BUCHANAN – Police Appeal for Help Following Suspicious Grass Fires

 Police are appealing for public help to locate a white Mazda SUV last seen in Kurri Kurri after a number of suspicious grass fires were sparked across the Hunter Valley.

At about midday on Sunday emergency services were called to a grass fire at Frame Drive and Gingers Lane at Sawyers Gully. A short time later crews were called to two more fires on John Renshaw Drive at Buchanan. The Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished both blazes.

At 3:40pm firefighters were called to a fire at John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill and another at Averys Lane. They were both extinguished.

Police have established a crime scene at all locations, and have commenced inquiries. Officers are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage of the white Mazda, or footage of any of the grass fires between 12pm and 4pm, to contact Crime Stoppers.

The white Mazda SUV. Credit / NSW Police

Appeal for Information over City Road Dirt Bike Crash

 Police are appealing for information following a six vehicle crash at the intersection of City and Brunker roads at Adamstown Heights yesterday (Wednesday 26 November).

It’s understood a dirt bike with two teenagers on board ran a red light and collided with a car at the intersection at 5:35pm.

The scene was difficult to attend for police in peak hour gridlock, but when they arrived a 17-year-old boy, the rider was treated by paramedics- he’s at John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The passenger of the motorbike, a 14-year-old boy, is also in hospital in a critical condition.

The five car drivers were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The Crash Investigation Unit is asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Credit / Google Maps

Woman Killed And Young Man Fighting For Life In John Hunter Hospital After Shark Attack On Mid North Coast

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has died and a man is in the John Hunter Hospital after being mauled by a shark on the Mid North Coast.

Emergency services were called to Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay north east of Taree about 6.30am today (Thursday 27 November 2025).

Bystanders provided aid to the pair until paramedics arrived, however the woman in her 20s died at the scene.

A man, also in his 20s was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with serious injuries in a critical condition.

The beach has been closed.

Surf Patrols and the Department of Primary Industries remain at the scene.

Lifesavers are continuing to monitor the coastline with drones in a bid to identify the species of shark involved.

 

  

 

 

BREAKING! Firefighters Battling House Fire At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a Raymond Terrace home overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Raymond Terrace, Tarro and Morpeth were called to the single level brick veneer home on Benjamin Lee Drive at 3.13am today (Thursday 27 November, 2025) to find the front half of the home well alight.

The occupants of the home managed to safely evacuate and no-one was injured.

It's taken crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control, with efforts continuing to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze.

It's believed a lithium battery in one of the rooms may have caused the fire.

 

Total Fire Bans Could Last All Week – RFS

 The RFS says it’s important for Hunter Families to be aware of the risks with extreme fire danger and storms forecast today and hot weather for the next few days.

Another total fire ban is forecast tomorrow (27 November) with dry weather taking us to the end of the week. There’s concern lightning strikes could spark new blazes.

Authorities they haven’t been able to get on top of back burning due to recent wet weather, but the highest risk areas near homes have been taken care of.

Lower Hunter District Manager Superintendent Martin Siemsen says it’s important to be prepared.

“There are potential ignition sources, we saw a couple of fires late yesterday afternoon, occur from that storm cell [in Muswellbrook]. Not a lot of rain and potential for lightning. So those ignition sources potentially exist today, which is a risk,” he said.

Police Appeal for Information on Break and Enters at Lake Macquarie

 Police are appealing for information on multiple break and enters in the early hours of October 28.

Eight males were captured on CCTV unsuccessfully attempting to enter a house on Maddie Street at Bonnells Bay, and were seen leaving in two vehicles, a white MG SUV and black Toyota Corolla.

Just before 4am police allege the males drove the vehicles to Freemans Drive at Cooranbong, where they tried to break into a service station with poles and hammers.

As daylight approached they attempted to access more homes at Catherine Hill Bay and entered a home on Macquarie Grove at Caves Beach, where an Isuzu ute was stolen.

Detectives with Operation Soteria have commenced an investigation, they wish to speak with occupants believed to be in their late teens who were spotted in the cars.

Anyone with information is being urged to come forward.

Port Stephens Councillor Lashes Out at New BOM Website

 A Port Stephens Councillor will tonight call for the Bureau of Meteorology to reverse its new $96 million website design, saying “ordinary Australians” are finding the new layout difficult to navigate.

A notice of motion being tabled by Councillor Giacomo Arnott will ask Council to write to Environment Minister Murray Watt and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson expressing “deep frustration” with the change.

Councillor Arnott says locals can’t get basic information.

“It’s an absurd and obscene amount of money to spend on a website that’s been delivered without the needs of Australians in mind and with services that are nearly unusable and inaccessible for local people, for local councils, for emergency management services,” he said.

“There’s certain bits of data that haven’t made the transition over to the new website at all. And that means the people that used to rely on that data just can’t access it. I think people are very lucky that they can still access the old website,” he said.

Search Under Way For Missing Man In Newcastle

 BY IAN  CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find a man missing in the Newcastle area. 

30-year-old Sunny Jenkins was last seen at the John Hunter Hospital at about 1.00pm on Sunday 23 November 2025 and there are concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Sunny's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a solid build, brown hair and  hazel-coloured eyes.

He's known to frequent the Swansea, Belmont and Garden Suburb areas.

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

Missing man Sunny Jenkins

 

Rising Tide Labels Port Exclusion Zone “Cowardly”

 Protest Group Rising Tide has labelled a marine exclusion zone in the Port of Newcastle “cowardly” and “draconian”.

No unauthorised vessels or people other than commercial vessels approved by the harbour master will be allowed to enter the Port during the planned Protestival, which begins on Thursday.

Authorities made an attempt to enforce the rule last year, but it was overturned in a last minute Supreme Court decision. Organisers say Transport for NSW has used a different section of the Marine Safety Act, and they won’t be challenging it in court.

Organiser Zack Schofield believes the State Government is repressing a peaceful protest.

“What it shows is a desire to keep the engine of the coal industry running 365 days a year without any sort of recourse for our young people, or for Hunter workers who are facing the collapse of that industry in the next five years,” he said.

“If the Government thinks that they can arrest their way out of their own policy failures, then they’re very much mistaken,” he said.

Credit / Rising Tide

“Not Good Enough” – Calls for Stockton Ferry Fleet Replacement

Frustration is growing among Stockton residents after the Newcastle to Stockton service went out of service yesterday for the second time this year.

Commuters had to wait nearly 30 minutes for bus replacements, taking their total travel time up to an hour for what would usually be a five minute trip.

Calls for new replacement ferries have been made by Newcastle Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. Current vessels have been in service since 1986.

Stockton Resident Barbara Whitcher says the State Government needs to find a plan soon.

“The people I’m really concerned about are those that don’t have a car and those that need, such as students, [who] need to catch the ferry and get into town and then either walk to appointments or get on the light rail,” she said.

“So, it’s exceedingly inconvenient for people here at Stockton, people at Fern Bay, others that come down and catch the ferry.

“There needs to be a minimum of two ferries operable all the time. It would be handy to have three, but at the moment we’ve got one faulty one that’s operating and that’s just not good enough,” she said.

Fed Govt Commits $5 Million For Post Mining Land Use

 The Federal Government will spend $5 million on paperwork for the future uses of the Mount Arthur Coal Mine at Muswellbrook and Glencore’s Macquarie Coal site near Lake Macquarie, with closures expected in coming years.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres says the spend will support the Hunter’s transition and ensure mining re-use reflects the priorities of local communities.

It comes as a University of Newcastle study is published today on what 70 Muswellbrook locals would like to see after the Mount Arthur Mine closes.

Ideas include establishing a multi-purpose community hub supporting local enterprises.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Hedda Askland says there was discussion on the economic impacts of mining.

“We really wanted to speak to the grassroots. We wanted to speak to the people that we don’t normally hear, the voices that are normally that may be discussing these things around the kitchen table, but we don’t hear them in the public,” she said.

“Everybody agreed that there will be a change in what mining looks like. People wanted to, I guess, honour the industrial heritage.

“A lot of people spoke about the implications of the drive-in, drive-out workforce, the implications of shift work, The fact that Muswellbrook now has a two-tiered economy between those who work within the mining industries and those [who] don’t,” she said.

The State Government has also today introduced legislation to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, which was promised in June.

The Bill gives the Authority the power to provide workforce support, and facilitate post mining land use.

Mount Arthur Mine. Credit / BHP

BREAKING! Crews Battling House Fire At Wangi Wangi

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a home at Wangi Wangi.

Newcastle Fire Command says 5 fire trucks were sent to Lakeview Road just before 6 o'clock on Thursday November 20, arriving to find a fire in an external garage had spread to the single level timber and cladding home.

Crews have managed to control the blaze, which has caused damage to two bedrooms.

Fire and Rescue says no-one was home when the fire broke out.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

Crews are still working to fully extinguish the fire.

 

BREAKING! Sewer Main Break At Belmont: Hunter Water Crews On Scene

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Water repair crews are working to fix a major problem with a sewer main at Belmont.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Belmont and the Hazmat unit from Newcastle were called to Capri Close just before 12.30am on Thursday November 20 to reports a sewer main had ruptured.

There were concerns untreated sewage was leaking into nearby Cold Tea Creek.

Hunter Water crews have shut off a sewer pump and restricted access to the area while repairs are carried out.

It's not clear at this stage if the break has impacted local homes or the creek.

Hunter Water has been contacted for comment.
 

 

13-Year-Old Boy Charged Over Random Sex Attack On Elderly Woman At Ashtonfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 13-year-old boy has been refused bail accused of knocking down and sexually assaulting an elderly woman at Ashtonfield near Maitland.

It's alleged the woman in her 80's was walking through Brooklyn Park at about 7.20pm on Monday November 17 when she was attacked by a young male who then left the scene on a scooter.

The woman was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Following extensive inquiries and a public appeal for information, police went to a home at East Maitland on Tuesday night and arrested a 13-year-old boy.

He's been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexually touch another person without consent and incite another to sexually touch them without consent.

He faced a children's court in Sydney yesterday (Wednesday 19 November, 2025) and has been refused bail to face the Broadmeadow Children's Court in January.

 

Nine Bikie Members Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Touching And Brawls In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Raptor Squad police have charged nine alleged Finks outlaw motorcycle gang members following an investigation into drug, firearm, affray and sexual touching related offences in the Hunter.

On Saturday November 1, police allege a 25-year-old woman was inappropriately touched on three separate occasions by a man she didn't know at a Merewether hotel.

Later the same night, police say three men were involved in a fight at the same hotel with one man threatening a patron with a cutlery knife.

Then the following Saturday, it's alleged a group of men attacked patrons outside a licenced premises in Shoal Bay.

Following extensive investigations, police executed warrants in Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland arresting eight men aged between 28 and 40 and a 26-year-old woman. 

Police allege weapons including unauthorised firearms and ammunition were found at properties in Maitland, Windale and Bellbird.

 

MAITLAND – Teen charged following alleged sexual assault of woman in her 80s

 NOTE: This story contains material some readers may find confronting.

A 13-year-old boy will face a children’s court charged with sexually assaulting an elderly woman at Ashtonfield on Monday.

Police allege the woman was walking in Brooklyn Park when she was allegedly knocked to the ground and sexually assaulted by the boy.

Detectives with Port Stephens Hunter District and the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad commenced inquiries under Strike Force Bosgar.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in East Maitland, and the boy was charged with a string of offences to face court today.

Brooklyn Park. Credit / Maitland Council

National Tertiary Education Union Members Protest at State Parliament

 National Tertiary Education Union Members are at State Parliament today protesting at the University of Newcastle's 60th anniversary celebrations.

Members are also striking for 24 hours today, claiming management should not be celebrating while staff are pressured under heavy workloads.

Branch Secretary Terry Summers believes the University can afford to pay academics better.

"Putting a lens on on people who are celebrating what a great job they're doing, when we believe they're not doing a great job," he said.

NTEU Members strike at Callaghan today

Keolis Downer Puts New Pay Offer To Newcastle Bus Drivers

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle bus operator Keolis Downer has put a revised offer to drivers in the hope of bringing industrial action to an end.

The company has made an Enterprise Agreement pay offer of 15.5% over four years with an extra 8% over the same period for Year 1 trainees.

This Trainee offer is designed to close the current wage gap and boost recruitment and retention of staff in the long term.

The revised offer retains existing conditions and entitlements.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union is yet to respond to the latest offer.

 

Occupants Safe After Fire Tears Through Home At Scone

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a home at Scone overnight.

16 firefighters from 3 stations were called to the single level fibro and tin roof home on Boronia Street just after 1.30am on Wednesday.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants and their pets managed to escape unharmed.

It's taken crews around an hour to extinguish the fire which caused damage to about 50% of the house.

The cause of the blaze is not known at this stage.

 

MAITLAND – Woman in Her 80s Sexually Assaulted on Path

 NOTE: This story contains material some readers may find confronting.

Police have launched an investigation following the sexual assault of a woman aged in her 80s near Maitland overnight.

Officers were told the woman was walking in Brooklyn Park between Kilkenny Circuit and Chelmsford Drive at about 7:30pm when she was forced to the ground by a male who attempted to sexually assault her.

The male fled and the woman contacted a family member who then alerted police. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Strike Force Bosgar has been established to investigate. Police would like to speak with a teenage boy having a dark complexion, wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts who as seen leaving the scene on a push scooter.

Anyone with information or footage is being urged to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers.

KURRI GAS PLANT – Testing to Continue For Up to 3 Weeks

 Hunter MP Dan Repacholi says he’d like to see hydrogen become part of the energy mix at the Hunter Power Project at Kurri Kurri.

The project has been criticised for cost blowouts, and the build only being capable of burning 30% hydrogen, despite earlier commitments to burn 100% hydrogen by 2030.

Residents are being advised testing of gas will be underway for the next three weeks, and they may notice a small plume coming from the plant, unlike what was seen earlier this year.

Dan Repacholi says hydrogen could become a larger part of the peaker’s energy mix.

“As hydrogen becomes more readily available and is produced a lot more and at the right prices, I would love to see more of that into this plant,” he said.

“So diesel won’t be used at all for the backup fuel in this testing phase. That will be tested later on in 2026. We don’t have the details just as of yet of when that diesel test will actually happen.

“[Snowy Hydro] have listened, obviously, and they’ve definitely got the consultation much better and they’ve informed us and also sent letters out to the community this time,” he said.

Credit: Australian Government Transparency Portal

Dozens Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out At Student Accommodation In Callaghan

 BY IAN CROUCH

More than a hundred residents have been evacuated after a fire broke out in student accommodation at Calllaghan.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Mayfield West and Lambton were called to a student accommodation block on Stannett Street just after 2.00am today (Monday 17 November 2025) to find the 5th floor of the complex filled with smoke.

150 residents were evacuated as crews began searching for the source of the fire - they found a fire in a rubbish bin in a bathroom of the one of the units.

The fire was quickly extinguished but it took crews more than an hour to fully ventilate the building before residents could return to their units. 

 

Teen Boys Face Court Over Pursuit At Hamilton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged two teenage boys after a pursuit in an allegedly stolen car at Hamilton overnight.

Around 10.00pm on Thursday 13 November 2025, a routine patrol spotted a white Isuzu MUX on Hassell Street.

The vehicle had been reported stolen from a home in Cameron Park the day before.

The officers began pursuing the SUV when it failed to stop for them.

The pursuit continued through Hamilton before coming to a stop in a Hassell Street car park where four occupants got out and ran off.

Police arrested two boys aged 14 and 15 a short time later and seized the vehicle for forensic testing.

The boys were taken to Newcastle Police Station where the older boy was charged with engage in police pursuit and breach of bail.

The younger boy was charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without consent of owner, and breach of bail.

Both have been refused bail to face a children's court today (Friday 14 November 2025).

  

 

 

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT – Fiji and New Zealand Next On List for Airport Boss

 Newcastle Airport has announced Jetstar will provide a service to Singapore’s Changi Airport via a 90-minute layover in Bali.

Jetstar will start the fourth service to Bali from March 29 next year.

But Airport CEO Linc Horton wants Fiji and New Zealand to be added to the list of international flights.

He says it’s next on the agenda.

“We’re super keen to keep pursuing New Zealand and Fiji [because] they are great environments for people for the Hunter to visit for friends and family and business.

“They also have that one-stop effect into the U.S. So, if if we can unlock both Fiji and New Zealand, again, it just creates more opportunities for the Hunter to visit the world,” he said.

Credit: Newcastle Airport

HAMILTON NORTH – SUV Flips Onto Roof Following Crash

 Police are appealing for dashcam footage after an SUV rolled onto its roof following a crash on Chatham Road at Hamilton North overnight.

At 10pm police were told a sedan and the SUV had collided causing it to flip. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to John Hunter Hospital for assessment. The driver of the sedan, a 44-year-old woman, was assessed but was not injured.

As inquiries continue, witnesses or those with dashcam footage are being encouraged to call Crime Stoppers.

UPDATE! Police Issue Appeal For Assistance After Young Girl Vanishes From Toronto High School

 BY IAN CROUCH

Good News! Police have advised Phoebe has been found safe and well. 

EARLIER: 

Police have issued a public appeal for help to find a teenage girl who's gone missing in the Lake Macquarie area.

13-year-old Phoebe Munoz was last seen leaving Toronto High School on Field Avenue at about 2pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 November 2025).

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

Phoebe's described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 150cm and 155cm tall, with a thin build, medium length blonde hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a blue school uniform and has braces.

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

 

Missing teen Phoebe Munoz

MOLYCOP – Newcastle Council Urges State Govt to Use Local Steel

 Newcastle Council will write to the State Government urging it to change its requirements around train wheel procurement.

Council unanimously endorsed an amended motion which calls on the Government to secure local contracts for fleet maintenance.

Operators of Mayfield steel manufacturer Molycop have warned jobs are at risk if the State Government doesn’t stop buying cheap wheels from China, instead of preferencing local suppliers.

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe says Council wants to see heavy manufacturing stay open.

“We’re advocating for our State and Federal Governments to make sure their procurement decisions support local manufacturing and local jobs.

“There was a bit of talk about the work that’s already been done by the Federal Government on things like dumping of cheaper goods into the state, but just continuing to advocate for protecting local jobs,” she said.

Credit / Molycop

E-Motorbike Rider Facing Court After Arrest In Carrington

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Newcastle e-motorbike rider has a date in court next month after being arrested for high range riding on the same afternoon he'd been warned about the legality of his bike.

Officers from Operation Shore Safe spoke to the 35-year-old after stopping him on Wharf Road at about 3.30pm on Sunday and issued him with a warning after educating him about the illegalities of his bike.

Later, the same man was stopped in Cowper Street, Carrington after being spotted riding the bike.

He was subjected to a roadside breath test and arrested after returning a positive result.

He was taken to the Newcastle Police Station where its alleged he returned a reading of .178 - more than 3 times the legal limit.

The man's been charged with 5 offences including high range PCA, never licensed to drive on the road and rider and passenger riding without a helmet.

He's due to face Newcastle Court on December 11.

 

BOLTON POINT – 83 Cannabis Plants Seized From Home

 A 60-year-old man will face court after a hydroponic cannabis crop was located inside a Bolton Point home about midday yesterday.

Police from the Lake Macquarie Proactive Crime Team made the discovery yesterday as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal cultivation of cannabis.

Electricians attended and discovered power to the house had been allegedly re-routed to avoid the meter box.

The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with a string of offences to face court today.

Credit / NSW Police

BREAKING! Fatality Stops Trains At Sandgate

 BY IAN CROUCH

Trains have been stopped on the Hunter line following a fatality on Tuesday morning.

Police and ambulance paramedics were called to the overpass near Sandgate Station at about 4.45am to reports a person had been struck by a train.

Police have confirmed a person has died at the scene.

The Transport Management Centre says no trains are running between Maitland and Newcastle Interchange and buses are being organised to replace passenger services.

 

Man to Face Court Following Singleton House Fire

 Court today for a 41-year-old man accused of throwing fuel on a 68-year-old man known to him and lighting a house fire on Castlereagh Street at Singleton yesterday afternoon.

At 5:30pm on Sunday, police were told the older man had rinsed the fuel off and ran from the scene uninjured. A short time later, flames were seen coming from the home, which was later destroyed.

During a search of the 41-year-old man police allegedly located methamphetamine. He was charged with a string of domestic violence related offences to face court today.

File / Wikimedia Commons

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL – Roof to Get Multi-Million Dollar Upgrade

 The heritage listed Christ Church Cathedral will undergo a major roof restoration over the next 18 months.

The Anglican Diocese says multi-million dollar works include repairing 28 copper roofs, drainage systems and repairing water damaged fabric.

Newcastle Anglican Bishop Dr Peter Stuart says the Cathedral is exposed to all kinds of severe weather.

“Through the storms that we’ve had in recent years and hail damage, there are pock marks all across the Cathedral roof. And so this project is about addressing that rain and water damage and ensuring that the Cathedral is watertight,” he said.

“The wind carries salt water, the salt water gets into the bricks and into the mortar. Effectively, the Cathedral is a building which will need ongoing maintenance, not dissimilar to cathedrals around the world,” he said.

Senior Project Manager at construction firm Duratec MJ Van der Vyver says the Cathedral will remain open.

“We’re starting at the back of the church next year in January, and then anticlockwise around the church up until 2027.

“We’ll be working in stages, so all the work won’t be happening continuously,” he said.

Newcastle Anglican Bishop Dr Peter Stuart

Truck Crash And Fire Closes Southbound Lanes Of M1 At Morisset

 BY IAN CROUCH

The southbound lanes of the M1 Pacific Motorway are closed at Morisset following a truck crash and fire.

Around 11.30pm on Sunday 9 November, 2025 it's understood a semi-trailer loaded with onions crashed into guard rail and caught on fire.

Newcastle Fire Command says the driver was shaken but otherwise unharmed.

Six fire trucks and a duty commander from Newcastle are still at the scene.

An excavator has been brought in to help pull the load apart to allow crews to fully extinguish the blaze.

Crews are currently cleaning up the site and it's hoped the freeway will re-open shortly

In the meantime, motorists can use the Mandalong Road southbound exit to pass the crash scene and rejoin the freeway.
 

 

 

Optus Says Welfare Checks Completed on Customers Following Triple 0 Outage

 Optus says it’s worked with police to ensure no one was seriously impacted following yesterday’s outage.

Cables were cut yesterday morning at a Hexham telecommunications tower in what police suspect was malicious damage.

The Optus network then went down in parts of Maitland and Port Stephens, and the camp-on system was activated, forcing Telstra towers to take emergency calls from Optus customers.

But some calls didn’t get through. The Telco says police did welfare checks on 13 customers who couldn’t dial the number.

Some were accidental calls, but police found no adverse outcomes.

The network was restored late last night.

Supplied / Optus

Police Investigate Suspicious House Fire At Singleton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are treating a fire which destroyed a house at Singleton overnight as suspicious.

Two Fire and Rescue and Three RFS crews were called to the weatherboard home in Wattle Ponds Road just before midnight on Wednesday November 5 to find the property up in flames.

Police say no-one is currently living at the home.

It's taken crews almost 3 hours to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze, with firefighting efforts hampered by a lack of water.

Police have set up a crime scene and detectives and forensic officers will examine the burnt out house on Thursday morning.

Crews on scene at the house fire at Wattle Ponds Picture Whittingham RFS

 

SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL – Third Person Arrested Following September Hold Up

Police say they’ve arrested a third person over the Sydney Junction Hotel hold up involving a Tina Turner style wig.

In the early hours of September 12 a man in a black and brown wig allegedly threatened staff with a firearm before making off with cash on the back of an e-bike west on Hudson Street.

A bag was later seized containing $30,020.

A man and a woman are before the courts charged over the incident.

In a traffic stop on Alick street at Belmont yesterday police arrested a 35-year-old man. He’s been charged with tampering a door and being the getaway e-bike rider.

He’s facing court today.

Credit / NSW Police

BREAKING! Service Station Worker Threatened With Knife At Kurri Kurri

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are searching for a man who allegedly threatened a service station worker with a knife at Kurri Kurri overnight.

Police say the man walked into the Lang Street business at about 9.45pm in Tuesday 4 November, 2025 and was confronted by an employee after he was seen attempting to steal items.

It's alleged the worker was threatened with a knife before the man left the store with the items.

The employee, a 24-year-old man, wasn't injured.

Police have set a crime scene and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

 

Appeal Launched To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are appealing for help to find a teenage boy who's gone missing from Belmont.

15-year-old Declan Hannaford was last seen at about 5.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 4 November, 2025) in Edgeworth and police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his young age.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 110cm tall with a medium build and dark hair, and was last seen wearing dark-coloured clothing.

Police believe he may be in the Rutherford area.

Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact Belmont Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing teen Declan Hannaford

 

Truck up in Flames at Warabrook

 A truck carrying diesel has gone up in flames at the Transgrid substation at Warabrook, near the University of Newcastle.

Fire and Rescue says crews were waiting for the power to be switched off before firefighters could pour water on the blaze.

Local residents are being advised of possible pollution from the accident.

Warabrook substation. Credit / Google Maps

Oui Oui to Pay Rise – Newcastle Bus Drivers Protest

 The Rail Tram and Bus Union says Newcastle and Lake Macquarie drivers are wearing berets as part of a “Calendar of Chaos” in a bid to get management back to the enterprise bargaining table.

Drivers want a pay increase and safety provisions from the French firm, and the union’s warning of more action later this month if an agreement can’t be reached.

Tram and Bus Divisional Secretary David Babineau says it’s been tricky engaging with the overseas company.

“There’s some cute actions like the berets, which obviously highlights the fact that Keolis as a company is three quarters owned by the French Government. So we’re trying not to impact people but the last week of the calendar there are actions scheduled which will impact services,” he said.

“It’s been extremely difficult and, if the company’s just turning around and saying, ‘we’re not going to meet,’ there’s not much you can do about it.

“If we have progress and the members are satisfied with it, then we can look at not taking those actions,” he said.

Supplied: Rail Tram and Bus Union

Man Arrested Over Cessnock Club Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court in November accused of deliberately setting fire to community club at Cessnock earlier this month.

Around 8.00am on Sunday October 19, Police were called to reports of a fire at the PCYC in Short Street, arriving to find entry had been gained into the foyer area and a fire set with what they believed was an accelerant.

The fire failed to spread before self-extinguishing.

Following investigations, police arrested a 39-year-old man at a house in Kurri Kurri yesterday morning.

He was charged with break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence and damage property by fire.

The man's been granted strict conditional bail to face Cessnock Court on November 19.

 

Fire Crews Called To Blaze At Wire Rope Factory In Mayfield East

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to an industrial complex at Mayfield East.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Bekaert Wire Rope factory in George Street just before 3.00am today (Wednesday 29 October 2025) to find a vat containing 7000 litres of grease inside a 300 by 100 metre tin building on fire.

7 fire trucks were called to the incident however the automatic sprinkler system and quick work by firefighters suppressed the flames, with the fire completely extinguished by 4.10am.

Two crews remain on scene to cool the vat with water and prevent re-ignition.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

 

Car Allegedly Stolen During Home Invasion At Caves Beach

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a home invasion at Caves Beach.

Police have been told three people armed with a weapon forced their way into the Macquarie Grove home at about 5.00am today (Tuesday 28 October,2025) where a 43-year-old man was living.

They left in the man's white Isuzu SUV with the NSW registration FGW 89J - the man wasn't injured and police were called.

Police are investigating if two earlier incidents are linked.

The first incident happened about 4.00am when a group of males attempted to break into a service station on Freemans Drive at Coorangong - they were unable to gain entry and left empty-handed.

The second incident occurred a short time later when a group attempted to enter a premises on Barbers Road at Cooranbong. They tried to enter a vehicle but again left empty handed.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.