A LOCAL family-owned business of 40 years will likely be forced to close after Premier Mike Baird passed a bill to shut down the New South Wales greyhound racing industry. Brett Chambers, who has owned Farra Pet Foods in Penrith, says all his work has gone to waste because of the government’s decision. “All the hard work, all the blood and sweat that goes along with working for a family business for the last 40 years is now gone,” Mr Chambers said. “If the business closed bec

BUSH FIRE season is upon us and western Sydney residents are being urged to prepare now before it is too late. “All residents across NSW need to be prepared for the bush fire season,” NSW Rural Fire service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Western News. To help with preparation and to remind people what they can do to protect their homes the RFS is holding a special Get Ready weekend, with Commissioner Fitzsimmons saying bush fire preparation is easier than you might think

COMMUTERS at Penrith train station now have another struggle to add to the rush hour commute after Transport for NSW changed a long standing 15 minute pick up point into a taxi zone. The drop off and pick up zone out the front of Penrith station on Jane Street, used by commuters and parents picking up and dropping off children, has been changed from a 15 minute parking zone to a taxi zone. The changes have angered Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown. “We made other suggestions to Tra

ONE could easily describe the local mythos that is Ross ‘Rossco’ Hutchison as ‘a man of many talents’ but that would be unfair because anyone who talks to him realises he is much more than that, and his new biography is prime evidence of his stellar career. Working with Queensland author and biographer Maggie Richardson he has penned a 100-plus page glimpse into his life in the limelight which includes his career as an entertainer, a charity man, a healer, choreographer and m

SINCE I last wrote my editor’s column there have certainly been some major changes! I must admit I would never have picked that Labor’s Emma Husar would claim Lindsay in the Federal Election. I knew it would be close, but I still thought right up until the last counts that Fiona Scott would nick in. Congratulations to the new member for Lindsay. It will be a tough gig, and not least because it is the first time in history our local federal seat has not been held by a member o

RICHMOND Greyhound Racing Club has been left reeling after the Baird government’s shock decision to completely abolish the sport as of July 1, 2017. Brad Adam, the CEO of Richmond Race Club said the significance of the ban will be felt far and wide across the whole community. “The impact of the ban on greyhound racing in the area will have a massive hit both financially and socially to our community,” Mr Adam said. “The club directly employs 30 staff member and then there is

ONE of the most contentious issues of the upcoming Federal Election is marriage equality and the Liberal Party’s proposed same sex marriage plebiscite. The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is sticking to his guns on the issue, and said he will run the proposed national plebiscite on marriage equality only if the Coalition is returned to government on July 2. Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, has ditched the notion of a plebiscite in favour of a parliamentary vote held within

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will be holding its annual Open Day on Saturday, May 21 this year, giving the local community an inside look in to what it is like to be a firefighter. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside your local fire station, or want to get your fire safety questions answered, Open Day is the event for you. The beauty of Open Day is that it includes activities for people of all ages. Activities include being part of a fire station tour, helping firefighte

On a pre-election campaign fly-by visit to Western Sydney, Federal Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, backed up Chris Bowen, the Federal Member for McMahon, announced his plans to create a nighttime ‘no-fly zone’ over residential areas that surround the yet to be constructed Western Sydney Airport. Mr Shorten said, “Labor will act to ensure there is no noise impact on existing residence and communities from night time flights as part of Badgerys Creek Airport master planning.”