MAN'S BODY PULLED OUT OF LAKE
A body pulled from Lake Canobolas on January 2 was identified as a 27-year-old man, not from Orange.
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Emergency services were called to the lake following reports a man went missing while swimming.
Officers from Central West Police District, NSW Ambulance paramedics and the SES searched the lake and surrounding area to locate the missing swimmer.
At the time, Inspector Dave Harvey said the man's family were on their way to the region this morning to formally identify the body.
He said police would not reveal any details on the man until this process was complete.
Two weeks later, the body is identified as that of Nepalese national, Rupendra Tamang, who had travelled to Orange to work as a fruit picker.
INVESTIGATION AFTER MAN KILLED
A crime scene was established after police found a man dead inside a home at Eurimbla on January 14.
Emergency services responded to reports a man had been shot at a property on the Catombal Road at Eurimbla, around 70 kilometres north-west of Orange.
A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed officers "attended and located a deceased male inside the home".
The man is later formally identified as Bandidos OMCG Central West Chapter President, Shane De Britt.
The State Crime Command's Homicide Squad, assisted by Criminal Groups Squad and Orana Mid-Western Police District detectives, commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man's death under Strike Force Kerrison.
COUNCIL TO BRING ON LEVEL 6
As revealed on January 9, Orange was on the cusp of Level 6 water restrictions and faced the possibility of being "close to empty in December" 2020 should the city's storages receive no significant inflows during the year.
Orange City Council chief executive officer David Waddell, alongside mayor Reg Kidd, announced the city was facing Level 6 - which is no external watering at homes - restrictions by May 1.
At the time, he said with reduced consumption and some inflows that Level 6 start date could be pushed out. At the time, the city's reservoirs were sitting at 23 per cent.
Level 6 would have come into effect when those levels dipped to 15 per cent.
Orange has built up a wonderful reputation for the work of its citizens in saving water but this situation is beyond those efforts.
- Orange City Council chief executive officer David Waddell on the water situation in Orange in January.
"If no significant inflows occur in our storages over the next months, Orange faces the real prospect that our storages could be close to empty in December this year," Mr Waddell said back in January.
"Orange has built up a wonderful reputation for the work of its citizens in saving water but this situation is beyond those efforts.
"Orange will lead the pack in the introduction of prudent albeit severe restrictions if the necessity arises."
The Level 5A water restrictions Orange has in the past used were found to not effectively extend the life of the supply or delay level 6, council said.
SNAKE WARNING FOR DOG, CAT OWNERS
Dog and cat owners were warned to watch out for snakes in Orange on January 7.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Lisa Brisbane, of the Canobolas Family Pet Hospital, said 20-50 attacks on dogs and cats a year were common in the Orange city and rural region.
She said the attacks were most prevalent from early spring through summer until autumn.
"It's a regular warm weather problem. Snakes are always around," she said at the time.
Dr Brisbane said brown, black and copperhead snakes were most common, adding brown snakes, in particular, were both aggressive and carried a venomous bite that could kill animals quickly.
Dr Brisbane said the number of attacks this year was about the same as other years although the drought was contributing to the situation.
"Food supplies are scarce. Mice and rats and frogs are probably their main food courses," she said.
Dr Brisbane said owners should look to remove the risk of mice and rats around their properties to discourage snakes.
GLADDY SET FOR NEW LEASE ON LIFE
The Gladstone Hotel prepares to open under new leadership, it is revealed on January 16, following the purchase of the iconic venue by the owners of the Hotel Canobolas.
Phil Tudor and long-time business partner Mark Dalton, alongside silent investor Arthur Laundy, paid close to $3 million for the Byng Street institution.
The trio purchased the 150-year-old pub from the Marshall family with "no plans to change it" from "an old-fashioned pub".
Mr Tudor said the Gladstone was "its own beast" and was not going to start serving cocktails like the Canobolas.
"A lot of teenage boys had their first beers with their fathers in there and we've got no plans to change that."
ALSO MAKING NEWS ....
- Water restriction rule breakers sent notices
- Dust storms roll through the region
- Elton John's crew arrive on largest passenger plane to ever land in Orange
- Litchfield to play alongside Warne, Ponting, Gilchrist
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