Pledging to quit smoking, lose weight and get fit is pretty popular on New Years' Eve, so why do many people fail?

Authorities are warning the Great Southern and lower Wheatbelt need to be on alert over the next few days, with sweltering conditions expected to create a serious fire danger.

Fire authorities have issued the all clear after a major bushfire that was burning in Western Australia's Great Southern.

The Masters Builders Association (MBA) says it is highly encouraged by improving demand for commercial and housing developments in Albany.

The Shire of Kondinin says there has been a big impact on the Wheatbelt community of Karlgarin from a major storm that occurred a year ago today.

How many worms can you count in an hour? Albany backyard farmer Bede Harold claims that he can count one thousand red wrigglers an hour. Bede also believes it is his worms that are the key to his vegetable patch.

WA's District Court has confirmed Collingwood defender Marley Williams will face trial next month, accused of causing grievous bodily harm.

Detectives have charged two people after discovering a clandestine drug laboratory in an Albany house.

Iron ore miner Grange Resources has launched an internal review of its proposed Southdown magnetite mine, near Albany, to see if the project start-up can be cheaper than the estimated multi-billion-dollar cost.

Local governments have expressed concern about a decision to kill off merger discussions between four Wheatbelt shires.

The developers of a proposed multi-million dollar shopping centre development in Denmark say they are appealing against a decision to refuse planning approval.

Analysts say it makes sense for Grange Resources to examine trying to get its Southdown project, near Albany, off the ground sooner by starting on a smaller scale.

Agricultural lobby group WA Farmers says the decision not to allow some struggling farmers access to the Government's concessional loans package is very disappointing.

The Town of Narrogin says the latest proposal to merge with the neighbouring Narrogin Shire is just weeks from being finalised.

Albany's resident snake catcher shares her passion for chasing reptiles.

How do you like your avo? On toast with salt and pepper, or perhaps you simply just scoop out the creamy flesh with a spoon?

Police say they are concerned about an incident where a man tried to lure a teenage girl to his car.

The Maritime Union says it has made concessions and lowered a pay claim to try to forge a new wages deal for support staff in the offshore oil and gas industry. The union is now seeking pay rises of 22 per cent over four years from marine contractor, Tidewater, down from its original claim of 24 per cent over the life of the agreement.

Great Southern traffic police say they will be targeting distracted drivers during a campaign over the Australia Day long weekend.

"We'd rather be taken by a grey nurse than a nursing home."

Several people in Western Australia's Great Southern and south-west have received the Order of Australia, as part of this year's Australia Day honours.

Wheatbelt nickel miner Western Areas says it is pleased with its quarterly results, despite seeing small drops in production and sales and higher costs.

Police have charged an Albany man who allegedly attempted to import hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of methylamphetamine from Mexico.

This week's backyard farmer believes that every family needs a cow - and that getting up at 4am to do the milking is great fun.

Farmers are gathering in Merredin this weekend to give thanks for what they believe was 'divine intervention' in the last cropping season.

As warm temperatures continue throughout much of Western Australia, residents are being warned about diseases which lurk in dirty pools and waterways.

A 40-year-old Albany man is due to appear in court this month after being charged with deliberately lighting three fires in Narrikup.

The Town and Shire of Narrogin have chosen to pursue an amalgamation option which would deny residents the opportunity to defeat it through a vote.

Agricultural lobby group WA Farmers has urged the Federal Government not to forget struggling growers in parts of Western Australia, in talks over a drought assistance package.

The Shire of Narrogin says its proposed amalgamation with the Town of Narrogin will require about $2 million of state funding if it is to go ahead.

Nigerian police have arrested a man after the death of a West Australian woman who was caught up in an online romance scam.

The passionfruit vine is a typical grievance for those with a green thumb, a temperamental plant that just won't do what it's told.

It's a plane with a story, changing hands over the span of seventy years to land on a hill in the Great Southern of Western Australia.

Narrogin is set to become the first Western Australian Great Southern town to access the National Broadband Network (NBN), changing a previous plan to roll out the service in Katanning first.