Appeal Launched To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are asking for our help to find a teenage girl who's been missing since last Thursday June 26.

14-year-old Starleigh Bates was last seen at about 9.00am on Cary Street at Toronto.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Starleigh's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155cm tall with a medium build and red/brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black tracksuit pants.

Starleigh is known to frequent the Toronto, Wallsend, Woodberry, Stockton and Metford areas.

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

Missing teen Starleigh Bates. Picture NSW Police

 

Permanent Tribute To Missing Hunter Teen To Adorn Cardiff Shopping Centre Wall

 BY IAN CROUCH

Work is due to start next week on a permanent memorial to missing Lake Macquarie teenager, Gordana Kotevski.

Renowned mural artist, Reuben Boughtwood has been commissioned to paint a 26-metre long artwork of Gordana at the Cardiff Shopping Centre.

The mural has been made possible by donations from the community amounting to $22,000.

16-year-old Gordana was last seen in November 1994 being forced into a vehicle on Powell Street at Charlestown.

A $1 million dollar reward remains on offer for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for Gordana's disappearance.

 

Gordana Kotevski

ELEEBANA – Houseboat Crashes Into Red Bluff Boardwalk

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The Red Bluff Boardwalk from Eleebana to Warners Bay has copped significant damage after a houseboat last week crashed into the structure from high winds.

Council says it will remain closed for some time while crews look to determine how to fix the elevated path. It was constructed in 2010 at a cost of $2.5 million.

Council’s Karen Pardington says there’s no timeline on when it will re-open.

“We’re certainly very keen to get out there and assess the damage and hopefully be able to repair it soon.

“It may be some time before we’re able to open it up but we’ll be getting onto it,” she said.

Red Bluff Boardwalk. Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

UPDATE! Man Killed By Car Doing Burnout At Stockrington

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged the driver of a car which allegedly hit and killed a man at Stockrington at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to Haul Road early Sunday morning following reports of a crash.

Police were told a modified Ford Fairmont was performing a burnout when it hit three people before being driven from the scene.

A 53-year-old man suffered critical head injuries and died at the scene.

Two women believed to have also been hit by the car left the scene before emergency services arrived.

The car was later found burn out on McFarlanes Road at Chisholm.

Following extensive inquires, police arrested a 22-year-old man at Maitland Police yesterday afternoon.

He's been charged with 7 offences and refused bail to face Parramatta Court today (Monday 30 June, 2025).

 

END OF THE LINE - V Set Trains to Go

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The end of an era comes at 9:20pm tonight when the last V Set train leaves Sydney Central Station for Newcastle Interchange, arriving just after midnight.

One feature which will be missed: the reversible seats. The new Mariyung fleet's seats will stay put.

Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison is blaming her predecessors for the lack of flexibility in the new off-the-shelf fleet.

Police Bust Cocaine Collection Group In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three men are due to face court today (Friday 27 June 2025) charged with conspiring to import 1.5 tonnes of cocaine following a major police operation in the Hunter.

Detectives from Strike Force Blaine say they identified three men acting suspiciously in the Hunter including the purchase of two marine vessels for cash.

Police will allege the actions of the men were consistent with the methods used by catching crews involved with the collection of large quantities of prohibited drugs.

Police say the trio stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in collecting the cocaine haul.

Yesterday (Thursday 26 June 2025), officers arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop at Eleebana, a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster and a 24-year-old man at Salamander Bay.

They also seized a commercial fishing boat at Lemon Tree Passage for forensic examination.

All three have been charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug as part of a criminal group and refused bail to face Parramatta Local Court today.

 

Police arresting a 34-year-old man at Eleebana

MURULLA – Boy Dies Following Crash

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Police say a boy has died following a crash just before 8am yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the New England Highway at Murulla, following reports a Holden Barina and Nissan Elgrand had collided.

The driver of the Barina, an 85-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene,

An 11-year-old boy was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries but he later died.

The other occupants were treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Westpac Rescue Helicopters attended the scene. Supplied