As with my last stint on BathurstAM, I'll finish with a pointless but mildly amusing tweet, once more from the Modern Seinfeld account that speculates on what would be happening in the show if it were still broadcast today. I for one would be curious regarding the book mentioned in this tweet.

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday, the weather is predicted to get warmer as the weekend approaches and by next week, spring will be here! 

8.55AM

The situation on the Rocket Street bridge is still unresolved with the Traffic NSW website reporting that the bridge is closed until further notice. It is believed to be suffering structural damage.

8.45AM

On a sadder note, the fallout continues from a tragedy in the United States yesterday when a girl aged only nine accidentally shot dead an employee at a shooting range. Doubtless this incident will cause plenty more gun debates in the US. 

You can read the full story here. 

8.30AM

If you're a fan of classic Australian pub music - and let's face it, who isn't - make sure you get your tickets to see Mental As Anything at the Bathurst RSL on September 19. From personal experience, these blokes put on one of the best shows you could ever see, and it isn't until you listen to them for an hour that you realise just how many hits they had.

8.25AM

If anyone was having a punt at the trots last night in Bathurst and happened to back a winner in the third race, they might not be coming into work today. 

Local trainer Wade Judd, better known for his rugby league exploits with St Pat's and currently the Oberon Tigers, steered home rank outsider Laughing Game to claim the third race.

His odds? $152.20. For good measure, the runner-up started at $8.50 and third-place horse jumped at $43.90. It made for a trifecta dividend of $10,998. Not bad.

8.15AM

It's that time of the week again - Throwback Thursday. Have a look at our gallery here that goes all the way back to 1986 and the floods of that year. 

You might see someone you recognise.

8AM

Locally, it has been a big year for up-and-coming hockey stars Lachlan Martin and Sophie Conroy, with both players being selected for the NSW Blues under 13s squads to compete at the Australian Championships.

Meanwhile Bathurst's new harness racing track will break some ground when it opens, as it will be the first track in NSW to boast a sprint lane like those seen at the major venues in Queensland and Victoria, at least for six months anyway.

7.50AM

For the sports fanatics there was a bit happening overnight, I'll get to the local stuff shortly.

In the Asian Champions League, the Western Sydney Wanderers have done enough in their away tie against Guangzhou Evergrande to make it through to the semi-finals of the tournament. They lost 2-1 but that away goal was good enough to earn them a spot in the last four.

At Flushing Meadow, Lleyton Hewitt has suffered a first-round exit at the tournament he famously won back in 2001, losing to sixth-seeded Czech Thomas Berdych in straight sets.

And in cricket, Australia blasted their way to 7-327 in their Tri-Series match against South Africa only to see the Proteas run down their target with seven wickets and 20 balls up their sleeve.

7.45AM

From the Chifley Local Area Command Facebook page this morning:

A 17 year old youth has been charged with several offences, including assault and an outstanding Warrant. The youth was spotted by an off duty police officer in a shopping centre yesterday and later arrested. The youth has been Bail refused and he will appear in Bathurst Childrens Court next week.

7.35AM

For anyone planning on coming into Bathurst, or leaving it for that matter via the bridge across the railway line at the bottom of Rocket Street, the road is closed in both directions off the bridge. It is believed that there is structural damage being inspected on the bridge and it was closed at some point last night. It is due to be reassessed at 8.30AM. 

Meanwhile there is a diesel spill on the Great Western Highway between Lithgow and the Blue Mountains which is affecting west-bound traffic. 

7.30AM

In case you were wondering what that silent sound was in central Bathurst this morning, that was me not setting off the Western Advocate alarm.

Making headlines across the Central West:

FORMER Orange Public School teacher Jarrod Johnson-Smith, 43, was given a 16-month suspended jail sentence in Orange District Court on Wednesday, with Judge Colin Charteris saying he did not accept claims he had accessed child abuse material accidently.

The town of Cobar stopped on Wednesday to celebrate and commemorate a man described as a "local hero". Thirty-seven year-old retained firefighter Daniel "Howie" Howard was killed earlier this month while battling a blaze that destroyed Cobar's New Occidental Hotel.

THE official bushfire danger season is now just a month away but local emergency services haven’t been sitting on their hands waiting for the challenge.

7.15AM

Here's what's making news in today's edition of the Western Advocate.

IT’S been a roller coaster ride of emotions for squash fanatic David Fuller over the past month. He’s been a driving force behind bringing the Australian Masters Squash Championships to Bathurst, and yesterday the finishing touches were being put on what will be the centrepiece of the big event.

CHARGES have been laid against an elderly man who allegedly tried to take control of an aircraft near Oberon on Monday.

DREAMLAND Quarry’s expansion plans have moved one step closer with a Joint Regional Planning Panel meeting set to discuss the matter on Tuesday.

7AM

Good morning Bathurst, welcome to BathurstAM on this Thursday morning, for the next few hours I'll be letting you know what's happening in the news and communities around the region.

If you have any photos or news tips flick an email to sam.debenham@fairfaxmedia.com.au