Not everyone is happy about the North Coast Outdoor Leisure Show moving to a new home at Bangalow Showgrounds in July this year.The leisure show is the one of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service’s main fundraising events and has been held at Lismore Showgrounds for many years.The move to Bangalow has disappointed some Lismore business owners who have been exhibiting at the Lismore-based event for a number of years.Nissan Lismore owner, Paul O’Neill, said his business but won’t be going to the show at Bangalow this year.“We have been exhibiting at it for many years and it’s always been a Lismore fundraiser,” Paul said. “But Bangalow is not in the primary network area where we sell cars, so we won’t be going.“Lismore is supportive of the event and it would be good for it to stay. We usually take 20 cars and it costs a lot of money to take 20 cars to Bangalow.“Going to Bangalow won’t get more people through the gate, just less exhibitors.  “The event just needs better promotion to get as many people through the gate as possible.”Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service spokesperson Zeke Huish said the local show had seen some challenges and changes over the years, along with other Australian regional leisure shows.“We didn’t make decision to move the event to Bangalow lightly,” he said.“We are conscious of being a regional service with our roots in Lismore, but the environment has changed for people and business.“The size of the show used to attract over 200 exhibitors and filled the Lismore Showground, but in the last five years, online shopping and the drought has impacted on people exhibiting at the show.“So, we looked for a venue that better suits the size of the show. This year, we are aiming for over 100 exhibitors and if we get to 150 that would be fantastic. “The compact layout of Bangalow Showground show can help deliver a vibrant show. “The feedback we also got is that local exhibitors find it hard to keep their shops open on the weekend, because they also need to bring stock and staff to display. “With the new highway upgrade, we thought we would try to position the show in the long term closer to the coastal population base, but keep it in the Northern Rivers area. “The show attracts audiences from across Australia to exhibit products here and some of them travel a long way to bring the gear.”The North Coast National Secretary Mark Bailey said the Lismore Showground committee regrets the decision of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service to move the Outdoor Leisure Show to the Bangalow Showground. Upcoming Rescue Helicopter Service fundraiser eventsWhile the Outdoor Leisure Show won’t take place until July, Zeke said there are a number of other charity events for the helicopter service taking place before that to raise funds for the helicopter service. This week, a Leader's Leap will be happening in Tweed Heads, where two Lismore local sportsmen will abseil from a ten storey building.Read more: It's football vs rugby as locals leap off a buildingThen the first of the Rescue Helicopter’s Coastal Charity Walk events take place in March. Since 2012 over 11,861 people have taken part in one or more of Coastal Charity Walks. Their combined steps have seen 317,145kms walked in total.This year the Lismore based Helicopter Service invites everyone to register and take part as they look to surpass 384,400kms...the same distance from Earth to the Moon.They have three walks taking place on beaches in: Kingscliff (March 14), Byron Bay (May 30) and the Coffs Coast (June 6) beaches.You can visit http://www.coastalcharitywalk.com.au to register and help them save lives and complete their virtual lunar voyage.

Recent rainfall has brought much-needed relief from drought and bushfires across the North Coast, but the wet weather can also pose risks for livestock. North Coast Local Land Services District Vet, Ian Poe said "now that we’ve had some rain in most parts of the region, it’s a good time to review the vaccination status of livestock and give booster injections where appropriate, particularly for clostridial diseases such as pulpy kidney". Pulpy kidney most commonly occurs in young, growing stock grazing lush pasture or being fed on grain or pellets. Most cases are found dead, though if seen prior to death, clinical signs can include convulsions, kicking at abdomen and diarrhoea. “Recent rain may also increase the risk of internal parasites. Owners of sheep, goats and alpaca especially should be mindful of the risk of barbers pole worm which can kill stock quite quickly,” Ian said.  "Landholders are also advised to check pastures for new weeds and toxic plants that could cause further problems for stock."Floodwaters may also bring with them undesirable weeds, and areas inundated should be monitored for weeds. Pasture toxicities including Kikuyu toxicity and nitrate poisoning are also possible after rain following a dry spell. And while rainfall will hopefully alleviate water supply shortages, when heavy rain occurs after a long dry spell, water can be contaminated by an influx of debris and sediment.  “Water test kits are available from Local Land Services, and we are currently offering free testing services of stock water for drought or fire-affected producers. “We have even seen flash flooding cause some stock losses. It may be wise to move animals to safer paddocks or higher ground where fast-rising floods are more likely while the storm season continues.” For more information about water quality, weeds, diseases and other animal health issues, contact your nearest Local Land Services office.

There’s free pre-show entertainment NORPA for the rest of the year.To kick off the theatre season this week, The Essential Collective will be playing jazz music this Thursday and Friday, February 27 and 28, while The Secret Chef diner serves up the food in the NORPA Courtyard Bar at Lismore City Hall from 6pm. The Gospel According to Paul is on stage at 7.30pm.NORPA Artistic Director Julian Louis said NORPA is making your night out at the theatre just that little bit more special."We're making a night out at NORPA the complete experience for all our shows for the rest of the year,” he said. “You come together with friends in our Courtyard Bar, have something delicious to eat, hear some great music and then go and see a fantastic show," Julian said."Everyone is welcome - even if you want to just come and hang out, have a drink after work and listen to some great live tunes."Brisbane jazz outfit The Essential Collective plays this week, before Jonathan Biggins' performances of 'The Gospel According to Paul'.The Essential Collective is a group of jazz musicians led by guitarist Luke Stapleton. Luke is based in Brisbane where he is completing his Masters in Jazz Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium. Joining Luke at NORPA's courtyard bar will be Benjamin Ryan on keys. Together they will explore some of their favourite standards, groovy fusion tunes and a selection of Luke's originals.The music plays this Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February 6-7.15pm at 1 Bounty Street, Lismore.Performances of The Gospel According to Paul featuring Jonathan Biggins will commence at 7:30pm. One of Australia’s favourite performers, Jonathan Biggins, is Paul Keating – visionary, reformer and rabble-rouser – in the return of the smash hit comedy, The Gospel According to Paul. Full of intelligence and wit, The Gospel According to Paul is a funny, insightful and occasionally poignant portrait of Paul Keating.The man that – as he tells it – single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia. “I’ve been playing Paul Keating for many years now – when he saw me appearing as him in the Wharf Revue, his first comment was: “I’d have been wearing a better suit.” Sadly, we didn’t have the budget for a Zegna then and to be perfectly honest we still don’t, but this is the first time I’ve attempted to explore one of Australia’s most enduring political figures in something more complex than the sketch or short monologue format,” Jonathan Biggins said. “Keating is such a great character to write for and perform – he was funny, sharp, emotional and flamboyant; the bovver-boy from Bankstown who was as comfortable writing an essay on neo-classicism and the architecture of Berlin as he was staring down the Head of Treasury to float the dollar."No government has tackled as much difficult reform as the Hawke-Keating ministries and while some of the long-term results have unsettled many, they certainly changed Australia’s perception of itself and where it might find a place and a role in the world.” “I hope we shed the occasional light on the contradictions and complexities of a great leader whose vision, courage and determination are sadly missing in what passes for our contemporary political class. Do better, ya mugs!"For more information, or to book, visit http://www.norpa.org.au

While we love living in Lismore, sometimes, you might actually need to leave the local government area.So, if you are planning to head north or south on the Pacific Highway this week, you might need to plan ahead as essential maintenance work is being undertaken on our major roadways.Tonight (Tuesday, February 25) and tomorrow night (Wednesday, February 26), motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on the Pacific Motorway at the Tugun Bypass Tunnel.Both the northbound and southbound lanes of the tunnel will be closed over the two nights, between 7pm and 6am. During the Tuesday night closure, northbound traffic will be diverted at the Kennedy Drive off ramp with southbound traffic re-entering the highway at the Kennedy Drive on ramp. Both northbound and southbound traffic will be diverted onto the Gold Coast Highway and Stewart Road on Wednesday night. Motorists are advised to allow up to 10 minutes additional travel time for both diversions, drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. The tunnel will remain fully operational during the day. Routine maintenance of the tunnel is carried out every three months and involves a range of measures such as inspecting the various operating and safety systems.South of Ballina Nightwork on the Pacific Highway will also be underway until Sunday, March 1 for the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, weather permitting. On the Pacific Highway at Pimlico, asphalting will be taking place on the southbound lanes and southbound traffic will be moved onto the northbound carriageway. Motorists can expect traffic control and reduced speed limits between 6am and 6pm. From Wednesday, there will be three nights of work on the Pacific Highway at Woodburn to carry out line marking. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am. Also, roadworks on the Pacific Highway between New Italy and Woodburn will be undertaken. Motorists can expect traffic control, a reduced speed limit of 60km/h and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm, to allow for earthwork and paving to take place. Further south, there will be up to four days of work next to the Pacific Highway between Tyndale and Maclean to carry out survey work. Motorists can expect traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm. Also from Wednesday, there will be up to three days of work next to the Pacific Highway at Mororo to remove traffic barriers. Motorists can expect traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm. Further south from Wednesday, there will be up to three days of work on the Pacific Highway at Glenugie to install signs and remove concrete barriers. Motorists can expect traffic control and short stoppages at time between 7am and 6pm.The Pacific Highway between Halfway Creek and Ballina will also see emergecy road repairs being carried out following heavy rain.  Work will be carried out to inspect road infrastructure, clear debris and fill potholes to restore a smoother, safer surface for all road users. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW assures the community this work is being carried out as quickly and as safely as possible and thanks motorists for their patience during this time. Additional changes to local roads From Monday, work will be carried out on the southbound on-ramp of the Yamba interchange including asphalting, line marking and construction of a concrete median. A temporary detour will be in place for southbound motorists accessing the Pacific Highway from Yamba Road. Traffic control will be in use on Woodburn-Evans Head Road at Woodburn for up to five days to allow vehicles to access the project site and carry out drainage work. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6am and 6pm. Also from Monday, there will be five nights of work on Whites Road and Wondawee Way for pavement work. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6am and 6pm. Traffic control will be in place on Jubilee Street at Townsend and McIntyres Lane at Gulmarrad for six days from Monday to allow access to site and install signs. Motorists can expect lane closures, a reduced speed limit if 40km/h and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm. Further south from Monday, there will be five days of work on Old Six Mile Lane at Glenugie and Wooli Road at Pillar Valley to install guardrails and carry out road maintenance and drainage work. Motorists can expect lanes closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 7am and 6pm. The old Mororo Bridge is temporarily closed while drainage is installed. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit http://wwwlivetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Lismore based subcontractors and small businesses can apply to help Richmond Valley in the clean up after the recent bushfires. The NSW Government has appointed Laing O’Rourke to coordinate the clean-up of fire damaged residential and eligible commercial properties in the area. This includes both insured and uninsured properties.Laing O’Rourke are now accepting expressions of interest from local suppliers and subcontractors that may have capability and capacity to provide goods and/or services in affected regions.Project spokesperson Ian Hudson said subcontractors are being sought from all regions, but preference is being given to those directly affected by the fires, followed by regional suppliers.The clean-up of bushfire-impacted properties may include the removal of known hazardous materials, including asbestos; the removal of materials destroyed by bush fire and hazardous trees, and; with the consent of building owners, removal of concrete slab foundations.Laing O'Rourke will work with subcontractors and local small businesses to ensure they are engaged in the delivery of the clean-up process – providing much-needed stimulus to local economies.Information about work packages and submitting an EOI is available through the icngateway website https://gateway.icn.org.au/project/4510/nsw-bushfire-clean-up-program

The Boys Hair & Make Up salon on Magellan Street have stunned the judges with an amazing Purple Week window display. They were one of two local businesses to take home the inaugural Purple Week Best Dressed Store trophy.Across Lismore, over 60 businesses turned purple last week to raise awareness for the upcoming Cancer Council fundraiser event on March 28 and 29 - Relay For Life. Read more about Relay For Life: Relay For LifeMakoda Boutique also took out a Best Dressed Store prize.Cancer Council’s community relations coordinator Erin Turnbull said the week was a success, with so many businesses decorating their shops purple to raise awareness for the event.“Store shopfronts from Lismore’s CBD, to the Lismore Square and Goonellabah were decorated in the name of cancer,” Erin said.“We are so grateful for the efforts put toward purple decorations and the awareness that has been spread.”Lismore & Villages Relay For Life chair Leanne Thompson, said awarding the Best Dressed Store prize was extremely difficult.“The committee paraded the streets thanking businesses for their support and snapping photos along the way,” she said.“All the stores looked incredible and we really appreciate the efforts of everyone involved. However, The Boys Hair & Makeup in the Lismore CBD and Makoda Boutique in the Lismore Square took home Best Dressed Store this year.”The Lismore & Villages Relay For Life is now on a four week countdown.Leanne said the much-anticipated biennial event will have great food trucks, live music and activities for all ages at all hours at the Southern Cross University Campus in Lismore.The 18-hour event on March 28 and 29 will begin Saturday afternoon from 3pm until 9am the following morning.  “We could not run our Relay For Life event without the support of our local community,” she said.“We’d like to give special thanks to our major sponsors Wal Murray First National Real Estate, Magenta Community Services, Lismore Toyota, BCU Lismore and Southern Cross University.”To register your team, contact Erin Turnbull at Cancer Council NSW on 6639 1300 or visit https://www.cancercouncil.org.au/lismorerelayCancer Council NSW is a community funded, community focused cancer charity dedicated to the defeat of cancer.Through the development of prevention strategies, research into new treatments and cures, and by providing clinical and emotional support to those affected by cancer, the Council work towards realising a vision of a society where lives are not cut short by or their quality diminished by cancer.  

You could call it a battle of the sporting codes with a difference. This Friday, two Lismore locals are ready to leap off a ten storey building.Brandon Williams from Lismore Marists Brothers and Scott Collis from Liverpool FC International Academy have signed on for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter’s Leaders Leap challenge.The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter recently put the challenge out to the community for anyone who wanted to brave over 10 stories of abseiling in its inaugural ‘Leaders Leap’ event taking place this Friday, February 28. The venue is the Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus.Brandon and Scott will attempt to not only abseil the dizzying heights, but also fundraise $2,500 each to help the Rescue Helicopter save lives. Their support has turned into a battle of the sporting codes, football vs rugby league, with both Scott and Brandon excited to take part and represent their individual love of sport. Rescue Helicopter Service spokesperson, Zeke Huish said the event is definitely not for the faint hearted. “Both Scott and Brandon are to be congratulated for not only signing up but also for the support they have received from friends and family who are donating to their online fundraising pages in association with the event,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for Lismore to show its support for Scott and Brandon as they prepare themselves in this final week before the big leap”. To find out more about the Leaders Leap event visit https://leadersleap.blackbaud-sites.com/tweed To show your support for Scott and Brandon, visit their individual fundraising pages via the following links: https://tweedleadersleap2020.everydayhero.com/au/liverpool-fc-international-academyhttps://tweedleadersleap2020.everydayhero.com/au/lismore-marist-brothers-brandon-williams

More fantastically dangerous and challenging than ever, Andy and Terry’s Treehouse has reached an amazing 91 Stories.The 91-Storey Treehouse is NORPA and The Macadamia Castle’s latest kids’ production – and it’s coming to Lismore City Hall on Thursday, March 5. It’s the latest installment in the wild, weird and wonderful world of Andy Griffiths’ and Terry Denton’s bestselling series, building on the stories of 13-, 26-, 52- and 78-Storey Treehouses.Featuring a deserted desert island, a whirlpool, and a giant spider, this adaptation by Richard Tulloch will challenge Andy and Terry like never before.Mr Big Nose has sent his grandchildren to the Treehouse, and they don’t want to just sit quietly. Can Andy, Terry and Jill master this extreme babysitting challenge? What does mysterious fortune teller Madam Know-It-All really want? And will the Big Red Button really destroy the world?The best-selling, award-winning series of books has inspired children across Australia to let their imaginations run wild. The 91-Storey Treehouse has been short-listed for the Speech Pathology Awards 2018 and long-listed for ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children 2018. The stage adaptations have also been successful throughout Australia, including The 52-Storey Treehouse winning the 2015 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children. The Macadamia Castle team will be at NORPA from 4pm with their interactive animal display and Pancake Van. The production is recommended for children aged 6-12.The play will be on stage at NORPA at Lismore City Hall, on Thursday, March 5 at 5pm and 7pm (60 mins no interval). Tickets cost $25 - $38To book tickets, visit http://www.norpa.org.au or phone 1300 066 772.

Award winning author, Chris Hammer, will appear “In Conversation” at the Goonellabah Library tomorrow, courtesy of Richmond Tweed Regional Library's new Regional Readers Book Club.Chris's latest best-selling crime novel Silver is the first title selected for the recently launched book club which encourages readers from across our community to enjoy the same book throughout February and March. Readers are then encouraged to join the conversation on the Library's Facebook page and to come along to the talks.Regional Library Manager Jo Carmody, said “the new book club is a great way for people to be able to participate in a book club, without being tied to a time and place as all of the conversation is happening on the Library's Facebook page”.“It's wonderful to have such a well¬renowned, award-winning author visiting our area and we are delighted to be featuring Chris's book, Silver, as our first Regional Readers Book Club title,” she said.Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than thirty years, dividing his career between covering Australian Federal politics, and international affairs. He reported from more than thirty countries on six continents for SBS television. While in Canberra, his roles included chief political correspondent for The Bulletin, senior writer for The Age, and Online Political Editor for Fairfax.His book, Scrublands, won the 2019 John Creasy 'New Blood' Award for best first crime novel at the UK Crime Writers' Association, Dagger Awards. Chris has also written two non-fiction books, The River (2010) and The Coast (2012). The River won the ACT Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Walkley Book Award.Throughout March, the library will be posting questions about the book on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RichmondTweedRegionalLibrary. There are plenty of copies of Silver available to borrow or download. You can find out more about Regional Readers Book Club on the library website at www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au or on the Library App.Chris will be joined in conversation by former Lismore City Mayor, Jenny Dowell. The talk will be held at Goonellabah Library, 27 Oliver Ave, Goonellabah on Tuesday, March 3 at 7pm.

A second electric bike has been stolen from the area within three weeks.A red-coloured Leitner Tirol brand electric bike, worth more than $1000, was stolen from a property on Cecil Street, Nimbin, on Saturday, 15 February.Richmond Police District are appealing to anyone with information about the theft to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or 41488@police.nsw.gov.au, quoting police event number E74059662.This crime follows the stealing of a $2000 black-coloured Dillenger brand electric cruiser from the Southern Cross University grounds in Lismore on the 28 January.The brazen theft of the $2000 black-coloured Dillenger brand electric cruiser from the Southern Cross University grounds.Anyone with information on this crime was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Lismore Police Station 02 6626 0599, quoting police case number C73825857.

Once you have tantalised your tastebuds at the 2020 Norco Eat the Street Food Festival on March 14, head over to the Southern Cross University Entertainment Stage and excite your ears with local talent and the Brisbane-based octet Steele Syndicate.For those who like an eclectic, genre-bending sound that re-imagines elements of old school funk, reggae, ska and indie rock, Steele Syndicate is the band for them.The 2020 Norco Eat the Street Festival is much more than a celebration of wonderful food with some great performers entertaining foodies between noon and 9pm.Festival events officer Virginia Waters said she was "excited to provide local performers with the opportunity to perform at Norco Eat the Street"."With some of Southern Cross Universities top musicians on show, we hope to highlight the abundance of talent we have in the region,” she said.Local performers include SCU student and talented singer and songwriter Joe Conroy who has just release is debut EP.“Our line-up of artists will be sure to get everyone up and grooving, adding to a great day of food and entertainment,” Ms Waters said.Eat the Street will come alive on Saturday, 14 March from 12pm to 9pm in the heart of Lismore. There will be more than 50 stalls offering tasting plates, plus boutique drinks and beverages, home-grown produce and locally made products.

“The government needs to be doing more to support carers”.Local carers - the unsung heroes in our community - today with NSW Shadow Minister for Carers Julia Finn at Lismore Workers Club.  The carers discussed their needs as part of a round table discussion, hosted by MP Janelle Saffin, along with representatives from local groups and support organisations in the Northern Rivers area.Ms Finn and Ms Saffin heard about the innovative work of carers groups working with mental health carers, disability carers, carers of the sick, young carers and Aboriginal carers, and about how government can better support carers in regional areas. “The sad reality right now is that many carers are not being cared for themselves,” Ms Finn said. “Reports have found health and social outcomes for carers fall far short of where they should be. This is particularly true in regional areas.” Unpaid carers in rural locations spend on average 11 hours more a week caring for another than those in urban communities. Carers also experience barriers to employment. Only 56% of primary carers aged 15 to 64 participate in the workforce, compared to 80% of non-carers. “These are statistics that must change,” Ms Finn said. “NSW Labor is committed to better supporting our carers.” “In NSW, they play an enormous role and making sure our states' carers are looked after is not only the right thing to do; it is critical to our economy. “Carers are unsung heroes in our community. “There are 904,400 carers in NSW, including approximately 278,700 primary carers. Carers currently provide the majority of care in our state. “In 2010, the replacement value of the care they provide is estimated to exceed $40 billion Australia-wide, which equates to approximately $13 billion in NSW – this number is estimated to have greatly increased.  “Our carers are doing so much with so little,” Ms Saffin said. “I know that many carers in the Lismore Electorate would greatly appreciate better support from the government.“The main take away from the discussion was that the government needs to be doing more to support carers, particularly in regional areas like Lismore.” 

February is one of those months where not a great deal is happening.Christmas and New Year have been and gone, the kids are back at school and we all settle back to the routine of a working life.March is where the action is with International Women's Day weekend from March 6 to 8 and Eat The Street on Saturday March 14.This weekend we are relying on the good old markets to keep us entertained.The Lismore Farmers Markets kick off at 8am at the Showgrounds Saturday morning while the Blue Knob markets start at 8:30 tomorrow.The monthly Nimbin markets are on Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Loads of multicultural foods, great coffee, handmade items and spiritual concepts.The Regional Gallery has three exhibitions on that is worth checking out. RocoColonial, Blinman Slag and Media Studies. Find out more here (Lismore Regional Gallery)The weather looks ok for the weekend. Yes, there is a 50-60% chance of rain but the prediction from the BOM is only 0-4mm so don't let it ruin your chances of getting out and about.This is welcome news for those involved in Sport, finally games may not be washed out!The inaugural T20 Club Challenge between Goonellabah Workers and Cecil Magpies is on at Oakes Oval tonight at 6pm. T20 is always a bit of fun with loads of action so get down to Oakes Oval and see some spectacular hitting.It's the penultimate round of the region's prestigious L J Hooker Competition and third-placed Lismore Workers, full of promising youngsters superbly led by Jason Caught, face Tintenbar-East Ballina at Oakes Oval from 1pm. Marist Brothers Lismore will have to be at their best when they entertain second-placed Pottsville at Neilson Park, East Lismore, in a match Brad Cleaver's side have to win if they are to have any hope of making the semi-finals. Ipm start too.All grades of Northern Rivers Concreting Cricket League should be on for the first time in three weeks with heavyweights Goonellabah Workers Sport and Marist Brothers facing off in First Grade at Heaps Oval from 1pm.On Sunday, Richmond Rovers FC create history when they take part in the FFA Cup. Todd Jones' side entertains Grafton United, from the North Coast Football Association at Neilson Park, East Lismore, at 3pm. .If you are looking for ideas, it can be fun looking at the new houses for sale (For Sale) or if you are thinking about buying a car check out the new used cars loaded today (Used Cars)A final word on Relay For Life. You may have seen our new button this week on the main page. I urge you to push on the button and check out what you can do to help raise money for the Cancer Council. Cancer comes in many forms and affects many people in our community.Saturday March 28 at 3pm is when the Relay For Life walk begins with the end on Sunday March 29 at 9am. The venue is the SCU campus on Military Road, East Lismore.So far, 50 teams have registered with 303 participants, 67 of those are cancer survivors and carers.The goal is to raise $100,000 dollars from the Relay For Life event. So far the total is just over $30,000 with 38 days to go. Please get a team together and participate or if you are unable, donate, which you can do from the Relay For Life button.Have a great weekend!

A very strange bright light was seen in the sky in the early hours of this morning by residents living near Nimbin. The reports were scattered across social media forums this morning and were backed up by reports of a meteor sighting on the Australian Meteor Reports Facebook site. “At approximately 2.20am AEST a nice bright green meteor lit up the sky at about 30 degrees vertically, North of Mt Burrell in Northern NSW,” the site reported.“It was travelling probably South to North, but maybe North to South.”Another report on the same site stated “something BIG passed over central NSW last night and headed for QLD”.One local resident said her internet had stopped for 20 minutes then described the sighting at about 2.30am as “a green blue really bright light, lit up the sky from behind a dark cloud and fell from the sky over mt Warning. Then a rumbling sound, not a star in the sky. What was that? I've NEVER seen anything like it?”According to space.com, thousands of tiny pieces of space rock, called meteorites, hit the earth each year, but most are undetected.“Meteoroids are rocky remnants of a comet or asteroid that travel in outer space, but when these objects enter Earth's atmosphere, they are considered meteors,” the site reported.“Most (between 90 and 95 percent) of these meteors completely burn up in the atmosphere, resulting in a bright streak that can be seen across the night sky. However, when meteors survive their high-speed plunge toward Earth and drop to the ground, they are called meteorites.”For more information about meteor sightings, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianMeteorReports/?ref=share

If you're travelling on the Pacific Highway next week, you'll see changed traffic conditions at the St Helena Tunnel on Monday night.Essential maintenance work will close the tunnel overnight on Monday, February 24, between 7pm and 5am.Motorists are advised to allow up to 10 minutes additional travel time and are asked to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control.Routine maintenance of the St Helena Tunnel is carried out every three months and involves a range of measures such as inspecting the various operating and safety systems.Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit http://livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

When Halls school bus driver Jeri Hall walked in the torrential, flooding rain last Thursday, cut off from her Numulgi home, a neighbour saw her and plucked a spider out of her ear.Jeri was walking to a meeting point on Lockton Road where her husband was going to meet her on his jet ski to take her the last leg of her journey home. The day had been an emotional journey of heroic proportions for Jeri, who had driven the school bus through heavy rains to safely deliver home children to their Whian Whian and Numulgi homes.Jeri Hall, her husband and their children.For the past three years, Jeri has been doing the morning and afternoon school bus runs from Lismore for Halls Bus Service (owned by her and her husband). She knows all the local children in Numulgi and Whian Whian and their parents, and said she’s “more than just a bus driver”. “We keep the kids safe and take care of them,” she said.So, earlier that day when she noticed that the heavy rains were filling up Coopers Creek and that Numulgi Bridge was close to going under water, her first thought was “how will we get the school busses out to pick up the kids from school in Lismore?”Numulgi Bridge as it was starting to go under water last Thursday.“I was renovating our farm stay cottages in Numulgi where we kept the busses and my in-laws helped me to drive them out past Numulgi Bridge to the hall,” she said.“The water was over the bridge by time we got back. So, I rang the local families who would be cut off from town and told them I was going to get their kids home from school.“Then I called the schools and said we needed to collect some of the children.”And so, began a mammoth coordination effort between the local schools at Woodlawn and St Carthages in Lismore.“Woodlawn had already closed the school and kids were being bussed into Lismore - and water was already crossing road at Woodlawn,” Jeri said.Numulgi Bridge was fully submerged by Friday.“Then it was madness as parents were arriving at schools to pick up kids and some were on busses and I was trying to find the ones that needed to get home to Whian Whian and Numulgi.“By then, Bangalow Road leading to Bexhill was 3/4 under water. “We got all the kids onto one bus in the end and I remember driving up on the road to Whian Whian Falls in the heavy rain with water gushing down hillsides – it was pretty scary.“By the time I dropped off all the children, and parked the bus at Numulgi Hall, I knew I was going to be cut off from my home in Numulgi.“Luckily, my husband had already picked up our kids from preschool and had made it home.“All I had on me was my rain-soaked clothes and my phone, so I rang my husband - and he said I should walk a kilometre down the road to a point where he would meet me on his jetski.”Like a knight in shining armour, her husband arrived and took her the final kilometre home – soaked, and emotionally exhausted.Drone footage of the roads once they were under water.“I’d been worried about my own family too, and when I got home to my own kids, I burst into tears and was thankful it was all over,” Jeri said.“I’d had to be the grown up and make tough decisions all day.“I’ve been living there for three years, but hadn’t seen the water come up so quickly before. For the water to rise one foot so quickly is insane.“In 2017, it was a similar kind of flood – off the back off a cyclone.”Families were stranded at Numulgi in the floods last week.Jeri said the local families have been thanking her for getting their children home safely.“Sometimes your job is thankless – people just expect you are there and doing it - but everyone was grateful we got the kids out of school and danger,” she said.“There was no school run the next day either because we were all cut off from Lismore - all roads into town were closed.”Jeri said she left a corporate job three years ago to drive the school bus when she and her husband bought the company.“I’d never driven a school bus before, but I love it and intend to keep doing it,” she said.

Travel into the undergrowth to unearth some of the secrets of the rainforest tonight at Science in the Pub at the Eltham HotelIt’s the launch of ‘Australian Rainforest Seeds’ - a new guide to collecting and propagating the seeds of 300 subtropical rainforest species.The book’s authors Mark Dunphy, Steve McAlpin, Michelle Chapman, and Hugh Nicholson will share information based on 30 years of research in northern New South Wales.They will crack the shell on how to sustainably collect, process and germinate rainforest seeds and share some of the ‘eureka’ moments when they first discovered the secrets of germinating Books will be available for purchase in person from the authors, with signings after the event. Just 10 minutes from Lismore, the Eltham Hotel will have bar snacks and bistro open for dinner till 8pm. With free finger food served at 5.30pm, there will be time to charge your glasses in the name of science before sprouting into the science of seeds at 6pm.This event is the first of the Northern Rivers Science Hub’s 2020 ‘Science Walks/Science Talks’ program. These science education events feature local science experts and address local issues to engage the community in innovation, education, and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). ‘Science Walks/Science Talks’ harnesses the collaboration that forms the core of the Northern Rivers Science Hub. The Northern Rivers Science Hub is a regional focal point for science communication and engagement activities in the Northern Rivers NSW. This is a free event brought to you by the Northern Rivers Science Hub and Richmond Landcare, funded by Inspiring Australia and the NSW Government and supported by Wilsons River Landcare and Firewheel Rainforest Nursery. The coordination of this event is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. The event is on 5.30-8pm at the Eltham Hotel, 441 Eltham Road, Eltham.For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1030418397329651/

From telling a scammer to send the ”hot ones” to arrest you over your fake arrest warrant, to keeping a scammer on the line for fun - how do you deal with a suspected scammer if they call you?With so many scams out there that we are being warned about, The Lismore App thought we’d share some of the amusing ways people get rid of them. The following ways were reported on the Crimestoppers NSW Facebook site:“I just let them get on with their spiel and then ask them to hold the line for a second. I then very quietly ask if the call has been traced then get back on and tell them you are a Federal Police Officer from Scamwatch Squad and to remain where they are as the call has been traced and staff are on their way to their location. I have not had a scam call for months.”“I received a call and advised i would meet them at my local police station so they could enforce the alleged arrest warrant...they hung up.”“They always ask’ How are you today?” I thank them for checking in on me and asking how I am, tell them I am fine, then hang up.”“I like to keep them on hold while I... 'turn my computer on' and let it warm up etc... I pretend I don't really know what I'm doing so they think they've got me hook-line and sinker. I figure the longer that are waiting for me to get my pretend act together the longer they are leaving someone else alone.” “I call it rope a dope and love playing along and seeing how long I can keep them on the line. Pretend I’m hard of hearing, don’t know how to operate pc/phone etc., can’t read properly… ask if they can come look at the interweb (give false address).”“I got one of these calls, I told them I was looking for my credit card. Put the phone down and watched a movie on tv I then hung up. They called straight back, so I did the same again only this time after having them on the line for approximately 3hours I told them I'm not interested. The guy on the phone went off at me for wasting his time.”“My friend turned the tables on them by trying to sell them something, she asked for all their information including their credit card details. They got so confused and every time they tried to speak about their scam she just spoke over them and kept asking for their details...It worked, they hung up very confused and she had a good laugh at their expense."“My latest was from ‘do not call registry’ asking me for my Visa card numbers as the service is now charging! Told the caller I didn’t have a Visa card she then asked how I paid bills...I told her I didn’t and that I’m in debt up to my ears so stand in line...rudely she hung up on me!”“I like the insurance scam the best, just ringing to let me know that they will be repairing my car and asking how I am after my car accident. I let them talk a bit then I reply, I think I’ll be ok, I didn’t break anything but the funny thing is I don’t own a car or drive, then bang down goes the phone.”“I get the calls about my computer ......I don’t have computer! I can keep them on the phone playing the game until they give up!”“I just tell them I'm recording them for quality assurance purposes. They hang up though.”Find out more about scams at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams

Scammers have recently been calling Australians telling them that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Scamwatch is warning consumers the calls may be claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) or Australian Tax Office (ATO).Read more about amusing ways people deal with scammers: Funny ways people deal with scammersMany people have reported to Scamwatch that messages have been recorded on their answering machines asking them to call back later. The scammers may spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that you have failed to pay taxes.Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it’s nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people’s financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.If you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money.One of the telephone numbers provided is 02 6100 3027, among many others, and they ask you to call during office hours to discuss the matter further. However, the telephone number has no connection with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Taxation Office or any other state or commonwealth department.Scamwatch advises people to be on guard, if you receive such a phone call - hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don’t use the contact details provided - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them.Tips to spot a scam:The call may sound like it is an automated message with an American accent.The scammer will ask you to telephone a number that appears to be Australian but is likely to be a VOIP number.The CDPP is advising people to be vigilant when receiving phone calls of this nature and if in doubt about the authenticity of a call that you receive from the CDPP, contact them on one of the publically listed phone numbers https://www.cdpp.gov.au/contact-us or email inquiries@cdpp.gov.au.You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam