This week in what made news in The Northern Daily Leader, we talked with the new Water Minister and our returned member for Tamworth about what's on the cards for our valley.

Melinda Pavey said "all viable options to improve water security" were on the table for the Namoi, while Kevin Anderson said upgrading Chaffey Dam should be the first option investigated - and was "a real achievable thing we can do in the short term".

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Also stirring up some concern was an apparent shortage of teachers at Tamworth High School.

The Department of Education told us the school was short by only one permanent teacher, but students' and parents' claims continue to mount of classes being combined and inconsistency of subject teachers. There is likely more to come as we wade through our contacts' concerns.

An ugly topic is our weekend feature: cane toads. In an interesting longer yarn, we find out how and why the pests became such a problem, and what can be done about them. One plan is to have the little toads help beat the big 'uns - but we'll leave you to find out more.

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It's an iconic piece of CBD real estate, and apparently there are international buyers sniffing around the CH on Peel corner, which will be going to auction soon.

The art deco corner has had a new lease of life in recent years, morphing from a busy pub into the swanky bar and restaurant, with upstairs boutique accommodation.

The package also includes the sites housed by Lado's Jewellers and Regional Australia Bank.

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And we continue to cover the disturbing case of former Catholic priest David Joseph Perrett.

He faced the NSW Supreme Court this week on 131 historical sex abuse charges and - after being described as a "spent volcano" who may have only six months to live - was granted conditional bail.

We hope you find our timely, informative and interesting, and we thank your for supporting us in what we do: bearing witness to and investigating the events and issues that matter.

- The Northern Daily Leader team