90-Year-Old Woman Dies In Hospital Following Alleged Sexual Assault On The Central Coast

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A woman has died in hospital following an alleged sexual assault at an aged care facility on the Central Coast.

Police allege a man broke into a facility in Bateau Bay about 12:40am on Wednesday the 15th of November, 2023, where he sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.

34-year-old Brett Anthony Crawford was later arrested at a property in Caves Beach and remains before the courts. 

Police have since been notified the woman died in hospital this morning (Tuesday the 28th of November, 2023). 

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

More Varroa Mite Found in The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says nine new premises across the Hunter and the Central Coast have been found to be infected with varroa mite.

In the Hunter alone, cases have been detected at Brookfield, Glen William, Loxford, and Sawyers Gully.

The discovery has prompted a new emergency order, and brings the total number of affected properties to 131 since the parasite was originally found at the Port of Newcastle last June.

 

The DPI will dispose of the bees and equipment on affected properties, and is encouraging bee keepers with hives in the extension areas to consider harvesting their honey. 

 

 

Missing Central Coast man could be in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public to locate a man missing from the Central Coast, who could be in the Hunter.

Aaron Noble was last seen at a home on Barton Road in Doyalson on 8am on Monday 29 August 2022.

The 37-year-old was reported missing on Sunday 4 September.

Police and family are concerned for his welfare. 

Aaron is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build with blonde dreadlocks and one side of his head shaved. 

He has an angel tattoo on the right side of his neck and other tattoos on both his left and right arms. 

Aaron is known to frequent the areas of Charmhaven, Gorokan, Lake Haven, Watonobbi, Maryland and Cooranbong. 

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

Varroa mite escapes the Hunter, new emergency zone at Calga property

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Varroa mite has extended its reach beyond the Hunter, with the parasite now identified in bees at a property at Calga on the Central Coast.

It's understood there is a direct link to a Newcastle site, and the Department of Primary Industries does not believe the affected bees moved naturally.

Nine properties across the state have now been affected, including at Newcastle, Seaham, and Bulahdelah.

All bees and hives within ten kilometres of each property will need to be destroyed.

Concern missing Central Coast girl could be in Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the state’s Central Coast.

Jordyn Rodgers, aged 14, was last seen on Wednesday 8 June 2022 at an address on Rein Drive, Wadalba. 

After failing to return to home, officers began extensive inquiries to locate her. 

She's known to frequent Newcastle, Gosford and the Sydney CBD and could be travelling by train, but hasn't yet been found.

Family and police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age. 

Jordyn is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160-165cm tall, of medium build, with black hair and blue eyes. 

She was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black ripped jeans and white Adidas shoes. 

Central Coast School Closed Over "Potential" Covid-19 Case

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A Central Coast school has closed today on the last day of term, as a senior student suspected of suffering Covid-19 is tested. 

Green Point Christian College, located around an hour south of Lake Macquarie, says they have been advised by NSW Health, to keep all students home as a precaution over the "possible but unconfirmed" case in senior student.

The school is set to provide further information on the test result later this afternoon. 

Anyone connected with the school and suffering flu like symptoms or feeling unwell is being urged to get tested. 

University of Newcastle Expansion Announced

BY ALICE PEART

The University of Newcastle has announced plans for the development of a multi-campus presence on the Central Coast following an 18 million dollar investment from the federal government. 

The expansion will take the form of a health and innovation hub for university students alongside the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute forecasted to open in 2020, creating a health precinct in Gosford’s CBD. 

The investment, following on from the previous federal funding of  85 million, seeks to address the estimated additional 4300 workers needed in healthcare and social assistance roles needed over the coming years on the Central Coast. 

The precinct will have an emphasis on entrepreneurship and community engagement using technology such as augmented and virtual reality. 

The university has already piloted virtual reality teaching programs in health with The Road to Birth designed to teach skills which would either be otherwise too dangerous or expensive to be experienced in the classroom. 

This will be expanded by the innovation hub to provide enhanced teaching, conference, community engagement and social learning facilities. 

Many courses offered by the new precinct will be unique to the Gosford campus says the Dean Dr Brok Glenn, such as the proposed Master of Medical Imaging and Master of Professional Prescribing. 

The investment from the federal government represents just part of the 250 million dollars needed to complete the multi-campus university.

Image by the University of Newcastle. 

End of Gas Exploration in Hunter and Central Coast

BY LAURA D'AMICO

Swansea and the Central Coast will see on-land gas exploration come to an end, after the cancellation of the State Government's Petroleum Exploration Licence 461.

The license, granted in 2008, originally covered over 15,000 hectares around Swansea, Wyee and Budgewoi, impacting tens of thousands of homes.

With the cancellation of the license, the towns are being assured no more gas exploration can be undertaken.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald has welcomed the announcement by Resources Minister Don Harwin, saying the cancellation removes uncertainty for the communities.

Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said it's a good start but there is more the Government could be doing.

"It's a step in the right direction but the government needs to get serious about cancelling licenses across the Hunter and Central Coast," Mr Buckingham said.

"The region is still faced with many other petroleum exploration licenses and the prospect of offshore gas drilling, the State and Federal Government need to do much more to move away from fossil fuels towards a renewable energy future that deals with the impacts of climate change."

Georgina Woods from Lock the Gate Alliance has also long been opposed to this type of testing. 

"We welcome the buyback of the Petroleum Exploration License. It's long overdue to be honest, a great relief for local residences," Ms Woods said.

"This was a legacy exploration license from before the Chief sciences review of the Coal-Seam Gas Industry, which recommended strict new regimes for that industry in this State and it's a terrific relief that the government has finally gotten rid of it."

For more information on Government plans on resources and energy, please visit the Department of Planning and Environment.

Image Sourced from Utility Magazine

Sydney-Based Police Strike Force Bound For Newcastle

BY ARIANA GATTI

A new team, of some 23-strong was announced today to hit the ground running within the Hunter region over the coming weeks.

The Strike Force originally based in Sydney, called 'Strike Force Raptor', are setting up specialised units permanentently within the Newcastle Police precinct in order to combat and dismantle locally-organised crime within the area.

The State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad officially launched the new squad initiative yesterday, which now has its own name as an extension of the original force, now referred to as 'Raptor North'.

The force, which has the potential to operate across Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, will consist of intelligence and analytical investigators, highway patrol and operations support group (OSG) operatives, to meet any specialised activity.

This, however, is not the first taste of crime relief in the Northern NSW area as Raptor North operations have been up and running since the 1st of April.

Since then, arson attacks and broader criminal activity has significantly decreased.

With the rollout of the new strike force, criminal justice systems around the Hunter now have the ability to tap into the National anti-gang squad members, including the taxation department, Austrac and other Commonwealth partners in the pursuit of dismantling gangs and criminal groups.

Northern Regional Commander of Police, Max Mitchell, says the Strike Force introduction is essential in exacting change within Hunter communities.

"Over recent months we have seen a dramatic reduction in serious crime occurring, particularly and thankfully of public place shootings", he says.

"Whilst we have that fire power available, I think this will be a positive step for our communities".

Image sourced: 2NURFM Reporter - Ariana Gatti - Newcastle Police Precinct.