Your daily local news briefing // Monday 24 April 2017

WEATHER
Cairns: 22-30C max, 90% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 24-29C max, 90% chance of rain
Mareeba: 19-28C max, 20% chance of rain
Innisfail: 22-28C max, 90% rain


TODAY'S TOP STORIES

CAIRNS CRIME SOARING
The Far North has experienced its worst month of crime in more than 15 years, sparking police union calls for more cops on the TNQ beat.
Almost 4000 offences were recorded for March, over 800 more than in February and the highest total for a single month since 2001.
Of the 4000 regional transgressions – which included breaches of DV orders, serious assault and credit card fraud – 1800 of the offences were committed in Cairns city.
Far North police union representative Sgt Marty Bristow told News Corp that staffing issues at Cairns District had been “critical” for years, and said residents deserved an immediate increase in police numbers.

HEADLESS CROC SPARKS VIGILANTE FEARS
Wildlife authorities are investigating the report of a decapitated crocodile found near Innisfail over the weekend.
A Babinda man came across the headless croc, estimated to be about four metres long, at Eubenangee Swamp on Saturday, telling News Corp it appeared the reptile had been decapitated by hunters.
The maximum penalty for killing crocodiles in the wild is more than $27,000.

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS
Anzac Day will be celebrated tomorrow with a variety of events across the far north.
A commemorative march in Edge Hill will kick off proceedings at 4,10am, followed by a dawn service at the war graves at Martyn St Cemetery at 4.28am, the exact time of the Gallipoli Landing in 1915.
Cairns RSL will host a gunfire breakfast at 4.30am before the 5.30am dawn service at the Cenotaph and the 10am services parade.
The Cairns Regional Council website has full information on events and road closures across the region.

WEEKEND OF TRIUMPH FOR NQ TEAMS
North Queensland Cowboys have served up Newcastle Knights’ seventh loss of the NRL season, galloping to a 24-12 win on home turf.
Despite having a number of key players sidelined by injury, the Cowboys managed to break their two-game losing streak and cling to their sixth rung on the NRL ladder.
Closer to home, Northern Pride scored a much-needed win over the Norths Devils on Sunday 22-20, while FNQ Heat beat Redlands United 3-1 at Barlow Park on Saturday night.