Newcastle Police Search For Missing Teen

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Police are appealing for help to find a missing teenager.

13-year-old Angel Baker is known to frequent the Wallsend, Edgeworth, Kurri Kurri and Jesmond areas, including the Jesmond Shopping Centre.

Police have concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Angel is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 150cm tall with dark brown hair.

She was last seen wearing grey track pants, black hoodie, blue t-shirt and black joggers.

Anyone who's seen her or knows her whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing teen Angel Baker

Eight attendees of Jesmond gathering among 529 infringement notices issued

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police have broken up a gathering at Jesmond overnight.

Police say eight infringement notices were handed out to those in attendance.

In other parts of the state, 31 notices were issued to attendees of a gathering in Clovelly in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs. A number of police were called in to break the gathering it up.

Ten infringement notices were also issued to a group of people who attended a barbeque at Blacktown.

Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing says now is simply not the time.

"We are faced with a situation with the Delta variant which spreads across young people, so it is particularly disappointing to see young people involved in breaches of the Public Health Order," DC Willing said.

529 infringement notices were issued in 24 hours.

Jesmond Public School closed after student tests positive to COVID-19

BY JARROD MELMETH

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she has been notified by the Department of Education that a student at Jesmond Public School has tested positive to COVID-19.

The school has been closed immediately for contact tracing and deep cleaning.

All staff and students have been asked to self isolate until further advice is recieved.

It follows the Hunter recording six new cases of coronavirus, three of which are under investigation by health officials. 

Image: Google Maps.

Nabbed While Napping: Alleged Offender Found Sleeping in Stolen Car

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A Hunter parolee is likely wishing he was dreaming after being discovered fast asleep inside a stolen car.

Shortly after 7 o'clock Monday morning, the 21-year-old was woken by police investigating reports a stolen Mazda 3 was parked on Mordue Parade at Jesmond.

He was found asleep, wearing gloves, in the front seat of the car.

Police arrested the man and seized three knives, multiple sets of gloves and a face mask from his pockets.

The Rutherford man, who was on parole and already on conditional bail for a separate offence, was refused bail to face court on Monday charged with three offences.

Police say the car was stolen during a break and enter on Kitchener Parade at The Hill on Friday night.

Investigations into the break and enter incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle Police 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

BY JARROD MELMETH

The lack of Return and Earn collection points in the Hunter has prompted calls from the State Opposition for the government to fast-track the rollout of the scheme.

Three weeks after the launch of the scheme, the Hunter region has 11 of the 300 statewide collection points, which residents say has resulted in long queues and machines being out of service because they are too full.

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said piles of rubbish has been accumulating around the machines as they become out of order or too full.

"We certainly do need to, when we roll out these machines, be mindful of the fact that people will be waiting to utilise them, that they are accessible for people with disabilities and, that people do not leave rubbish behind. There needs be bins and other things provided with extra collections being made for the removal of the rubbish as well.

"Unfortunately, while it is a wonderful scheme some of the minor issues have not been thought out yet. They need to to make it comfortable and convenient for the community," Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery said she had also written to the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton asking for machines to be installed at Stockland Wallsend and Stockland Glendale.

It was announced earlier today that the NSW Government has partnered with Coles which Ms Upton said will "mean more locations for people to return their empty containers and receive their refund.”

Photo: 2GB Sydney.

Man to Face Court After Elermore Vale Robbery

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A man is expected to face Newcastle Local Court today following an aggravated robbery in Elermore Vale.

At around 3:30 Tuesday morning, a woman left her house on Croudace Road, where she was allegedly approached by the 35 year old offender.

The man allegedly threatened the woman, demanding the keys to her car before hitting her over the face with a small metal object.

The woman is believed to have handed over the keys, with the man allegedly fleeing the scene.

Police officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command investigated the incident and located the car.

Inquiries lead officers to Michael Street, Jesmond, where the man was arrested just before midday yesterday.

He was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with aggravated robbery.

He was refused bail.

Missing Newcastle woman FOUND

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In a search lasting no longer than three hours, missing Newcastle woman Sandie Stapleton has been found.

The 38-year old was reported missing after wandering into bushland at Jesmond on Robinson Avenue at about 11am yesterday.

There were strong concerns for her safety as she suffers from a brain injury.

Police rescue officers coordinated a search with the help of PolAir, police on trail bikes, the Dog Unit and NSW SES.

In the end it was a tip off from a member of the community which lead police to Sandie Stapleton.

McCaffrey Drive residents bypassed

BY DECLAN PAYNE

The Roads and Maritime Services today announced the environmental impact statement (EIS) and concept design for the proposed fifth section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, but not all residents are satisfied.

Residents of McCaffery Drive had demanded the bypass include on and off ramps but the proposal lacks the much sought after ramps.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said there was feedback from the community on the ramps.

"People had their say there...RMS do take on board feedback, but you can't satisfy everybody on such a major project."

The $280 million design stretches 3.4 kilometres and will link Rankin Park and Jesmond, interchanging north with Newcastle Road, south at Lookout Road, and a half interchange giving traffic access to the John Hunter Hospital.

Mr MacDonald said the public is being urged to have their say on the proposal.

"The community is invited to have a say on the EIS and the concept design which outlines key features of the project and assesses potential environmental, social and economic impacts throughout the project life cycle," MacDonald said.

"Roads and Maritime has prepared an overview booklet which summarises the assessment of key issues, design features, project benefits and how to make a submission during the EIS display."

The public can have their say at drop in sessions at Silver Ridge Community Cottage in Wallsend on Saturday 26th of November, and Thursday 1st of December.

Alternatively, submissions can be made online.

The proposed fifth section to the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. Source: rms.nsw.gov.au

Doors Smashed in 'Targeted' Attack on New Refugee Centre

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The operators of a new refugee centre in Jesmond have been shocked by an act of vandalism on the eve of their official opening today.

A brick was thrown through the glass pane doors of Zara's House on Monday.

Source: The Newcastle Herald

Zara's House is a support centre which will aim to help refugee women settle into Newcastle, and to nurture and facilitate the talents and cultures of the women.

Sister Diana Santleben, who is part of the team of refugees and partners opening Zara's House, was horrified by the display of violence, which staff members believe was intended as a message towards the refugees.

"It was five panels they smashed with this big brick," says Sister Santleben.

"We probably have to look seriously at finding information about getting a CCTV camera. If they come back again they are really determined to do something criminal, and the police will be quite interested in that."

Sister Santleben believes the attack will only make the community spirit within the refugee centre and the greater Newcastle area stronger.

"It makes the people of Newcastle stronger and we help each other even more than we were going to do in the past, so its probably, in a weird sort of a way, a good thing for the refugees."

With recovery of the centre underway, Zara's House will be officially opened today by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.