A total fire ban is place across central and northern Victoria with extreme fire conditions forecast for Thursday. There is also the chance of a storm this evening.

In today's news, Greater Bendigo councillors have been urged to sign off on Huntly Hotel renovations despite opposition over gambling machines.

And two elderly rural neighbours who have had confrontations over a dog and a horse appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court, plus a house in Castlemaine's farming zone has been approved, despite fears it could lead to an "avalanche" of similar applications and a loss of agricultural land.

And now, here's the blog. Please be patient - it may take a second to load: