Mini-buses stolen

POLICE have arrested a multiple people after two mini buses were stolen from the Edmonton kindergarten. A police spokesman said the vehicles were seen heading up the Kuranda range on Saturday night. Officers set up stinger sites and stopped the vehicles at Kuranda and near Mareeba about 10.10pm and 10.20pm. Both buses were recovered.

Botanist talks

BOTANIST, geologist and environmental consultant Barry Muir will give an illustrated talk on Ancient Plants to the Friends of the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 14. The event will be held in the Visitor Centre and will start at 6pm with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens annual general meeting follow by the talk. This event is free.

Drugs catch

A BOMBEETA man will face court after Innisfail Police allegedly found drugs in his car after they intercepted his vehicle for a breath test on Innisfail Japoon Rd. The 63-year-old man was stopped by police about 1.50am Thursday, and police conducted a breath test and licence check. The officers also conducted a search of his vehicle, were officers will allege they found cannabis. The drugs were seized and the man was issued with a notice to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on March 26.

Hospital smoke scare

FIRE crews were called to Cairns Hospital for the second time in a week on Saturday after reports of smoke in the Respiratory and Renal Ward. Director of Regional Operations Lance Duncan said the cause of the smoke was unknown at this stage but would be investigated as there had been a similar incident at the hospital a few days prior. Two patients were evacuated from the ward on Saturday. It’s understood they did not sustain any injuries.

Public housing issues

HOUSING Minister Mick de Brenni has defended public housing tenants despite the State Government fielding more than 73 complaints each day about the facilities. About 27,000 complaints were lodged last year, however the department could not specify how many were from neighbouring properties. Mr de Brenni said the evictions represented less than 0.001 per cent of social housing tenants. “So any suggestion this is widespread behaviour is derogatory toward low-income Queenslanders,” he said.