Fears Held For Missing Newcastle Woman

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search is under way for a Newcastle woman who hasn't been seen in more than a month.

42-year-old Kirsty Hayes was last seen in Darby Street, Cooks Hill sometime between Thursday June 11 and Monday June 15, 2026.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and green eyes and is known to frequent the Newcastle and Hunter Valley areas.

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

 

Missing woman Kirsty Hayes

Elderly Woman Taken To Hospital After House Fire At Kahibah

 BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly woman has been taken to hospital following a house fire at Kahibah.

Emergency services were called to a single story cladding and iron home on Burwood Street just after 7.30pm on Sunday to find smoke issuing from the property.

An 80-year-old woman was evacuated from the house and treated for smoke inhalation and shock before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Crews from Charlestown, Lambton and Merewether took about 2 hours to fully extinguish and mop up the fire, which caused damage to the front and rear of the property.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Three Sydney arrests made over Newcastle sexual assault

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Three men have been charged over an aggravated sexual assault in Newcastle, in February.  

Police will allege in court, a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at a unit on Parry Street.  

Officers searched a home in Bossley Park in Sydney's West, earlier in May.  

A 28-year-old man was arrested, and taken to Fairfield Police Station.  

Detectives executed TWO more search warrants in Edensor Park and Horsley Park on Wednesday morning.  

A 20-year-old and another 28-year-old were arrested, and also both face charges.  

They're scheduled to return to court in early July.  

More Funding Announced For Stockton Beach

BY IAN CROUCH 

The state government has provided a further $768,000 to Newcastle Council as the fight to restore Stockton Beach continues.

Local Government Minister, Shelly Hancock says the money will be used to investigate the suitability and feasibility of delivering sand dredged from the South Arm of the Hunter River estuary to potentially deliver mass sand nourishment to the beach.

The latest funding commitment is part of five current funding streams from the government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, helping to fund the restoration of the eroded beachfront. 

Another $768,00 announced for sand nourishment on Stockton Beach

More Than 10kg Of Cannabis Found In Car Boot At Tea Gardens

BY IAN CROUCH

A 52-year-old man is due to face court in July on drugs charges following his arrest at Tea Gardens.

Officers noticed the man's silver Ford Fairmont parked at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Myall Way on Wednesday afternoon and approached the vehicle.

A search of the car allegedly uncovered 3 large garbage bags in the boot containing 10.8kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of $95,000.

It's alleged a syringe containing methamphetamine was also found.

Police say the man admitted to being away from his home to purchase drugs.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with supply cannabis, two counts of drug possession, and self-administer prohibited drug. He was also fined $1000 for breaching the Public Health Act relating to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on July 6.