Your daily local news briefing // Thursday 25 May 2017

WEATHER FORECAST
Cairns: 22-28C max, 30% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 22-28C max, 10% chance of rain
Mareeba: 18-26C max, 10% chance of rain
Innisfail: 20-27C max, 10% rain


TODAY'S TOP STORIES

82-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FRAUD
From Cairns Police: Detectives yesterday charged an 82-year-old Machans Beach man following a fraud related investigation.
It will be alleged that the man fraudulently sold a number of shares in a water harvesting and distribution company to a Cairns woman in September last 2016. Detectives attended a Machans Beach address yesterday where they located the man. He was taken into custody and charged with one count of fraud.
The man is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 9.

TNQ LIFE IS A BEACH
Time to dust off the togs - the stinger nets have been removed from our beaches in the official end to stinger season.
Surf Life Saving Queensland removed the nets earlier this week after a relatively quiet period for irukandji stings - only 7 incidents reported this season compared to 28 during the previous period.

PARKING FIX
Short term pain for long term gain. That's the takeaway from Cairns Regional Council's plan to upgrade the multi-storey car parking station on Lake St, which will cause disruption to CBD parking for the next six months.
The $5.9 million project will include CCTV and security features, improved lighting, all-abilities access and a rainforest-inspired façade.
But the works mean the CBD will lose 306 parking spots until the Lake St parking station re-opens at the end of the year.

MASTERS OF THEIR SPORTING DOMAIN
Around 1500 athletes and officials will hit the fields, courts and courses of Cairns today as the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games kicks off. It's the third time the event has been held, with competitors aged 35 and over travelling from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific to take part in 20 individual and team sports.
Council has opened the Games Hub The Games Hub at the TTNQ Visitor Information Centre, 51 The Esplanade, to assist athletes and supporters during the event, which runs until Sunday.

PUBLIC TRIBUTE TO CHARLES WOODWARD
A public memorial service will be held for tourism identity Charles Woodward at his beloved Rainforestation Nature Park on Friday 2nd June at 3:30pm for a 4pm start.
In a statement, the Woodward family said: "All those who knew him and wish to pay their respects are welcome to join to say farewell. In lieu of flowers, donations to COUCH would be appreciated."
With limited car parking at Rainforestation, people are urged to catch coaches running from selected locations in Cairns, including Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns North Community Centre (Sheridan St Bus Stop), Pease St IGA and Smithfield Bus Stop.