Man Arrested During Police Operation At Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

A police operation in the heart of Cessnock has ended with the arrest of a man on domestic violence-related offences.

It's alleged the 34-year-old forced his way into a unit on North Avenue around 2.30am on Sunday and threatened a woman with what's believed to be a firearm.

Following investigations, officers from the Tactical Operations Unit and local police sealed off the area around midday yesterday (Monday 13 April 2025), with the man taken into custody at about 4.30pm.

He's been charged with four offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm DV and will face the bail court today (Tuesday 14 April, 2025).

 

Police deployed heavily armoured bearcat vehicles to the area around North Avenue at Cessnock

Union Backs Reintroduction Of Cessnock Passenger Trains

BY LIAM COLLINS

The Rail Tram and Bus Union is calling on the Minns Government to reinstate passenger train lines between Maitland and Cessnock.

Current and expected population growth in both regions have spurred the union to advocate for the lines to be reopened, hoping to put forward a motion at the NSW Labor Party State Conference this July.

Currently, residents travelling between Newcastle and Cessnock don't have any direct public transport options, with the Train to Cessnock Campaign having voiced concerns since 2023.

The Maitland-Cessnock passenger line has been closed since the 1970s after patronage declined.

The union's Loco Division secretary Farren Campbell said reinstating passenger trains is a common sense position.

"Good, cheap, reliable, efficient public transport is so important for communities everywhere, and that's particularly the case in the Hunter," he said.

"We've seen regional communities really struggle with public transport - we think this is a no-brainer.

"It's good for working families and good for the Hunter."

Mr Campbell further stated the opportunity the union had to advocate for the line reopening would be beneficial.

"We're proud to be spearheading this at the upcoming Labor conference," he said. 

"It's something that we absolutely support, and we commend anyone who's willing to get behind it."

The NSW Labor Party State Conference will be held at the Sydney Town Hall on the 4th and 5th of July.

BREAKING! Police Investigate Armed Robbery At Gateshead Tavern

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are searching for three people involved in an armed robbery at Gateshead overnight.

Police say three young males entered the Gateshead Tavern on the Pacific Highway at about 5.30pm on Thursday 9 April, 2026 and stole alcohol from the bottle shop before threatening a 25-year-old male employee with a knife.

The group then fled - police say there were no reports of injuries.

They've set up a crime scene and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

 

Garbage Truck Driver Killed In Tragic Crash Near Singleton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley police are trying to piece together the circumstances leading up to fatal crash near Singleton.

Police say just before 9.00am yesterday (Thursday 9 April 2026), emergency services were called to Mirannie Road at Mirannie to reports of a crash.

They found a garbage truck had veered off the road and hit a tree before rolling down a steep embankment.

The male driver, believed to be in his 40's, died at the scene - he's yet to be formally identified.

A crime scene has been established as investigations continue and a report is being prepared for the Coroner. 

 

Police Investigate Suspicious Unit Fire At Bar Beach

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a unit at Bar Beach overnight.

Eight fire trucks were called to a multi-unit complex on Light Street at 7.20pm on Thursday 9 April 2026 to find a top floor unit on fire.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants of the unit were accounted for and all residents of the complex were safely evacuated.

It took crews about an hour to douse the flames.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Forensic officers and fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.

 

Case of Measles Confirmed In Newcastle

BY JACK HODGINS

Hunter residents are warned to remain cautious, with a case of measles detected at John Hunter Hospital. 

Earlier this month, an unvaccinated child recently returned from a holiday in Asia attended the hospital's emergency department, unknowingly infected with measles. 

The child was presented on two occasions, the first on April 1 from 6.30pm to 1am the next morning, and the second on April 6 from 1.30pm to 3pm. 

Anybody in the emergency department during these times is being urged to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles. 

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough usually followed three or four by a red, blotchy rash which spreads from the head to the rest of the body. 

Public Health Physician with the Hunter New England Local Health District Dr David Durrheim said vaccinations are crucial to quash the disease. 

"We're seeing around the world, unfortunately multiple outbreaks of measles which is a real great pity," he said. 

"Anybody who's travelling overseas should make sure that they're protected against measles and they've had two doses of measles-containing vaccine.

"If they're unsure whether it's safe to get an extra dose, it's much better to be protected than to be exposed to measles." 

A full list of case locations is available on the NSW Health website here. 

Picture: John Hunter Hospital

M1 Motorway Extension A Year Ahead Of Schedule

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Progress on the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is expect to be open later this year, more than a year ahead of schedule. 

The accelerated timeline comes following the completion of the new five kilometre motorway forming the Heatherbrae Bypass. 

As part of the northern section, the Raymond Terrace interchange, the Masonite Road overpass and a major bridge crossing at Windeyers Creek have also been completed.

The M1 extension will be open as soon as work on the 10-kilometre southern section from Black Hill to Tomago is complete, later this year. 

Roads Minister and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said it's a major step forward. 

"It's been a massive effort to get this essentially more than a year ahead of schedule," she said. 

"This project has created so many jobs in our region, with 2,700 people having worked on this project.

"It's something that generations of people across the Hunter can be very proud of the work that is here." 

Following opening, contractors will remain on site to monitor how the new road adjusts to carrying highway traffic, undertake landscaping establishment and targeted maintenance as required.

The monitoring will be carried out for up to two years on the southern section and one year on the northern section. 

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said it marks a big day for the Hunter. 

"The school holiday traffic we're seeing on the existing highway right now is a great reminder as to why this project is vital," she said. 

"Nearly 25,000 vehicles use this road on a normal day, with that number swelling during the holiday breaks."

Picture: Ian Crouch