John Lewis

The growing number of school pupils engaging in sex, drug and alcohol use, and low-level criminal activity has prompted a Central Otago-based educationalist to call on government agencies to provide more support for schools in the region.

Nearly half the schools in South Dunedin have opted to keep the door open on mergers or closures, following discussions about their future, a report shows.

Some of Otago and Southland's most promising pupils may turn out to become some of tomorrow's most inspiring leaders after absorbing the wisdom of some prominent New Zealanders.

While Fishers Meats Ltd continues to produce meat products in Kaikorai Valley Rd, the Fisher family say the recent sale of their family business has been "a bitter pill to swallow".

They look just like any other shirt, but pupils at Balmacewen Intermediate are quick to point out their new sports uniform T-shirts are made entirely of recycled plastic bottles.

Although the rain's been pelting down recently, it has not been sufficient to fill the draining Mt Grand reservoir in Brockville.

The passengers have changed. Even the buses have changed. But the one thing that has remained constant in Waikouaiti for the past four decades is the bus driver.

Things have panned out well for prize-winning Fishers Meats sausages - they will survive to fry another day now a Dunedin investor has bought the beleaguered business as a going concern.

Prevention is better than cure. It's a philosophy which has won Columba College pupils a Gold Heart Foundation Award, the first to be awarded to a secondary school in Otago.

Police and district court staff have seized nine vehicles and made three arrests as part of a crackdown on boy racers in the Mosgiel area.

It must be a serious business buying second-hand books.

With many families coming under increasing financial stress, Presbyterian Support Otago's Family Works Service has published a new booklet which contains activities families can do together at little or no cost.

Former Dunedin conductor Tecwyn Evans has been appointed conductor of the prestigious Graz Symphony Orchestra and Opera House in Austria.