Concerns Held For Autistic Man Missing From Tighes Hill

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find a Newcastle man who's been missing for almost a week.

48-year-old Alexander Tumiotto was last seen on Tighes Hill Terrace at Tighes Hill at about 1.30pm on Monday June 30.

Police and family hold concerns for Alexander's welfare as he lives with Autism.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall with a medium build, unshaven, with dark hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing dirty ripped clothing and a beanie.

Police believe Alexander may be using the rail network to travel and is known to frequent Newcastle, Redfern and the Carriage works at Everleigh.

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

 

Missing man Alexander Tumiotto

Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns announce TAFE Centre of Excellence in Newcastle

By HOLLY FISHLOCK

More than $60 million will be invested by the state and federal government's over the next five years for the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will be established at the TAFE NSW campus at Tighes Hill, and will look to boost the workforce needed to support the renewable energy industry in the Hunter and across the state.

Once up and running the centre will have a training capacity of approximately 450 students annually.

It will provide education and apprenticeships in renewable energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, and related manufacturing fields for the region's workforce.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there needs to be a plan for the future.

"It's important we invest in new industries, and that we invest in the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries."

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it's important young people have the skills needed to participate in the renewable energy industry.

"We all see an exciting opportunity for the next generation, right here in Newcastle."

The launch of the facility comes after an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence was announced for Western Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the Centre of Excellence

Police Pursuit Through Tighes Hill Called Off

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have called off a high-speed pursuit through Tighes Hill overnight due to safety concerns.

A routine patrol spotted a silver Ford Territory with expired registration on Maitland Road at Mayfield at 12.34am on Thursday.

A pursuit was initiated when the male driver failed to stop.

The chase went down industrial drive through Tighes Hill but was called off when the vehicle crossed to the wrong side of the road.

Police Investigate Robbery At Tighes Hill Service Station

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle police are searching for a man who robbed a service station at Tighes Hill overnight.

Police say the man entered the BP outlet on Elizabeth Street at about 9.30pm on Thursday and allegedly demanded money with menaces from the female attendant.

He was given a sum of cash before leaving and the worker was not injured.

Investigators have released a description of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man is described as being aged in his mid 40s, with a dark complexion, and a medium build, wearing a red T-shirt, black shorts and a black face mask.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and are urging anyone with information to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

Driver to face court after fatal Tighes Hill crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man will face Newcastle Local Court on Monday after a fatal crash in Tighes Hill on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to Maitland Road near Henry Street around 11:10pm, after reports a car had left the road and collided with a power pole.

Initial inquiries suggest a Hyundai i30 was travelling east on Maitland Road when it left the roadway and collided with a power pole, splitting it in half and ejecting the male passenger.

The 27-year-old died at the scene.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, was able to free himself from the wreckage and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries. 

Officers established a crime scene which was examined by specialist police from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit. 

About 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon, the driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital and taken to Newcastle Police Station. 

He faces a charge of dangerous driving occasioning death - drive manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death). 

Drugs Found In Speeding Car At Tighes Hill

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court in July charged with disqualified driving and drug possession after being stopped by police at Tighes Hill.

Police conducting roadside speed checks say the 27-year-old from Aberglasslyn was driving a red Mitsubishi ASX on Industrial Drive on Saturday night when they clocked his car travelling at 81 kilometres per hour in a 60 zone.

Checks revealed he was a disqualified driver while a search of the car allegedly uncovered 4 bags of cannabis and a  bag of methamphetamine.

Police say he also returned a positive drug test for methamphetamine.

Police say one of four bags of cannabis was found in the footwell of the man's car

Coal Loader Relocation Called Off

BY KEELY JOHNSON

Tighes Hill residents are disappointed with the NSW governments recent back-flip on plans to relocate Carrington's coal loader.

The relocation was touted for investigation in the 2017 draft Newcastle Greater Metropolitan Plan, however the final version, released last week makes no mention of the idea. 

The coal terminal is located about 200 metres from residential properties, exposing residents to coal dust.   

Charlotte McCabe from the Tighes Hill Community Group is accusing the government of pandering to the interests of coal industry heavyweights. 

"We were hoping the state government would investigate alternative uses for the site," she said, "but it looks like, unfortunately, the company has been listened to instead of the community. 

"We will continue to call for the state government to look for alternatives in the future." 

Image: NBN News. 

Cyclist Injured in Hit and Run, Tighes Hill

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A cyclist has suffered multiple fractures after being clipped by a car at Tighes Hill yesterday afternoon.

Around 4:40pm, the 41-year-old cyclist was riding down Maitland Road when he was hit by a car whose driver, a 36-year-old Raymond Terrace man, failed to stop.

The driver continued down Maitland Road for about a kilometre before colliding with a parked car near the Church Street intersection.

Newcastle Police say the man has undergone mandatory blood and urine testing and has been charged with dangerous driving, while the cyclist is now recovering in the John Hunter Hospital.

Tyre Slasher On The Loose In Tighes Hill

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating after more than a dozen vehicles had their tyres slashed at Tighes Hill.

Residents of Ferndale Street woke on Thursday morning to find their vehicles had been damaged overnight with some cars also broken into.

The incident has stirred memories of a serial tyre slasher who punctured more than 130 tyres around Tighes Hill and Mayfield between May and August  in 2016.

A 44-year-old woman was arrested after police circulated a CCTV image of the offender.

Wild spree of carjackings and robberies sees man tasered in Tighes Hill

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE:

Police have charged a 42-year-old man with robbery; assault with intent to take or drive motor vehicle; assault with intent to rob and robbery armed with offensive weapon.

He's been refused bail and will face Newcastle Local Court tomorrow.

EARLIER:

A man has been tasered at Tighes Hill following multiple alleged attempted robberies and carjackings today.

Just before 8:30am, Newcastle Police responded to reports of an armed hold-up of a service station on Maitland Road, Tighes Hill, where they were informed a man had entered demanding cigarettes and a lighter.

The service station employee complied and the alleged offender then fled to Elizabeth Street.

It's there he allegedly approached a woman and attempted to steal her car, without success.

The man in his 40s then targeted a taxi; flagging down the vehicle before attempting to rob the driver and steal the car.

The frightened taxi driver ran into a nearby hardware store on Elizabeth Street, but was followed by the alleged assailant, who then took a Stanley knife from the counter and tried to rob two staff members inside.

Police found the man, deployed a taser and secured the knife he was carrying.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of an existing medical condition, where he remains under police guard.

Investigations are continuing.