Float Your Boat is Back for 2019

BY KEELY JOHNSON

The annual Float Your Boat spectacular has returned, with more than 20 illuminated vessels set to hit Lake Macquarie tonight. 

The flotilla will depart Marmong Point Marina at 6pm, passing through Bolton Point at 6:30pm, Toronto at 7pm, Coal Point at 7:30pm, Rathmines at 8pm and finishes up at Wangi Wangi by 9pm. 

The event will run both today and tomorrow, with live-sites set up at Toronto on Friday night and Warners Bay on Saturday night for spectators to enjoy the parade. The sites will have live music, food trucks, children's illuminated costume workshops, fire twirling and LED hula-hoop performances for entertainment throughout the night. 

"This is a fantastic opportunity to get outside in these colder months to just enjoy what the lake has to offer," said Events Officer Kate Dunn.

"It's a great community project where the local boat owners are coming together and lighting up their boats and having a great time doing it, they really enjoy this weekend." 

The event attracted more than 17,000 people to the foreshore last year, but Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says the council is expecting even larger crowds. 

"With fine weather forecast for both nights, we are expecting big crowds this year," said Cr Fraser. 

The Mayor will also get the chance to present her favourite, and the communities favourite vessels with cash prizes. 

Illuminated boats from last years event

Pressure Grows for Marine Park Review

By MEGHAN RICHARDSON

There has been growing pressure from the community and local fishers to review the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park.

There are concerns over the marine park's management and planning.

During the state election, the park became a heavily discussed issue with representatives from both sides of the government pledging to address the problem.

No reviews, however, have been currently planned.

Stan Konstantaras, president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, says he's frustrated with the lack of action.

"It was an election promise," says Mr Konstantaras. "We just want to move forward in this and get some certainty on some outcomes."

Recreational fishing in the Port Stephens area injects a considerable contribution to the local and economy and Mr Konstantaras says the current situation is halting this.

"That means that potentially, recreational fishers are staying away from the area... the whole thing is up in the air and potentially affecting people's decision to go to Port Stephens," he said.

A similar inquiry has already begun in Batemans Marine Park, but Mr Konstantaras says the public wants to see the same in the local area.



Source: Port Stephens Examiner

Man Dead Following Birmingham Gardens Altercation

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man has died following an altercation at Birmingham Gardens overnight.

Just after 11 o'clock, police responded to reports of a domestic incident between two men at a home on Wilkinson Avenue. 

Officers arrived at the residence to find a 68-year-old man unconscious.

The 68-year-old and a second man, aged 52, were both rushed to the John Hunter Hospital where the older man later died.

A crime scene has been established and inquiries into the incident are continuing.

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

BREAKING! Elderly Pedestrian Dies In Hospital After Crash At Mayfield

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man has died in hospital overnight after being hit by a car at Mayfield.

Police say the 89-year-old was crossing Maitland Road near Gordon Street at about 5.30pm on Thursday when he was knocked down.

He suffered significant blood loss as the result of his injuries and was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital but sadly died.

Police say it appears the elderly man was at fault.

Mother Allegedly Caught Driving Almost Six Times Over The Limit At Wallsend

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman is due to front court next month accused of driving with a blood alcohol reading almost six times the legal limit at Wallsend.

Police say the 40-year-old was on her way to collect her daughter from school on Thursday afternoon when her Mazda 2 collided with an unoccupied parked car in Boscowan Street in the school zone near Wallsend Public School.

No-one was injured in the collision.

Highway Patrol officers breath tested the woman - they say she was so drunk she couldn't stand.

She was taken to Waratah Police Station where it's alleged she returned a blood alcohol reading of point 2-9-6.

The woman's had her licence suspended and has been granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on July 18 charged with high range drink driving.

UPDATE! Staff And Patrons At Stockton Pub Held Up At Gunpoint

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating an armed robbery on a Stockton hotel.

Two men entered the Boatrowers Hotel on Fullerton Street at about 11.30pm on Wednesday armed with a rifle and a tomahawk.

They threatened two staff and two patrons, with a 40-year-old man receiving a small laceration to his face.

One of the bandits demanded cash from a staff member - he was handed a moderate amount of money before the pair fled.

Police believe an Audi found burn out nearby in Pitt Street just after midnight was used as the getaway car. It was being driven by an accomplice with another passenger on board.

The 40-year-old man was treated at the scene by paramedics - no-one else was injured.

Anyone who noticed any suspicious activity around Fullerton Street at the time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Police Investigate Armed Robbery On The Boatrowers Hotel At Stockton

UPDATE! Three Children Killed In House Fire At Singleton

BY IAN CROUCH

A mother and her 8-year-old daughter have been transferred to the John Hunter Hospital to receive further medical treatment following a tragic fire at Singleton.

The 31-year-old and her daughter are the only survivors of the blaze, which claimed the lives of her twin daughters, aged 5, and her 11-year-old son.

The mother is receiving treatment for burns, while her child receives further care for smoke inhalation.

The woman's husband, the father of the children, was away from home working at the time of the fire.

Neighbours rushed to help after hearing smoke detectors and breaking glass coming from the Brittliffe Close home just before 3:30am.

Fire Superintendent Josh Turner said fire crews arrived to find neighbours using hoses to attempt to control the blaze.

Firefighters attempted to enter the house through the front door but were forced to fight from outside due to the intensity of the heat.

After accessing the home through two bedroom windows and removing the 5-year-old girls, backup crews had to abandon internal operations at risk of the structure's collapse.

"I'd like to emphasise the heroic nature of the four residents in the nearby vicinity who tried to assist the people inside the house and importantly got the mother and 8-year-old daughter out," said Hunter Valley police Superintendent Chad Gillies.

He emphasised assistance is being offered to everyone involved with, and affected by, the incident.

"We're now working with our welfare management to manage the welfare of all the emergency service workers that were involved in today's tragic incident."

Fire Investigation research officers are now working with police to determine the cause of the fire.

Superintendent Turner said it's too early to tell how it happened but inquiries will consider the possibility that a fireplace at the home was in use at the time the fire began.

"In these winter months, heating appliances are quite prominent in fire causes," said Superintendent Turner.

The victims have since been identified, and a GoFundMe page has been started to raise funds for the family.


EARLIER

Firefighters have found the body of a child in the burnt out remains of a family home at Singleton.

Neighbours heard screams coming from the Brittliffe Close home just before 3.30 this morning, with police arriving moments later,  but they were pushed back by the intense heat as they tried to enter the house.

Firefighters managed to save two children, one aged 5 as the roof of the home started collapsing.

They were rushed to hospital in a critical condition but 2NUR-FM News understands they died a short time later.

An 8-year-old child and the children's mother were taken to Singleton Hospital in a stable condition.

The body of a 4th child was found by firefighters once the fire was extinguished.

EARLIER:

There's been a tragic house fire at Singleton.

Two children - one aged 5 have died in hospital after being rescued from the burning home in Brittliffe Close.

It's understood a third child aged 8 has also been rescued and taken to hospital. The child is reported to be conscious and breathing in a stable condition.

The children's mother has also been taken to hospital - she is also reported to be conscious and breathing in a stable condition.

There are reports a fourth child remains unaccounted for.

A rescue helicopter is also on the way.

EARLIER

A child remains unaccounted for as crews battle a house fire at Singleton.

Newcastle Fire Command say they were called to a single level home in Brittliffe Close at 3.26am on Wednesday, arriving to find the house fully involved in fire

Emergency services were told 3 children were trapped in the home - two have since been rescued.

One 5-year-old child has been taken to hospital, another is being treated at the scene while another remains unaccounted for.

Around 20 firefighters are battling the blaze and there are reports the roof has collapsed.

More to come.

Fifth Person Charged Over Hunter Heroin Supply

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Newcastle detectives have charged a fifth person as part of an ongoing investigation into heroin supply in the region.

Just before 9:30 yesterday morning, Strike Force Toocooya detectives arrested a man from Eagle Vale in Sydney's South-west.

The 40-year-old has been charged with multiple drug supply offences and granted conditional bail to face court on August 21.

Four others have been arrested since the strike force was launched in February.

They remain before the courts charged with over 400 offences.

Thornton Break and Enter

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Police have launched an investigation into a Thornton break-in that occurred last night at a home on Railway Avenue.

The 28 year-old victim, who is legally blind, told police he heard a noise at around 6 pm before he was forced into a wall. Fortunately he was left uninjured, and the offender did not take anything from the home before fleeing the scene.

The assailant was described as being around 175 cm tall with a medium build, and of Caucasian appearance. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

UPDATE: Police Renew Appeal To Find Man Missing From Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police have released more information in the search for Michael McGarity, who has been missing from Maitland since last week.

Police have shared a new photo of Michael and say he is known to frequent the Newcastle and North Rothbury areas.

The 61-year-old left Maitland Hospital around 1:30am on Monday, June 24th and was last seen heading towards Telarah.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police conducted an extensive land search of the Maitland and Telarah areas this morning with help from the NSW Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, PolAir and police trail bikes.

Michael is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190 centimetres tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes - he also has the letters T Y tattooed on his lower left arm.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, white T-shirt, grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.

Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

EARLIER:

Police are appealing for help from the community to find a man who's gone missing from Maitland.

Michael McGarity was last seen walking out of Maitland Hospital at about 1.30am on Monday and was headed towards Telarah.

Police and his family hold concerns for the 61-year-old's welfare due to his mental state.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190 centimetres tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes - he also has the letters T Y tattooed on his lower left arm.

Michael was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, white T-shirt, grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.

Missing man Michael McGarity

UPDATE! Firefighters Called To Separate Fires In Gateshead Street

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are examining links between two suspicious fires in the same street at Gateshead early Tuesday morning.

A resident of an Alder Crescent home woke to a loud bang at about 3.00am and found his cararvan parked on the street had been set on fire - the van was extensively damaged.

He's told police he saw someone riding a motorbike without its lights on go past and took a look at the damage after the fire was extinguished by fire crews.

About an hour later another resident nearby woke to noises and found his Mazda 2 parked under a car port well alight.

The car was destroyed and the side of the house suffered fire damage.

He's told police there were several ignition points and his garden hose had been tampered with - he also heard a motorcycle leaving the area.


EARLIER:

Firefighters have been called to separate blazes this morning in the same street at Gateshead.

Crews from Charlestown and Tingira Heights were called to Alder Crescent at about 3.30am to find a caravan parked in the street on fire.

It's believed a rubbish bin next to the caravan had been set on fire.

Then around an hour later, crews were called back to another address on the street where a car under a car port was well alight.

The fire spread to the side of the adjoining house.

The car was destroyed in the blaze with crews taking around 45 minutes to extinguish the flames.

No-one was injured in either fire and police have launched an investigation.

Woman Injured In Bad Crash At Freemans Waterhole

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has been taken to hospital after a bad crash at Freeman's Waterhole early this morning.

The 27-year-old was driving along Palmers Road about 1 kilometre west of the M1 around 4.00am when she lost control and slammed into a tree.

She was trapped in the wreckage for about half an hour before being freed and taken to the John Hunter Hospital by road ambulance in a stable condition suffering a broken left arm and chest pain.

"Exceptional" Weather Events Contributing to Decreased Air Quality

BY TIA THOMAS

The state government's Annual Air Quality statement shows air pollution across the Hunter continues to exceed national benchmarks for coarse and fine particle pollution.

According to the report, there were 51 days of exceptional weather events in 2018 which contributed to poor air quality, including dust storms, drought and bushfires.

That's compared to just 18 days during the previous year.

Environmental Justice Australia researcher Dr James Whelan, from the Hunter Community Environment Centre, said the government must make rapid changes to state-wide strategies to control increasing pollution.

"For 3 years now, the NSW government has been talking about the need for some kind of strategy to respond to air pollution," said Dr Whelan

"And they just don't seem to have moved in that direction," he said.

The Hunter has seen a number of major bushfires in recent years. Image courtesy RFS. 

Woman To Face Court Over High Speed Pursuit Through Newcastle's Western Suburbs

BY IAN CROUCH

A 21-year-old woman is due to face court today accused of leading police on a high speed pursuit through the western suburbs of Newcastle.

Officers attempted to stop a grey Mazda CX-7 on Douglas Street, Wallsend in the early hours of Saturday morning, but the car took off, allegedly reaching speeds of 100 kilometres per hour through Wallsend, Birmingham Gardens, Maryland and Fletcher before heading back to Wallsend.

The car broke down on Newcastle Road and the woman ran off - she was found hiding under a house in Binney Street.

Police say she was on parole and disqualified from driving until 2043.

Police Issue Warning After Barrington Tops Rescue

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are again urging snow chasers to be prepared after two four-wheel-drives became stuck on the Barrington Tops.

The two vehicles, which were travelling together, became bogged after a day trip to see the snow.

One of the occupants called triple oh just after 7.30pm on Sunday saying they had no food, no warm clothes and no water.

Neither vehicle was fitted with a winch, so they were forced to wait around 4 hours before help arrived.

Both vehicles were pulled out of trouble and were able to make their way back down the Tops.

Snow is again forecast today.

Elderly Man Survives Quad Bike Rollover At Denman

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man has cheated death after his quad bike rolled on top of him at Denman.

The 79-year-old left his home on Yarrawa Road about 4pm on Sunday afternoon but the alarm was raised when he failed to return as expected at 6.00pm.

Police found him pinned under the bike just before 9 o'clock - he'd attempted to ride up a hill but the machine toppled backwards, landing on top of him.

He was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition suffering suspected spinal injuries, fractured ribs and a dislocated shoulder.

BREAKING! Mother Of Newborn Found Dead At Stockton Has Been Located

BY IAN CROUCH

The mother of a newborn who's body was found dumped in the backyard of a Stockton home on Tuesday has been located at Penrith in Sydney's west.

Police say they have spoken to 18-year-old woman about the birth of her child and have ruled out the involvement of any third party.

Detectives are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination and forensic testing before deciding on the next step in their investigation.

They say due to the volume of forensic evidence involved, their inquiries are expected to be prolonged.

Police have thanked the community for their assistance.

Detectives are continuing inquiries on behalf of the Coroner 

Picture: news.com.au

Newcastle Man Allegedly Supplied Drugs, Alcohol Before Assaulting Teenager

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Detectives began investigations earlier this month after a 15-year-old girl presented to John Hunter Hospital with neck injuries, where she reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.

Following extensive inquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station just after 6 o'clock on Thursday night.

It was the second arrest made yesterday in the Hunter by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

The man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years.

Officers will allege in court the man supplied the victim with alcohol and prohibited drugs before choking her and sexually assaulting her in a car in the Newcastle area on Wednesday, June 5th.

The man was refused bail to appear and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

BREAKING! Light Plane Crash Lands At Scone Airport

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to Scone Airport to reports a light aircraft is in trouble.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were alerted to the drama just before 10.00am on Friday, with the pilot reporting the landing gear could not be locked into place.

Scone Police have just advised the aircraft has managed to land and the pilot is reported to be uninjured.

Newcastle Fire Command says the pilot executed a 'textbook' emergency landing and a spokesperson from the NSW Ambulance Service has confirmed the pilot was not injured.

The Airstrip At Scone Airport

Hunter Man Arrested Over Sexual Assault of Teenager

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are urging parents to speak with their children about online safety following the arrest of a man in the Hunter over the sexual assault of a teenage boy.

In December last year, detectives began investigating reports a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he met on a social media application.

The incident was reported to local police before being referred to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for further investigation.

Following inquiries, officers arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Buttai around 9:30 Thursday morning.

He was taken to Maitland Police station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 14 and 16.

Officers will allege in court the man sexually assaulted the boy, then aged 14, in a vehicle in the Hunter region.

The alleged offender was formally refused bail in Maitland Local Court on Thursday is due to reappear at Cessnock Local Court today.

Police are asking parents and carers to speak with their children about staying safe online.

Drunk Driver Arrested After Crash At Hungry Jacks At Jesmond

BY IAN CROUCH

Police expect to lay charges over a crash at Jesmond.

A utility crashed into the back of car in the line-up of the drive through at Hungry Jacks on Blue Gum Road just before midnight on Thursday.

Police were called after the driver appeared to be intoxicated.

A 36-year-old man was arrested - it's alleged a breath test returned a high range reading.

He's been released pending further inquires but police say it's expected he will be charged with drink driving.

No-one was injured in the crash.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Whittingham

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man has died in a two car smash at Whittingham.

A Ford Falcon and a Mitsubishi Triton utility collided at the intersection of the New England Highway and Racecourse Lane at about 5.45pm on Thursday.

A 75-year-old Singleton man who was driving the Falcon died at the scene.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 42-year-old man, was treated at the scene before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition  - he's also undergone mandatory testing.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner as investigations into the crash continue.

BREAKING! Firefighters Battling House Fire at Mayfield

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Fire crews are battling a house fire at Corona Street in Mayfield.

Nearby residents alerted emergency services to the blaze just before 2 o'clock and six fire crews have been called to the scene.

Newcastle Fire and Rescue reports nobody is trapped inside the building.

Firefighters are inside the building working to find the seat of the fire.

Firefighters on scene at the blaze

Charity Fundraiser to Tackle Homelessness in the Hunter

BY ALICE PEART

The seventh annual Newcastle Sleepout by Saint Vincent de Paul will take place tonight at McDonald Jones Stadium with over fifty local CEOs participating in the event to raise funds for homeless services.

The Sleepout invites participates to experience a night of 'sleeping rough' with just a sleeping bag and a piece of cardboard.

The latest census data shows more than 116,000 people currently experience homelessness in Australia, with over a third of that number occurring in NSW alone.

With only three percent of homes deemed affordable across the state for low-income earners, Saint Vincent de Paul is advocating for more social housing and measures to decrease cost of living.

The state government has pledged to halve homelessness by 2025 but Event Coordinator for the fundraiser, Jenny Barrie, has said there is an urgent need to direct more funds to regional areas with people reportedly feeling less safe outside of cities.

The fundraising effort is aiming for $150,000 to contribute to food services, social housing and health professionals provided by the charity in the Hunter.

It is forecasted to be just four degrees over night and Barrie says it can be a "cold, hard" experience.

Horse Owners to Continue as Usual

BY ALICE PEART

Horse owners in the Upper Hunter have been given the all-clear to continue as usual after a confirmed case of the deadly Hendra virus last week on a property near Scone.

The case was reported after rapid on-set of symptoms in an unvaccinated mare on Friday, June 7 when the owners called the animal diseases hotline.

It is the furthest south the virus has been detected in the state but officials have said there is no further cause for alarm.

The infected horse was euthanised and the remaining horses on the property are being closely monitored by the District Vet.

Apart from the property involved in the case there are no transport restrictions and owners are being told planned events should continue as usual, with the importance of good biosecurity compliance being stressed.

For more information on the virus visit the DPI site.

Fire Destroys Shed At Muswellbrook

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a shed and its contents at Muswellbrook overnight.

Firefighters from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen were called to Tobruk Avenue at midnight, arriving to find a detached tin shed at the rear of a home well alight.


It's taken almost two hours to extinguish the blaze and no-one was injured

Police say the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

A firefighter extinguishes hot spots (above) and the shed lies in ruins Photos: Muswellbrook Fire&Rescue

Police Investigate Suspicious Fire At Anna Bay Caravan Park

BY IAN CROUCH

Police say a fire which damaged the exterior of a caravan at an Anna Bay caravan park this morning was deliberately lit.

A NSW fire crew from Nelson Bay and the RFS were called to the Emerald Tiki Village on Nelson Bay Road just after 2.30am.

It's believed someone lit a fire next to an unoccupied caravan - crews were quickly on scene and extinguished the blaze before it could take hold.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to identify the culprit.

University of Newcastle reaches new heights in QS World University Ranking

BY EDIE-LOUISE DIEMAR

The University of Newcastle is celebrating news it's now ranked 207th in the 2020 QS World Rankings.

The University has improved 7 places since last year's rankings and a total of 91 places since 2014.

Improvements in Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation and Citations per Faculty make up the bulk of the University's score, and the International Faculty score, which measures the University's ability to attract students from overseas, has remained at an all time high.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinksy AO said the score is thanks to a group effort from students and faculty.

"It would be hard to give the credit to any particular group of individuals. It's truly a group effort" said Professor Zelinksy

The QS World University Rankings considered 1620 institution from 82 locations, 37 Australian Institutions are considered in the count.

The University of Newcastle remains the 10th best University in the country.

Drunk Mum Allegedly Caught Behind The Wheel At Merewether After School Pick-Up

BY IAN CROUCH

A 42-year-old woman is due to face court next month accused of high-range drink driving after picking up her two children from school at Merewether.

Officers stopped a Toyota RAV 4 on Frederick Street at on Monday afternoon where the female driver returned a positive breath test.

A secondary test at Newcastle Police Station allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of point 239, more than 4 times the legal limit.

She's been granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on July 18.

Police have also suspended her licence and have lodged a child at risk report with the Department of Family and Community Sevices.

Special Commission Of Inquiry Into The Drug Ice Starts At East Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH

A Special Commission of Inquiry into the drug 'Ice' at East Maitland Courthouse has heard children as young as 12 are using the illicit drug in the Hunter.

The number of people over the age of 16 being hospitalised for crystal-meth related issues in the Hunter and Central Coast regions is above the state average and has increased dramatically in the past seven years.

The inquiry heard some teens are exchanging sex for the drug, placing them in captive-like situations with drug suppliers.

It's thought the exposure to parents who use Ice has desensitised children to the negative consequences of using the harmful stimulant.


The inquiry heard detox services for young people in the Hunter are almost non-existent, with many forced to go through withdrawal while in custody.

Special Commission of Inquiry into 'Ice' begins at East Maitland Courthouse

BREAKING! Newborn's Body Discovered at Stockton

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are appealing for the public's assistance following a tragic discovery at Stockton this morning.

Emergency services were called to a home on Church Street around 7 o'clock, where the body of a newborn baby had been found abandoned in the backyard.

Police hold grave concerns for the child's mother, who may need to seek urgent medical treatment.

A police operation is still underway at the home and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the baby's age and cause of death.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about the baby or the mother is urged to contact Newcastle detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Singleton Council Imposes Level 1 Water Restrictions

BY IAN CROUCH

Falling dam levels has prompted Singleton Council to impose new water restrictions in the wake of one of the toughest droughts on record.

Water storage levels at the Glennies Creek Dam have dropped to 53 percent, with Level ONE water restrictions to come into force from Wednesday June 26.

It means watering lawns and gardens will be restricted to between 6am and 10am and 4pm and 10pm in winter.

Washing down walls and paved surfaces will also be banned.

Council will allow an amnesty period before imposing penalties from September 1 on anyone caught misusing water.

For residential properties, level 1 (low) restrictions mean:

·        Watering of lawns by watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non-fixed sprinklers and hand-held hoses may only occur between 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm daily in winter.

·        Watering of residential gardens by watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non-fixed sprinklers and hand-held hoses may only occur between 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm daily in winter.

·         Topping up or filling of garden water features is permitted.

·         Irrigation of new turf is permitted for one week after laying, which after level 1 restriction of watering lawns applies.

·         Washing down of walls or paved surfaces is not permitted.

Elderly Woman Taken To Hospital After Shortland Home Guttered By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

A 76-year-old woman has been taken to the John Hunter hospital with smoke inhalation after a fire caused severe damage to a home at Shortland early on Tuesday.

Around 20 firefighters from Wallsend, Mayfield West, Lambton and Newcastle were called to to the single story clad home on Aden Street at about midnight to find the house well alight.

It's taken about 90 minutes to extinguish the fire - all the occupants managed to escape.

It's believed the fire started in the kitchen or dining room area, with an electrical fault the likely cause.

Good 'Old Fashioned Police Work' Nabs Would-Be Thief In Toronto Creek

BY IAN CROUCH

Officers have relied on old fashioned police work to arrest a would-be thief at Toronto.

The occupants of a home on Anzac Parade returned just after 1.00pm on Monday to find a man ransacking their residence.

He ran off dropping allegedly stolen items as he went.

Police were called and set up a perimeter, with a police dog tracking the man to a nearby creek.

They commandeered a boat and found the 22-year-old lying in mangroves trying to camouflage himself.

He's been refused bail to face Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 19 June 2019) charged with break and enter.

A Police Dog Tracked The Alleged Offender To A Toronto Creek

Police Appeal For Witnesses To Road Rage Incident At Summerland Point

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road rage incident in southern Lake Macquarie.

Police were called to reports of an assault at Cams Boulevard, Summerland Point last Wednesday, June 12th.

It's understood a verbal altercation occurred between the driver of a Blue Mazda CX5 and the driver of a Black Volkswagon at about 2.00pm on the Pacific Highway at Lake Munmorah just past the Elizabeth Bay Drive intersection.

The verbal exchange continued along Kanangra Drive and Summerland Road before both cars pulled over on Cams Boulevard.

Police say no-one was seriously injured and they're appealing for anyone with dash-cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.