Major Police Operation Targets Anti-Social Behaviour At East Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

Several people have been arrested during a police operation overnight targeting anti-social behaviour around the Greenhills Shopping Centre precinct.

It follows complaints about groups of young people riding recklessly on unregistered motorbikes around the busy shopping centre in recent weeks.

Police commenced Operation Restore at about 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 29 October, 2026) which continued until 10.00pm, targeting anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and youth crime.

Five youths were arrested and charged with a number of offences including affray, trespassing and stealing while another three youths were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

An adult was also arrested and charged with a number of traffic offences and two motorcycles were seized.

Police say the operation will continue.

Fears Grow For Hunter's Flying Fox Population As Starvation Event Continues

 BY WILL MCGRATH

Hunter residents are being urged to keep an eye out for sick and injured flying foxes, with a food supply shortage causing many to become weak or die.

Flying foxes are recognised as a key species in the Australian ecosystem, responsible for pollination and seed distribution.

"About 80 per cent of our gum trees are pollinated by flying foxes because they fly such great distances and spread their seeds around," said Hunter Wildlife Rescue vice president Kerry Walker.

"They are absolutely critical to biodiversity and ecology." 

Due to an unusually warm and dry winter, trees which are used for food by the bats have had their regular flowering patterns disrupted.

This has forced the species to look elsewhere for food, leading them to consume items which are toxic to them, such as fruit from the green cocos palm.

Ms Walker said they've seen a large spike in the number of sick flying foxes reported to the service.

"It's been very widespread, clearly, that the trees haven't come into flower as much as they should, and they don't have enough nectar," she said. 

"That's causing there to be insufficient food for the flying foxes all over the state." 

It coincides with a wave of premature births, and with not enough food to go around, many pups are dying young due to mothers unable to provide sufficient nutrition

Experts say the loss of an entire generation of the species is now on the cards.

Residents wanting to help the species are asked to hang 'garlands' of fruit, such as melon, apple and pear, but not banana, on trees for bats to eat.

Those who come across a sick or injured flying fox are advised leave it alone and call Hunter Wildlife Rescue on 0418 628 483.

A female flying fox and her newborn pup brought into care after being discovered emaciated in Lake Macquarie. Picture supplied. 

Cessnock Council Demand Meta Take Down Viral Abuse Video

 BY MAJELLA MCGRATH

Cessnock Council is demanding tech giant Meta remove a Facebook video of a council worker being verbally attacked while on the job.  

Last week, 44-year-old Western Sydney man Gregory Tait allegedly filmed an heated interaction with a Cessnock Council worker and posted it on his social media. 

In the video, Tait approaches a worker mowing grass and picking up rubbish along Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba and proceeds to verbally abuse him. 

Council said the videos are still circulating online, despite reportedly going against Meta's guidelines.  

Tait was recently convicted for spouting violent death threats to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the day after the Bondi Beach Terror Attack. 

On Friday October 16, he faced Paramatta Local Court, where he was handed a recognisance sentence and ordered to pay $1000. 

Tait has posted a series of concerning videos on his Facebook page being seen to verbally abuse a number of councils across the state, including Cessnock Council. 

The United Services Union (USU) and Cessnock Council have condemned Meta's failure to promptly remove videos, demanding the company take immediate action to protect workers from further online abuse.  

Mayor Daniel Watton says he's fed up with the way council staff are treated and there is no excuse for people, especially those completing a job, to be abused.

"We are doing everything we can to communicate with Meta, our requests are in line with their standards," he said. 

"So we expect this to be taken down swiftly."

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly said workers safety and wellbeing must come before a social media company's willingness to host abusive content.

"Meta has been asked to remove these videos," he said. 

"It's failure to act is unacceptable. 

"A company with Meta's resources should be capable of responding promptly when workers are being targeted on its platform."

Mr Kelly said the attacks reinforce the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for council employees providing services to the public.

There is now a call for the NSW Government to make legislation to protect council workers and other service workers a priority. 

Gregory Tait leaving Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Picture: Nine News/Sam Mooy

Police Searching For Woman Last Seen in Pokolbin

 Police are looking for information into the disappearance of a woman from the Hunter region. 

38-year-old Georgia Goldstein, also known as Georgia Hall, was last seen on Hermitage Road in Pokolbin at around 9.30pm last Wednesday. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair. 

Police say she may be travelling in a navy-blue Volkswagen Tiguan with Victorian number plates 2EM2EF. 

Anyone with information about Georgia's whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley District Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Police Searching For Missing Singleton Teenager

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Police are appealing for information, after a teenage girl was reported missing in the Hunter Valley. 

15-year-old Monique Hargreaves was last seen in Singleton at about 8.30am Tuesday 13 October. 

When she was unable to be contacted or located, officers were notified and commenced inquiries. 

Police and family hold serious concerns for Monique's welfare. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm tall, medium build, dark shoulder length hair and blue eyes. 

She was last seen wearing a blue school uniform consisting of a dark long sleeve t-shirt, blue shorts and black boots. 

Monique is known to frequent Singleton and surrounding areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Singleton Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Monique Hargreaves. Picture: NSW Police Force

BREAKING! Rutherford Home Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has gutted a home and garage at Rutherford early today (Tuesday 13 October 2026).

Crews were called to Aberglasslyn Road at 1.43am to find a fire in a detached garage had spread to the adjacent single storey hardiplank and tin roof home.

Newcastle Fire Command says there were concerns for a man living in the garage, but he was later found safe and well.

A couple inside the house managed to escape unharmed.

It's taken almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.

Investigations will get under way into the cause of the fire.

 

Concerns Held For Man Who's Discharged Himself From John Hunter Hospital

 BY IAN CROUCH

Concerns are growing for the welfare of a man who's discharged himself from the John Hunter Hospital but still needs medical assistance.

Police say 30-year-old Benjamin Hutchison was last seen at about 3.00pm on Sunday and the alarm was raised when he could not be located or contacted.

Benjamin requires regular medication.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a slim build, brown eyes, a dark brown mullet and facial hair.

Benjamin was last seen wearing cream coloured track pants and dark coloured shoes and is known to frequent parks and open areas in Lambton.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle City Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Missing man Benjamin Hutchison