Lynda van Kempen

More homework needs to be done but the organisers of a proposed Cromwell summer wine and food festival say it could still go ahead next year.

Calling the Defence Force for help added $11,500 to the cost of rescuing 38 people trapped in 4WD vehicles in Central Otago, with the total nearly $70,000.

Police costs make up the biggest portion of almost $57,000 spent on a search and rescue operation for 38 people who were trapped in their snowbound vehicles on the Old Man Range.

Two overnight shifts of snowmaking paved the way for the Naseby Luge to open for the season, just in time for the annual Maniototo Ice Festival.

Multiple names for a Millers Flat road have led to confusion when emergency services respond to calls, residents say.

If successful, the latest measures to improve rental car drivers' safety will be a valuable tool in a growing list of safety initiatives which are making a difference, an industry spokesman says.

Splashes of orange brightened the Clyde Dam this week. Inside and on top of the dam, down manholes, up dozens of stairs and behind the scenes, a group clad in orange high-visibility vests made the most of a hands-on experience of the infrastructure industry.

Naseby's dark skies could be the key to a bright future. Local group Naseby Vision is exploring the possibility of the town becoming an international dark sky reserve, like Tekapo.

Masonic Lodges in Central Otago distributed grants totalling $19,000 to 12 groups at the weekend.

The traditional "grudge match'' between Ranfurly and Oturehua ice hockey teams was one of the highlights of the revelry marking the Maniototo Ice Rink's 25th anniversary.

A large-scale gold mine proposed near Roxburgh will not only be economically viable, it will set the benchmark for best-practice environmental mining and rehabilitation, its developer says.

The Omakau trots are not up to scratch for a special alcohol licence, police say.

A proposed dog-sledding operation at Alexandra has drawn twice as much support as opposition.

The sound of music is livening up Alexandra's shopping centre and anyone is welcome to tinkle the ivories.

An off-licence for a new liquor store in Cromwell has been opposed by one of its neighbours, the Cromwell and Districts Presbyterian Church.