Oakvale Chook Thrower Sentenced For Animal Cruelty

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Singleton grandfather who threw a live chicken into an alligator enclosure at Oakvale Wildlife Park in January has been sentenced in Raymond Terrace Court.

Footage shows 58-year-old Peter Smith placing the silkie bantam chicken known as Betty White inside his buttoned up shirt before walking over to the enclosure and tossing it into the pond in front of horrified onlookers.

One of two alligators inside the enclosure then snapped the hen in its mouth, killing it instantly.

Mr Ssmith pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty, with the magistrate saying there was a degree of sadism involved.

He's been sentenced to 9 months gaol to be served in the community and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. 

Peter Smith has been sentenced to 9 months gaol for animal cruelty to be served in the community

UPDATE! Police Arrest Two People As Investigations Continue Into Fatal Stabbing At Hamilton

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Two people have been charged over the alleged fatal stabbing of a man at Hamilton at the weekend.

Emergency services had been called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 2.40am on Sunday  and found a 22-year-old man suffering multiple stab wounds. 

He died in hospital at short time later.

Following inquiries, a 27-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station about 11am yesterday (Monday 18 November 2024).

The man, from North Lambton, has now been charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court later today.

About 5:10pm yesterday, a 33-year-old woman was arrested at a bus stop at Bankstown.

She was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with murder and has been refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

EARLIER:

Confronting video has surfaced on social media capturing the moments leading up to Sunday's fatal stabbing at Hamilton.

A group of people are seen having a physical altercation in the middle of Beaumont Street at about 2.40am, and others can be heard yelling.

It's understood the mobile phone video has been provided to police as part of their investigation.

A 22-year-old man suffered critical stab wounds and later died in hospital.

Investigators have again appealed for anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward.

A screenshot from confronting video circulating on social media

Appeal For Man Missing For Three Weeks In Hunter Valley

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley police are stepping up the search for man who's been missing in the region for three weeks.

68-year-old Gavin Moresby-White was last seen on Greg Stairs Road at Gungal - 50km west of Muswellbrook - at about 10.30am on Tuesday October 29.

It wasn't until last Friday that concerns were raised for his welfare, with police and family saying his disappearance is out of character.

Gavin's Toyota Camry was later found abandoned on Greg Stairs Road.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a medium build and balding with white hair.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to call Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers.

Gavin Moresby-White has been missing for 3 weeks

Mandate From The Federal Government Could See Hunter Businesses Required To Accept Cash for Essential Goods

BY JACK SEYMOUR

Hunter businesses could soon be required to accept cash for essential items like fuel and groceries.

It comes as the Federal Government moves to begin consultation on the mandate before the end of the year, while also planning to phase out cheques by 2029.

While still legal tender, there's currently no legislative requirement for businesses to accept cash as payment.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says mandating the use of cash could be seen as inconvenient for some businesses, despite the benefits for older generations.

"It's just not convenient to be handling cash these days and those costs need to be considered.

"It could be seen as an overreach by some and in other cases it is a defensive mechanism which I can understand, particularly in the case of older people who are used to using cash and do not want to entertain the prospect of entering the digital market for their transactions."

House Destroyed By Fire At Aberdare

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

Three people have been saved from a fire that has destroyed a home at Aberdare.

The blaze broke out just after 9.00 am on Friday morning in the large single-story residence on Greta Street.

More than 30 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and 10 fire trucks responded to multiple Triple Zero (000) calls to the home on fire.

Upon arrival, FRNSW crews found the house fully engulfed with fire, with large volumes of smoke issuing from the property.

Firefighters quickly got to work to extinguish the blaze but were forced to withdraw to a safer position after the roof collapsed.

Investigations will continue to determine the cause of the fire. 

                                      Picture by Peter Lorimer

Search For Man Missing From The Hunter Valley

BY JORDAN REGNIS

A multi-agency search is underway to locate a man missing from the Hunter Valley.

Keith Banks, aged 81, was last seen leaving a home on Stewarts Road, Woolooma, about 1pm on Monday.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare due to him living with dementia and requires medicatication.

Inquiries reveal he went to a service station at Gundy about 1:30pm on Monday before driving away.

Following inquiries his dark grey Honda Civic sedan was found bogged in bushland about 4pm yesterday.

A land search began at 8am today at Upper Rouchel in the Upper Hunter.

Local police are being assisted by Police Rescue, PolAir and the NSW State Emergency Service.

Anyone with information into Keith's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

                                                                   Keith Banks

Stockton Ferry Price Hike Scrapped

 BY IAN CROUCH

Plans to increase fares for the Stockton Ferry have been scrapped.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal was proposing a 7% increase, which translates to a 21cent rise per trip.

IPART says it received particularly strong feedback on the proposal, with Newcastle Council arguing  the ferry was the only viable sustainable transport option for people travelling between Newcastle and northern residential areas.

The IPART backdown came when the benefits of the 650 metre ferry trip outweighed the cost of longer road commutes, pollution and congestion.