Hamish MacLean

Persistent rain ''on already saturated ground'' in the South has taken a toll on Clutha roads.

Amy Morrison (left, 22), of Inch Clutha, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, and Nikeisha Clarke (19), of Owaka, meet at the Clutha District Council offices yesterday before the young Clutha pair leave for the Aspiring Leaders' Forum/Te Wananga Rangatira Tumanako in Wellington at the beginning of July.

Lawrence teen Taylor Whitehead would like to write a novel, but she is not sure if she has one in her.

It appears visitors are returning to the Catlins area after the Christchurch earthquakes ''knocked the guts out'' of tourism in the coastal south, as one local tourism operator put it. Hamish MacLean reports.

A 19-year-old  woman driving a ute which skidded off the road and rolled into a paddock has told of the panicked minutes before she was rescued from the smoking vehicle by a passer-by.

The investigation into missing Invercargill boy Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and his stepfather John Beckenridge will not be closed, despite police referring the case to the coroner.

Examinations are continuing today into the wreckage of a car linked to missing Invercargill boy Mike Zhao-Beckenridge.

Arches could greet visitors driving into Lawrence after the old town swimming pool is decommissioned.

After 18years as Chief Fire Officer of the Milton Volunteer Fire Brigade, Alan Tapp (68) has stepped away from the role.

After 19 years as Lawrence's only doctor, it was difficult to leave, Dr Leon Dittrich says.

New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards 2015 senior finals overall winner Kelvin Cummings, of Dunedin, says he was shocked to win - but he'll get over it.

It is the memories their collection evokes in visitors that appeals to a pair of Balclutha toy collectors. Hamish MacLean catches up with a couple with a lot of dolls on their hands.

Results of the 2015 NZ Gold Guitars held in Gore over Queen's Birthday Weekend. -

It has been a long road to Gore for Nick Stone and Daniel Pfeifer.

Young Clutha residents (from left) James Witt (14), of Balclutha, Joe Pepper (14), of Milton, youth councillor Ashton Tourell (16), of Balclutha, logo competition winner Blake Peoples (14), of Kaitangata, youth council chairwoman Terri Thomas (17), of Milton, and youth councillor Abby Clarke (17), of Owaka, show off the logo Blake designed for Clutha youth at the Clutha Youth Logo Launch and competition awards ceremony in Balclutha on Wednesday.

The recently completed helipad at the West Otago Medical Centre could save people's lives.

Police searching for a missing Invercargill boy believe they have found a car in Southland's Curio Bay.

Thieves have caused a ''major setback'' to plans at Sinclair Wetlands, stealing about $3000 worth of fencing material last week, wetlands co ordinator Glen Riley says.