In other news…
Number 8 Network does a round-up of stories in our district from other media outlets.
Puketaha sharemilker dies in bike crash
Neighbours are rallying around the family at the Puketaha farm where a 45-year-old died following a quad bike crash last Friday, says the Waikato Times.
The farm’s owner, who did not wish to be named, said the man and his family had been working on the property since May.
He said neighbours were turning up to help with milking and other chores.
Number 8 Network extends our sympathy to all involved.
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Rototuna dairy owner battles thief
Rupan Patel was working alone at his dairy on Hukanui Rd last Monday night when a man with a long-barrelled rifle burst in.
“I tired to stay calm. In my mind the main thing was to grab the gun off him…” he told the Waikato Times.
In the incident which took seconds Mr Patel managed to pull the rile away from the man, who ran from the store and sped away in a silver car, driven by an accomplice.
The family took over the Rototuna Foodmarket just months before. “…it was pretty scary,” he said.
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Ceremony at Taupiri for as Expressway starts
The first sod has been turned for the construction of the $458 million Huntly section of the Waikato Expressway.
The 15.2 kilometre stretch of road will bypass Huntly and be built behind Mount Taupiri. At a ceremony last Friday the Minister of Transport Simon Bridges and the Maori King’s eldest son, Whatumoana Paki, did the honours, reports Radio NZ news.
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Car thief strikes twice
A car thief on the run appears to have struck twice in one night, first in Rotorua, then in Taupiri, reports the Waikato Times. Police began pursuing a stolen car at 2.30am Saturday night, heading towards Taupiri.
Senior sergeant Pete van de Wetering of Waikato police said when the vehicle stopped, a man fled on foot and a woman was arrested and charged with unlawfully getting into a stolen motor vehicle.
About 4am a car was stolen from Taupiri, he said.
The offender had broken into the victim’s home to get car keys, then stolen the car, he said.
“It seems logical to suspect the guy who has managed to escape has stolen a car from Taupiri to get away.”
The offender was wanted on several charges, including theft of a motor vehicle.
Anyone who saw a blue 1999 Mitsubishi Diamante with plates YJ2891 was urged to phone police on 111.
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