Horror Long Weekend On Our Roads Prompts Plea From Police Minister

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police Minister and Swansea MP, Yasmin Catley says it was a horror long weekend on the state's roads, with 7 people killed including one in the Hunter.

Northern Region police issued more than 19-hundred infringements, with 615 drivers booked for speeding, 65 found to be over the limit and 123 driving with illicit drugs in their system.

A 19-year-old man lost his life when his motorcycle collided with a utility at Mount Thorley on Thursday night.

Police say in one case, a speeding driver at Lambton was found to be almost FOUR times over the limit when he was pulled over on Griffiths Road on Anzac Day.

It's alleged the 31-year-old tried to move into the passenger seat when police pulled up beside him, almost forcing the front seat passenger out of the vehicle.

Yasmin Catley says there are seven people who are not coming home and families are dealing with terrible grief.

"I implore everyone to make safe, responsible choices every time you operate a motor vehicle," she said.

Police Minister and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley

Young Man Dies After Being Shot Following Fight At Bar Beach

 BY IAN CROUCH

Homicide detectives are combing for clues after a man died after being shot following a fight at Bar Beach overnight.

Emergency services were called to the car park on Memorial Dive at about 11.40pm on Wednesday to find a man with a gunshot wound.

Paramedics treated him, but he died at the scene.

Police have been told a group of people were fighting in the car park when a white SUV drove up and a man armed with a firearm got out, fired, and left in the vehicle.

The victim is yet to be identified but is believed to be aged 18.

Strike Force Bolwarra comprising detectives from Newcastle and the Homicide Squad are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 

 

5.1 Magnitude Quake at Singleton – Did You Feel It?

 BY PETER HYSLOP

People across New South Wales have reported shaking after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Singleton and Broke.

There’s been almost 3000 felt reports of the tremor- it struck just before 3am at a depth of 10 kilometers.

People as far down as Sydney have reported shaking. In Newcastle homes have rattled- but emergency services haven’t recorded significant injuries or damage, though reports could come in during the morning.

It’s a bigger quake than the one felt in August last year, which caused minor damage to the town centre at Muswellbrook.

Experts say the Hunter-Mooki fault line is close to the region and could be to blame, which caused Australia’s deadliest earthquake in Newcastle in 1989, but locals are wondering if surrounding coal mine blasting could be playing a role.

The quake has been reported in world media including the New York Times.

Image Credit: GeoScience Australia

 

Petition Started to Protect Future of Gummun Place near Merriwa

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 A Change.org petition’s being started to keep aged care service Gummun Place open near Merriwa after Upper Hunter Shire Council said a decision’s yet to be made on a private operator.

Once permission has been received from a consultant, Council’s voted to release information on the process.

But residents say its closure would mean leaving elderly people without crucial support at the only facility of its kind in town.

They’re demanding an urgent intervention to save the Hostel from closure, and a comprehensive review of the Federal Government’s funding model for aged care.

It’s received over 450 signatures.

Gummun Place. Credit: Upper Hunter Shire Council

 

Police Seize Commercial Quantity Drug Haul from Blacksmiths Traffic Stop

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Police have allegedly seized large quantities of MDMA, methylamphetamine, cannabis and a large pill press from the Lake Macquarie home of a 34-year-old man at the weekend, following a routine traffic stop at Blacksmiths.

At Midday on Good Friday, officers from the Highway Patrol Command undertook a search of a Toyota SUV at the Blacksmiths surf club carpark. The driver allegedly failed the drug test.

The man allegedly resisted arrest and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

The following day detectives allegedly located the items in a search of his home. The matter’s now before court.

Blacksmiths Beach car park. Credit: Google Maps

 

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died in a two-vehicle crash at Muswellbrook.

About 5.30pm on Tuesday emergency services were called to reports of a collision between a utility and a motorbike on Maitland Street.

They arrived to find the motorcyclist, a man aged 18, had died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

Police say he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The driver and passenger of the ute - both men aged 19 - were not injured.

The driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

A report is being prepared for the coroner as investigations continue.
 

 

One Man Dead, Another Critical After Being Rescued From Surf At Shoal Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Port Stephens community has been rocked by the death of a swimmer at Shoal Bay.

Police say the 24-year-old man and another 25-year-old man, both Nepalese nationals were swimming at Zenith Beach at about 2.45 yesterday afternoon when they got into trouble in the surf.

It's believed a group of teenagers came to their aid, pulling both men from the water.

The younger man could not be revived and died at the scene.

The other man remains in the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.
 

Zenith Beach next to Tomaree Mountain at Shoal Bay

 

Police Launch Appeal To Find Lake Macquarie Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for information after a man has been reported missing from the Lake Macquarie area.

25-year-old Peter Gorman was last seen leaving a Windale property on April 10 and is known to frequent the Lake Macquarie & Sydney areas.

It's likely he is travelling on public transport.

Concerns are held for Peter’s safety due to his multiple medical conditions.

He's described as being of aboriginal appearance with a large build, shaved head and moustache and was last seen wearing black pants, black NFL Raiders T shirt & black runners.

Anyone with information on Peter’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 

 

Missing Man Peter Gorman

Man Assaulted And Robbed On Cardiff Street

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed at Cardiff early Friday morning.

Police say the 29-year-old was sitting on a bench on Veronica Street outside the Post Office just before 1.00am when he was approached by 3 males.

They spoke briefly to the man before assaulting him and taking his backpack.

The trio then fled in a white Toyota Tarago with green P plates.

The man was taken by ambulance to the John Hunter Hospital where he was treated to a laceration to his forehead.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV and are asking for anyone with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Man Arrested Over Alleged Armed Robbery On The Jewells Tavern

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have made a breakthrough in their investigation into an armed robbery on a pub at Jewells last month.

It's alleged a man forced his way into the Jewells Tavern on Ntaba Road at about 3pm on Tuesday March 25 and threatened staff with a broken bottle before escaping with cash.

Earlier this week, detectives released an image of a man they wished to question in relation to the incident.

Inquiries led them to an address on Doongara Close at Jewells on Thursday where they arrested a 31-year-old man.

He's been charged with robbery while armed with an offensive weapon and refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 11 April, 2025).

 
 

P-Plater Fined After Serious Crash At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have had a lucky escape from serious injury and a P-Plater has been fined following a crash at Raymond Terrace on Wednesday night.

Police say a Nissan X-Trail was travelling southbound on the Pacific Highway just before midnight when the driver swerved to avoid a slow moving vehicle and crashed at high speed into the cable barrier on the median strip.

It's believed the car overturned before coming to rest on it's wheels.

Two men and two women were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Meanwhile a 19-year-old man has been fined $544 and lost 3 demerit points after speeding through the crash scene at more than 100 km/hr.

Police say drivers are required to slow down to a safe speed when driving past crashes and traffic incidents on the highway. 

 

Hunter Hospitals Brace For Doctor Strike Action

 BY PETER HYSLOP

John Hunter and Maitland Hospitals are bracing for the fallout from a doctors strike which could see elective surgeries pushed back and emergency department wait times affected from today.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation contravened orders made by the Industrial Relations Commission and pushed ahead with the strike, which runs until Thursday.

The State Government says preparations are urgently underway to manage the impact on patients, they’re advising Hunter residents HealthDirect should be the first call if it’s not an emergency.

The Doctors union says the state’s public health system is at breaking point, and staff are burnt out and leaving the sector.

The John Hunter Hospital. New Lambton Heights, NSW. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Wallsend MP Joins Calls For Buses to be Put Back in Public Hands

 BY PETER HYSLOP

There’s a renewed push to improve what some residents have long described an unreliable bus network to be put back in State Government hands.

The former Baird Government privatised the system, offering a 10-year contract to French firm Keolis Downer.

The State’s Rail, Tram and Bus Union is now calling for the contract return to the State Government instead of renewal in 2027.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says the service offering needs to improve.

“I think the buses need to be better and more attractive and more available before people use them,” she said.

“There were major changes to bus routs under Keolis Downer and they haven’t worked.

“Let’s look at peak hour services and how to make them more efficient,” she said.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons

 

New Eating Disorders Clinic Set to Open at Charlestown

 BY PETER HYSLOP

People living with eating disorders will now be able to access a new specialist residential care facility in Charlestown.

The 12-bed centre is the first of its kind in NSW and will open today, with a price tag of $13.5 million.

The funding is part of a $63 million dollar Federal Government fund to deliver clinics nationally.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says the facility will provide a compassionate and understanding environment.

State Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says it’s an important addition to support services.

 

Credit: NSW Govt