Vale Raylee Hart: Twenty years since her husband passed away from MND, Raylee-Marie Hart the wife of artist Kevin (Pro) Hart has passed away. Raylee was flown to Adelaide last week after a fall and died on Thursday morning at the age of 86. Like her late husband, Mrs Hart is remembered as a humble, community-minded individual who loved her hometown and had time for everyone, no matter their background. She was involved with several organisations over the years, including local schools, St John Ambulance and the RFDS. She is survived by her five children, John, Kym, Marie, Julie and David, grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Photo supplied: Hart family
Vale John Broomhall: Broken Hill born musician and writer John Broomhall has died aged 78. John Kevin Broomhall died on March 15, after a decade long battle with cancer. Mr Broomhall was born in Broken Hill, leaving the Silver City in 1966 to pursue his education in Canberra and was living in Queensland when he died. His sister, Jean Dawe, says Broken Hill was always home for her brother and he wrote songs about the city — he still had Broken Hill in his heart even though he left at the age of 17. His songs and writings focused on the outback landscape and Broken Hill's mining culture. Over his career, he produced numerous folk songs including Broken Hill Miner, Silverton Pub and Willyama. In 1983 he produced a Broken Hill centenary album.
Happy 90th Birthday: The Royal Flying Doctors Service is celebrating its 90th year providing medical care to remote communities in New South Wales. It services nearly two million people across more than 80 rural areas. Premier Chris Minns attended celebrations at Parliament House this week, which CEO Greg Sam says was a chance to recognise the hard work of RFDS staff over the last nine decades. Rev John Flynn established the Royal Flying Doctor Service to spread a 'mantle of safety' across Australia's 7.65 million square kilometres of outback in 1928.
Back in jail: Two Broken Hill residents who allegedly assisted a prison escapee have been released on bail. Bruce Smith, 25, is alleged to have escaped Broken Hill prison on Saturday, before he was found by police at a home unit in McGowen Street the following day. Two occupants at the home were arrested along with Mr Smith, including 52-year-old Patrick Parkes, who has been charged with harbouring an escaped inmate and 43-year-old Nateeka Clark, who was charged with assaulting and hindering a police officer. Mr Smith is back in custody and was charged with attempt to escape lawful custody. Both Mr Parkes and Ms Clark have been released on bail, and the matters will return to court again on March 24.
Court news: A Broken Hill man has been sentenced to a corrections order and pay a fine for driving recklessly. Jesse Finlayson was first arrested after failing to stop for police and engaging in a police pursuit in January. In local court, the 25-year-old was convicted for police pursuit, drive recklessly and not stopping. He was sentenced to a community correction order for two years, starting on March 17 and concluding in 2028. He was also fined $1,100 and will be unable to hold a driver or rider's licence for 12 months.
Flight cancellations: A Broken Hill medical practice owner says the repeated cancellation of flights by Regional Express Airlines is having a negative impact on locals. Thrive Medical's Heather Pearce says she was forced to call off a radiology clinic this week after REX delayed a scheduled flight by four hours without notice. It means specialists coming up for the clinic couldn't make it — causing up to 50 patients to miss appointments. Ms Pearce says it's frustrating for patients and staff considering the city's reliance on fly-in, fly-out medical services. In a statement Rex says it's adjusted its Adelaide to Broken Hill schedule on six dates in late March to accommodate scheduled aircraft maintenance. Meanwhile, the airline says with ongoing works at the Broken Hill Airport afternoon flight times were brought forward due to limited apron lighting before last light.
Fuel and freight prices: A local business person says the cost of freight has risen over 50 per cent in the past couple of weeks as fuel prices have risen. Michael Boland says it's unknown what impact freight costs will have on the number of tourists travelling through the far west in the coming months. While the club Mr Boland manages has the ability to absorb the added costs, he says other smaller business across the region won't be so lucky. He says at the moment, everyone is suffering.
Library update: Broken Hill's new $15-million library is nearing completion. It's expected the builders will be finished with construction and the internal fit -out of the facility in the next few weeks. Once that's complete council staff will finish of the car park before proceeding to have the new library, which is located on Blende Street checked over by a certifier. The council says the recent road closures into the city, meant there were minor delays to the construction timeline which was originally scheduled for completion before Easter. It's understood there's no official opening date yet, but the council are looking at time frames around the end of April or early May.
Howzat: Central have caused an upset to advance to the men's a grade cricket final on Saturday. The Magpies defeated North by 7 wickets and will meet West in the season decider. Central had not beaten North all season, batting first they managed 7 for 181, Brett Hannon top scoring with 43. In reply North were dismissed for 174, Justin Heath and Zac Larkin both picking up 3 wickets. In Women's cricket it was a big weekend for Central as they rolled West by 9 runs and will play North in the final. While in men's B grade North had a 114 run win over South and will meet the Warriors on Saturday.
