Check out the top three stories in Tuesday’s edition of The Geraldton Guardian

Today’s edition of The Geraldton is jam-packed with local news and sport, so we bring you the abridged version.

From the bizarre court case of a self-proclaimed “prince” of the Abrolhos Islands and his clash with the fisheries department, to a story about authorities warned last month about suspected COVID-19 patients being treated at the Geraldton hospital’s ED before last week’s scare sent dozens of people into isolation and another story about vandals targeting the popular Horizon sculpture on the foreshore.

Check out some of the top stories in your latest Guardian.

Self-proclaimed Abrolhos ‘prince’ ordered to face court

Bizarre scenes have played out in a Geraldton courtroom as the self-proclaimed “prince” of WA’s latest micro nation, which claims the Abrolhos Islands, failed to appear to face 12 charges of violating fisheries laws.

Legal action was launched by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development against Kristin Rodney Donald MacDonald last month after he “repeatedly refuses to acknowledge the authority of the department”, prosecutor Ron Campbell said.

“The department has taken every step possible to guide Mr MacDonald on his responsibilities under the Act,” he said.

“He has declared himself as the prince of the Houtman Abrolhos ... and continues to refuse to acknowledge the authority of the department.”

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Authorities warned about Gero COVID breach risk

Authorities were warned last month about suspected COVID-19 patients being treated at the Geraldton Regional Hospital emergency department, before a virus scare this week sent dozens of people into isolation.

The West Australian can reveal a man sent emails to the WA Country Health Service address, Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook’s offices after being made to wait for a COVID-19 test besides the elderly, pregnant women and Indigenous Australians.

In his June email Graham Kipps said the regions were “completely complacent” and if an outbreak occurred they would be “caught off-guard”.

Meanwhile, all close and casual contacts of the seafarer who tested positive to the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant after being treated at Geraldton Hospital have tested negative to the virus.

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Vandals target popular foreshore sculpture

The City of Greater Geraldton is exploring options on how best to repair damage to the Horizon sculpture, which is thought to have been vandalised by youths.

Located on the Beresford foreshore, the tourist attraction has been gaining attention for the wrong reasons after residents noticed a chip on the glass globe.

Mayor Shane Van Styn said the City became aware of the damage about three weeks ago after witnesses saw young people using gings to hurl rocks at the sculpture.

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