Closed centre reopens: The head of the state's childcare regulator says they'll continue to closely monitor a reopened Batemans Bay childcare centre. Surfside Kidz was temporarily closed in December when a spot visit from the Early Learning Commission uncovered staffing and cleanliness issues. The centre was allowed to reopen last week under strict conditions including reduced child placements, weekly reporting and additional staff training. Acting Commissioner Daryl Currie says the conditions will allow the regulator to ensure quality of the service.
Photo: ABC South East NSW/ Toby Hemmings
Police investigate fatal crash: Police have renewed their appeal for information over a fatal crash in the Snowy Monaro, which caused the death of a 36-year-old woman. On Sunday March 1, emergency services were called to the Monaro Highway at Colinton, south of Michelago, following reports of a two-vehicle head-on crash. The 36-year-old female driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene. A 39-year-old man was found 10 hours later in a paddock, 500 metres from the crash site, before he was arrested and taken to Canberra hospital where he remains. No charges have been laid at this stage.
Eden high school arsonist: A far south coast man will be sentenced on March 16 for breaking into Eden High School and starting a fire in 2024. Eden man Steele Wilson pleaded guilty last year to break and enter and destroying property. During a sentencing hearing on March 6, prosecutors told Bega District Court the 58-year-old broke into the high school in December 2024 and lit a fire that caused more than $500,000 worth of damage to staff rooms. Wilson's lawyer contested the estimated cost of the damage and said that his client had shown deep remorse to police after his arrest, describing his actions on the night as 'stupid'.
Man granted bail after alleged assault: A far south coast man charged with sexually assaulting and robbing a woman at knife point has been granted bail. Beaudi Vella is facing four charges — aggravated sexual assault, robbery armed with a weapon, detaining a person with the intent to commit a serious offence and carrying an offensive implement in a public place. Court documents allege the 27-year-old had a knife when he assaulted a woman and robbed her on a hiking track in South Durras last November. He's been in custody since but yesterday his bail review was heard in Batemans Bay local court, where Magistrate Doug Dick granted him conditional bail. Mr Vella is yet to enter any pleas. The matter will next be heard in early May.
Murder case stalls: The case of