Man, 75, in blood test

POLICE have taken a blood sample from an elderly man who crashed his car through the carport and fence of a Manoora property and into a nearby house. The 75-year-old was behind the wheel of the vehicle about 7.25pm on Tuesday when it initially went through a Marchant St residence before hitting a house on Durian Cl. The man was treated at Cairns Hospital where police took a blood sample before he was released without injury. No one else was injured during the crash. The blood specimen has been sent for analysis and investigations are continuing.

Tractor blaze probe

INNISFAIL police are investigating a tractor fire at a Bertei Rd farm earlier this week. Workers arrived on the farm at 5.30am on Tuesday and saw smoke coming from behind a shed area where the tractor had been parked the previous day. Buckets of water were used to cool smouldering rubber on the tractor which was destroyed. Police believe the fire occurred between 4.30pm on January 8 and 5.30am January 9. Anyone with information that may assist is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Kids in pizza class

CHILDREN can enhance their culinary skills with free pizzamaking classes on offer at DFO Cairns next week. The school holiday classes will run at 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am and 12.15pm daily between January 15-19. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Phone shopping centre management on 4051 7444 for more details.

Aquarium excursion

BOOKINGS have opened for a special excursion to Cairns Aquarium being held by Cairns Art Gallery. The school holiday event is being held on Friday, January 19, from 10am to 12pm at a cost of $22 for gallery members and $25 for non-members. The excursion is to be led by local artist Hayley Gillespie. Visit cairnsartgallery.com.au for more information.

Boy bitten by spider

A YOUNG boy has been treated in hospital after being bitten by a spider at a Tablelands property. Paramedics were called to the residence in Innot Hot Springs, 150km southwest of Cairns, about 9.35pm on Tuesday night after reports he had suffered a spider bite to his knee. He was treated at the scene and transported in a stable condition to Atherton Hospital.