Singleton Shaken By Small Earthquake

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Singleton shire has been shaken by an early morning earthquake.

The 2.5 magnitude quake struck just before 4.00am today (Thursday 5 February 2026) in the north-western edge of the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine just south of the Golden Highway to a depth of 3 kilometres.

Although the tremor was picked up by seismic stations as far south as Canberra, there have been no immediate reports of damage.

 

The quake struck in the north-western edge of the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine southwest of Singleton 

 

 

Students Evacuated After Merewether High Fire

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Students and teachers were evacuated from Merewether High School this morning after an alleged electrical fire. 

At about 10.50am, Fire and Rescue NSW received multiple triple zero calls reporting smoke billowing from an external air conditioning unit. 

Emergency services were one scene within six minutes of the calls, with four trucks and 16 firefighters attending from Newcastle, Lambton and Merewether stations. 

An on-duty inspector also attended. 

Acting Superintendent Kevin Smith said the school staff followed normal evacuation procedures, relocating students away from the fire. 

The blaze was quickly put out using CO2 extinguishers, confining it to the air conditioning unit. 

The students have since been returned to the buildings which have not been affected by the fire. 

No injuries were reported, with NSW Police and ambulance crews also present. 

Police Step Up Investigations Into Violent Home Invasions

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A Strike Force has been established after a string of violent home invasions and assaults at a Hamilton South unit block. 

Between last Friday and Monday, three people were injured at a housing complex on Fowler Street. 

The first incident occurred between 4.30am and 6am on 30 January. 

A 26-year-old woman was asleep in her unit when she was assaulted by an unknown person. 

The person was wielding a large knife, which left the woman with deep cuts to her face and hand. 

She sought treatment at John Hunter Hospital the following day and is yet to provide a statement to police. 

On Friday night, emergency services were called to a unit in the same building following reports of a home invasion. 

Police were told a 44-year-old man was assaulted and robbed by three men who were armed with edged weapons. 

The men stole an amount of cash and property from the man's unit. 

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment of lacerations and bruising. 

Three days later on Monday 2 February, emergency services were called to the same unit complex, with reports a man had been injured by an unknown person. 

At the scene, police located a 32-year-old man with cuts to his back and head, which were believed to be done by a large bladed weapon. 

He was also taken to John Hunter Hospital for the treatment of serious injuries. 

Newcastle City District Police have established Strike Force Arnstone to investigate the incidents and any links between them. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Gun Pulled During Stockton Road Rage Incident

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A Sydney man will face court today after he allegedly pulled out a fire-arm during a road-rage incident in Newcastle.

At around 11.50am yesterday, a minor collision occurred on Stockton Bridge, with both vehicles damaged.

Both drivers stopped on Teal Street in Kooragang, where their conversation escalated and one man allegedly threatened the other with a firearm.

They both quickly fled the scene.

One of the drivers, a 56-year-old man, later reported the incident at Waratah Police Station.

Following extensive inquiries, a 77-year-old man was arrested and a firearm was seized at a home in Ryde.

He was charged with two offences and refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court today.

 

 

Search Under Way For Missing Lake Macquarie Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

The search continues for a man who's gone missing from Caves Beach.

55-year-old Peter Fekonja was last seen on Palm Tree Crescent at about 4.00am yesterday (Sunday 1 February, 2026) and the alarm was raised when he couldn't be contacted or located.

Peter's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a medium build and brown hair  and was last seen wearing a dark-coloured t-shirt and shorts.

He's known to frequent the Sydney area and may be travelling in a red Toyota Yaris with the NSW registration CG 23 BM.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 000333.

 

Missing man Peter Fakenja

 

Port Stephens Powered Vessel Free Zone Deemed Success

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Officials are deeming the recent trial of Port Stephen's powered vessel free zones a success for the community. 

The trial, held between 24 December and 26 January, saw a series of exclusion zones put in places along popular beaches within the Port Stephens area. 

Any powered vessel, including jet skis, were prohibited from entering the zones in order to protect swimmer safety. 

Transport for NSW (TfNSWM) Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said early feedback indicated a positive response from beach goers. 

"I can happily tell you that in those zones during that trial, everyone was really enjoying the interaction with the water and we were getting few complaints," he said.

"This is opposed to what we saw last year and the year before." 

During the trial, TfNSWM conducted more than 500 consultations with residents, visitors and powered vessel users as part of the independent evaluation process. 

"As we promised, we have independently evaluated this trial so that there can be no bias around the results," he added. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said it was a win for the community. 

"Year on year we had been getting increasing numbers of complaints," she said. 

"But this year I've had none. 

"Instead, I've had a positive response to the zones that we've stood up. 

"So, it's really positive and pleasing to say that on Port Stephens waterways this year it's been calm waters." 

The results of the trial will become available in March. 

Picture: Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and TfNSWM Executive Director Mark Hutchings. 

BREAKING! Teen In Custody After Alleged Pursuit In Stolen Car At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

A young teenager is in custody accused of leading police on a wild chase in a stolen car at Muswellbrook overnight.

Police say a black Mazda CX-5 SUV was reported stolen following a break-in at a home on Rutherford Street just before 1.30am today (Thursday 29 January 2026).

The vehicle was spotted on Haydon Street with police pursuing the car through several streets before it crashed at the bottom of William Street.

Up to 5 young males fled the vehicle but officers managed to arrest one of them, believed to be 14 or 15 years old.

He'll be cautioned and dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

It's believed the group had earlier tried to steal a car from the Calvary Retirement Hostel.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers.