From the Daily Mercury Editor’s Desk

In a big week of news, the Daily Mercury has delivered some powerful and important stories that you can't ignore.

Hello Mackay,

Here we are in the final days before Christmas, and I again want to wish you all a safe and enjoyable festive season with your friends and family.

With any luck the storms won't dampen what you've got planned, but there's no doubt we need some more liquid gold from the skies.

The morning showers are most welcome, but it did seem at odds of the long-term summer outlook from CQ University climatologist.

QFES Acting Inspector Patrick McGuire, QPS Superintendent Glenn Morris and QAS Acting Manager of Operations Shane Tucker. Picture: Tony Martin

The Daily Mercury has this week partnered with Mackay police for a powerful series highlight the Fatal Five.

Mercury journalist Janessa Ekert has written a series of emotionally charged stories which demonstrate, through lived experiences, what can happen when we ignore the Fatal Five.

It's a proactive and thought-provoking series which I would encourage you all to read the series.

You can find them here.

Santa (Ross Gee) has a dip at Eimeo Beach before Christmas. Picture: Tony Martin

The campaign, which wrapped up on Friday, was in response to the horrific spate of fatal crashes in our region - and tragically, another on Friday night.

Our thoughts are with the Helensvale man's family and the truck driver involved.

Hemi Goodwin-Burke. Picture: Goodwin-Burke Family

In late breaking news on Friday, Moranbah toddler Hemi Goodwin-Burke's killer was denied parole.

Hemi died in March 2015 at the hands of his babysitter Matthew James Ireland, who was jailed for eight and a half years for manslaughter and eligible for parole on May 25 this year.

Hemi's father Shane Burke spoke to the Daily Mercury on Friday when the decision came down.

Thrill seekers and yoga lovers could be the future of Mackay's tourism industry, with a commercial real estate group exploring new opportunities.

I'd be interested to hear your take on the idea, and tourism in general, so drop me an email at [e-mail].

And two Mackay blokes have traded in the tools for textiles, transforming what was a one-off project into a thriving business.

Blake Bradford and Kyle Burke with Gran (Jan Bradford). Picture: Liz Andrews.

Both tradies working in the mining industry, energetic pair Blake Bradford, 24, and Kyle Burke, 23, met in an unusual way while enjoying a night out in Mackay.

More headlines:

>>WATCH: Croc filmed swimming in harbour

>>Cause of massive fish kill explained

>>CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2019: Where to find best displays

Have a great, safe weekend and week with friends and family.

Until next week,

Rae Wilson

Originally published as From the Daily Mercury Editor’s Desk