When a Covid-19 special edition of the Global Drug Survey was released last week, it’s probably no surprise that two in five Australians reported drinking more alcohol during lockdown, while the same proportion said they were drinking less.The report’s co-lead researcher Dr Monica Barratt from RMIT University said the results provide a snapshot of changed drug use patterns, drug markets and other drug-related trends during the pandemic based on over 55,000 surveys, including 1,889 in Australia.Speaking in relation to the Australian sample, Dr Barratt said drinkers who reported having a diagnosed mental health condition were more likely to report increasing their drinking compared to February, before COVID-19 restrictions.“Twice as many drinkers reported drinking alone with friends who were connected through video/audio calls or 'watch parties', compared to the 12 months before COVID-19,” Prof Barratt said.“Almost half of the sample who reporting drinking alone said they were drinking alone more often compared to before the pandemic.“Around half of the sample who reported cannabis use said it had increased compared to February.“Over half also reported that they are now more likely to consume cannabis alone compared to February.“Of those who used illicit drugs in the previous 12 months, MDMA and cocaine were the most likely to have decreased compared to February, with lack of access to normal settings of use (like nightclubs, festivals, parties) being the most common reason for the change.“Drug market shifts were reported too: including half of the Australian respondents saying availability of illegal drugs had decreased, one third reporting increases in drug prices, and one in five reporting decreased drug purity.“Of those who did access illegal drugs during March–June 2020, most (64%) reported there was no change in the drug transaction.“Only a few reported signs of a constricted drug market when profiling their last drug purchase, such as higher price (8%), difficulty finding a supplier (6%) or taking longer than usual to get the drugs (6%).”The Global Drug Survey COVID-19 Special Edition was co-led by Dr Monica Barratt of RMIT University and Professor Adam Winstock of University College London, in collaboration with Associate Professor Jason Ferris of University of Queensland

Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell will be bypassed tonight with the opening of 34 kilometres of new Pacific Motorway between Woodburn and Pimlico.New bridge over the Richmond River at Broadwater at sunset. Woodburn Evans Head.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the milestone was one of the last major pieces of the Pacific Highway upgrade to cross the finish line, with the duplication of the highway between Hexham and the Queensland border now more than 96% complete. “This is yet another critical piece of the Woolgoolga to Ballina project and with this complete, we will have opened a staggering 97 kilometres of new dual carriageway just this year,” Mr McCormack said. “This section is critical as it will alleviate what was a persistent traffic bottleneck around Woodburn during the peak holiday season.Broadwater interchange.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said improving safety had been the key driver of the upgrade. “We have already seen a significant reduction in fatal crash numbers since work to upgrade the highway began two decades ago,” Mr Hogan said. “The new section will provide smoother, faster and more reliable journeys and we are all excited to see an end to long traffic queues during busy holiday periods. “The route includes the new bridge at Broadwater, which is the second longest bridge on the upgrade and an impressive structure sweeping across the Richmond River.”We are investing in our post-pandemic future by delivering lasting infrastructure which will kick-start our economic recovery and benefit Australians for years to come.” New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the opening of this section would transform the journeys along the north coast of NSW for the better. “The Pacific Highway upgrade has been a major investment in our regional communities, creating more than 3,000 jobs during the peak of the Woolgoolga to Ballina project alone, injecting millions into local economies and giving local communities the highway they deserve,” Mr Toole said. “We are now so close to the end of this multi-generational project and the benefits are clear – faster, safer journeys and improved connections for local communities." New Italy area.State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the latest milestone would see interchanges open at Woodburn, Broadwater and Coolgardie, offering safe access to and across the new motorway. “Following the traffic change, the project team will complete finishing work at the Woodburn and Coolgardie interchanges and the connecting local roads,” Mr Gulaptis said. “We are also going to see bypassed town signage installed at Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell, which aim to send tourist dollars to town by showing the services and attractions on offer.” Electronic message signs will provide wayfinding information and motorists should be aware of traffic management and reduced speed limits though the area while work continues to build the upgrade.

It’s musical shops in the CBD of Lismore.After 30 years of trading at the front of Mathers Arcade on Woodlark Street, Fashion Profile is moving. Tracey Ryan, the shop’s owner said “it’s time to move on”.Tracey said the move would happen in about two weeks – and she’s moving to the Woodlark Street shop left vacant by Daleys Homewares and Monogramming.“Pre-Covid, I had no intention to move out of our bustling location in the alleyway,” Tracey said. “But we always had other traders here too and it was a funky Melbourne vibe.Read related business news: After 24 years Daleys is moving from Woodlark Street Scary place“But since February when Julian closed down The French Bench at the other end of the arcade because of Covid impacting on his business, it’s become a dangerous, toxic and scary place to be.“People were used to walking through the alleyway from the other side - but we can’t see who’s coming in through our back door and I’m worried about the safety of my staff.“We were finding condoms and syringes and are worried about using the toilet upstairs. We are the only ones in the building, apart from the counsellors upstairs - and they keep irregular hours.”To help her staff feel safer, Tracey closed off the alleyway with a partition to stop through-traffic.Major incident“Just last Friday, we had a major incident here,” she said. “The police chased a man causing problems down the alley and they said they got him because he was hindered by having to dive through the partition we have put up.”Responsibility and risk“We’ve told the real estate about it and that we won’t open the back doors unless the building’s owners take responsibility for the work health and safety of staff here.“A year ago, the building was sold to a new owner. The previous owner was fantastic and looked after us, but we think the real estate agent is not passing on our concerns to the owner.“I’m disappointed other people don’t see the risk for what it is.“If people want to walk through from the back laneways to Woodlark Street, they can still walk through the chemist instead.”New lease on life Tracey said she gave her real estate agent notice on the shop yesterday and she hopes to be trading in the new location by October 19.“It will be exciting working out how to merchandise and showcase our beautiful clothes in a new shop,” she said.Tracey said when Matthew Healy – the owner of Daleys – moved the business to the new location on Keen Street last week, she was immediately interested in taking over the old shop building.“Matthew and I have always got on well as business colleagues,” she said. “Daleys has been in business for 30 years too.“I bought the Fashion Profile business in July 2015 when I left my teaching job and Matthew bought Daleys from John in October when he left his corporate job. We are both long term businesses and we have a supportive, community working relationship.”Read related business news: Historic cream can reappears atop new Daleys shopCommunity“Our relationship has grown over the years and along with Trea’s Shoes, the three of us opened up the emporium in Evans Head together in July this year. We’ve committed for six months already. You sell more fashion in Evans Head than towels, so we needed a different business model.”Read about the Evans Head emporium. As generations of locals keep business in Lismore afloat, Tracey is glad to be part of the community.“There’s a good landlord in the new building and there’s a toilet on bottom floor,” she said.“It’s a sad day for business when people see an empty shop in Lismore. It’s not because we aren’t trying as a community though.”The Lismore App today contacted Tracey’s real estate agent for comment about the Mathers Arcade alleyway.Read more business news: New deli brings bagels, cupcakes and New York to Lismore

The tragic loss of 17-year-old Eddie Allen's life on Monday night has hit our community hard.Loss of any kind is difficult to come to terms with but when it is someone so young it reaches far into the community through mates, sporting teams, students, schools and parents let alone the family.The love and support of those impacted is demonstrated by schools offering ongoing counselling as well as grief documents being emailed to parents so they have the necessary tools to help their child.Last Saturday, the Lismore Rugby Club Colts won the Far North Coast Rugby Union Under 18 Colts Preliminary Final to advance to this week's Grand Final. It is the first time the Colts have reached this point of the season.Now the decision has to be made whether the team plays in the Grand Final.Josh Creighton is the coach of the Colts and he said that the decision is with the players."I have left the call to the boys and what they want to do," Josh said, "We had a bbq at training last night with 150 people turning up including Ed's Rams league side.""We just talked about what has happened and I told them to not make a decision now but reflect on it for a couple of days. They will let me know what they want to do at training on Thursday.""If they say 'yes' they would like to play then we will go and train and focus on our footy. It will be bloody hard but I don't want it to ruin their day on Saturday."Eddie Allen was playing both rugby union and rugby league this year. He would lace up on Saturday for the Colts Under 18s then back up on Sunday for the Marist Brothers Under 18s. At training last night the Under 16's and Colts played a game of touch against the rugby league players.Whatever the decision made by the Lismore Rugby Club Colts it will be supported by the 43,800 living in the Lismore Government area.

Fewer people attended Lismore Base Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic from April to June, according to a new Bureau of Health Information quarterly report. With 8,547 presentations to ED, it was a 12.8% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2019. However, arrivals by ambulance remained stable at 2,313, down 0.6%.At the same time, the hospital’s performance improved, with 82.2% of patients starting treatment on time. The median time to leave the ED remained stable at two hours and one minute, lower than the state average of two hours and 27 minutes.   The decrease in hospital ED attendances was reflected across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) – as well as across the whole State. The largest reductions were in the semi-urgent (T4) and non-urgent (T5) categories, which were down by 25.2% and 25.7% respectively. Covid restrictionsNNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said the drop in presentations coincided with increased restrictions on community gatherings and activities, as well as people practising social distancing and better hand hygiene in response to the pandemic.  “Over the past six months we have had to significantly change our behaviour, and there’s no doubt that has impacted on the numbers of people we’re seeing through our hospitals,” Mr Jones said.  “The restrictions meant Northern NSW residents were moving less frequently around the community, socialising less, and not participating in regular activities like competitive sport.  “We also know there has been a significant reduction in flu-like illness this year, with people adopting the public health advice around good respiratory and hand hygiene.”  Emergency department performance improved, with 84.3% of patients starting treatment on time, a 6.6 percentage point increase on the same quarter in 2019. Elective surgery performanceDue to COVID-19, there were major changes to elective surgery following the Federal Government’s direction to cease non-urgent elective surgery on 25 March and to recommence incrementally from 27 April.Despite the major disruptions, the LHD performed 2,215 surgeries. Non-urgent surgeries were down 73.3%, while urgent and semi-urgent surgeries decreased by 17% and 16.3% respectively.  “Our surgical teams worked extremely hard, both in actioning the initial reduction in surgery, and then gradually recommencing the delivery of non-urgent surgery in a COVID-safe environment,” Mr Jones said. Changing situation“They have done incredibly well to respond to the changing situation, adapting quickly to ensure our community can continue to receive the care they need.” The NSW Government has announced up to an extra $388 million will be invested to fast-track elective surgeries which were delayed as a result of the Federal Government’s decision, ensuring patients will be booked in to public or private hospitals as soon as possible. The NSW Government has committed $800 million extra funding over two years on top of the 2019-20 Health Budget of $26.7 billion to help boost ICU capacity and purchase additional services and medical equipment, to help respond to COVID-19. The 2019- 20 budget for Northern NSW Local Health District was $875 million, this is an increase of $37 million on the previous financial year’s annualised budget. Mental healthDuring the April to June quarter, there were 443 acute mental health episodes of care across the specialised mental health units, with 224 at Lismore and 219 at Tweed. The rate of seclusion at Lismore was 10 per 1,000 bed days and at Tweed it was 5 per 1,000 bed days. The NSW average rate is 7.3 per 1,000 bed days. The rate of physical restraint at Lismore was 4.3 per 1,000 bed days and at Tweed it was 8.6. The NSW average rate is 9.6 per 1,000 bed days. Mr Jones said NNSWLHD is committed to reducing and where possible, eliminating seclusion and restraint, and providing the best possible mental health care in the least restrictive environment. 

A group of teenagers have been inspired to design and build garden beds as part of a unique youth garden project which is transforming the CASPA Learning Centre in Lismore.  The CASPA Learning Centre delivers educational programs and support to young people who are disengaged or unable to attend school due to complex needs and behaviours. CASPA education officer Jess Grace said the teenage boys had never had a garden before and have been happily staying past their lessons to work on the project and “have really taken ownership of it”. “Joel Orchard from Future Feeders led the project and inspired the young people to throw their energy into the garden,” Ms Grace said. “They worked together to design, build the garden beds, and learned about soils, worms, compost and gardening.“The next stage is a pizza oven for the courtyard.  “As well as taking ownership and pride in the garden, these young people have built their self-esteem and confidence and developed new friendships.  “Together we have created a beautiful outdoor space for students and a sustainable garden to use in our cooking program.” Thanks to a Youth Health and Wellbeing grant from the Northern NSW Local Health District, young people at CASPA were able to transform the bare outdoor space into a garden courtyard. Health Promotion Manager Jillian Adams said the aim of the youth grants was to start projects that would encourage young people to be physically active and eat more healthy food.  “This CASPA project ticks all the boxes,” Ms Adams said. “There is plenty of physical work in building and maintaining a garden, and the young people will have the satisfaction of preparing and eating the fresh produce.”

The future of compost is unclear, but Lismore’s recycling facility is almost back on track with glass, aluminium, plastics and paper.Since the great compost fire of August 2019, it’s been a slow rebuild of the recycling-sorting machinery that burned down at Lismore's Recycling and Resource Recovery Centre.Amid very dry and windy conditions, the fire burnt for 10 days causing extensive damage.Lismore City Council Mayor Isaac Smith said Council’s insurance claim had been successful and there would be no ongoing financial impact to Council from rebuilding the facility.“The fire caused an enormous disruption to our business and the services we provide to the community, so it’s really exciting to see the rebuilding work,” he said. "Part of the new build was a big shed for keeping the recycling dry in order to make it easier to process."With half of the machinery now in operation, and the other half ready soon, the Centre manager Andy Irvine said he hoped the full build will be complete by the end of the year – but that work had been held up by the Queensland border closures which stopped necessary materials getting to the site.Compost“Fires in compost piles happen all the time,” Andy said. “The rebuild is in a different location and the new compost piles will be reduced in scale.“The equipment required to make the compost burned in the fire too. We are almost done rebuilding the blowers for the compost and we’ll be back in business on a small scale after planning with Council and councillors about what to do.”Mayor Smith said as far as whether or not the facility would return to pre-fire production levels of compost production goes, Council was looking at what was the best way to handle the income streams from the facility.“We will look for the best outcome to get a good return, while managing the waste sustainably,” he said.Read more news: A 55 tonne whale carcass arrives in Lismore todaySorting trial and container deposit schemeAndy said staff were currently doing a trial sorting of recycling trying to work out what people are actually putting into their bins.“The container deposit scheme has changed what the make up of bins are,” he said. “So we are picking though tonnes of recycling and weighing it so we can plan future operations at the facility. and how to charge accordingly.“There used to be more glass and plastic bottles before people got 10 cents a container and stopped putting them in the yellow bins.Unscramble“From a sorting point of view, it’s great. We don’t have to unscramble the mix of recycling. It means we have a cleaner product to sell.“Bales of aluminium are a much wanted commodity and worth a lot to us. But we don’t want it contaminated, because the price drops if there is plastic in it.Should we put cigarette butts in cans?“It’s best to keep things as clean as possible, but if there’s a cigarette butt in a can, at the end of the day it will be melted down anyway.“It’s more about the capacity of our facility to keep soft plastics out of bales – it gets into everything and makes it hard. The standards of clean end products has been lifted massively in this industry.Common recycling mistakes Andy said a common mistake people made was to put nappies in the green waste.“It makes life really difficult,” he said. “We want no plastic bags in green waste - don’t think that it might break down eventually.“Also in yellow bins, we don’t want heavily contaminated packaging.Bottle tops“If a glass bottle comes through, it goes through the glass breaker. If it still has a bottle top on it, the bit of glass with it goes to waste. If the top wasn’t there, the whole glass bottle would be broken up, turned into glass and used in a road or something.“If people can take care at the source with recycling, we can recover so much more - when it’s badly contaminated, there’s nothing we can do with it."FutureMayor Smith said the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre is a $3.65 million Material Recovery Facility and processes around 15,000 tonnes of recyclables per year,“We are looking forward to once again being able to manage waste in our own backyard,” he said.“I want to acknowledge the community for their patience during the last 12 months as both the fire and COVID-19 has had significant impacts on our waste services.“I would also like to thank our waste staff, who have been under enormous pressure, and have continued to show incredible commitment under very trying conditions to deliver essential services for our whole community.”Since the fire, Council has been working with contractors in the Northern Rivers and south-east Queensland to manage the waste.

At 510pm this afternoon the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to a property at Federal north west of Bangalow to a report of a person who had fallen 3 meters off a roof. NSW Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team have treated and stabilised the male patient believed to be in his 40’s for leg fractures before being airlifted to Lismore Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.  

The remnants of a 55 tonne sperm whale will be arriving at Lismore Recycling and Resource Recovery Centre today. The unusual arrival is the carcass of a whale that washed up on Patches Beach in Ballina last Friday. Read more news: Lismore Rugby Club mourns the death of rising starThe centre’s manager Andy Irvine said Lismore Council staff had already used machinery to dig a hole big enough to accommodate the carcass – thought to be the one of the largest whales yet to wash up on a NSW beach.Andy said the logistical nightmare of removing and transporting the 16.9 metre whale from the beach to Lismore was the responsibility of the State agency, Soil and Conservation NSW.Andy wasn’t sure exactly how it was going to arrive at the landfill site, but said it would certainly involve cutting the large carcass into smaller pieces for transport. Prime News reported last night that local Aboriginal people had requested that the whale not be buried on Patches Beach due to the area being a Bundjalung culturally sensitive site. Local authorities also performed an autopsy on the whale prior to its removal from the beach, in order to work out how it might have died. Andy said the whale was not going to be buried in the compost, but in a separate area of the Lismore facility. “We’ve been in touch with the compliance people and we have to cover it with polymer and soil,” he said. When asked if it might become a plant fertiliser product down the track, Andy replied “we are not planning to bottle it for the garden”.“That’s not high on my priority list - as long as no one complains about it," he said.So how does a dead whale smell?“I’ll tell you about it this afternoon,” Andy laughed.

"It is with a heavy heart that Lismore City Rugby Union Club is today saddened and devastated by the loss of one of its young guns Eddie Allen." This is the first line on social media from the Lismore Rugby Club facebook page as the sporting community mourns the death of the 17 year old.Read more news: Teenager dies in East Lismore car crashA Far North Coast and NSW Country representative player, Eddie at just 17 years old made his debut with City first grade in 2020 and played with the Clubs Colts team who made their first ever Grand Final with victory over Mullumbimby on Saturday. A game that Eddie played."Taken tragically and too young Eddie was loved by everyone. ""Rest easy Eddie.""Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."Other tributes have been posted on their facebook page including other Rugby Clubs like Wollongbar Rugby Club, "On behalf of the Wollongbar Rugby Club condolences to the family.Our thoughts are with his teammates and the Lismore Rugby Club. May he Rest In Peace."How this tragedy affects this weekend's Grand Final against minor Premiers Casuarina Beach is yet to be determined.Read more news: A 55 tonne whale carcass arrives in Lismore today

A teenage boy has died in a single-vehicle crash in East Lismore yesterday.Read more news: Lismore Rugby Club mourns the death of rising starShortly after 7pm last night (Monday 14 September 2020), a 17-year-old boy was driving a Nissan Pulsar north along Barham Street, East Lismore, when he lost control and crashed into a tree.He suffered critical injuries and despite the efforts of attending emergency service officers, he died at the scene. Officers from Richmond Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.Read more news: A 55 tonne whale carcass arrives in Lismore today

As the spring weather heats up, the days grow longer and people want to spend more time outdoors or having barbecues with a group of friends, amendments have been made to the Public Health Order that puts everyone at risk for a fine if they breach regulations.Most significantly are the changes relating to private gatherings with all attendees now risking $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) if the gathering exceeds the allowed 20-person limit.Where previously, only the organiser of a gathering was liable to receive a fine if the number of people at the premises breached the Public Health Order, every person in attendance will now be held individually responsible for the breach.The changes, which came into effect at midnight yesterday (Monday 14 September 2020), aim to ensure the safety of the community ahead of an expected increase in gatherings associated with Christmas and end-of-year festivities.Operation Corona Virus Commander, Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell, said that as with the previous restrictions, these amendments have been made with community safety in mind.“Coming into the warmer months, and with end-of-year festivities around the corner, it’s only natural that people will have additional reasons to want to gather and get together,” Assistant Commissioner Crandell said.“These amendments aim to ensure that an increase in expected gatherings doesn’t mean an increase in COVID-19 cases.“The new changes come in addition to other restrictions which remain in place, including a limit on numbers at outdoor gatherings and licensed premises.“NSW Police will continue to work with the community to ensure compliance to all restrictions under the Public Health Order.“While the vast majority of people within NSW are doing their part, we will continue to target those who don’t,” Assistant Commissioner Crandell said.The new changes are outlined below;

Lismore City Council is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) 'Get Ready Weekend' this Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the bushfire season and start a broader conversation about being aware of, and prepared for, all hazards.It was only ten short months ago that the Nightcap National Park fires at Mt Nardi were out of control causing many people to flee their homes and properties to evacuations centres at the Nimbin and Lismore Showgrounds.“The 2019/20 bushfire season was devastating across the North Coast and much of Australia. It was a stark reminder of the danger of fire. It was also a reminder of the importance of being prepared and having a plan,” Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said."This is for everyone in our community to think about the coming fire season and managing your property amongst disasters. We're asking people in our community to know the risks, to plan how you are going to deal with those risks and, should an emergency happen, to look out for each other.""The evidence shows over the last couple of years that preparation saves lives, it is all about preparedness. Have all your plans in place, be ready to go and have the solution before the problem occurs.""After last fire season everyone is a bit scared, a lot like we were after the flood 2017. Then we were flood ready, after this fire season we will be fire ready."Following the devastation of bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020 there is less of a risk this year and early 2021 with higher than expected rainfall in late spring and summer due to the La Niña influence but we are already seeing some fires across NSW.Last years experience has allowed Lismore City Council to also prepare for this years bush fire season in a more complete way."We got some funding from State and Federal Government to make improvements on parts of our infrastructure such as turn-around areas for trucks in vulnerable areas, Mr Smith said, "We are working closely with the RFS to prepare those roads, to have more water tanks available and to have more access to emergency services should a disaster occur."Scott Turner is the Local Emergency Management Officer for LCC, he said the biggest lesson learnt out of last seasons bushfires is that people need to be ready."There is a general feeling that the RFS do a great job and if there is a fire near me they will turn up and help", Scott said, "While this is true, if you get an event on the scale of last year there are not enough fire trucks to go to every house, not even enough fire trucks to go to every street and so the messages for this year are for people to be ready."Get your own plans in place and know what you are going to do because as much as the RFS want to turn up they may not be able to."To support early planning and preparation, NSW RFS will once again host their annual Get Ready Weekend on 19/20 September, in person and online.Please follow your local RFS brigade’s Facebook page for information as it becomes available. You can also visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for more information including how to prepare your home against a bush fire.Please use the RFS Get Ready Weekend as the start of a broader conversation with family, friends and neighbours around being prepared for the multiple hazards.Get Ready in five simple stepsKnow your risk - think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;Plan now for what you will do - sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area;Get your home ready - prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;Be aware - find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area and connect with NSW emergency services to stay informed; Look out for each other - share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.A Bushfire Danger Period has been declared across the Lismore Local Government Area and Northern Rivers. This means anyone wishing to light a fire must first obtain a fire permit. Permits, which are free, ensure that fire is used safely and minimises the danger to landholders, their property and the community.While hazard reductions burns are an important part of preparations, landholders need to be extremely careful. Never leave a fire unattended. If a fire does escape, make sure you call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

St Vincent de Paul is ready to harness the power of the sun thanks to a $12,500 grant from Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan.The grant will go towards the existing rooftop solar system on their office building in Magellan Street, Lismore.“Electricity is one of the largest expenses for Vinnies,” Mr Hogan said. “By investing in solar, they have the ability to reduce operating costs considerably. These savings can instead go towards helping people experiencing severe disadvantage in our community.”The St Vincent de Paul Society are an important organisation in all regions across the country. They help and advocate for our most vulnerable people. Vinnies NSW CEO Jack de Groot said Vinnies embraces rooftop solar as a way of reducing electricity costs and enabling them to provide more support to local families and individuals doing it tough. “We are also committed to the environment through Vinnies shops and our participation in the container deposit scheme, which reduce the amount of material going to landfill,” Mr de Groot said. “Our community support work has continued throughout this challenging period because people’s needs have only increased. North Coast families are struggling to pay high rents, often going without food and other essentials to make ends meet. The threat of homelessness always looms.” “Our volunteer members are doing less face-to-face work but are still providing vital assistance to the community. This includes food vouchers, accommodation support and advice, and emergency help for people facing domestic violence.”

Your help is needed as the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has declared this week 'Plasma Power Week'.The Lismore Donor Centre will be open at midday today (Monday) and every day until Saturday to collect blood from you.The reason for the push is due to the current lockdown in Victoria, this has caused a national shortage of plasma supply.Scott Morrison Group Account Manager Northern Rivers said "we need the rest of the eastern seaboard to pick up the slack and the Lismore community does an amazing effort when we do these sort of call outs"."We are expecting 60 plus appointments."Due to social distancing we are required to make an appointment by calling 131495, heading to the website or by downloading the Donate Blood app.The hours and days of operation are;Monday 14 September: 12 midday to 7:30pmTuesday 15 September: 8am to 2pmWednesday 16 September: 7am to 7pmThursday 17 September: 7am to 7pmFriday 18 September: 7am to 5pmSaturday 19 September: 8am to 3pmLifeblood Chief Executive Shelley Park said 31,000 donations are needed every week across Australia to help patient in times of trauma, major surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy and host of other situations.“Despite dramatic changes to the everyday lives of Australians since March, we’ve seen people continue to generously donate blood and plasma.“But over the past three months, we have seen the number of people cancelling or not turning up for their appointments increase nationally by around 5000.“And looking ahead, we can see a drop in appointment numbers over the coming weeks – that’s why we’re asking new and existing donors to step up and fill those appointments to ensure there is a sufficient supply of blood and plasma.”Lifeblood donor centres are safe to visit, with strict social distancing, cleaning and donor eligibility measures in place. Only healthy people are eligible to give blood and we have introduced even more stringent wellness checks prior to appointments, including temperature checking.“We want to thank everyone who’s continued to step up and donate during this pandemic. However, the reality is the need for blood and blood products never stops so we urge all eligible Australians to make blood or plasma donation part of their ‘new normal’,” Ms Park said.

A body has been located during a search for a missing Lismore man just north of Grafton.The 37-year-old was last seen in Kyogle about 11am on Thursday 13 August 2020. His family notified officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District when he couldn’t be located or contacted. Following inquiries, the man’s vehicle was located by police on Wednesday (2 September 2020) near Whiteman Creek Road on the mid north coast.Earlier yesterday (Saturday 12 September 2020), police were notified that family members searching for the man located a body in the Whiteman Creek area.While the body has not been identified, it’s believed to be the missing man.Initial inquiries suggest the death is not suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. 

When we think COVID-19 or coronavirus we tend to think of all the negatives that the global pandemic has brought to our lives. The lockdowns, the home schooling, the loss of jobs, the lack of sport, the loss of events, the list goes on.Our doom and gloom has been a positive for our pets, it appears they have come in for some TLC while we are spending more time at home. They are loving the extra attention with many turning up at the local veterinary clinic for ailments that would have been missed during a normal busy lifestyle.Daryl Deeley one of the vets at Keen Street Vets in Lismore, saying he can't put a single factor to why they have been busier across the Northern Rivers. "We feel there are quite a few more people at home during this COVID period," Daryl said, " They are noticing things about their pets they didn't before like skin allergies, ulcers or teeth problems.""Issues that have been going on long term that they have become aware of now."Pet ownership has also increased during COVID-19 so there a lot more de-sexing operations. Simon Arnesen from VetLove Goonellabah said "the RSPCA have re-homed more pets during COVID. People who were talking about getting a pet were making the decision to actually get it done now".Unfortunately, the trend of domestic violence has increased not only for people but also with pets with a slight increase in numbers.Another reason for the increase in vet activity is thought to be the extra money flowing into people's pockets with JobKeeper and JobSeeker or through access to Super Funds."A pets skin condition that was a minor problem and deemed not necessary to treat before COVID is now at the vets getting treatment", Simon said.At it's peak Keen Street Vet had 5-6 people waiting outside in their cars. The procedure was exactly the same as your local doctor, you were to ring the surgery when you arrived and a nurse would come and pick up your pet from your car, take it inside for treatment then return your pet once complete.Daryl said "appointments were taking 30 minutes because we had to to thoroughly clean all the surfaces and equipment after every pet. This increased our workload hugely as well as increased the wait time by 15 minutes.""We are so grateful for good staff and patient clients."The rule today for Keen Street Vet and VetLove is for one person with their pet allowed in the premises at a time. This eases the workload somewhat.Both practices have social distancing measures and hygiene measures in place.

WANTED ON WARRANTS: Jai KNIGHTPolice are seeking community assistance in locating 22 year old Jai KNIGHT, wanted by virtue of 5 arrests warrants.Jai is known to frequent the Lismore and Goonellabah areas.Anyone with information in regards to Jai's current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The best of the rain has passed with only the slight chance of small shower tomorrow morning then a good looking weekend on the way.It is perfect weather to check out our local bush walks like Rocky Creek Dam, Protester Falls, Mount Matheson or if you are feeling very energetic the Minyon Falls walk. Check out your options here Walks.For your local, direct from the farmer fresh fruit and veg head down to the Lismore Showground for the Farmers Markets, open from 8 while the Blue Knob Community Markets throw open their gates at 8:30am. The Farmers Market will see live music by Joe O'Keefe & Friends.Sunday sees the second Channon Craft Markets since the pandemic began in March. This month will celebrate the life of Peter Jackson (aka RoaDart) with 'Pete's Picnic' between 11am and 1pm. Bring your own picnic, rug or buy your lunch and join Pete's family on the oval. The markets run between 9am and 3pm.The Lismore Regional Gallery has the Language of the Wounded and Body Language exhibitions on display between 10am and 4pm.In Sport, the local derby is back at Crozier Field on Sunday when the in form Northern United take on the Marist Brothers Rams at 3pm. Two weeks ago Northern United won the first encounter 34-22 in a dominant display.Far North Coast Football has the final home and away games before the final kick into gear with the Lismore Thistles travelling to Bangalow tonight with an 8pm kick-off.Sunday's matches see Richmond Rovers on the road to Byron Bay for a 12:30 start while the ladder leading South Lismore Celtics take on the 4th placed Goonellabah Hornets at 2pm in a game the Hornets need to win to ensure their place in the finals next weekend.The women's ANZAC Cup final is Lismore Thistles v Alstonville on Sunday played at Alstonville with a 12:30 kick-off while the mens ANZAC Cup Final is next Wednesday night also at Alstonville at 7pm between the Goonellabah Hornets and Alstonville.The Lismore Rugby Union Colts play in their Preliminary Final tomorrow, good luck to the boys.Full sport wrap throughout the weekend from Matt Barlow and Ian Horswill on the Lismore App.Neil Marks' Saturday Blog talks about his new Deputy Mayor title. It is your last few days to win a Trackside Table for 10 including entry fee, reserved table with umbrella and two bottles of wine for this years Lismore Cup. Go to the WIN! button on the front page.117.9 is the cheapest diesel around town in a variety of places while E10 unleaded is 112.9 at United on Ballina Road and unleaded 91 is cheapest at United again and Caltex near the Square at 114.9.Daley's Homewares and Monogramming will open their new store at 83 Keen Street on Monday morning after a weekend of moving.Have a great weekend, here are a few funnies to kick off the weekend. If you see any you would like to share [email protected] is the email address.