Toowoomba News

• Legendary patriarch of iconic country department store dies

  He was just a teenager when he started managing his family's Toowoomba store, and now John Hanna is remembered for his decades of kindness behind the counter.  

• House fire victim warns to check insurance after falling $20,000 short

  As parts of Australia clean up from natural disasters, there are concerns more residents are finding themselves underinsured.

• Dangerous virus could spread in Queensland as feral pigs run rampant

  There are fears the arrival of wet season rains has created the perfect breeding conditions for two key carriers of Japanese encephalitis — mosquitoes and feral pigs.

• More rain, hazardous surf for flood-ravaged Queenslanders

  Heavy showers and thunderstorm activity have continued in parts of North Queensland as the BOM monitors a tropical low off the coast.

• Japanese encephalitis virus detected at two Queensland piggeries

  A rare but serious mosquito-borne virus that can spread to humans has been found at two Queensland piggeries.

• Horror weekend on southern Queensland roads leaves three dead

  Last year was the deadliest year on southern Queensland roads in a decade, but 2025 is off to an even worse start.

• 'World's cutest sheep' capture animal lovers' hearts

  Originating in the icy Swiss Alps, Valais blacknose sheep are renowned for their fluffy white coats, dark faces, spiral horns and dog-like personalities.

• Religious group 'arrogantly' put their faith above 8yo's life, court told

  Elizabeth died after her insulin was withheld. Her body was found at her Toowoomba home, west of Brisbane, in January 2022.

• New footage shows last known movements of missing mum

  Police searching for missing Queensland mum Tayla Spies hope information from the public can help them narrow down a vast search area and ultimately find the 29-year-old.

• Regional Express to be government-owned if airline fails to find buyer

  The federal government says it is prepared to acquire Regional Express if administrators are unable to find a buyer for the collapsed airline in an upcoming sales process.

• Fears grow for safety of woman missing in south-west Queensland

  Tayla Spies's 29th birthday has come and gone without her contacting her family. Police are now focusing their search in Surat where she was last seen.

• More rain on the way, but crucial bridge reopens in north Queensland

  There is a risk of more flooding in the state's already saturated north, but a vital supply route has reopened.

• Country music's mainstream moment has arrived

  Once the realm of regional heartlands like Tamworth and Gympie, country music has now hit the mainstream.

• Warning failures left Queensland disaster victims abandoned, report finds

  As Queensland faces further flooding, a review into last year's severe weather season has found damning issues in accessing emergency services and support.

• Life in prison for man who ran down and murdered friend

  Jonathan Wright ran his friend Paul Sia off a Queensland road in 2022 after an apparent drug deal went wrong. He stopped to collect cash strewn at the scene before he fled.

• Meet the 2025 Trailblazers making a difference in regional Australia

  After doctors dismissed Rheanca's pain because they couldn't see where it hurt, she knew people with disability in regional areas needed a space to connect. She is one of Heywire's 2025 Trailblazers winners.

• Queensland coroner to examine death of Elizabeth Struhs

  A coronial inquest is set to examine whether there were system failures that led to the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. 

• Queensland premier vows to improve child safety after 14 convicted over girl's death

  Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has vowed to take any necessary action to improve state government systems in the wake of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs's death.

• 'Inevitable' bee-killing varroa mites close to crossing Queensland border

  An outbreak of the world's deadliest bee parasite, varroa destructor mite, has been found less than 5 kilometres from the Queensland border — the closest detection to date.

• Therese Stevens tells police she believes in the healing power of God

  Therese Stevens told police Jason Struhs had become a Christian and realised she shouldn't be giving Elizabeth insulin.

• Zachary Struhs tells police he has no regrets

  Zachary Struhs told police in an interview he had no regrets.

• Kerrie Struhs tells police about her conversations with Jason in regards to Elizabeth's insulin.

  Kerrie Struhs tells police about her conversations with Jason in regards to Elizabeth's insulin.

• Kerrie Struhs tells police her understanding of her previous conviction. Kerrie Struhs told police in an interview took Elizabeth off her medication and "waited for God to do his work". Supplied: Supreme Court of Queensland

  Kerrie Struhs tells police her understanding of her previous conviction.

• Jason Struhs tells police God took away his anger

  Jason Struhs tells police God took away his anger

• Therese Stevens says Elizabeth will rise again

  Therese Stevens told police Elizabeth will rise again.