Wagga City Council's monopoly on gas sales in Wagga, which returned a profit of $3.1 million in 1994, is under threat following a report from the NSW Gas Council recommending a competitive natural gas market.

Wagga's rising country music star Darren Coggan won the prestigious Star Maker Quest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Wagga Leagues Club president Brian Lawrence, general manager Bruce Piercy, Leagues Cricket Club captain Steve Butt and president Andrew Lindner sliced a ribbon to open the new cricket practice nets at Eric Weissel Oval.

Senior Sergeant Peter "PJ" Lowrey was named Wagga's Citizen of the Year, with clarinet virtuoso Vincent King named as Young Citizen of the Year.

Notwithstanding recent state government changes recognising brothels as "legitimate land uses", Wagga City Council has refused to approve development applications for brothels in the city.

Vocalists Cathy Wall and Shannon Carswell, along with Riverina Jazz Band member Graeme Callender, performed in Cool Jazz on a Hot Night, a free concert in the Victory Memorial Gardens.

An 18-year-old caught shoplifting a cassette tape worth $4.95 from a department store was fined $250.

Six recorded snake bites in the Wagga area this summer have prompted a timely warning from snake handler Gordon Murray.

Michael Clisby has been appointed as principal of the Wagga Christian College.

Wagga mayor Peter Dale opened the 1996 Country Diving Championships at the Bolton Park swimming pool.

Heavy machinery has moved in to clear the way for a new residential subdivision on the site which formerly housed Tatton Public School.

A portion of Shaw Street was made one way to allow a satisfactory flow of traffic when traffic lights on the corner of Docker and Edward Streets begin operating.

Flames came within feet of paint and paint thinners during a fire attended by two units of the Wagga Fire Brigade and 14 firemen, at the body repair business of BG Hartwig housed in a section of the old Wonderland Theatre in Wonderland Lane.

Labor Party candidate for Wagga Jack Skeers addressed an election campaign meeting at the Astor Hotel along with Mr WF Sheahan, member for Burrinjuck.

Ald RL Brunskill was re-elected as chairman of the Southern Riverina County Council.

Assistant manager of Wagga Motors Gordon Braid has been elected a country vice-president of the Motor Traders Association of NSW.

More than 80 guests attended the annual Burns' Day supper organised by the Wagga Caledonian Society at the Wagga Commercial Club.

Discount Meats is selling full topsides for 59 cents a lb, blade steak 10 lb for $6 and crumbed cutlets eight for 59 cents.

Mrs L Dalla of Burwood Street found a rare four-leaf clover in her garden.

The third annual All breeds Summer Ram Sale was well supported at the Wagga Saleyards with 250 rams yarded and 200 sold by auction and private treaty.

Edmondson's Food Market has Scotch Finger biscuits, 8 oz for 17 cents, Tom Piper Camp Pie, 12 oz for 18 cents and Sorbent toilet rolls for 11 cents each.