Whanganui news: Beef, awards, circus, election and guilty pleas

The Zirka Circus is at Springvale Park this weekend

Meat award rush

More than 220 restaurants have so far applied to have their beef and lamb dishes judged in the 2019 Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards. About 60 of the restaurants are new to the competition, and new entries are especially high from Taranaki and Canterbury.

Community awards

The Trustpower Community Awards for Whanganui, Tararua and Palmerston North take place in Palmerston North on Tuesday, September 25. The awards are for community groups and young people. The supreme winners from each of the three areas will represent them at the Trustpower National Community Awards in Tauranga next March.

Circus in town

Zirka Circus is in Whanganui this weekend with its new show, La Unica. Performances are at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, and 1pm and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book, ring 0800 294752 or go online to www.ZirkaCircus.com.

Naylor front-runner

Former Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor is likely to replace Pat Kelly in representing Palmerston North on Horizons Regional Council. Naylor attracted 5182 votes in preliminary returns. Voting has closed and results will be announced on Wednesday..

Seven charges admitted

A woman pleaded guilty to seven charges in Whanganui District Court this week. Eden Carol Hobbs admitted two charges of careless driving, two charges of driving with blood containing the evidence of use of a controlled drug, procuring or possessing methamphetamine, being an unlicensed driver that failed to comply with prohibition and assault. She will be sentenced on December 19.

Eight charges denied

Owen James Heke has denied two charges of driving while disqualified, contravening a protection order, assault, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, reckless driving, failing to stop and failing to remain stopped for an enforcement officer. He will appear in Whanganui District Court for a case review hearing on October 30.