More than 250,000 Australians are living with epilepsy. Lennox Head's Katie Gatland sat down with the Echo to help everyone better understand what Purple Day and epilepsy awareness is all about.

Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina and NSW Greens Early Learning Spokesperson, has welcomed an announcement from the NSW government to build a new public preschool adjacent to Wollongbar public school.

A man has been charged following a police operation yesterday, which led to the temporary closure of a major road.

A man was taken into custody as part of a police operation in Wollongbar at around 2pm today.

About 8am this morning emergency services were called to a private property on the Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar, following a concern for welfare.

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says the recent release of the federal government's infrastructure spending review brings with it a disheartening revelation for the Ballina Shire and the Northern Rivers region. In particular, the significant funding loss for the crucial Bruxner Highway – Wollongbar to Goonellabah project, which initially held a federal commitment of $6.8 million.

At about 4.30pm yesterday afternoon, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to a serious single vehicle accident on the Bruxner Highway at Wollongbar, north west of Ballina.

The first sod was turned yesterday for construction of the new $2.8 million Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital on five acres at Lindendale Road, Wollongbar, attracting supporters of all political stripes and other well-wishers from across the wildlife care community.

The Ballina Shire Council has endorsed a revised list of areas considered for potential future development after the NSW planning department blocked its attempt to add State Significant Farmland.

The Ballina Shire Council has finally revealed it received $100,000 in rent for the Wollongbar emergency housing village.