Meet Shaya and Doc
Four-old Shaya Stanton, pictured on the seesaw seat at the playground next to Selwyn Lane’s Livingstone Aquatics Centre. Photo: Jeremy Smith.
Te Awamutu is proving to be full of people out and about having fun in the summer sun. Among them on Tuesday was Shaya Stanton.
After stopping for a quick photo for The News, she and her dolly – Doc McStuffins – headed off to get some ice cream with mum, Madelyn.
Warning in place
Cyanobacterial levels at Lake Ngā Roto are still at a level which represent a health risk to the public. The predominant cyanobacterial species present is a type that is known to produce toxins and can cause serious illness. The cyanobacterial bloom extends to most parts of the lake and toxins can trigger asthma, hayfever, skin rashes and stomach upsets. Te Whatu Ora Health Waikato “strongly” advises against water-based activities on the lake.
Tuia leaders
Susan O’Regan
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan is on the lookout for another aspiring young Māori leader to join her Tuia programme. Te Awamutu’s Maude Rewha came under O’Regan’s wing last year and came a long way.
Candidates must be between 18 and 25 and be available for the first wananga at Te Kuiti Pā from March 1 to 3.
Construction begins
A new roundabout is underway in Kihikihi at Whitmore and Oliver streets as part of the $8.04 million Te Ara Rimu-Kihihiki pathway project. Whitmore St is closed from Whitaker to Dick St with a detour in place. The pathway is part of transport agency Waka Kotahi’s $17.4 million investment in the district from the Climate Emergency Response fund offering more transport choice. The other work is in Cambridge.
Crash investigated
A crash involving an unmarked police car on the corner of Bruntwood and Victoria roads (SH1B) , north of Cambridge yesterday afternoon resulted in a more than three hour road closure, the presence of serious crash investigators and a photography unit but no report of injuries.
Police confirmed the police car was not under lights and sirens when the crash happened about 2.50pm. Transport agency Waka Kotahi reported the road had been cleared and all lanes were open by 6.05pm. The News was told the unmarked police car was heading to another road accident when the crash happened.
Dam road shut
The Karapiro dam road, on Ariki Street.
Mercury contractors closed the Karāpiro Dam Road a week before scheduled on Sunday due to unexpected additional critical work on the refurbishment of a penstock unit. The road was to have been open during the annual Waka Ama championships on the lake but Mercury decided it was best to close it to keep people and the community safe. Waka Ama organisers were told of the late change, the company said.
Kerbside recycling
Recycling being sorted at its ultimate destination – the recycling sorting centre in Te Awamutu.
A standardised collections system for recyclable products will be introduced across the country from February 1. Plastics marked 1, 2 and 5 will be recycled along with ice bream containers, some food trays and plastic bottles – while plastics marked 3,4 6 and 7 and containers for biscuits, bottle lids, pottles and soft plastic bags will go into the rubbish bin.
