The Narrabri Courier, Gunnedah Times and Wee Waa News will return on June 11, a month after publishing what many believed would be their final editions.

The three newspapers, which ceased publication on May 7, have been acquired by Times News Group and are expected to resume serving their communities in the coming weeks.

The announcement brings an abrupt end to fears that Narrabri, Gunnedah and Wee Waa could lose their local newspapers permanently.

For generations, the three mastheads have reported on everything from droughts and floods to council decisions, sporting triumphs, agricultural developments and community milestones.

Community members gathered in Burren Junction on Tuesday, 19 May, to meet with the Council’s Strategic Plan representatives.

Residents were asked to place dots on the issues they considered most important to the future of Burren Junction. The overwhelming majority of responses focused on water supply, drainage, the bore baths, roads, and sportsgrounds.

One of the strongest concerns raised was the ongoing water crisis affecting the town’s sports ground precinct.

Businesses across the New England North West are being encouraged to nominate for the 2026 New England North West Business Awards, with the official launch of the program taking place in Tamworth on Tuesday.

Hosted by Business NSW in partnership with Joblink Plus, the awards celebrate outstanding business achievement, innovation and leadership across the region.

The awards are open to businesses located throughout the New England North West, including Armidale, Boggabri, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Guyra, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Walcha, Warialda and Wee Waa.

The official launch will be held at Connections Café in Tamworth, where media and invited guests will hear details of the 2026 awards program, including award categories, nomination processes and opportunities for regional businesses to showcase their success.

Stephanie Cameron, Regional Director – New England North West for Business NSW, will formally launch the awards and outline the importance of recognising excellence within regional business communities.

A new pilot program designed to help local residents better understand and access healthcare services has been launched across the Wee Waa district.

The Wee Waa Care Navigation Service, delivered by HealthWISE, will support community members living in Wee Waa, Pilliga, Gwabegar, Burren Junction, Rowena and surrounding areas.

The initiative was developed following the findings of the Wee Waa Community Health Survey conducted by RDN Health in late 2024, which identified that many community members were unsure how and where to access appropriate healthcare services.

The free service aims to make navigating the healthcare system easier by assisting individuals to connect with the right services and supports for their needs.

Burren Junction Public School has celebrated an outstanding achievement at the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA) State Swimming Championships, returning home with a gold medal and the prestigious Peter Dobson Relay Team Trophy.

Competing against schools from across New South Wales at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, the Burren Junction relay team of Angus Harris, John McMahon, Agatha Burke and Tabitha Shearer delivered a remarkable performance in the 4 x 50 metre freestyle relay.