News blog, February 2: Greater Shepparton records 187 new cases; SAM traffic lights mystery

This is Rosa Ritchie, here to keep you company on what will be a mostly sunny Wednesday. The extreme heat of recent days has broken, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who welcomed the cool change overnight. Today will hit a max of 25 degrees, without a drop of rain.

UPDATE, 3 pm: Afternoon headlines

Severe weather strikes Numurkah’s Eden Farm, killing livestock: A freak weather event left a bitter aftertaste following the annual sunflower festival at Numurkah’s Eden Farm Produce on Sunday. After the ostensibly wholesome event a possible tornado hit, killing a two-year-old cow.

Zahra Haydar Big to represent Hume on multicultural committee: Zahra Haydar Big has been appointed to the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s regional advisory council to speak up on behalf of the citizens of Hume.

The new faces and homes of Shepparton businesses: From cafés to nail and beauty parlours, Shepparton businesses are gearing back up either with new management, a new store front or an entirely new business altogether. Read our wrap welcoming a few new outfits to town.

Two people rescued from Waranga Basin: Two people had to be rescued from Waranga Basin after their boat became swamped just after 5pm on Tuesday.

2022 AWFA fixture released: The Cobram Roar’s senior men’s side will kick off the 2022 Albury-Wodonga Football Association season in March with the full season fixture released.

Playing the perverse system: News chief correspondent Darren Linton shares his opinion about the upcoming demolition of the Shepparton Hotel.

UPDATE, 12:15 pm: Greater Shepparton COVID-19 numbers

Today Greater Shepparton has recorded a higher number of case numbers than the past few days - with 187 residents newly infected with the virus, according to the Department of Health website.

The total number of active cases in the local government area is 382.

This means Greater Shepp is dark purple again on the Government’s map of cases.

Look after one another, and if you’re sick with the virus today we’re wishing you a speedy recovery.

UPDATE, 11:30 am: It’s nearly G&T time at Shepp Brewery

Calling all gin lovers!

The minds behind Shepparton Brewery are trying their hand at gin distilling.

Click the link above for all the delicious details.

UPDATE, 11 am: Who’s going to give the green light at the SAM intersection?

The traffic lights near Shepparton Art Museum still aren’t operating, and it’s been a wild goose chase trying to determine who is responsible for switching them on.

These are the lights beside the railway line level crossing, on the Goulburn Valley Hwy at the intersection of Fitzjohn, Hassett and MacIntosh streets.

In October 2021, News journalist Max Stainkamph tried to get to the bottom of the issue and it was as clear as mud.

Greater Shepparton City Council said questions should be directed to Regional Roads Victoria or V/Line.

A V/Line spokesperson said the co-ordination and installation of the lights was the responsibility of the council and VicRoads.

And a spokesperson for VicRoads said questions about the intersection should be directed to V/Line.

Since then, nothing appears to have happened.

Do you have a story or information to share about this municipal planning mystery?

Get in touch with me: rosa.ritchie@mmg.com.au.

UPDATE, 10:20 am: Victorian COVID-19 numbers

Sadly 25 people have died with COVID-19 in Victoria in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, there are 768 people in Victorian hospital with the virus and 99 of those are in intensive care, with 31 ventilated.

Today, Victoria records 14,553 new cases.

There were 17,644 vaccine doses administered at state-run hubs in Victoria yesterday.

We don’t know the figures for doses administered in pharmacies and general practitioners - but I was one of the Victorians who had their booster at a local chemist yesterday.

I was quite excited to get a dose of Moderna, dubbed the Dolly Vax.

It gets its nickname in recognition of a $1 million donation by Dolly Parton to 2020 research that supported the development of the Moderna vaccine.

I’m feeling pretty well today - back to working nine to five... (sorry, had to).

Victoria is picking up speed with the booster rollout, with 40 per cent of the adult population now having had a third dose.

UPDATE, 9:50 am: Morning headlines

Our front page this morning is about allegations of a poor workplace culture at Goulburn Valley Health, raised by the Australian Medical Association Victoria on behalf of members.

AMA Victoria last week revealed a spike in the number of reports of staff mistreatment at Goulburn Valley Health, while hospital chief executive Matt Sharp said yesterday he was waiting for further details from the association.

Yesterday, Mr Sharp told The News he had not heard of any “widespread concerns about the workplace” that might have resulted in the rise in reports made to the medical association.

Read the full story here.

If you’ve been wondering what’s next for the Maude St Mall redevelopment, the latest update indicates there’s at least six months to go.

The works are moving on to stage two, focusing on the northern end of the mall, and are set to be completed in July 2022 - see this article for the finer details.

This week we’re celebrating Shepparton 10-year-old Ka’Mya Duncan, who recently broke a long-standing 36-year record at Shepparton Little Athletics in the under-11 girls’ shot put.

Click here for a lovely read and some great pics of Ka’Mya’s talent in action.