From the newsroom 20/8/12

THE week has started with a shock with allegations a well-known local church figure has been stood down over the weekend. A parishioner has phoned in the tip off and we've put in calls to the church's head office and are awaiting for more information.

Terry Deefholts has gone down to Grafton Court House where animal rescue service Happy Paws is in the Land and Environment Court. He will also be checking out the Local Court as well.

A bushfire emergency has been declared for the Clarence Valley, but conditions have eased since the horrendous conditions at the weekend. The local firies say fires are under control, but they're keeping an eye on them. Smoke from the fires still shrouds the Valley and reporter Lachlan Thompson is looking to see if there are any health implications arising from this.

Graham Orams has been talking to the Iluka Consultative Committee about National Parks and Wildlife Service boundary changes. The locals are worried money they raise will be spent outside the area and they are not happy about that prospect.

Graham's also talking to organisers of the annual Brooms Head to Yamba walk which raises money for cystic fibrosis. It's on at the weekend and they're looking to raise awareness of this extremely worthy cause.

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