Police have charged a teenager with deliberately lighting a fire in the Albany suburb of Centennial Park.

Regional local governments say the Western Australian Government's handling of council mergers in Perth is increasing their fears they will be forced into mergers they do not want.

The chairman of Australia's first parliamentary inquiry into 'fracking' says the investigation is entering a significant new chapter.

A reward of $50,000 is re-offered after firefighters battle more than 700 suspicious fires this season.

A man has been charged with committing an indecent act while he was sitting near a children's playground in Albany.

Lawyers representing a West Australian farmer who is suing his neighbour over genetically modified canola which allegedly contaminated his property, say the court case will hinge on the principle of negligence. The landmark case has been taken by Kojonup organic farmer Steve Marsh. They say the neighbour Michael Baxter had a duty to contain his own crop of GM canola.

Detectives have charged a man with procuring a child to perform a sexual act after an encounter on a street in the centre of Denmark in the South West. The man approached her on Mitchell Street on Friday night. The 34-year-old then allegedly kissed her on the neck and asked her to engage in sexual behaviour.

A Narrogin man, who admitted to indecent dealing with his underage stepdaughter, has avoided an immediate jail term.

A man has been sent to jail for a crime spree, that included the theft of firearms, tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery, and an attempted theft of an ATM.

Two men have been charged with raping an Albany woman while she was asleep.

A man has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine and MDMA with intent to sell or supply, after a police search in Albany last night.

The Western Australian Opposition is calling on the State Government to revisit the eligibility criteria for its concessional farming loans because of limited demand so far.

This week on backyard farmer, find out how to keep your fruit and veges in the cupboard all year round, and snag a great recipe for chilli jam!

An eastern Wheatbelt farming group says it is extremely frustrating for struggling growers in the region to see limited demand for a Government support package.

How quickly do you think Australia could assemble more than 20,000 troops, 8,000 horses, and put them on to yet to-be-equipped navy ships to be sent to the battlefields of World War I?

University of Western Australia (UWA) researchers have warned of the potential for "very large extinction rates" among marine life unique to southern WA due to climate change.

Residents in the Great Southern town of Broomehill West have expressed frustration over a lack of information during a recent blackout.

The cry of 'save our sharks' echoed through Ellen Cove in Albany over the weekend as hundreds gathered to rally against the WA government's controversial policy.

A court in WA has heard a Collingwood footballer was motivated by "sheer revenge" when he assaulted a man outside a nightclub on the state's south coast. Marley Williams, 20, is on trial in the District Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

WA nickel miner Western Areas is attempting to raise about $100 million in a venture designed in part to reduce debt.

This week on Backyard Farmer, we are delving into the strange and wonderful world of alpacas.

The Auditor General has found the Water Corporation is losing billions of litres of water more than it should each year, mainly due to leaking pipes. In his report, tabled in Parliament today, Colin Murphy says about 30 billion litres of water was lost each year, ten billion more than what is considered acceptable. The agency will also have to fork out tens of millions of dollars to replace ageing pipes in the network.

Western Australian Wheatbelt nickel producer Western Areas says it will make significant savings after raising the funds to pay off a $110 million bond.

Footballer Marley William's claim he acted in self defence when he punched another man is a "fantasy", the prosecution in his trial says. Mr Williams admits to punching then 29-year-old Matthew Robertson in the face outside the Studio 146 nightclub in the south coastal town of Albany, the Magpies defender's home town. He gave evidence on Wednesday and today, saying Mr Robertson and two other men had previously attacked him inside the club and he feared being 'beaten up' again outside.

Collingwood footballer Marley Williams has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm over a one-punch attack in Albany.

WA grain growers are being told they must take the initiative to market their own grain if the industry is to survive.

Police have charged three people with drug offences after raids on several properties across Albany.

Supporters of wind farms are urging state and federal governments to back the use of the renewable energy source, after an official review of evidence found a lack of support for claims of health effects.

The Shire of Plantagenet is facing a shortfall of nearly $1 million in its funding for a major sporting precinct upgrade, after receiving a smaller than hoped for Western Australian Government grant.

A $42 million upgrade of Albany's sporting facilities is a step closer, after the city council ratified plans for the precinct.

A study shows the mining boom has generated up to 65 per cent more wealth for the top 20 per cent of West Australian households. But the research by Curtin University shows not all areas have reaped the rewards. It analysed the effects of the boom from 2003/04 to its peak in 2009/10 and found while those with higher incomes benefited substantially, other residents also benefited due to increased employment opportunities.

A group of men from the Military Brotherhood motorcycle club are riding from Brisbane to Perth, and back again, to raise money for a charity that supports the families of fallen veterans.

We're almost in the third month of the year, and it's likely that your garden is looking a little on the tired side. Never fear, help is here!

A Denmark man has pleaded guilty to more than 50 charges relating to filming, or attempting to film, his teenage step-daughter.

Several accommodation providers in Albany have expressed frustration at delays in finalising plans for the city's Anzac centenary commemorations.

Farmers in some of the driest parts of Western Australia are concerned they will miss out on funds from the Federal Government's drought assistance package because they will not meet the criteria.