8:04 AM AEDT | Tears of disappointment yesterday flowed down the cheeks of Pat Hogan when the owner of Bathurst Embroidery and Saddlery arrived at her store to survey the damage from a fire on Tuesday evening. Ms Hogan was inconsolable after she walked through the business which has operated in Bathurst for more than 20 years. “I’m just here to try and find out what happened,” she said before being overcome by emotion.

8:05 AM AEDT | Bathurst will not be able to support its ageing population over the next 10 years. According to a report from the Institute of Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University, the future for the region’s seniors could be bleak. The report, which was presented to Bathurst Regional councillors at their latest Policy Meeting, indicates that Bathurst was very attractive to seniors.

8:06 AM AEDT | WITH temperatures soaring to almost 35 degrees this week, people are doing whatever it takes to escape the extreme heat. Bathurst Aquatic Centre reported one of its busiest days on record on Tuesday and crowd numbers were yesterday showing no signs of dropping. By 11am yesterday the mercury had already reached 29 degrees, well on the way to hitting the predicted high of 33 degrees.

8:11 AM AEDT | BATHURST Cycle Club rider Dean Windsor confirmed himself as one of the most explosive criterium riders in the country after clinching a thumping win in the sprinter’s classification at the Jayco Bay Classic – but it was heartbreak for his fellow local Mark Renshaw.

8:12 AM AEDT | Bathurst dog Rockstar Image was unable to stop Miss Elly Mint extending her unbeaten run to 13 wins in the Woy Woy Poulty Supplies Gold Cup at Gosford on Tuesday night. Looking for seven straight wins himself, Rockstar Image couldn’t find space after drawing the number one box and it was all Miss Elly Mint needed to race away and win while Rockstar Image finished sixth.