Mildura-Swan Hill and Wimmera local news briefing: Friday, November 6, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in the Mildura-Swan Hill and Wimmera regions today.

Police from Victoria and NSW are searching for a 56-year-old man who went missing after going fishing near the Murray River yesterday.

Victoria Police said the man, who uses a mobility scooter, left a note with a friend saying he was going fishing in Nyah West. The alarm was raised about 6pm when the man did not return home.

Police divers are attending the site this morning, in addition to land and marine units from Victoria and NSW Police.

A 16-year-old boy charged with the murder of Donald girl Layla Jeffrey has appeared in the Children's Court again.

Layla's body was found in bushland on July 9 after she was reported missing on July 5. 

The boy attended Wednesday's hearing by video link and made no application for bail. 

The case will return for a committal mention on January 20.

Five young people have been arrested after a police chase in north west Victoria yesterday.

Police said they first spotted a black MG travelling at up to 170 km/h on the Calder Highway at Culgoa at 11:40am.

Officers tried to stop the car, but it was being driven erratically.

The police air wing followed the car to Ritchie Street in Ouyen, where five people ran from the car.

Two 13-year-old boys, a 14-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were arrested nearby.

They remain in custody and will be interviewed by detectives.

The MG had been reported stolen from Belmont, near Geelong.

Police have asked for more time to sort through digital material seized from a Mildura man in custody.

Joshua Paynting has been remanded in custody since May 5, charged with child abuse-related offences.

A digital forensics team is working through about 2.5 million files, allegedly found on 11 devices seized when he was arrested.

On Wednesday, police told the court detectives had found more devices and more charges were expected to be laid.

The prosecution requested an adjournment until December 16.

A Mildura man in his early 30s, described as a prolific drug user, has been refused bail.

Magistrate Dominic Lennon heard on Wednesday that Jon Miles was already on bail for seven offences when he allegedly broke into a Mildura mosque on October 26.

He was accused of stealing a safe containing about $500.

The court heard the alleged offences happened while he was in poverty and addicted to heroin.

A court program that offers therapeutic services found him unsuitable for bail, describing him as unmotivated and silent during the assessment.

The man remains in custody and will return to court next week.

Mildura is heading into the fire season without its reserve fire truck.

The United Firefighters Union said the truck had been based in Shepparton since August because of a statewide shortage.

The union said two fires broke out at the same time in Mildura last month, leaving the region without emergency fire cover for about two hours.

A fire that started in a header near Ultima has spread into a lentil crop, burning more than 100 hectares.

Firefighters were called to Gowanford South Road yesterday afternoon, with more than 20 crews responding to the blaze.

The fire was brought under control in under an hour and declared safe just after 5pm.

Voters in Kaniva have been left without a polling booth in town for the November 28 election.

A polling booth is usually set up at the Uniting Church hall but the venue is not available for the election.

Resident Fleur Maddern said she would have to travel at least 80 kilometres to vote in Nhill and the decision was "disrespectful and disgraceful".

The Victorian Electoral Commission said other voting options were available and historical, numerical and spatial research data was used to identify voting centre locations.

Helen Healy has been elected mayor of the Mildura Rural City Council, defeating councillor Glenn Milne six votes to three.

Bec Crossling was elected deputy mayor.

Former independent state MP for Mildura Ali Cupper has revealed she will not contest the 2026 state election.

Ms Cupper held the seat from 2018 to 2022 before losing it to the Nationals at the last state election.

In a post to social media last night, Ms Cupper said she made the decision to prioritise family.

Ms Cupper has been a strong advocate for the hospital and the return of passenger rail to Mildura.

Merbein Library will celebrate 75 years of service with a community morning tea on Saturday.

The library was originally built in 1951 at the rear of the Merbein Community Hall and was the third library opened by Mildura Rural City Council.

Library engagement team leader Matthew Kinleyside said the celebration would be a chance for people to reminisce, with photo displays showing different versions of the library over the years.

"We'd love to see people come and catch up with some former staff, other people who have used the library and just reminisce," he said.