Hunter Valley Police on Hunt for Missing Birds

By Nicole Creen

Hunter Valley police are currently investigating reports birds have been stolen from a pet shop in Branxton.

Last week, thirteen birds went missing over two separate robberies on Wednesday, January 15 and Friday, January 17.

Five white Fantail pigeons, three superb parrots, four eclectus parrots and one king parrot are included in those missing.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers.

Credit: Hunter Valley Police District

Credit: Hunter Valley Police District

Hunter Valley Police Appeal For Information About Two Suspicious Truck Fires at Branxton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Valley Police believe two alleged arson incidents in the region may be linked. 

Three trucks parked on Elderslie Road at Branxton, were allegedly set alight on the evening of Saturday the 22nd October last year. 

Two of the trucks were destroyed and one was significantly damaged.

Additionally, on Thursday the 16th of February this year, a fourth truck was set alight and destroyed at the same location. 

Officers have commenced an investigation into the fires and they are being treated as suspicious. 

They're calling for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. 

UPDATE! Climate Activists Face Court Over Protests At Branxton And Kooragang

 BY IAN CROUCH

 

Climate protesters are again blocking the Hunter Rail Line as they target coal supply to the Port of Newcastle.

Two female activists aged 16 and 64 climbed onto the top of a coal train at Singleton before dawn on Thursday morning.

The Premier wants to meet with Facebook's parent company to discuss a plan to block the demonstrators from being able to live stream
 

EARLIER:

A climate activist who suspended himself over railway tracks at Branxton for more than five hours has been granted bail.

22-year-old Angus Hearn began his protest just before 4.00am on Wednesday, halting coal, freight and passenger trains.

He was safely removed from a tripod structure at about 9.35am and faced Cessnock Court charged with causing obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands.

He was granted conditional bail to face Singleton Court on July 13.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Canberra woman Grace Ilbery faced Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday after allegedly gluing herself to a railing at the Kooragang Coal Loader on Tuesday night.

Magistrate John Chicken told the court Ilbery's offending was incredibly dangerous and put her life and the lives of emergency services at risk.

She's also been granted conditional bail to face court again on July 5.

Grace Ilbery faced court on Wednesday Picture: Blockade Australia

Vigil to Take Place Tonight at Branxton After Greta Bus Tragedy

BY JACQUELYN RICHARDS

Members of a heartbroken Hunter community will gather in Branxton tonight for a vigil in honor of the victims and emergency service workers involved in the horrific bus crash at Greta last Sunday. 

Ten lives were claimed in the tragedy and thirteen people remain in hospitals across the Hunter and Sydney. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi says the event is important for those who wish to pay their respects and thank everyone involved in recovery and support efforts. 

"It is an absolute tragedy for the community, and not only the community of the Hunter but a tragedy for Australia," he said. 

"It certainly is important to thank everybody involved in this and whilst we are mourning with this tragic loss, they do an amazing job the first responders and anyone in the services area do amazing things and keep people safe and secure."

The vigil will start at 5:30pm on the grassed area in front of Huntlee's Early Learning Centre on Wine Country Drive.

Community crisis centres are still running at the Singleton Youth Venue and Branxton Community Hall for those in need of disaster relief and counselling.  

Lifeline is also available for support via the crisis support line: 13 11 14. 

 

Sourced: Newcastle Herald website

Appeal to Locate Missing Hunter Valley Man

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Valley Police are appealing for public assistance to locate 44-year-old Malcolm Appleby. 

Malcolm also goes by Raymond Parnell, and was last seen driving east on the Hunter Expressway near Branxton, about 1:45am on Saturday.

It's believed he's driving a green 2003 Toyota Corolla with NSW number plates reading AW54NZ.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.

Malcolm is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of slim build, with unshaven and balding hair, and a large scar on one of his lower legs.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

BREAKING! Worker Disarms Man During Attempted Hold-Up At Branxton

 BY IAN CROUCH

A brave worker has disarmed a man carrying a gun who tried to hold up a restaurant at Branxton overnight.

Police say the man entered the restaurant on Clift Street at about 6.00pm on Sunday and threatened a male employee with a firearm.

But the worker turned the tables, snatching the gun and hitting the would-be robber with it, forcing him to flee.

He was last seen heading north of John Rose Avenue.

Police set up and crime scene and have seized the firearm for forensic testing.

The employee was not injured and police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers. 

 

UPDATE! Police Search For Missing Man In Upper Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A man reported missing from the Branxton area earlier this week has been found.

71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on Monday afternoon and was driving a motorhome.

Police say John was found safe and well at a rest stop on Tuesday afternoon. 

EARLIER:

Hunter Valley Police have issued an appeal for help to find a man who's been missing since Monday afternoon.

71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on John Rose Avenue.

He's believed to be driving a motorhome.

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

Missing man John Russell and a motorhome similar to the one he's been driving

Large Shed Ablaze At Branxton

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are battling a large shed fire at Branxton.

Crews from Branxton, Singleton and Rutherford and a Duty Commander were called to the 10 X 30 metre double storey Colorbond shed in John Rose Avenue just before 8.00am on Friday.

Newcastle Fire Command says the shed is used as a residence and one person self-evacuated without injury.

The mezzanine level of the shed collapsed at the height the blaze.

It's taken two hours to bring the fire under control.

Fire investigators are on the way from Sydney to determine how the blaze started.