Two Men Arrested Over Alleged Hunter Valley Crime Spree

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley Police have arrested and charged two men over a wanton crime spree across the coalfields over the past two months.

Police allege a shop at Huntlee was broken into and various items stolen on June 24.

Three weeks later, a Retirement Village at North Rothbury was extensively damaged by graffiti and a number of fire extinguishers were set off.

Then on Wednesday August 7, various items were stolen from a shop at Huntlee.

Yesterday, (Tuesday 20 August, 2024), officers went to a home at North Rothbury and arrested two men aged 19 and 20.

They've been charged with theft and malicious damage offences.

The 19-year-old is facing Singleton Court today and the 20-year-old is facing the same court on September 19.

Cessnock councillors lobby to scrap compact Huntlee housing lots

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Cessnock councillors will lobby the Planning Minister to reverse an approval allowing allotments as small as 217m² at the Huntlee development.

The State Government signed off on a move to amend an approval for a new housing lot type known as Urban One, accomodating compact dwelling types between 217m² and 354m² around Huntlee's commercial centre and potential school.

Council says community engagement on the Development Control Plan raised major concerns around the decision, however, especially in regard to parking, traffic, public transport, as well as amenities such as education and healthcare.

Mayor Jay Suvaal says the developer is taking advantage of the housing crisis, and the population density isn't suitable for the region.

Council will write to the Planning Minister, as well as calling on Cessnock MP Clayton Barr to overturn the decision.

Image credit: Huntlee.

Man Faces Court Over Alleged Stabbing At Huntlee

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 19-year-old man is due to face court accused of stabbing another man outside a Hunter Valley home.

Police say the pair, who are known to each other, allegedly become involved in a physical altercation in Lockwood Street, Huntlee late on Friday night.

A 24-year-old suffered a knife wound to his side and was driven to Cessnock Hospital by a woman before being transferred to the John Hunter, where he remains in a stable condition.

The 19-year-old man was arrested at Cessnock Police Station on Saturday night and faced Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday charged with reckless wounding - he'll face Cessnock Court on Wednesday 1 September, 2021.