree across the road near the Trentham Golf Club.
Apart from that, there were no other call outs in the mid-west district overnight.
TRAINS
Ballarat trains are running on time this morning, although the hot weather has forced a new timetable to be put in place. The heat timetable can be found here.
TOP STORIES
ON THE AGENDA
Stephen Francis Farrell, a former Christian Brother at St Alipius Parish School, will today be sentenced for a fresh charge of indecent assault, dating back to 1974.