Killer fire
A Norlane house fire has killed a man and left a second critically injured.
Investigations had ruled that the fire in Watsonia Grv around dawn last Friday was not suspicious, police said this week.
Court ‘theft’
A woman has stolen an unattended handbag at Geelong Magistrates Court, according to police.
The alleged thief made off with the bag and contents including a phone, cash and credit cards after the owner left it on a seat last month, police said.
Icon’s centenary
Internationally recognised landmark the Great Ocean Road has celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Authorities and tourism groups yesterday saluted the centenary of the road, which former Geelong Mayor Howard Hitchcock initiated after finding inspiration during a drive through the southwestern France.
Waste cleared
State Government estimates workers have removed 3500 tonnes of rubbish after beginning a clean-up of a 27,000-cubic-metre illegal waste pile at Lara.
The $30 million project to remove the waste officially began this week after the liquidation of Broderick Rd site operator C&D Recycling earlier this year left the recycling material as a fire threat.
Truckie busted
A Bell Park truckie was on drugs and carrying a prohibited knuckleduster when intercepted on the Princes Hwy near Colac this week, police have alleged.
The 35-year-old was also not wearing a seatbelt and his truck was found to be “defective” during a roadside check around 11am Tuesday, police said.
Detention unit
A new detention centre for Victoria’s most dangerous offenders has opened at Barwon Prison, State Government has announced.
The $21 million 10-bed Piper Detention Unit would accommodate “serious” sex and violence offenders who posed an unacceptable risk of re-offending after completing their sentences, the government said.
Elephant bone
The discovery of an elephant bone has puzzled the management of Geelong Arts Centre.
Workers found the bone this week during excavations for the centre’s redevelopment, with managers calling for public help to work out how it arrived on the site.
‘Crime’ car
Police have released images of a “distinctive” black SAAB sedan suspected of involvement in numerous crimes around Geelong.
The car had been involved in evading police, “at least” six petrol drive-offs and a retail theft, police alleged.
