BREAKING! Police Investigate Armed Hold-Up At Anna Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens police are searching for two men following an armed hold-up at Anna Bay overnight.

Police say the pair, who had their faces covered and were armed with a machete and a bat, entered a take away shop on Gan Gan Road at about 8.1opm on Thursday and confronted the male attendant.

The pair escaped with an amount of cash in a red 2-door hatchback.

The worker was not injured during the hold-up

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

ANZ CEO Endorses The Hunter Region

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

ANZ Chief Executive Shayne Elliott has endorsed Newcastle and the Hunter during his regional tour of Australia. He says the Hunter has a resilient economy and strong population growth. 

Mr Elliott also described the region as a vibrant place with lots of opportunity, and says it ticks more boxes than most parts of the country, including capital cities.

In an address to the region's business leaders, Mr Elliot says good jobs, lifestyles and infrastructure are some of the aspects attracting young people to the Hunter.

Mr Elliott also says ANZ is aiming to help the region unlock potential for a stronger economic future. It comes after ANZ released a report into hydrogen yesterday, providing insight into an industry Mr Elliott believes could be become big in Newcastle and the Hunter region. 

He says sectors such as hydrogen and off-shore wind requires significant investment, which ANZ could assist with.

Lochinvar Residents Meet Over Pending Post Office Closure

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lochinvar residents are meeting with Australia Post officials on Thursday morning to discuss the pending closure of their local post office on May 1.

Australia Post is ending daily letter deliveries and closing smaller licensed post offices, particularly in regional areas, in a bid to make the organisation more viable as more people opt for digital forms of communication.

Despite the trend, many residents, particularly the elderly and disabled rely on their local post office for a range of over-the-counter postal, bill paying and other services.

There's already been community uproar over the pending closure of the Lambton Post Office, also due to shut down on May 1, with close to 4,000 residents signing a petition to no avail. 

Lochinvar resident, Kevin Gordon is attending today's meeting and says many in the community have only recently been informed about the decision, and closing the post office will have a major impact on the village.

"There's always going to be an element that are people who are elderly, people who are disabled (who) need to have access to those particular facilities and I think it's a bit of a shame that they're doing this so quickly," he said.

The Lochinvar Post Office is due to close on May 1 Picture: Google

Hunter Police Issue Appeal For Wanted Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley Police are asking for public help to find a man wanted on a string of robbery related offences.

23-year-old William Hickey is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and is known to frequent the Sydney and Kempsey areas.

He's described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 180cm tall with a thin build, blue/grey eyes, brown hair and beard.

Police are warning people not to approach him but to call Triple Zero immediately.

 

Wanted Man William Hickey

BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Shark Centre At Anna Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by neighbours has prevented a fire spreading at the Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre at Anna Bay.

Newcastle Fire Command says multiple RFS and Fire and Rescue crews were called to the centre in Jessie Road just after 6.15am on Wednesday.

A large timber shed used to store wet suits had caught alight.

However neighbours managed to douse the flames and had the fire almost out when crews arrived.

Smoke from the fire has impacted the centre and crews have ventilated the building.

It's believed a battery left charging sparked the fire.   

Teen Dies After Car Crashes Into Speed Camera Vehicle At Cooranbong

 BY IAN  CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a passenger died in a two car crash at Cooranbong.

Police say a Subaru Impreza lost control on Freemans Drive at about 12.15am on Sunday and slammed into a fully marked mobile speed camera vehicle parked by the side of the road.

The 18-year-old male passenger died at the scene, while an 18-year-old man who was behind the wheel was freed and taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.

A 43-year-old man who was sitting in the mobile speed camera vehicle suffered minor injuries and didn't require treatment.  

 

Struggling swimmer winched to safety from Pinny Beach

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A woman has been rescued out of heavy surf at Lake Macquarie's Pinny Beach overnight.

Around 6pm, Friday 12 April 2024, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to Pinny Beach after reports of a person struggling in strong surf and in close proximity to rocks and sea caves. 

Following a brief search in the darkness, the helicopter crew located the female swimmer, and a critical care paramedic was winched into water to secure her.

The woman was winched into the aircraft and airlifted to the Belmont Base suffering hypothermia. 

She was then stabilised and transported by road to John Hunter Hospital.