CAPE YORK & TORRES STRAIT

Weather warning

POLICE are urging the Cape York community to work with emergency services in anticipation of the deluge due to hit the area. Queensland Police Chief Superintendent and Far North District Disaster Coordinator Brian Huxley urged motorists to be mindful of the significant rainfall already received across the region and warned there could be plenty more to come. “We have already had reports of a vehicle being stuck in flood waters on a major road and emergency services are currently looking for a woman believed to be lost near a flood creek,” he said. “The last thing we police want to do is to have to advise family members that their loved one has been lost while attempting to drive through flooded waters or swimming in flood rivers, creeks or causeway.” Police would also like parents to be mindful and talk to their children of the temptations of playing or swimming in flooded areas during the holidays and remind them how dangerous it is.

New home for Baxter

THE sad story of Baxter the dog has a very happy ending. Members of the Weipa community made a report to the Cape Animal Protection Shelter in August about an extremely emaciated dog, which was then seized be police under the Animal Care and Protection Act. The two-year-old great danecross bounced back under the care of CAPS staff, stealing the hearts of many including Weipa Police Station Senior Constable Sandy Gardiner. “Baxter was hilarious, he only knew one trick, that was shaking hands,” Senior Constable Gardiner said. “I was so pleased to see the progress that Baxter was making, he is certainly a much different dog from the one we found in August … I’m happy to report that Baxter has found a new furever home in Brisbane.”