Lynda van Kempen

Promote Alexandra has been revived, 18 months after going into recess.

Masses of feedback from drivers about the track being the "best in the country" has capped off a successful season at the Central Motor Speedway in Cromwell.

Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper says he has received "nothing but positive feedback" to his call for a reconsideration of whether criminal charges are appropriate when someone has been involved in the accidental death of a member of their family.

Buildings and faces had changed in 50 years, but the clear blue skies remained the same.

A milestone was celebrated by the Central Otago women's golf sub-association in Alexandra yesterday.

It's a steep learning curve in the top job, but Tony Lepper is pedalling hard, Lynda Van Kempen reports.

The Bannockburn community wants a new hall built as soon as possible to replace the 99-year-old Coronation Hall, which has been closed because of the high risk of it collapsing in an earthquake.

Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper was one of a group of people who tried desperately, but in vain, to rescue a 3-year-old boy trapped in a van submerged in Lake Dunstan on Thursday.

Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper wants national and local government leaders to reconsider whether criminal charges are appropriate when someone has been involved in the accidental death of a member of their family.

The Maniototo Community Board could face a $373,160 emissions trading scheme (ETS) liability unless it replants its cleared Naseby forestry blocks before the end of next year.

Cromwell rabbiter Ray Moffat has shot 23,000 rabbits in the past year - the same number shot in 24 hours by competitors in the 2010 Great Easter Bunny Hunt.

A distinctive art deco building in Ranfurly's main street, damaged by fire 13 months ago, was demolished this week.

Two successful prosecutions of poachers this week should send a message the activity will not be tolerated, Alexandra police and landowners say.

Yogi Bear is already "booked in" so people dreaming up themes for this year's Alexandra Blossom Festival floats will have to come up with something else.

Top gun dogs from throughout the country and their owners went through their paces in Central Otago over Easter in the New Zealand Gun Dog Trial Association's 75th jubilee championships.

Omakau and Poolburn schoolchildren are helping "breathe life" into the names on the district's war memorial boards.

It was a good innings all round for Gimmerburn Cricket Club stalwarts who turned out in force to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary at the weekend.

The 10th anniversary of the Clyde Wine and Food Harvest Festival yesterday was something to savour, with record numbers of wine and food stalls drawing a crowd estimated at about 5500 people.