Morpeth to Walka Shared Walkway on Public Exhibition

 Maitland residents are being invited to put forward suggestions for the new $13 million Morpeth to Walka shared pathway.

Council says the walkway aims to increase transport and connectivity across expanding suburbs.

The project designs have been placed on public exhibition and residents will be able to have their say up until October 7th before a final report is submitted to Council.

Councillor Warrick Penfold says he wants the path to be useful in the broader transport network.

"It's very important we get this right because these pathways are going to be a very big part of ... moving around in the future," he said.

Credit: Maitland Council

Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Young Girl In Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Tuesday 26 August, 2025) charged over the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in Newcastle.

Police say around 1.30am on Friday August 15 a 14-year-old girl was waiting at Hamilton Railway Station when she was approached by an unknown man.

It's alleged he followed her to nearby Fern Street Islington where he sexually assaulted her.

Around 7.00am on Monday, detectives with the assistance of the Raptor Squad executed a search warrant at a home on Campden Street, Thornton.

They seized clothing, a backpack and an electronic device.

A 37-year-old man was arrested at the property.

He's been refused bail charged with having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 14 and 16 and failing to comply with an order to provide digital evidence.

 

 

Fears Held For Missing Gillieston Heights Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fears are growing for a teenage boy who's gone missing from Gillieston Heights.

14-year-old Raymond Anderson was last seen on Paradise Street last Friday and extensive inquiries have failed to locate him

Police have concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Raymond is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall with a thin build and brown hair.

He's known to frequent the Newcastle and Maitland areas.

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

Missing teen Raymond Anderson

 

Police Lay Charges Over Alleged Assault Of Elderly Man Outside Mayfield Cafe

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been charged over the alleged assault of another man outside a café in Newcastle earlier this month.

Police commenced an investigation on Tuesday 12 August 2025, following reports an 80-year-old man was assaulted outside a café on Maitland Road, Mayfield, about 2.45pm on Sunday 10 August 2025.

The 80-year-old man was uninjured.

Following inquiries, on Tuesday 19 August 2025, a 39-year-old man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for common assault.

He is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 2 October 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Man Arrested As Part Of Investigation Into Bar Beach Murder

 BY IAN CROUCH

A third man has been charged for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of a man at Bar Beach earlier this year.

It's alleged a group of people were fighting in the Bar Beach car park on the night of April 23 when a white SUV drove up before a gun was fired towards 18-year-old  Ekampreet Singh Sahni.

Police carried out a search of a home on Tirriki Street Charlestown on Wednedsay, allegedly finding $7,900 in cash, 28 grams of cocaine and an electronic device.

An 18-year-old man was arrested at the property.

He's been charged with two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, failing to disclose a driver's identity and possession of an illegal gun.

He's been refused bail to face court today (Thursday 21 August 2025).

Two other men remain before the courts.

 

Alleged shooting victim Ekampreet Singh Sahni

 
 

BREAKING! Two Boys Charged Over Alleged Stabbing At Charlestown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two boys are expected to front the children's court today (Thursday 21 August 2025) accused of another stabbing at Charlestown overnight.

Witnesses have told police two people allegedly assaulted a 32-year-old man with a knife at the North Piazza outside the Charlestown Shopping Centre on Ridley Street just after 8.30pm before the pair ran off.

The man was treated by paramedics for serious lacerations to his arm before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.

Police say the victim did not know his attackers and it's alleged the teens were being rowdy and turned on the man when he told them to leave the area. 

Following inquiries, police arrested two 17-year-old boys nearby.

They've each been charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - one of the boys also charged with drug possession.

 

BREAKING - Man Found Dead at Charlestown

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Police are on scene near Charlestown Square after a man was found dead in a carpark along Ridley St just before 10am.

Its believed the elderly man was stabbed, the area has now been cordoned off.

He died prior to the arrival of police and ambulance.

Another man was spotted running south along the Pacific Highway shortly after the incident.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Belmont Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

Officers from the Lake Macquarie Police District have established a crime scene. 

Carpark where the man is thought to have been stabbed.

 

                                          

BREAKING! Crash Closes Pacific Highway Southbound At Doyalson

 BY IAN CROUCH

A high speed single vehicle crash has closed the southbound lanes of the Pacific Highway at Doyalson.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Wentworth Avenue just before 4.00am on Wednesday to find a car had crashed into a pole power.

Fire and Rescue says the car split in two on impact and the driver fled the scene.

A 22-year-old man has since been located at an address in San Remo - he's been taken to the John Hunter Hospital with suspected facial fractures.

The power pole has been compromised and is split at the base.

Energy repair crews have been called to the scene.

 

Mayfield Fast Food Store Held Up At Gunpoint

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search is under way for two men over an armed robbery at Mayfield overnight.

Police say the pair walked into a fast-food store on Maitland Road just after 11.30 and threatened staff with a firearm while demanding money.

The pair took cash before running off.

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.
 

 

UPDATE! Search Widens For Missing Men In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

 The search for 36-year-old Christopher Shaw has ended after he was found safe and well on Monday 18 August, 2025. Police have thanked the media and the public for their assistance.

EARLIER 

Police have launched a search for man who's gone missing from Waratah.

64-year-old Graham Burton was last seen leaving the Mater Hospital in Edith Street at about 6.30am on Sunday 17 August, 2025..

Police hold concerns for his welfare as he lives with dementia and is currently being treated for injuries.

Graham's described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a large build and grey hair.

He was last seen wearing black tracks suit pants, a black jumper with a Bundaberg Rum logo on the front and may also be wearing green shorts with yellow stripes.
 

Missing man: Graham Burton

 

 

 

 Meanwhile, police are asking for help to find 36-year-old Christopher Shaw who was last seen in East Branxton on the evening of Saturday August 17..

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and long beard.

He may be driving a white Nissan Navara utility with the NSW registration  AYE565.

Missing man: Christopher Shaw

UPDATE! Man Arrested Over Alleged Fatal Assault At Rutherford

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is facing court today (Tuesday 19 August, 2025) charged with the alleged domestic violence murder of a 20-year-old woman at Rutherford.

Emergency services arrived at the Unicomb Close home early Monday morning to find the woman with significant facial injuries.

She could not be revived despite the efforts of paramedics.

A 31-year-old man was arrested at the scene - police say the pair had been  in a relationship for about 12 months and there had been no reports of domestic violence to police.

The man has been refused bail to face Bail Division Court 2 today.

EARLIER: 

A man is assisting police with inquiries following the death of a woman at Rutherford this morning.

Police were called to a home on Unicomb Close at about 4.45am today (Monday 18 August, 2025) to reports of an assault.

They arrived to find a woman, believed to be in her 20's with serious injuries.

She was treated by paramedics but could not be revived.

Police say a 30-year-old man, who is known to the woman, was arrested at the scene.

He's been taken to Maitland Police Station for questioning.

 

Woman Arrested After House Fire In Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has been arrested following a house fire at Mirrabooka overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says 8 trucks and several RFS crews were called to the two storey home on Mooranga Road just after 10.30pm on Sunday to find the house fully involved in fire.

Police evacuated residents from neighbouring homes.

It took just under an hour to bring the blaze under control - crews managed to stop the flames from spreading to adjoining homes.

Police say a 32-year-old woman, who was the sole occupant of the house, self-evacuated and was not injured.

She was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where she was was charged with damaging property by fire/explosion more than $15,000.

The woman's been refused bail and will face a bail hearing today (Monday 18 August, 2025).

 

Mirrabooka home destroyed by fire. Woman arrested Picture: Peninsula Rural Fire Brigade 

 

 

LEMON TREE PASSAGE RD POTHOLES – “How did it get to that?” – Roads Minister

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The State’s Roads Minister has issued a tough response to Port Stephens Council’s communication about the state of Lemon Tree Passage Road and Medowie Road.

“[Council] really have to look at- ‘how did it get to that poor condition?'” Jenny Aitchison said on Thursday.

Council estimates the repair bill to be over $100 million for both thoroughfares, saying both roads need a full reconstruction.

Jenny Aitchison confirmed Transport for NSW is getting in contact with Council and a new process to apply for road re-categorisation is being finalised.

If the roads were re-categorised, Council wouldn’t have to foot the whole bill for the repair and ongoing management of the roads.

Small parcels of Council-owned land are being sold across the region to try and save a rate variation from being passed on to ratepayers.

“We’re looking at every way we possibly can to put money into roads,” Mayor Leah Anderson told 2NURFM.

“We know this is a big issue right across the state … we will be following that [road re-categorisation] process,” she said.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison at Hexham on Thursday

HEXHAM – First Stage of Upgrades Now Open

 Hunter motorists who travel left onto Maitland Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass may notice lighter traffic with three lanes now open in both directions for 650 metres.

The State and Federal Governments have collectively invested $2.2 billion into the project which is set to reduce traffic congestion on the highway when the full 6km stretch opens next year.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says she understands the benefit this upgrade will have on the wider community.

“This is a hugely busy corridor for both motorists and freight, 50,000 people travel on this road every day”.

“This is an important starting point,” she said.

As for the future of the Hexham straight, the additional lane is only a taste of what is to come, when complete the road will comprise of three lanes for the entire six-kilometre stretch.

The project is expected to be finished by 2026.

BY JESSICA STEENS

Pregnant Woman Attacked During Home Invasion At Wallsend

 BY IAN CROUCH

A pregnant woman has been assaulted during a frightening home invasion at at Wallsend early today.

Police say up to 5 people stormed a home on McNaughton Avenue just after 12.30 this morning armed with knives, machetes and pieces of timber.

It's alleged they attacked a 20-year-old pregnant woman before fleeing.

She was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of cuts to her hands.
 

 

BREAKING! Teen Arrested At North Lambton After Pursuit In His Mother's Car

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 17-year-old boy is due to front the Children's Court today (Thursday 14 August, 2025) accused of leading police on a pursuit through Newcastle's western suburbs overnight in his mother's car.

Police say a routine patrol spotted a Hyundai Excel without number plates on Thomas Street at Wallsend just after 1.00am and gave chase when the driver refused to stop.

The car went down a dead end on Allowah Street at North Lambton where three occupants got out and ran off.

The driver, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested a short time later.

 

Man Not Been Seen Since Launching Boat At Rathmines

 BY IAN CROUCH

Concerns are growing for a man who's not been seen since launching a boat from Rathmines at about 1.00pm on Monday August 11.

The alarm was raised when 34-year-old Benjamin Holt could not be contacted or located and its not clear if he made it back to shore.

Benjamin's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing black tracksuit pants and a black hoodie.

He's known to frequent the Bolton Point, Swansea, Coal Point and Marmong Point areas and associated boat ramps.

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

 

Missing man Benjamin Holt

Man Walks from Coffs Harbour to Sydney via Newcastle in Bid for Koala Habitat

 BY OLIVIA ARIGHO

Environmental campaigner Peter Elzer is walking from Coffs Harbour to Sydney dressed in a koala suit, to demand the NSW Government honour its 2023 commitment to establish the Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast.

Mr Elzer’s campaign seeks to raise awareness about an unfulfilled $80 million funding pledge for the park, which environmentalists say is critical to protecting koalas and other threatened species in the region.

“I will be handing [Premier Chris Minns] a letter with a plea for koalas and critically endangered animals.

“Environmentalists and scientists have been clear in that we need to change forest management practices,” he said.

Mr Elzer’s criticised the Government for what he describes as a poor effort on conservation.

“This announcement was made two-and-a-half years ago and this still hasn’t been done. What they have done is the the reverse, which is intensify their logging in such areas,” he said.

He’s walking through Newcastle today and visiting Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp's office.

DARBY STREET - Popular Festival to Make a Return

BY IAN CROUCH

Thousands are expected to flock to Darby Street later this year when local traders revive a popular street festival.

It's been more than 10 years since the Darby Street Fair and shopkeepers and eateries have secured council funding to stage the Darby Street Festival on Saturday the 8th of November.

Organiser Sally Hill says they hope to create a street party atmosphere with local food and entertainment to compliment the 50 stalls lining the street.

"This event is strictly local to Darby Street," she said.

"We've got some young local entertainers and then our headline is a local band which will be sure to get everyone dancing," she said.

 

Darby Street traders on Friday.

Police Believe Missing Sydney Man Could Be In Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are renewing their appeal for help to find a missing man from Sydney who they believe could be in the Newcastle area.

49-year-old Samuel Fallshaw was last seen at Penrith Railway Station on Tuesday May 28.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a large build, brown medium-length hair and hazel eyes.

He's known to frequent the Hamilton area and It's believed he was spotted in Newcastle in July.

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

 

Missing man Samuel Fallshaw

 

CARDIFF – Remotely Controlled Trailers Score Federal Funding

 BY PETER HYSLOP

3ME Technology at Cardiff has scored nearly $3 million for the production of four battery-powered transport trailers.

The trailers can be remotely controlled, allowing vehicles to tow more tonnes than they could otherwise, and with the capacity to decouple and be remotely operated, keeping soldiers in combat and mining workers out of harm’s way.

3ME Technology Staff with Hunter Defence Chair Tim Owen and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy

The Federal Government has awarded the funding under the Industry Growth Program, to use the technology in the Defence Force.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says it’s an exciting project.

“I have seen [3ME’s] work up close for years, and I cannot wait to see the exciting progress they make with the support of this program,” he said.

From left: Hunter Defence Chair Tim Owen, 3ME CEO Justin Bain, and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy

3ME CEO Justin Bain says there’s not much else like it on the market.

“Because it’s got electric motors in the wheels, you can have a high tonnage payload, in that off-highway environment like a mine site.

“You could be carrying 20 tonnes on a vehicle that ordinarily might only be able to tow a few tonnes,” he said.

Bomb Threat Forces Lockdown At Summerhill Waste Management Centre

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Summerhill Waste Management Centre is expected to re-open today after being placed in lockdown.

Police say around 4.30pm on Tuesday 5 August a call was received from a person claiming to represent the pro-Palestinian movement saying a bomb had been planted in specific area at the tip.

Staff and customers were safely evacuated and several ambulance crews were sent to the scene as a precaution.

Police conducted a thorough sweep of the waste management facility and gave the all clear at about 9.30pm on Tuesday night.

 

BREAKING! Man Arrested After Siege At Jesmond Shopping Centre

 BY IAN CROUCH

A dramatic siege at a Jesmond shopping centre has ended with the arrest a man.

Police say just before 10.00pm last night (Tuesday 5 August, 2025), staff at the Woolworths in Jesmond Central on Blue Gum Road alerted police and evacuated the store when a man told them he was carrying a bomb in a bag and threatening to set it off.

Dozens of police, ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to scene including specialist negotiators and officers from the Tactical Operations Unit from Sydney.

The 36-year-old Newcastle man eventually surrendered to police at about 4.30am on Wednesday.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station and is expected to face Newcastle Local Court today.

Police say the bag he was carrying contained remote controls and no bomb was found after a thorough sweep of the store.  

 

Concerns Held For Woman Missing From Singleton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley police have issued a public appeal for help to find a woman who's gone missing from Singleton.

39-year-old Cassandra Mallard was last seen in the vicinity of Kennedy Street at about 12.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 August, 2025).

When she couldn't be located or contacted, local police were notified and a search commenced.

Cassandra is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165cm tall with a medium build, fair complexion and brown hair.

She is known to frequent the Singleton area and a geotext message has been circulated in the community. 

Missing woman Cassandra Mallard

 

Report Shows Majority Support For Rising Tide Event In Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

A report to Newcastle Council shows overwhelming majority support for Rising Tide's application to host it's protest event later this year.

The climate action group has applied to use Richardson Park and Camp Shortland in November.

The report shows 86% of more than 1850 submissions were in favour of the event going ahead.

Of those, 458 were pro forma responses coordinated, collected and submitted by Rising Tide.

Those in support raised democratic freedoms and the need to increase awareness of climate change.

The 13% of submissions against the event sighted public safety and fears of potential illegal activity.

Councillors will consider whether to grant the event licence at an extraordinary meeting next Tuesday, August 12.
 

 

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a man died in a single vehicle crash at Thornton overnight.

Police and paramedics were called to Eurimbla Street at about 7.50pm on Monday August 4 to find a car had crashed into a parked car before crashing into a pole.

The driver - and sole occupant - a man in his 50's was treated before being taken to hospital in a critical condition; however he died a short time later.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Police have set up a crime scene and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

BREAKING! Teenage Girl Arrested After Fatal Stabbing At Edgeworth

 BY IAN CROUCH

A teenage girl is assisting police with their inquiries over the alleged stabbing death of another girl known to her at Edgeworth.

Emergency services were called to Euston Avenue at about 10.20pm on Monday August 4 to reports of a stabbing.

Paramedics treated a teenage girl for a stab wound to her torso before taking her to hospital in a critical condition where she later died.

The girl is yet to be formally identified.

Police arrested a teenage girl at the scene.

A crime scene has been established and will be forensically examined by specialist officers.

Officers from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad are investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.

 

Pedestrian Killed At Medowie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police say poor visibility during wet weather appears to be a factor in a fatal pedestrian crash at Port Stephens.

Emergency services were called to Medowie Road at Medowie around 1.40am on Sunday to find a man had been it by a car.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the man, believed to be in his 30's, died at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 21-year-old man, was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

Police are asking anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage to contact Raymond Terrace Police.

MURRURUNDI – Motorists Wait for Hours Following Siege

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 A man who broadcast threats live on social media and said he wanted his family reunited as he barricaded himself inside a home at Murrurundi, has been arrested without incident overnight.

Tactical officers began arriving just after 9am yesterday which brought traffic trying to get through on the New England Highway to a standstill, some motorists say they couldn’t get through for six hours.

Police negotiators spoke with the man, who on social media said he was probably going to die. The content has since been removed.

The highway has reopened after the man was arrested at about 10:30 last night.

Mayne Street / New England Highway was closed at Murrurundi yesterday. Credit: Google Maps