7am: Central Western Daily reporter Matt Findlay with you for Orange Express this morning, giving you everything you could possibly need to prepare for the day ahead, and maybe just a little bit extra.
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If you know something our readers might find useful - a news tip or traffic report - please email it to me on matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au or text it to 0477308571.
First off, today's weather...
It's forecast to be another typical autumn's day here in Orange. We're in for a top of 14 degrees, and you may as well pack away the umbrellas my colleague Nick McGrath told you to get out yesterday, any rain predicted is long gone. However, we are expecting a light, chilly breeze today.
Today's Central Western Daily reports this May is Orange's warmest in seven years. It feels like the calm before the storm.
Around the central west Dubbo continues to enjoy clear weather, with a top of 20 degrees, while Bathurst is slightly warmer with a maximum of just 17.
7.15am: Former Spice Girl superstar Mel B turns 39 today.
Scary Spice is lucky enough to share her day of birth with several other celebrities, like former U.S president John F. Kennedy, New York Knicks NBA star Carmelo Anthony, legendary comedian Bob Hope and Oasis front man Noel Gallagher.
So, to really kickstart your Thursday, here's one of Mel B and the Spice Girls' most memorable hits, Wannabe.
If you or someone you know is celebrating their big day tomorrow help us share the news with all of Orange.
Email their name, age and a photo to janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we can all share in the celebration.
7.25am: NSW kept the dream alive last night with a gutsy 12-8 win over Queensland in the first game of State of Origin, at Suncorp Stadium. The Blues now move on to game two in Sydney in three weeks time to try and seal their first series victory in nine seasons
7.30am: Here's the latest update on what's happening on our local roads.
We love helping you here at Orange Express, and hopefully this list stops you from hitting any pesky delays due to roadworks.
We've got word from a reader of work being done out the front of Orange Public School infants, keep clear of the area if you can.
Orange City Council is currently upgrading several roads around the city, so avoid them if you can, or drive carefully if you do hit them:
The intersection of Margaret and Hill streets, Burrendong Way near Wicks Road, the section of Forest Road near the hospital and the shared pedestrian-bicycle path from Spring Street to McLachlan Street.
THE RMS advises work is being currently conducted on or around the following major roads in the central west:
The Great Western Highway between Bathurst and Mount Victoria, with reduced speed limits and delays in effect, the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Wellington, with ten minute delays expected at busy times and Henry Parkes Way near Manildra, with ten minute delays possible.
Please allow for more time for your journey if you are using these roads.
If you know of any road work or accidents in and around Orange which could cause traffic delays this morning please email matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au or send us a text message on 0477308571.
7.45am: Let's check out what making headlines in Orange this morning.
Results from yesterday's online poll on Orange's antisocial behaviour problems revealed some troubling outcomes ...
Antisocial behaviour in Orange is at an all-time high and a growing cause for concern.
The Central Western Daily’s online poll on Tuesday and in an alarming landslide result, a whopping 95 per cent of nearly 300 people agreed the city’s antisocial problems are growing at a rapid rate.
Meanwhile, a Dubbo home has hit the $1 million mark for the first time.
The Regand Park property broke new ground when it fetched the seven-figure sum on the market, selling agent Ken Mongan reported.
It eclipsed the city's previous top price of $920,000, set more than two years ago.
8.00am: Time to take another walk down memory lane ...
This week's 'Throwback Thursday' gallery takes you all the way back to May, 2002.
Central Western Daily photographers Jude Keogh, Olivia Sargent and Steve Gosch were busy this time 12 years ago, attending the many parties and events around Orange.
You might recognise one of the faces on the front photo of this week's gallery - Duntryleague's newly-crowned club championship winner Craig Stojanovic. Well done giant killer.
8.15am: Here are some of the stories making news across the country this morning.
After last night's groundbreaking State of Origin game one win, NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds is facing a dangerous throw charge, set to rub him out of game two.
Reynolds vowed to fight the charge, and line up for the Blues in the return clash in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Christopher Pyne suggests collecting HECS debts from dead students as a way to help the budget.
8.30am: Just for a change of pace...
Music makes the world go around, so here's a look at some of May 29's biggest hits throughout the years.
In 1984, Lionel Richie hit the top of the charts with his hauntingly beautiful classic 'Hello', Madonna went to number one in 1989 with 'Like a Prayer', the 'Grease Megamix' spent five weeks at the top of the charts in 1991 and hip-hop star Snow hit number one in 1993 with 'Informer'
But, possibly the most famous, most recognisable song to have hit number one on the ARIA Billboard charts on May 29 ... 'MMMBop' by Hanson, which spent nine weeks at the top of the charts in 1997.
8.40am: It seems fewer people are flying to and from Sydney with Rex ...
No changes are planned for Regional Express Airlines’ flights to Orange, despite a recent reduction in the number of passengers arriving at Orange Airport.
We want to know ...
8.50am: Time to take a look at what's happening in Orange sport ...
Orange CYMS' Tim Bassmann and Ben McAlpine, along with Orange Hawks' Alofi Mataele, will take the field for Western Division on Saturday, in the Rams' Country Rugby League Regional Tier 2 Championship opener.
Meanwhile, Orange's junior sport stars were out in force last Saturday.
For more junior sport photos, check out our Tomorrow's Champions Today gallery.
9am: That's a wrap for today. Check back in at centralwesterndaily.com.au throughout the day for updates on these stories, and plenty of others.
Thanks for joining me today, you'll have the pleasure of being with reporter Janice Harris from 7am tomorrow morning.
Now, have a cuppa, and enjoy your day.