Wednesday 30 September 2020

Injured Sharks Given New Life Thanks to Hunter Rescue Centre

 BY KAYNE STEPHENS

Injured sea creatures unlikely to survive in Hunter waterways are being saved from fish markets and then looked after in public aquariums.

The new Shark and Ray Rescue Centre which opened this week at Bobs Farm is allowing Port Stephens fishermen to bring in injured creatures for rescue.

The Centre's Director, Andrew Tindale, says rescued sharks and rays are raised until they're big enough to move into public aquariums.

"The alternative is that they've got a very low chance of surviving if they are hurt," he said.

"We can do a lot with the animals as an educational tool, whether that be in our aquarium or in public ones just showing people that sharks and rays are quite cool and unique animals and are deserving of protection," he said.

Mr Tindale says the rescue centre has formed a partnership with fishermen who sometimes encounter the creatures.

"We're working with local commercial fishermen to take any shark and rays that may be damaged in their nets, and also buying some of their catch that they would normally sell as food."

The Rescue Centre is also planning to build a seahorse and clownfish farm also aimed to help reduce the number of creatures caught and sold for food.

"We've got our first batches of breeding animals and we're looking to slowly produce baby seashores. We've got a few pregnant seahorses at the moment.

"The clownfish, it's the same principle. Anything we can breed and sell to the aquariums takes pressure off wild caught animals," he said.

More information about visitor pricing and memberships can be found at www.sharkray.com.au  

 It's hoped the rescue centre will mean fewer creatures are sold for food or caught for aquariums.
Image: Andrew Tindale.


UPDATED: Shots Fired in Kurri Kurri, Man in custody

BY ISABEL EVERETT and KAYNE STEPHENS

A man will face court on Thursday charged over an alleged public place shooting in Kurri Kurri. 

About 12.15pm on Wednesday, police were called to Lang Street, following reports of shots fired.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a perimeter, assisted by Port Stephens-Hunter Police District.

A large-scale search of the area was conducted with the assistance of PolAir and Operation Utah officers and a 40-year-old man was arrested on Lang Street about 1.40pm.

Police attended a nearby residence and located the rifle in a vehicle. It was seized along with 16 other registered firearms and ammunition.

The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with use unauthorised firearm, steal firearm, not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol, use intimidation/violence to unlawfully influence person, and fire firearm in or near public place.

Police allege the man, armed with a rifle, confronted trail bike riders in nearby bushland before discharging the firearm into the air.

He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court. 





Police Cracking Down on Hunter Pubs, Motorists, and Beach-goers This Summer

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police commenced operation, "Summer Safe" on Tuesday across the Hunter, which will see officers cracking down on alcohol related violence, and anti-social behavior at licensed venues, public spaces and entertainment precincts. 

The operation will run from now until the end of summer in February 2021.

Police will also be monitoring adherence to public health orders, social distancing and ensuring COVID-19 Safety Plans are being enacted.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, is urging all New South Wales residents who live in regional NSW or who are planning to travel to the regions to expect a regional visit with a difference.

“We are all aware of the additional risks that the COVID-19 pandemic poses, with tens of thousands of people moving about the state and the additional risk of community transmission ever present."

“We must not forget that the virus doesn’t follow borders restrictions and hotspot declaration and – when families take a holiday closer to home this year – we have to keep our regional citizens in mind."

“Officers from all Northern Region police districts will be conducting regular and high-visibility patrols and checks of major tourist destinations, to ensure social distancing and COVID-19 Safety Plans are being enacted.

The Commissioner said police would also be working closely with councils and NSW Surf Lifesaving to ensure social distancing was being observed at beaches and ocean baths. 

Road safety will also be a focus of Operation Summer Safe, with Traffic and Highway Patrol officers to assist police districts with targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while fatigued, mobile phone and other traffic offences.

“Double demerits forms part of the first phase of Operation Summer Safe, with the October long weekend only a few days away,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.

“Always drive to the conditions and never get behind the wheel tired; your beachside or vineyard holiday will still be there, even if you are a few hours late.”

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell




Bus and Car Crash on Pacific Highway at Kahiba Road

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

A bus and car have collided on the Pacific Highway at Highfields.

The accident occurred at around 11 o'clock this morning at the Kahiba Road turn off.

One of the drivers has been transported to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.

It's understood a silver sedan rolled in the incident.

UPDATE: 

Traffic is now clear.




Vehicle Smashes Into Cessnock Shop Front, Trapping Driver

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A vehicle plowed into a shop in Cessnock on Wednesday morning, trapping the driver inside.

 Fire and Rescue crews arrived at the store on Darwin Street, just before 10 o'clock. 

As a result of the crash the structural integrity of the shop had been severely impacted.

Firefighters are currently working with specialist engineers to render the building safe.

The driver of the vehicle has been safely extricated from the car and is being treated on scene by NSW Ambulance.

Residents are advised to avoid the area while operations are ongoing.

Photo, NSW Incident Alerts

Photo, FRNSW

Fire Destroys Home at Gillieston Heights

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Residents have survived a fire which engulfed a home at Gillieston Heights on Tuesday night. 

Just before 5pm Fire and Rescue crews from across the Hunter arrived at the scene on Holland Street, to find a single storey home well alight, with large volumes of smoke issuing from the roof. 

Firefighters worked to control the fire whilst protecting the fire from spreading to neighboring properties.

More than twenty fire fighters from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service worked for over an hour to extinguish the blaze. 

While the home was significantly damaged firefighters managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to surrounding homes.

One person was treated on scene by NSW Ambulance for smoke inhalation. 

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.


Tuesday 29 September 2020

Man Dies After Falling From Hotel Balcony in Newcastle

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A report is being prepared for the coroner, after a man reportedly fell from a a fourth floor balcony, at a hotel on Scott Street, Newcastle.

At around 8.40pm on Monday night, emergency services were called to the scene. 

The man is yet to be formally identified, however, is believed to be aged 37.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene, which was forensically examined by specialist police.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced. 

The incident temporarily suspended Newcastle light rail services between the Newcastle Interchange and Newcastle Beach as police carried out operations. 

The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and police believe it may have been a misadventure. 

Lifeline 13 11 14. 



Wanted Man Arrested, After Being Flushed Out by Police Dog Squad in Hamilton South

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man wanted by police on outstanding warrants has been arrested in Hamilton South, after being flushed out by the Police Dog Unit. 

Newcastle City Police shared a post on their page on September 14, seeking information on the whereabouts of the 35-year-old man. 

The post reached 23,437 members of the community and was shared 157 times.

About 6:05pm on Monday,  Police tracked the man down to an address in Coady Street, Hamilton South. 

As plain clothes police approached, the man allegedly ran through a number of rear yards and attempted to hide.

The Police Dog Unit and PD VEGAS flushed the man out causing him to jump a fence, only to fall into the waiting arms of a plain clothes police officer. 

When searched police located suspected stolen property and knuckle dusters in his possession.

He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with the two arrest warrants, and three fresh offences, including goods in custody reasonably suspected stolen, possess prohibited weapon and obtain property by deception (relating to a break, enter and steal that occurred at Cooks Hill on September 20. 

The man was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court today on Tuesday.


Monday 28 September 2020

Newcastle Set to be Integrated into the East Coast Gas Grid

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle may soon be further integrated into the east coast gas grid.

Energy infrastructure company, Jemena, revealed plans on Monday, to extend its 797km Eastern Gas Pipeline (EGP) from Horsley Park in Sydney to the Hunter Valley.

Jemena is proposing to extend the EGP by around 185km and is also progressing plans to modify the pipeline so it can transport more gas to New South Wales,  and move gas bi-directionally between New South Wales and Victoria. 

Jemena’s Managing Director, Frank Tudor, said the proposal will connect the Hunter Valley to existing domestic gas fields and emerging new sources.

This includes a proposed LNG import terminal at Port Kembla and another proposed import terminal at Newcastle.

“Jemena is looking to invest upwards of $400 million to extend the EGP north from Horsley Park into the Hunter Valley,” said Mr Tudor. 

“Our project is ideally placed to shore up supply for industry in the region and would be capable of servicing new gas-powered generation on the Central Coast."

"Our early modelling suggests an extension of the EGP would be capable of delivering upwards of 300TJ/per day to the Hunter Valley which can be used to generate approximately 1,500MW of electricity.”

Mr Tudor said Jemena has been working actively on pipeline route options in the Hunter Valley and is preparing to commence community and stakeholder engagement. 

Jemena expects to make a Final Investment Decision on the EGP Horsley Park to Hunter Valley extension project by the end of 2021, with first gas to flow as early as 2023. 





Man Facing Court Over Alleged Violent Brawl at Rugby Match in Dora Creek

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged following an alleged brawl in Lake Macquarie earlier this month.

Just before 5pm on Saturday September 19, police were called to Dora Creek Workers Club Oval, where Dora Creek beat West Wallsend 36-16 in their Newcastle Hunter Community Rugby League A-grade match.

Dozens of people, including spectators and players became involved in the altercation, with the West Wallsend team later disqualified from participating in the remainder of the season. 

It was revealed one of the West Wallsend players involved was on parole at the time. 

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, however, those involved had dispersed.

Following extensive inquiries, a 22-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station about 8.30am on Monday, where he was arrested.

He has since been charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

 He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday afternoon. 







Police Searching For Man, Who Threatened Mount Hutton Bottle Shop Employee With a Gun

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police are investigating after an armed robbery in Lake Macquarie.

About 6.15pm on, a man entered a bottle shop on Wilsons Road at Mount Hutton, threatening a 24-year-old staff member with a firearm.

He demanded cash before fleeing the scene in an easterly direction towards South Street, Windale.

Lake Macquarie Police District officers were called a short time later and established a crime scene.

The man is described as being between 180cm to 185cm tall, wearing dark clothing with his face covered.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm last night, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from nearby is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.



Appeal for Anonymous Caller to Come Forward, Following Suspicious Death of Firefighter Ian Pullen

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Detectives are appealing for an anonymous caller to come forward as they continue investigations into the suspicious death of a man in the state’s Hunter region nearly two years ago.

Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street at Glenridding, after a man’s body was located on the side of the road.

The man was later identified as New Zealand firefighter Ian Pullen, aged 43, who had come to the Hunter region to assist with bushfire efforts.

Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District formed Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.

Investigators believe Mr Pullen was struck by a vehicle between 4am and 5.30am that day.

An anonymous call made to police indicated that the vehicle involved returned to the scene, where the occupants exited the car and approached Mr Pullen while he was still alive.

A $350,000 reward remained on offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Pullen’s death.

“Ian Pullen had come to the region to help the community battle a bushfire threat and to think that someone struck him with their vehicle and left him to die is abhorrent,” Det Insp Zimmer said.

“An anonymous tip-off has led investigators to believe the driver of the vehicle knew they had struck someone, and police are interested in their movements after exiting the car."

“We are appealing for that caller to come forward and speak with investigators so we can continue to piece together exactly what happened on that tragic morning."

“It’s been nearly two years since Mr Pullen’s death, and we want to provide some answers for his heart-broken family. They need to know what happened to their loving son, husband and father,” Det Insp Zimmer said.


Ian Pullen

Friday 25 September 2020

Residents Evacuated After Car Crashes Into Unit Complex At Glendale

BY IAN CROUCH

The occupants of a unit complex at Glendale are counting the cost after a car crashed into the building overnight.

Emergency services were called to Lake Road at about 11.30pm on Thursday to find the car had crashed into the ground floor unit, causing extensive structural damage.

Luckily the occupants of the car and the units escaped injury.

Fire crews used props to make the building safe however upstairs residents had to find alternative accommodation for the night.



The downstairs unit sustained extensive damage when a car ploughed into the building at Glendale on Thursday night Pictures: Cardiff Fire & Rescue

Hunter Lifesavers Expecting Big Crowds on the Beach As Patrol Season Begins

 BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter lifesavers are looking forward to big crowds on our local beaches this Saturday with the start of the patrol season.

With most of the community unable to travel overseas or interstate for their holidays, beach attendance is expected to be high.

Hunter Surf Lifesaving will raise the flags at Nobbys Beach at 9am to start off their 103rd season of patrolling Hunter beaches, while 62 new lifesavers will also be tested to join the club's 8,000 strong membership.

Rhonda Scruton, CEO of Hunter Surf Lifesaving, says the pandemic meant the upcoming season would be the "same but different".

"Everyone's under stress," Ms Scruton said. "We want people to enjoy their wellbeing being out in the sun at the beach, though it is a matter of just coming along, do the right thing, 1.5 metres apart, have your swim, dry off, and maybe go home so someone else can come."

"We will be asking people to social distance more, and if we do reach capacity, we will be asking people to leave the beach so others can come and enjoy the beach also."

Danny Napper, Beach Team Leader of Lake Macquarie Lifeguards, said local beaches could fit up to 5,000 people but were unlikely to reach capacity.

"We're still encouraging people to come down, swim in the flags obviously, because that's the safest place, but spread out when you're on the beach," Mr Napper said. 

"There's plenty of room on the sand, so make sure you're getting that one towel width apart, giving yourself a fair bit of distance between groups as well."

                                               Lifeguard Kye Taylor practicing Jet-Ski rescues off Blackmsiths Beach 

Thursday 24 September 2020

"Door Knocking Scam" Reportedly Targeting Wallsend and Surrounding Suburbs

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is alerting residents about a suspicious door knocking scam reportedly targeting Cardiff, Wallsend and surrounding suburbs over the last 24 hours.

They are allegedly claiming to be collecting money for local Breast Cancer support services, however the local Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation doesn't raise funds by approaching individuals in their homes , and does not authorise volunteers to door knock on their behalf.

Sonia Hornery says, "It's a good reminder to be wary of anyone knocking on your do and asking for money or credit card details."

"If you feel unsafe or are suspicious of anyone knocking on your door and posing as a charity worker, please contact NSW Police Force immediately on 131 444."

"Let me know if your suburb is being targeted so we can build a list." 


Update! Car Plunges Over Cliff At Bar Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

The woman behind the wheel of a car which plunged 20 metres off a cliff at Bar Beach injuring a mother and her baby is expected to face a bedside bail hearing today.

The 46-year-old remains under police guard in the John Hunter where it's expected she will be charged with dangerous driving occasioning actual bodily harm.

A 40-year-old woman who was on the beach with her infant child has been treated for a broken leg.

Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson says everyone involved is lucky to be alive.

"I've seen people not survive a fall of that. After 11 years in the Crash Unit I'm very surprised that we've got these minor injuries involved in this incident," he said.

EARLIER:

Two women and a child have been injured after a car drove off a cliff and crashed onto a beach in Newcastle on Thursday. 

About 10.25am, emergency services were called to the top car park off Memorial Drive, at Bar Beach in Newcastle, following reports that a car had gone off a cliff.

Police have been told the white Volkswagen Golf, driven by a 32-year-old woman, drove off the cliff from the top car park and landed on the sand.

A 40-year-old woman and her infant child, who were on the beach, were struck by the car.

The father of the child was reportedly in the water at the time and witnessed the incident.

The woman sustained possible leg fractures and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. The child suffered minor scratches.

The driver of the Volkswagen was treated at the scene for minor injuries before being taken to the same hospital where she will also undergo mandatory testing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police are investigating reports there was a male passenger in the Volkswagen.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam footage, is urged to come forward.

The car park has been cleared and members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.

A retrieval operation is underway to remove the vehicle from the beach.
                                         
                                                                             Image Credit: Twitter




Clean-up Project at Newcastle's Historical Gasworks Site Complete

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A project to clean-up Newcastle’s former Clyde Street gasworks is now complete, after energy infrastructure company, Jemena, finalised its remediation works at the site.

Jemena acquired the 7.4 hectare site in 2006, investing over $11.5 million since October 2019, to remediate historical contamination at the site.

The site was an operational gasworks from 1913 to 1985 – prior to Jemena’s acquisition, before remediation following several years of planning and community consultation. 

Formally, Hydrocarbon gas was collected from heated coal at the site, but waste contaminants have been detected leaching into nearby ground water and Styx Creek.

Project Director, Oliver King, said the project will now move into a monitoring phase.

“Our next step is to demobilise the site, retaining a skeleton staff who will monitor the effectiveness of the controls we’ve put in place. The monitoring data will be provided to the independent EPA-accredited Site Auditor as part of the Statutory Audit process,” said Mr King.

Jemena has remediated the Clyde Street site to a commercial-industrial standard using an EPA approved cap and contain methodology. 

Mr King said that while Jemena has not yet made any plans in relation to the future use of the site, it was open to discussing with local businesses or developers how the site could be repurposed.

Activities taken throughout the remediation period involved the installation of a 510 metre subterranean wall to redirect groundwater flow away from contaminated materials.

At its peak the project created 44 jobs, including many for members of the Hunter region.

Mr King said Jemena had worked closely with the local community and businesses throughout the project. 

“The support of the community was paramount throughout the project and we thank them for their patience and understanding over not just the last eleven months, but over a number of years as we worked to plan and implement remediation works." 

                                                                        Newcastle Gasworks - September 2020



Calls for Hunter Representative On New Committee Managing NSW Stadiums and Showgrounds


The state opposition is moving a notice of motion, calling on the Berejiklian Government to include a representative from the Hunter on a new board and advisory committee to manage venues throughout NSW.

The Berejiklian Government will put forward legislation in Parliament this week, which will bring together a range of sporting and entertainment venues throughout NSW under a single board, including Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground.


Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz says given the importance of McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground to the network of venues in NSW, the Hunter region should be represented.

“It’s not good enough for the current government to give assurances about Newcastle’s venues having a strong voice at the table; we want to make sure of it by making it a requirement,” she said.

“Merging the existing Venues NSW with the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust creates a huge body where smaller venues risk having their needs overlooked.”

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said that given the size and importance of the Newcastle facilities to the region, the Hunter deserves a seat at the table.

“McDonald Jones Stadium plays a crucial role in driving Hunter tourism, including as the host for several international soccer matches in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he said.

“However the Government’s focus has been solely on Sydney stadiums, while our long-mooted redevelopment of the precinct into a world class facility has been relegated to the backburner.

“The redevelopment of the Hunter Sports and Entertainment precinct must be one of the key projects Venues NSW progresses in the coming years and it is critical we have local representation on the board and advisory committee to move this stalled project forward.

“Yet again we have seen this Sydney-centric government completely forget about Newcastle and the Hunter region when setting up the board and committee - Labor’s amendment will address this,” Tim Crakanthorp said.

McDonald Jones Stadium will be managed by a central venues authority Picture: austadiums.com








University of Newcastle Researchers Predict More Tropical Cyclones To Hit East Coast this Season

BY ISABEL EVERETT

University of Newcastle researchers have published new modelling which provides early warnings about the number of tropical cyclones expected to hit Australia during the next cyclone season. 

The data published on Wednesday in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, is predicting average to above average tropical cyclone numbers for Australia, including on the East Coast, this season (November 2020 – April 2021).

There is a 94% chance that La Niña conditions will develop before the start of the tropical cyclone season which typically results in more of the extreme weather systems developing. 

Developed by Climate Scientist Dr Andrew Magee from the Centre for Water, Climate and Land at the University of Newcastle, the new model enables government, emergency services, financial services, the insurance industry, the tourism sector, natural resource industries and all people living in tropical cyclone impacted regions to be better prepared in the months before the start of the tropical cyclone season.

"Our new model looks to predict the number of tropical cyclones a couple of months before the start of the Australian season," Dr Magee says. 

"Hopefully the outlook will be adopted by State and Local Governments, as well as individuals."

However he says the advice and guidance produced by the outlook is a research driven product, and does not, and should not replace the advice provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 

The outlook is freely available on the tcoutlook.com website, and is updated every month. 

                                                  Dr Andrew Madgee, University of Newcastle

Expected Tropical Cyclone Count for 2020/21 Season 

Tropical Cyclone Probabilistic Outlook 2020/21 Season

$10 Million Integrated Health Centre Opens it's Doors in Cardiff South

 BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

A new integrated health centre will be opening it's doors in Cardiff South on Thursday,  after 10 years in the making.

The $10 million dollar, Atune Health, centre is located on the corner of Ada Street and Macquarie Road, and brings over 80 health and medical professionals under the one roof of what used to be the Cardiff Squash Centre. 

"The renovated building is being labelled an Australian first for its integrated style containing various practitioners and specialists all part of the one team," Atune Health CEO Simon Ashley says. 

"The centre is a one stop health centre. We're bringing all the different modalities, we've got medical specialists, general practitioners, allied health and complementary services all working together in the one space." 

An acute herbal dispensary will even be located in the medical waiting room. 

Construction saw 27 trades working on-site over the past 12 months. 

“ATUNE is really about a dream coming true. When I was 19 I was in hospital for a couple of months with a serious condition and I saw that there were a few deficiencies around integration and individualized care." 

"About 14 years ago I established an osteopathy room in my home at Eleebana and within a couple of years, I had met and involved a number of other health and medical professionals who also believed in the advantages for the community." 

Eight squash courts and squash club facilities have been retained, as well as a Pilates and yoga studio that have been refurbished.

A 25 metre indoor hydro pool will be refurbished along with a sauna and spa facility for rehabilitation regimes. 

"People don't have to go all over town to get continuity of care, they can just come to the one place and they can have all the different things they require all done together." 

"Our team all work together. We don't just have different individual businesses doing their own thing. Most of the big super-centres that you see basically put whoever they can into that space."

"We've really changed that model where all the people who work at Atune actually work together. The whole business is oriented around integration so we work with the clients as a whole team." 

                                                                     Image Credit: Hunter Headline 

Appeal To Find Missing Newcastle Man

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for public help to find a man who's gone missing from Newcastle.

47-year-old Andrew Weatherstone has not been seen or heard from by his family since Saturday night and there are concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and eyes and a moustache.

It's believed Andrew may be driving a white Toyota Camry.

Missing: Andrew Weatherstone

Anna Bay Woman Dies After Her Home Allegedly Broken Into

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged a woman over a break and enter at Anna Bay during which a resident suffered a medical episode and died.

It's alleged the woman went to the home on Old Main Road at about 11pm on Tuesday and spoke with the two female occupants who were known to her.

Police say she left before returning about an hour later and climbed through a window before being escorted out the front door by a 37-year-old resident.

The other resident, a 59-year-old woman suffered a medical episode during the incident and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital but died a short time later.

The 47-year-old alleged offender was arrested nearby and has been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on November 23.

The woman has not been charged over the death.




BREAKING! Dog Rescued From Burning Home At Kahibah

BY IAN CROUCH

A dog has been rescued from a burning home at Kahibah.

Neighbours of the single level brick and tile home in Hexham Street noticed smoke coming from under the front door just after 7.00pm on Wednesday.

Six fire units from Charlestown, Tingira Heights, Merewether and Lambton were sent to fight the fire which caused extensive damage to property.

Police say the occupant arrived home as crews were battling the flames and a dog inside was rescued unharmed.

It's taken about an hour for firefighters to douse the flames.

It's believed a computer charger may have caused the fire.

Police and fire investigators will return to the scene this morning, however the fire is not being treated as suspicious.




Wednesday 23 September 2020

Man Allegedly Blows High Range After Crashing Mercedes At Nelson Bay


A man has been charged after crashing his Mercedes into another car while allegedly more than six times the legal blood alcohol limit in Port Stephens.

Police will allege the 47-year-old was driving the Mercedes north on Hardy Street, Nelson Bay, when he crashed the car into a Hyundai Accent about 3.50pm (Tuesday 22 September 2020).

Three people were inside the Hyundai, with one suffering minor injuries. The 47-year-old was uninjured.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter region attended and subjected the man to a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.

He was arrested and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station, where he returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.326.

The man was charged with drive with high range PCA and granted conditional bail to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 19 October 2020.