Northland news briefs: January 15
Windows smashed
A man wielding a large plastic fruit crate smashed five windows in a house before running off. Whangarei police Sergeant Neil Pennington said the man went to a house in Brake Ave about 3.50am on Friday. The man ran off and is yet to be arrested.
Over the limit
A 46-year-old woman will be looking for alternative transport after she had her driving licence suspended for 28 days. Police stopped the Mangapai woman on Dyer St in Whangarei at 12.30am on Friday. She was breath tested and recorded a breath alcohol level of 710 micrograms - the legal limit for drivers 20 and over is 400mcg.
Correction
A Northern Advocate story on Friday about Waipu Cove's river mouth stench attributed a highlighted quote to the wrong person. The quote "This is virtually right up the river nearly to the bridge" was wrongly highlighted and attributed to Northland Regional Council environmental officer Jean-Charles Perquin. The body of the story correctly attributed the quote to Whangarei District Council waste and drainage manager Andrew Carvell. The error occurred during the sub-editing process.
Couple arrested
A couple were arrested after an argument which saw the woman allegedly hit the male with a lump of wood. Police were called to a Tikipunga house about 7am on Friday. The 26-year-old female was charged with assault with a weapon and the 27-year-old male faced charges of male assaults female and wilful damage.
X Factor auditions
Budding singing superstars can have their shot at stardom in early February when auditions for X Factor New Zealand hit three Northland centres. Auditions for the televised singing competition began in the South Island earlier this month.
