Driver behind bars for Christmas
A 23-year-old female driver involved in a high-speed pursuit which was abandoned was eventually found by police hiding in a marae toilet. The pursuit began near Whakapara about 11.30am on Wednesday. The north-bound vehicle failed to stop and was spiked on State Highway 1 before the officers were ordered to abandon the pursuit. The car eventually stopped at Akerama Marae where the driver allegedly ran into the toilets where she was arrested. Brooke Williams appeared in Whangarei District Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to stop, driving while suspended, reckless driving and possession of methamphetamine. She was remanded in custody until January 4 when she will apply for bail.
Battler succumbs to cancer
A Paihia man who spent his final years battling to keep his family in their dream home has died, aged 69. Harold William Wilson, better known as Willy, died at his home in Te Haumi on December 17. In February last year Mr Wilson, his wife and then 14-year-old youngest son were ordered to move out of their Hihitahi Rise home of 18 years because of a slow-moving slip. They were given until the end of July to vacate the house, though Mr Wilson - already suffering terminal cancer - did not have the time or money to find another home. Eventually the Far North District Council relented and the family was able to stay. Mr Wilson is survived by his wife Philly, three children and three grandchildren.
Boy actor holidays
Actor James Rolleston is holidaying in the Far North five months after a crash that nearly cost him his life. The young star of Taika Waititi's movie Boy posted a photo of himself and girlfriend Ayesha Taylor via Instagram at Cape Reinga on Wednesday. "Feels good to be back up on my feet and be back out there," he wrote. Cape Reinga had long been on his bucket list. He is doing physiotherapy, swimming and speech therapy at Auckland's ABI Rehabilitation Centre. He was seriously injured when the car he was in hit a bridge at Opotiki on July 26.
Winery Tour winners
Three people from Whangarei won double passes to the Winery Tour in Whangarei on February 5 in a Northern Advocate competition. The competition ran in Last Saturday's Advocate and asked entrants to name any of the three acts performing at the Winery Tour at Toll Stadium in Whangarei on February 5 - Brooke Fraser, Bic Runga and Benny Tipene. We received well over 100 entries and the winners were Jan Harrison, Kay Ludgate and Gabriela McDonald.