Falcons stun Blackhawks in Townsville and other top stories.

• Falcons stun Blackhawks in Townsville

  The Melbourne vibes were strong prior to the Storm's NRL qualifying final clash with the Cowboys at AAMI Park, as Intrust Super Cup surprise packet Sunshine Coast Falcons eliminated the heavily-favoured Townsville Blackhawks 18-10 on Saturday afternoon.Fringe NRL three-quarter Ryan Morgan stole the show with a hat-trick including the match-winner two minutes from time, as Saturday marks the Falcons' second major scalp away from home in as many weeks.Their upset of PNG last week was shocking eno..

  >> view original



• Health to pay back aged care charges

  

  THE Townsville Hospital and Health Service has admitted to overcharging mostly elderly and infirm people with a contentious new co-payment for home care services.The service yesterday announced it would refund a total of $48,000 to 800 clients who contributed the co-payment ahead of the time it was meant to apply.The co-payment was introduced as part of a crackdown on community service provision by the Federal Government to help rein in rising federal deficits.Townsville Hospital and Health Boar..

  >> view original



• Storm clouds gathering

  

  THE thousands of victims of Townsville’s Storm Financial collapse “to a man” want a royal commission into the misconduct of banks, chairman of the Storm Investors Consumers Action Group Mark Weir said yesterday.It comes as Mr Weir remains part of a small group of Storm investors who are still waiting for a resolution with their bank eight years after reckless advice and lending caused $3 billion in losses, and as politicians argue over the need for a royal commission or new consumer tribunal.Mr ..

  >> view original



• Dead man's writing to be examined

  

  A DECEASED man’s handwriting is expected to be examined when the inquest into the presumed death of Tony Jones in 1982 resumes later this month.The inquest heard from two witnesses yesterday — the son of Kevin Wright, a person of interest, and the brother of a man who allegedly confessed to murder while in prison.Brian Laundess, whose brother Michael Laundess died last year, said his sibling may have penned the mysterious “Lochiel Letter”, which was received by police in 1983 and then later lost..

  >> view original



• Elite unit swoops on alleged crime gang

  

  THE most elite unit in the Queensland Police Service has swept through Townsville, breaking up what is alleged to be one of the worst crime gangs the city has seen.Police said two of the region’s most prolific criminals were arrested this week, along with seven offenders in the alleged crime gang. Operation Oscar Buri was set up this week to target the group, with the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) brought in to bring down the potentially dangerous offenders.Nine people have been charged..

  >> view original

Juno safely completes first of 36 Jupiter flybys .	Australia to target IS support personnel .
How NASA makes sure we don't contaminate the Solar System .	Matthew Hayden bags cricket system and wants player power .