From the newsroom PM 1/8/12
THE newsroom is buzzing at the moment as reporters are filing their stories for tomorrow's paper.
Kate Matthews has talked to the Clarence Valley Ambassador. We can't say who it is before Clarence Valley Council makes the announcement tomorrow, but we can report he feels privileged to be in line for the title. He'll be the second person to carry the title, after singing star Troy Cassar Daley.
She's also talked to the coach of the Yamba Public School girls Aussie Rules team heading off to Sydney on August 21. We'll have to picture and story in Friday's paper.
And there seems to be a some changes for the better in the sugar industry with plans afoot to fund more R&D in the industry to help growers.
We also note with sadness the passing of former Bishop of Grafton Bruce Schulz, who served here as the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton from 1979-1983 and then returned as the Diocesan Bishop in 1985 until 1998. There will be a memorial service in Christ Church Cathedral on Friday for this much-loved man.
Lachlan Thompson has been ferreting out the reasons behind rate increases for some ratepayers that seem to go way beyond what's allowed under the rate pegging rules.
He's also tracking down details of the opening stages of a land development near Junction Hill.
The feral pigs infesting the Clarence Broadwater and sugar farms around the Valley could be in for a shock as conservationists and landholders join forces to root them out. Tim Howard has talked to some 'hippy greeny group' who advocate shooting them just behind the ear.
