Lynda van Kempen

Don't shift Cromwell's big fruit.

The ''unfair and unjustified'' arrest of an Alexandra teenager seven years ago has now been ''put right'', in the wake of a report that found police mishandled a separate incident - a car crash investigation involving her former boyfriend.

A $500 million resort and lifestyle development at McArthur Ridge is not ''dead in the water'' as claimed by the proponents of a district plan change and investors could still resurrect a scaled-back version of the project, one submitter says.

The Highlands Motorsport Park has been granted a new liquor licence covering its whole site, with extended hours but not quite as long as it sought.

Dirty politics scored a brief mention but aged care and foreign investment were among the more pressing issues canvassed by Waitaki candidates during an election forum in Alexandra yesterday.

Like any new arrivals, this foursome is already winning hearts. But unlike other new arrivals, each of these ''babies'' cost more than $1 million.

A driver who fled from Central Otago police at 140kmh and swerved past road spikes is continuing to elude police.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Work and Income staff were among about 300 mourners at the funeral of Susan Leigh Cleveland in Alexandra today.

One of the two suspects sought after a police pursuit in Central Otago a week ago involving a driver who fled at 140kmh, swerving past road spikes, is a man in a wheelchair.

Skinks might not be as ''sexy'' as other endangered wildlife but giving $146,000 to support the work of a community group focusing on boosting the Otago skink population is money well spent, Conservation Minister Nick Smith says.

Burial costs at Alexandra, Cromwell and Clyde cemeteries will be reviewed but the way burials are charged will remain the same.

A three-way tiebreaker to decide the champions of the Otago Daily Times Extra! current events quiz last night was a first for the Central Otago round of the contest.

AN elderly man who placed sacks over his car's motor to stop it from freezing in winter had to flee when the car caught fire as he was driving in Alexandra yesterday.

A man in a wheelchair is one of the two suspects sought after a police pursuit in Central Otago a week ago, involving a driver who fled at 140kmh, swerving past road spikes.

Leigh Cleveland's beloved dogs featured in every anecdote shared at her funeral service in Alexandra on Saturday. People attending dog shows across the country that day were all observing a minute's silence to remember Ms Cleveland, mourners heard.

The death of former policeman and St John paramedic Peter Grayland in a burn-off on a high country station this week is a massive loss to the wider Central Otago community, friends say.