WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 Connecting Your Community www.star.kiwi Drink driving excuses – police know them all Pages 4-5 Coast to Coast pair win bragging rights Page 17 HARD WORK: Rolleston firefighters Sam Jonhstone, Matt Hadler, Phil Glen, Mark Bamber, Alana Adams and Rex Macpherson have been battling the wildfires in Tasman. • By Anan Zaki FIREFIGHTERS from across Selwyn have been called up to battle the wildfires near Nelson. Fifteen volunteer firefighters from Darfield, Lincoln and Rolleston travelled north, while many other stations across the district were on standby. Rolleston chief fire officer Nigel Lilley said six members of the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade crew had worked “long and gruelling” 12-hour night shifts, dealing with hot spots and preventing flare-ups. Darfield chief fire officer Alan Kittelty said five firefighters travelled from the town. He was yet to hear an update from the Darfield crew. Lincoln sent four firefighters and chief fire officer Jeremy Greenwood said he was waiting to hear updates from the crew. The wildfires forced the evacuation of 2500 to 3000 people in the Tasman district. The fires were first reported last week in Pigeon Valley, Tasman, and covered more than 2300ha. •Selwyn fires, page 3 GET CONNECTED WITH Scorch Broadband 0800 726 724 www.scorch.co.nz Firefighters answer the call of duty in Tasman Car thief takes off with elderly man’s ‘CHICK’ • By Anan Zaki ELDERLY PEOPLE leaving keys in cars and doors unlocked are becoming prime targets for burglars and thieves. Police say the issue is happening more across the district because the population is growing, bringing new people into the area. Leeston Constable Herb Inwood said it was brought to his attention after an elderly man’s unlocked ute was stolen while he did the grocery shopping. Constable Inwood says Leeston is not alone for elderly being targeted and similar incidents are increasing in Darfield and Lincoln. The man, in his mid-70s, left his red Nissan Navara, with the personalised number plate ‘CHICK’, unlocked with the engine running at the Leeston FreshChoice car park on High St at 12.23pm on February 1, Constable Inwood said. •Turn to page 6 Need water? From consent to the pump We can help you with water wells residential irrigation lifestyle 03 324 2571 www.drilling.co.nz
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