CCTV Footage Released Of Clarence Town Armed Robbers

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Police are appealing for information after a man suffered serious head injuries during an armed robbery at a Clarence Town pub. 

About 6am on Thursday June 4, emergency services were called to the Erringhi Hotel on Grey Street, where a 52-year-old man had ben assaulted by two men armed with a baseball bat and a firearm. 

The two me left the scene in the man's vehicle with stolen cash, which was later found abandoned on the nearby Rifle Street and is currently undergoing forensic examination. 

The 52-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. 

A crime scene was established and an investigation was commenced by Port Stephens-Hunter Police District detectives. 

Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart said it came as a shock to the community. 

"It's not the sort of thing that anyone expects to happen in Clarence Town," he said. 

He was unable to provide any further details on the investigation at the time. 

As the investigation continues, detectives have now released CCTV footage of two men who might be able to assist detectives with their inquiries. 

The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall, of skinny build with an Australian accent. 

He was last seen wearing blue trackpants, a dark coloured zip-up jacket, black and yellow gloves, and a dark balaclava. 

The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 178cm tall, of solid build, with an Australian accent. 

He was last seen wearing dark pants, a dark coloured hoodie, black and white gloves and a dark balaclava. 

Anyone able to identify the men, or with information about the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart. Picture: Ian Crouch

Man Faces Court Over Alleged Guns And Drugs Bust At Rutherford

 BY IAN CROUCH

Raptor Squad police have charged a man with a dozen firearm and drug offences following a raid on a Rutherford home.

Following investigations into the unlawful possession of firearms, they executed a search warrant at the Aberglasslyn Road property last Wednesday (17 June 2026) and allegedly seized three firearms, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, 29 grams of cannabis and four grams of methylamphetamine.

A 31-year-old man was arrested at a home on Garrat Circuit, Thornton yesterday (Wednesday 24 June 2026).

He faced the bail court where he was remanded in custody to appear in Newcastle Local Court on August 26.

 

Motorcyclist Dies After Crash At Aberglasslyn

 BY IAN CROUCH

A motorcyclist has died in hospital following a crash near Maitland.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Denton Park Drive and Kerry Circuit at Aberglasslyn at about 5.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 June 2026).

They arrived to find a motorcycle and an SUV had collided.

The rider, a 33-year-old man, was treated by paramedics and rushed to hospital but died on arrival.

A 59-year-old woman who was driving the SUV was uninjured and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

As investigations into the crash continue, police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Argenton Murder Investigation: Detectives Release CCTV Footage

 BY IAN CROUCH

Homicide detectives have released CCTV footage as they continue their investigation into the murder of a man at Argenton.

Police were called to reports of an assault on Montgomery Street around 4.00am on Sunday April 19 2026.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the 38-year-old man died at scene - he'd suffered horrific stab injuries.

CCTV footage shows a man getting out of the back seat of a white hatchback and filling up at a Mayfield Service Station a few hours before the alleged incident, and police believe he may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He's described as being in his 20's, of Caucasian appearance with blonde hair and was wearing a black jacket, black pants with a white graphic, black cap and black shoes.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident, or who may have mobile phone or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A still from CCTV footage released by investigators

 

 

Mayfield Man Facing Court Accused Of Threatening Federal Parliamentarian

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Mayfield man is due to front court next month charged with allegedly posting a video threatening a Federal parliamentarian.

The Australian Federal Police National Security Investigations team launched an investigation earlier this month after receiving a report about concerning content being posted on a social media platform, including threats to harm a high office holder.

Further inquiries revealed further alleged threats, linked to the same social media account were posted between October 2025 and June this year. 

Officers searched a Mayfield property yesterday (Tuesday 23 June 2026), allegedly finding an electronic device, USB storage device, a black replica pistol with two magazines, clothing and face coverings.

They arrested a 35-year-old man.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Court on July 30 charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and threatening to cause serious harm to a Commonwealth official.

 

Pressure Mounts On Peabody Over Wambo Washery Lockout

BY OLIVIA HADWEN

The Australian Council of Trade Unions are increasing the pressure on Peabody Energy to end its lockout on workers at the United Wambo Washery in the Hunter Valley.

19 remain without pay after the company imposed a two week lockout after negotiations broke down over a new enterprise agreement. 

In a statement, Peabody said it's undertaken 15 formal bargaining meetings with the mining union and believes its 13 per cent wage increase offer over four years is fair and competitive, making it's workforce the highest paid in the region. 

Peabody's offered a 2.5 per cent annual wage increase and cuts to bonus agreements, which workers have been disputing since early May.

However, miners at Wambo Washery argue the offer falls marginally behind industry standards. 

After meeting with affected workers on June 22, Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michelle O'Neil is calling on Peabody to return to the negotiating table. 

"Locking workers out of their jobs and cutting off their income is an unfair and unreasonable escalation that will just prolong the dispute," she said.

"Peabody Energy is placing unnecessary financial strain on its workers, which will ripple through families across the Hunter Valley." 

She has consequently also called for changes to Australia's industrial relations laws. 

Peabody Energy is currently standing firm with both their enterprise agreement offer and lockout action.

"We remain committed to constructive engagement and will continue our negotiations during the industrial action and lockout period with the bargaining representatives," said a Peabody spokesperson. 

Peabody locks out Wambo Washery workers. Picture: Mining and Energy Union. 

 

Brain-Eating Amoebas Stalling Push to Re-Open Lake Liddell

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

AGL is continuing to refuse pushes to reopen Lake Liddell, with deadly brain-eating amoebas still believed to be inhabiting the waterway.

The man-made lake was created back in the late 1960s, as an extension of the now-partially destroyed Liddell Power Station.

It was shut in 2016, after an initial discovery of the rare Naegleria Fowleri amoeba.

The organism is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies and can cause a severe brain infection if water containing it enters the nose while swimming.

Despite the risk, many boaters and fishers are pushing for the Lake to be reopened to the public for recreational use.

Among those backing the push is Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell who said AGL needs to work quickly to re open the once popular public waterway.

"It's about continuing the conversation with AGL and making sure they are aware the community is still agitating to get the lake back," he said.

"Right now, there's a certain amount of trust between the community and AGL that they're doing the right thing and they're doing the right measures to make sure it can be used in the future.

"It's about trust and it's about working together."

AGL is continuing to monitor Lake Liddell for the amoebas, with the energy giant stating several seasons of water sampling are required to better understand it's condition.

Both the lake and nearby site of the power station remain under a contamination audit, as part of a state application to demolish and rehabilitate the location. 

As a result, further testing is required before any motion to publicly re-open the lake can commence.

Lake Liddell. Picture: Wikipedia