Northland news in brief: Lotto second division winner and lockdown burglar arrested

A Northland Lotto player won $7428 with Lotto Second Division on Wednesday.

A ticket sold in Northland won its holder more than $7000 in Wednesday's Lotto Draw.
The ticket, sold on My Lotto in Northland, was among 21 nationally that each won $7428 with Lotto second division in the draw.

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Locked up in lockdown

A man decided to use the start of the national lockdown breaking into a couple's home while they were asleep. Senior Sergeant Russell Richards said the occupants gave the alleged offender ''a bit of a tickle-up'' after they were woken up about 3.30am on Thursday. The man fled but was tracked by a police dog and arrested. He has been remanded in custody and is likely to spend at least part of the lockdown locked up.

Fund for vulnerable

The Northland Community Foundation has started a fund to support essential services and the region's most vulnerable people during the Covid 19 pandemic. Donations can be made via the foundation's website (northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz) or givealittle.co.nz (search for "Northland Covid 19 emergency response fund"). Any money donated will help provide welfare support for the elderly, kuia and kaumatua living in isolated rural communities. Funds will also be allocated to services supporting vulnerable people who need to go into quarantine but don't have a safe or appropriate place to stay. Money will be allocated based on recommendations from a select panel including Northland District Health Board members, Civil Defence and others. Donors are eligible for a 33 per cent tax rebate on their donations.

Crash drivers leave scene

Drivers left the scene before emergency services arrived after two crashes within 200m and 40 minutes near Opua on Wednesday. In the first crash a driver lost control on State Highway 11 near the Road Runner Tavern about 2pm and ended up off the road in scrub. No one was hurt and driver and passenger had left before police and firefighters arrived. About 2.40pm another vehicle crashed about 200m away near the former Carters building depot, crossing the centre line, going several metres up a bank and rolling. That driver also left before police arrived, leaving a passenger, who was treated at the scene by St John Ambulance. Police are investigating.

Paihia rubbish fire

Police had to be called to a rubbish fire on School Rd in Paihia on Tuesday morning after it is believed the occupants were uncooperative with firefighters and denied anything was burning. Other residents in the neighbourhood reported smoke at 8am. The fire was eventually put out. Fire permits are still required in most of the Far North and Whangārei, and a total ban applies in the Kaipara and the top of the Far North.