5CS

Port Pirie Regional Council is hosting two Community Drop-In Sessions to chat to the community about our 2026/27 Business Plan & Budget and Long Term Financial Plan. Come along to City Park (next to the Port Pirie Regional Council Chambers in Ellen Street) where staff and Elected Members will be available to answer any questions and share Council’s plans and priorities for the coming year. A free sausage sizzle will be provided. A second session will be held from 4pm-6pm.

Two men from regional South Australia have been arrested and charged over alleged online child exploitation offences. SA JACET investigators, part of a joint SAPOL and Australian Federal Police taskforce, conducted searches at two properties in the state’s north this week. A 26-year-old man from the Far North was charged with making a child amenable to sexual activity and appeared in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court, where he was refused bail.

Eighteen new police officers have graduated from the latest SAPOL training course, with half set to begin their careers in regional South Australia. Among the new recruits are officers heading to Whyalla and Port Augusta, as part of efforts to strengthen policing in country communities. The group brings a mix of experience, with backgrounds in fields such as corrections, security, disability support and customer service.

Three boys have been arrested after a stolen car from Adelaide was tracked north and stopped near Port Wakefield. Police spotted the Mazda sedan just after midnight on Sunday, about 15 minutes after it was reported stolen, and monitored it as it travelled along the North-South Motorway and Port Wakefield Highway. With help from PolAir, patrols deployed tyre spikes before the car came to a stop at Kulpara. The three occupants were arrested without incident.

Port Augusta police are asking for help to track down the owner of power tools believed to be stolen. The items were found during a search of a local property on Friday, June 19, with officers locating a number of tools from brands including Ryobi, Milwaukee, Makita and DeWalt. Police say the tools are suspected to be stolen and are now looking to return them to their rightful owner.

Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North has a new chair, with Clare Valley business leader Ali Paulett stepping into the role. Ms Paulett was appointed following a national recruitment process and brings experience from the wine industry and agribusiness sector. She says she’s looking forward to working with local communities and stakeholders to support growth across the region.

A 13-year-old boy has been reported for driving unlicensed after being stopped by police in Port Lincoln. Officers spotted a Subaru SUV on Verran Terrace last Thursday being driven by someone who appeared to be a child. After stopping the vehicle, patrols found two 13-year-old boys inside. Police say the car was not stolen, with the driver allegedly given permission by a family member while learning to drive.

Police have made multiple arrests across the Upper Spencer Gulf as part of a targeted operation responding to a spike in break-ins and car thefts. Operation Scalene, launched earlier this month, focuses on disrupting offending across the Eyre and Western, Far North and Yorke Mid North regions. So far, 11 people have been arrested, with 32 charges laid over 13 incidents.

Gladstone Gaol is set for a fresh chapter, with plans for tours, accommodation and a café breathing new life into the historic Mid North site. Tourism operator LGT Enterprises has been appointed to run the State Heritage-listed gaol, which has been closed since 2022. Ghost tours will be the first experience on offer, with bookings opening soon as work gets underway on upgrades.

The Whyalla boat ramp upgrade is taking shape, with new pontoons now being installed as the project hits another key milestone. Contractors will continue work over the coming weeks, including concrete pours on the ramps, securing the pontoons, car park upgrades and new lighting. Mayor Phill Stone said the installation is one of the most visible signs of progress, giving locals a clearer look at the finished facility.