Big Map Exhibitions To Explore How Hunter Would Cope in Natural Disaster

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie residents are being invited to see how their homes would cope in a natural disaster.

Disaster Relief Australia is set to host two big map events at Newcastle Wests and Kahibah this weekend.

As the climate changes the risk of disaster is set to steadily increase in the areas-

Lake Macquarie Council’s Derek Poulton says the giant map will help residents understand how to manage different scenarios.

“We get storms, lots of fallen trees, fires. This is an opportunity to create a few scenarios and exercises putting us through [multiple situations] and consider what things we would need to look at,” he said.

Image Credit: Disaster Relief Australia

 

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.

Police Investigate Vandalism Spree Across Kahibah

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are investigating a vandalism spree across Kahibah overnight, with the tyres of several cars slashed.

Officers were alerted to a group of young people reportedly slashing car tyres at about 10.45pm on Wednesday.

Around 20 vehicles were damaged in Frith Street, Beath Crescent, Wallsend Street and Hexham Street.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area to contact Crime Stoppers.

People with information should quote the police reference E98623626

BREAKING! Brave Shopkeeper Fights Off Would-Be Robber At Kahibah

 BY IAN CROUCH

A would-be armed robber got more than he bargained for when he tried to hold-up a grocery store at Kahibah overnight.

CCTV footage shows the heavy set man wearing a dark hoodie and hi-viz trousers entering the Friendly Grocer IGA Store in Glebe Street at about 7.40pm on Tuesday armed with a knife.

He confronted the proprietor who was crouched down using a dustpan and brush to sweep up.

Seeing the man approaching, the proprietor sprang to his feet and started hitting the offender with a broom and a struggle ensued.

During the affray, the shop owner managed to grab a large baton and proceeded to hit the offender over the head with it.

The man then fled with the owner in hot pursuit.

Lake Macquarie Police are investigating.

We've shared the footage of the incident on the 2NURFM Hunter News Facebook Page. 

The would-be robber flees as the brave shopkeeper fights him off with a baton Picture: Facebook

Missing person appeal

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a woman missing from the Hunter.

63-year-old Vicki Davey was last heard from around 11:30am yesterday.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, around 150cm tall with a slim build and blonde/grey hair in a bob, and was last seen wearing a jumper, jeans, and joggers.

There's serious concerns for her welfare as she lives with conditions which require treatment.

Police believe she may have gone for a walk in the Glenrock Nature Reserve at Kahibah.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call crime stoppers.

BREAKING! Dog Rescued From Burning Home At Kahibah

BY IAN CROUCH

A dog has been rescued from a burning home at Kahibah.

Neighbours of the single level brick and tile home in Hexham Street noticed smoke coming from under the front door just after 7.00pm on Wednesday.

Six fire units from Charlestown, Tingira Heights, Merewether and Lambton were sent to fight the fire which caused extensive damage to property.

Police say the occupant arrived home as crews were battling the flames and a dog inside was rescued unharmed.

It's taken about an hour for firefighters to douse the flames.

It's believed a computer charger may have caused the fire.

Police and fire investigators will return to the scene this morning, however the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Bushfires Threaten Homes At Kahibah And Charlestown

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews have saved dozens of homes under threat from bushfires in Lake Macquarie.

A fire broke out during hot and windy conditions in the Glenrock State Conservation Area just after 4.30pm on Thursday.

It came within 130 metres of homes in Burwood Road at Kahibah, with crews able to use the Fernleigh Track as a natural fire break.

It's now list at Advice Level after burning through 3 hectares.

Meanwhile residents in Whitburn Close at Charlestown had a close call when a bushfire which broke out near the inner City Bypass just after 6.00pm quickly spread to their back fences.

Newcastle Fire Command says 10 fire trucks from across Lake Macquarie and Newcastle attended the fire.

It tore through 2 hectares and destroyed a shed before being brought under control.

Firefighters were also called to a bushfire which broke out near industrial lane off Johnson Avenue at Kurri Kurri at about 3.45pm on Thursday.

8 fire trucks attended the blaze, with crews taking 4 hours to extinguish and black out the fire.

A firefighter tackles the flames in the Glenrock State Conservation Area. Picture Merewether Fire & Rescue 

Flames lick at the backyards of homes in Whitburn Close at Charlestown. Picture: Sarah Farley

UPDATED! Missing Kahibah Man Found Safe And Well

BY IAN CROUCH

This just in from Police:

A man reported missing from his Kahibah home overnight has been located.

The man, aged 76, was last seen on Monday 13 May 2019, at his Frith Street home.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced an extensive search.

He was located safe and well at Newcastle West about 11am this morning.

Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.


EARLIER:

Police have released new information as the search continues for missing Kahibah man, Robert Sims.

It's now believed the 76-year-old may have attempted board a bus heading to the Newcastle C.B.D at about 2.30pm on Monday.

Officers have also been told his ATM card was used at Marketown Shopping Centre, Newcastle West about 6pm yesterday.

An updated description has been compiled for Mr Sims.

He’s described as being Caucasian in appearance with white/grey hair. He was last seen wearing long dark blue pants, a blue spray jacket, with a green suitcase and a walking stick.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Robert Sims they should contact police immediately.


EARLIER:

Lake Macquarie police are appealing for help to locate a man who's gone missing from his Kahibah home.

76-year-old Robert Sims left his Frith Street home at about 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon to go for a walk and failed to return.

There are concerns for his welfare as he suffers from a number of health concerns including epilepsy and diabetes which require medication.

Police are about to resume searching bushland near his home.

Mr Sims is described as being of Caucasian appearance with white/grey hair and is possibly wearing dark pants and a shirt.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is urged  to contact police immediately.

Vehicle search uncovers drugs- Kahibah

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man has been charged with drug offences following a vehicle stop at Kahibah yesterday afternoon.

Around 4:30, a car was stopped on Burwood Road and police conducted a search of the vehicle.

They found drugs, believed to be methamphetamine, which have been seized for forensic examination.

The 32-year-old driver was charged with possession and for having an expired licence.