WEATHER
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A top of 16 degrees today and partly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of a shower in the morning and afternoon.
Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h tending southwesterly in the evening then becoming light in the late evening.
TODAY'S TOP STORY
AN Islamic leader has condemned a vicious and racist attack on a woman who was crossing a road in central Ballarat.
The woman was berated by a man driving a ute on October 3 as she crossed the intersection of Dana Street and Armstrong Street just before 7.30am.
POLICE
TWO men broke into a Ballarat East house at gunpoint and demanded money from a teenage couple, police said on Tuesday.
Police said an 18-year-old man went outside his Stawell Street South home at 11pm on Monday and was confronted by a man brandishing a black handgun.
He was threatened with the weapon before a second offender appeared from behind the victim’s car, which was parked in the carport.
The number of home burglaries in Ballarat has fallen slightly, but police are urging residents to stay vigilant and watch out for each other’s property.
It’s a message that Ballarat plumbers Lachy Mahar and Scott Jacobs have already heeded.
The pair were working at Clarendon College recently when they noticed two suspicious middle-aged men inspecting Mr Jacobs’ utility.
FIRE
Fire crews have said a quiet streak has continued with no call outs overnight.
THE 2014 fire season could start as soon as the end of October, prompting the CFA to urge residents in the region to prepare their homes.
CFA Grampians Regional Commander Mick Harris said a dry winter had lead to an increased fire risk particularly to residents on the outskirts of Ballarat, farming properties and surrounding towns.
AMBULANCE
Paramedics have no local trauma incidents to report.
V/LINE
A train fault is causing disruptions on the Ballarat line, according to @vline_ballarat Twitter feed.
ON THE AGENDA
Today The Courier will attend the World Master's Rowing competition at Lake Wendouree.
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VIDEO OF THE DAY
When magpies attack! Swooping bird (with worm in mouth) caught attacking cyclist on suburban street in slow-motion.
REGIONAL NEWS
KATHERINE - Watermelon growers are reeling in the wake of the announcement they will not be able to plant a crop for two years following the confirmation of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in the region. The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries officially confirmed on Monday that the virus had been detected in watermelon crops around Katherine as farm inspections continue in other Northern Territory growing areas, including Darwin, Mataranka, Douglas Daly and Ti Tree. READ MORE HERE.
BALLARAT - An Islamic leader has condemned a vicious and racist attack on a woman who was crossing a road in central Ballarat. The woman said she had wrapped her scarf around her head to protect herself from the rain before crossing a road on October 3. She was berated by a man driving a ute as she crossed the intersection. READ MORE HERE.
HORSHAM - Wimmera farmers are struggling as the region';s record dry spell continues. READ MORE HERE.
NEWCASTLE - Skaters stand up to racism against Muslim women. READ MORE HERE.
WAGGA - Poker player Luke Brabin has cashed in his chips to take home a coveted gold bracelet and a cool $131,365 at a major tournament at the weekend.
The former Wagga man, who attended Kooringal High School, came out on top after outlasting 611 players at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Asia Pacific tournament on Monday.
ORANGE - ELECTROLUX has been forced to stop production for a second day in a row today as a hazardous material removal specialists (HAZMAT) team continues to clean up a 6500-litre chemical spill at the factory. READ MORE HERE.
WARRNAMBOOL - Dead horse billboard angers racing industry.
BURNIE - Wartime book found by historian.
VICTORIA - Latest in the Toxic Legacy chemical sprays investigation.
NATIONAL NEWS
- BHP price cuts questioned
- Fairfax Media outlines Roger Corbett succession plan
- A strong sharemarket debut from Regis Healthcare and Japara Healthcare's resilient start to public ownership will lure more aged-care providers down the initial public offering route, analysts and experts have said.
- Banks expected to post hefty profits
- AFP asked to investigate Immigration Minister Scott Morrison over leaks.
- Dollar boost for agricultural sales
DAILY POLL
NATIONAL WEATHER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FACES OF AUSTRALIA
THE Ararat Gardening Club will celebrate its 10th year by holding a Sustainable Gardening Expo early next month. Guest speakers at the Sustainable Gardening Expo will be gardening gurus Millie Ross and Melissa King, who will impart their style of gardening knowledge and ideas to those who attend. READ MORE HERE.
