Whanganui news in brief: Koha Shed sale, Nutrient dense food, Driving charges

No cause yet

Police are still unable to say what caused the fire which destroyed a historical Victoria Ave property last month. The two-storey building was gutted from the inside leaving just a central brick wall and facade which had to be demolished the following day. A police spokesperson said on Thursday "the investigation into the fire is ongoing and there's no update at this stage". The fire started just before 3am on October 29.

Koha Shed sale

The Whanganui Koha Shed is hosting a Christmas sale tomorrow. There will be trees, decorations and gifts for sale at $5 or less. Proceeds will support Whanganui families in need. The sale will be held at St James Church Hall on the corner of Boydfield and Helmore streets in Whanganui East from 9am.

Driving charges

A man was sentenced to 70 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for 12 months in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday. Connor Sonny John Sturmey-Langdon pleaded guilty to charges of driving in a dangerous manner and failing to stop for police.

Nutrient dense food

Growing nutrient dense food is the subject of the talk at this month's Green Drinks in Whanganui. Shane Middlemiss will be the speaker. It begins at 5.30pm on November 13, at Mint Cafe & Bar in Majestic Square. For more information, email greendrinkswhanganui@gmail.com.

Excellence award

Marton Young Farmers Club chairman Michael McCombs has won one of the three New Zealand Young Farmer Excellence Awards given this year. He has been a volunteer firefighter for four years, currently with the Kimbolton crew. He is 26 and a contract milker.

Guilty plea

Geoffery Edward Gene Gilsenan pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday. He was sentenced to nine months' supervision by Judge Bruce Davidson.

Beehive movement

The Conservation Department is restricting the movement of beehives to some conservation land to prevent the spread of the fungal disease myrtle rust.

Drink-drive sentence

Kenneth Shane Ellison-Firmin was sentenced in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for driving with breath alcohol over 400 mcgs and careless driving. Ellison-Firmin was sentenced to 150 hours' community work and 10 months' supervision by Judge Bruce Davidson. He was also disqualified from driving for one year and one day, and ordered to pay $1000 reparation.