Lynda van Kempen

Pioneer Generation is confident its proposed $15 million to $20 million hydro-electric scheme on the upper Fraser River near Alexandra is viable and sustainable in the long term.

Imagine having the beginning and end of a fascinating story, but missing half the pages.

The most welcome ''visitor'' to the Mt Benger A&P Show was uninvited but warmly received.

Beehives and the fire risk were among the hazards mentioned to competitors in briefings for this year's Otago Central Rail Trail Duathlon.

It's all a changing canvas, says Olivers owner David Ritchie, indicating the finishing work taking place to launch three separate ventures in the complex next month.

Renewing the ageing water main in Alexandra which recently ruptured, spraying water about 30m into the air and causing flood damage to four homes, could cost about $400,000.

Catch of the day at Take a Kid Fishing? One water rat.

The Central Otago A&P Show was bathed in sunshine, much to the disappointment of the organisers and exhibitors.

A fire investigator is sifting through the rubble of a 40m by 20m implement shed and workshop on an Earnscleugh orchard which was gutted by fire last night.

Two mountainbikers were injured - one seriously - after both crashing on a washed out section of Hawksburn Rd between Bannockburn and Clyde yesterday. 

Otago's fire danger readings are nearing the highest ever recorded in January and another six weeks of extreme fire risk is expected.

The temperature hit 30degC as bands from throughout Otago launched into their first sets at the inaugural WaikeriFest near Clyde yesterday.

One of the largest stonefruit operations in the country, Summerfruit Orchards Ltd, which owes $5.75 million, has been sold to a New Zealand buyer.

A Cromwell man who says he was ''viciously'' assaulted by three youths who attacked him from behind while he was searching for his teenage daughter warns not to judge the town's young people based on that incident.

Almost $14 million worth of pivot irrigators being installed in the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys this year tell a story about changing land use and development.