Your daily local news briefing // Monday 8 May 2017
WEATHER FORECAST
Cairns: 24-29C max, 20% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 23-28C max, 10% chance of rain
Mareeba: 18-27C max, 10% chance of rain
Innisfail: 21-28C max, 10% rain
TODAY'S TOP STORIES
LUCKY ESCAPE FOR POLICE
A strange turn of events yesterday could've been worse for police officers at Bungalow. During routine patrols of Hartley St the officers saw a man acting suspiciously around a number of vehicles. When police approached, it will be alleged the man entered a black Holden Calais sedan which was driven by a second man, who then allegedly drove the Holden towards the police vehicle, striking it before leaving the area.
A short time later, police located and arrested a 20-year-old Innisfail Estate man, who will face court on May 24 charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
LNP COMPLETES ITS FNQ STATE LINEUP
A former deputy mayor and a cane farmer have been chosen as the LNP's candidates in Cook and the newly created seat of Hill.
Former Cooktown councillor Penny Johnson will take on controversial incumbent Billy Gordon in Cook, while Mario Quagliata is set to face Shane Knuth in the new seat of Hill, which takes in areas south of Gordonvale, including Mission Beach, Innisfail and Atherton.
MISS SHOWGIRL MARINKA MAKES IT TO EKKA
The 2017 Cairns Miss Show Girl Marinka Zanetich has scored a stunning win at the North Queensland finals and will now represent the region at the Brisbane EKKA in August.
Marinka - who we're proud to say is TropicNow's project coordinator - impressed the judges at the North Queensland finals held in Charters Towers on Saturday night. Go Marinka!
FNQ HOPES TO BEAT BUDGET BLUES
Local leaders have released a wishlist of projects they hope is funded in tomorrow night's Federal Budget. Advance Cairns wants projects placed in the pipeline for funding to include an extension of the National Highway in a ring-road around the city, an upgrade of our naval base and Trinity Inlet dredging.
Treasurer Scott Morrison will release the Budget tomorrow afternoon, with measures aimed at lowering the cost of medicines and increase bulk-billing rates expected to be among the initiatives unveiled.
HEAT IMPRESSIVE IN THE WET
A soggy Barlow Park didn't slow down the FNQ Heat as they dominated their Townsville rivals Northern Fury with a 3-0 win in the FFA Cup.
The Heat banked two goals in the first half, with Jamie Carroll scoring two goals. The Cairns team will now take on the Mackay Magpies in a bid to qualify for the FFA Cup Round of 32.
