February 28 marks the end of another season, the hottest one of the year. It's the end of summer.
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It's been a continually warm one this year, with little rain, though we haven't broken any records in the last three months.
What we have done is enjoyed the summer of 2017 and 2018, covering the big local issues and events around Orange and the surrounding districts.
But what did you read? These are some of the top articles and galleries viewed and read by our readers over the past three months.
The most incredible videos of the Mount Canobolas fire: The smoke, the glow of the fire, it was all everyone was talking about for a few days in early February.
The videos and images that were coming from residents at the fire ground and in town were incredible, and we pulled together some of the most viewed videos of the fire on social media. If you missed it, see them here.
There surely was a difference - a 32 year difference in the types of equipment used back then and now. Fire was on everyone’s mind and the 1985 Mount Canobolas blaze was remembered while firefighters fought this year.
Our equipment the difference from 1985 blaze to current fire gallery was a popular one. Who remembers this scene from back then?
Your photos of the first day of 'big school' for Orange's kindy kids: The end of January or the start of February marks the first day back at school for students across the country. Our call out for your first day of school photos received such a wonderful response, and it was one of our most viewed galleries for the month.
Of course another popular gallery, not only this year, but each and every year, was our Big Steps for Tiny Feet. We’ll pull this gallery out in 13 years when they reach year 12 – the time is going to fly by!
Mind Your Business: Coffee shop is brewing with a difference: Coffee! How can you start your morning without a cup? (I’m serious, I would love to know!)
Our weekly Mind Your Business column was a hit in December when we talked to Matt Swiatkiwsky who opened Omar by Academy in Woodward Street – a place better known for the kebabs and butchers.
“I love coffee” Matt said. And we do too!
It’s old and new: Myer site developers unveil plan that only retains facades: We saw the new plans for the site that’s just sitting there in the centre of the CBD.
January was the month when this story broke, with plans by the developers to knock down most of the old Myer site and build a new shopping complex on the back of the heritage facade under a revised development application [DA] presented to Orange City Council.
The DA on display at the council offices saw most of the structure replaced by steel framework but kept more of the original features after council sent the first DA last year back to the drawing board.
Under the latest plan the heritage aspects of the iconic building would be displayed through a heritage buff and beige paint scheme, installing awning posts on Summer Street and using pressed metal displays inside the centre.
Crossing the finish line at the 2018 Orange Running Festival: We were there to capture, maybe not quite everyone, but most people as they ran across the finish line at the 2018 Running Festival.
Almost 300 photos in this gallery showed the glory, the pain and the stamina from participants. Flick though, and count … how many people can you spot stopping their watches?