Your daily local news briefing // Wednesday 24 May 2017

WEATHER FORECAST
Cairns: 22-29C max, 60% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 23-28C max, 50% chance of rain
Mareeba: 19-26C max, 30% chance of rain
Innisfail: 21-27C max, 50% rain


TODAY'S TOP STORIES

ON THEIR BIKE FOR ECONOMIC BOOST
A mountain bike track proposed by local trail designing legend Glen Jacobs could be a step closer to reality if councillors agree to help fund a feasibility study today.
Studies have already found the 76km Wangetti Trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas could attract up to 28,000 riders per and pump $10 million into the Cairns economy annually. Cairns Councillors will today vote on a proposal to chip in $50,000 to develop the proposal further.

BUNNINGS STORE ASSAULT CHARGES
Police have charged a 49-year-old Gordonvale man following an investigation into an incident at Bunnings hardware store on May 21.
From Cairns Police: It will be alleged that another 56-year-old man was parked in the drive-through timber yard section just before 1pm and was securing some goods onto his utility when the younger man approached in another utility and became verbally abusive over a parking issue. It will be further alleged that the man then approached and pushed the victim and a physical altercation ensued, during which the victim began to lose consciousness. The man then returned to his vehicle.
The victim sustained cuts and grazing as a result of the incident. Detectives spoke with the younger man at 12.30pm yesterday and he was arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 7.

BABINDA AND TULLY STAR IN SAMSUNG AD
Residents of wettest town rivals Babinda and Tully are starring in a major advertising campaign for smartphone giant Samsung.
About 80 locals were cast as extras in the commercial designed to promote Samsung's new waterproof S8 Galaxy phone. Residents appeared in a town hall meeting scene, while Babinda's Harry Anning starred as a fisherman. Divisional councillor Brett Moller said the commercial was a wonderful promotional boost for the towns.

MAROON MIND GAMES
The ongoing saga over whether Johnathan Thurston will lace up the boots for the State of Origin opener continues. News Corp is reporting the Cowboys superstar has "pleaded" with coach Kevin Walters not to rule him out of the side due to injury. Maroons captain Cameron Smith is backing Thurston to make the field at Suncorp Stadium on 31 May, fuelling claims from Blues coach Laurie Daley the Queenslanders are playing "mind games" in the leadup to the big game.