Puppies plundered
Three people posing as RSPCA inspectors have stolen 15 beagle puppies from a Lara backyard, according to police.
The trio told the owner they were investigating a report of animal cruelty then removed the puppies, five of which were microchipped, police said.
Bandidos charge
Police investigating an outlaw motorcycle gang have charged a Whittington man, 25, with trafficking ecstasy.
He was the 11th person charged so far following the Taskforce Echo investigation of alleged drug trafficking linked to the Bandidos.
Business ‘confident’
Eighty-four per cent of Geelong businesses expect improved sales this year, according to a chamber of commerce survey.
The chamber’s second annual business trends survey of members presented an “optimistic outlook” for the city, said chamber president Kylie Warne (pictured).
Union claim
Two Geelong union organisers have been named as part of allegations the CFMEU targeted Kane Constructions with a co-ordinated illegal industrial campaign, according to Fair Work Building and Construction.
Brendan Murphy and Gerard Benstead were listed in the Federal Court claim for alleged involvement in the campaign on building sites including two Geelong hospitals and the city’s library.
Rates break
Geelong’s council has applied to break the State Government’s new rates cap by 40 per cent.
The council’s bid for a 3.5 per cent increase was justified as a “financially responsible move to reduce debt”, said Mayor Darryn Lyons.
Instant millionaire
“My godfather, I’m an instant millionaire”, said a Herne Hill man when told he had won a division-one lottery prize.
TattsLotto said the man won $1.3 million with a ticket he bought on a whim after seeing a parking space available outside a lotto outlet.
