Missing Clarencetown Woman Found Safe And Well

BY IAN  CROUCH

A Clarencetown woman missing since last week has been found safe and well.

Leanne Whitby was last seen by relatives on Wednesday afternoon when she left home to travel to a medical appointment.

The 31-year-old sent a text message to a relative the following day saying she was trying to sell her car but hadn't been in contact since, prompting concerns for her welfare.

She was found safe in Mayfield yesterday afternoon and presented herself at Waratah Police Station.

Ms Whitby and has now been reunited with her family and Police say there was nothing suspicious in her disappearance.

Clarencetown Woman Leanne Whitby Found Safe

Concerns For Missing Raymond Terrace Teenager

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help as they search for a teenager missing from Raymond Terrace.

18-year-old Lachlan Maas was last seen at his home on Shearman Avenue on Sunday.

There are serious concerns for Lachlan’s welfare and police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them immediately.

Lachlan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm to 180cm tall, of a slim build, with black hair, and green eyes.

He is believed to be driving a green 1997 Toyota Rav4, NSW registration BW-45-VC.

He is known to frequent the Port Stephens and Maitland areas.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.

Police Hold Concerns For Missing Teen Lachlan Maas

Lachlan Could Be Driving A Green Toyota Rav4 Like This One

BREAKING! Truck Overturns On Nelson Bay Road At Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

There are delays for northbound traffic on Nelson Bay Road at Salt Ash due to a truck crash.

Police say the truck, which was carrying a load of scrap metal, overturned on the Richardson Road roundabout just after 5.30am.

The 40-year-old male driver escaped injury.

Northbound traffic on Nelson Bay Road is down to one lane between Medowie Road and Richardson Road.

Police say it could take up to 5 hours to clear the crash scene.

SALT ASH: Richardson Rd is closed eastbound between Medowie Road and Nelson Bay Road while a clean-up takes place. Diversion: https://t.co/diFwmd4Bpm pic.twitter.com/swZq8kVKKr

— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) January 10, 2018

Fears Held For Missing Karuah Man

BY IAN CROUCH

Police hold serious concerns for the welfare of a man who's gone missing from Karuah.

Matthew James was last seen by his family driving away from his home on Monday morning in a white 1989 Toyota Hilux.

It's believed the 41-year-old could've been headed to bushland in the Port Stephens and Lower Mid North Coast areas - but he could also be travelling to Queensland.

He's not been in touch with his family - and they are very worried because he suffers from a medical condition.

Matthew is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175 to 180 centimetres tall with a medium to solid build - and he regularly wears a wide-brimmed hat.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing Karuah Man, Matthew James

Matthew's 1989 Toyota Hilux

Search For Missing Snorkeller Suspended: Body Found At Anna Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have found a body believed to be that of a missing snorkeller at Anna Bay.

29-year-old Scot McQuire disappeared after entering the water at Birubi Point on Sunday afternoon.

Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, police were called after the body of a man was found in the water off Robinson Reserve.

Police are yet to formally identify the remains.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Scot McQuire Disappeared On Sunday Afternoon

Search Continues For Missing Port Stephens Man

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help to find a man who's gone missing at Port Stephens.

29-year-old Scott McGuire was last seen at about 4.00pm on Sunday 19 November 2017 when he went snorkelling with a friend off Birubi Point at Anna Bay.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return to shore or return home.

Police searched waters between Birubi Point and Boat Harbour yesterday but failed to find any trace of him.

Any fishermen who were at Birubi Point last Sunday are urged to contact police.

Scott is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm - 185cm tall with a slim build and shaved brown hair.

He was last seen wearing red board shorts, black flippers, black goggles with a clear snorkel and was carrying a small mesh bag

Police and Scott's family hold concerns for his welfare and are appealing for anyone with information about his whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missign man: Scott McGuire

Father And Three Children Treated For Smoke Inhaltion At Anna Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

A father and his three young children have been treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at their Anna Bay home last night.

The 32-year-old man was taking a shower in their Nelson Bay Road home at about 9pm when a smoke alarm went off.

He rushed out of the shower to find thick smoke in the bedroom of his 1-year-old daughter and managed to rescue her.

The man called out to his father-in-law in an adjacent house to come and help and they removed his other two children aged 3 and 5.

The two men managed to put out the fire with an extinguisher and a garden hose before fire crews arrived.

It's believed an electrical fault in a lamp sitting on a change table sparked the blaze, which caused only minor damage to the home.

Paramedic Assaulted At Heatherbrae

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court today (Tues 31 October 2017) accused of assaulting a paramedic twice while being transported to hospital from Heatherbrae.

Police were called to a shop on the Pacific Highway on Tuesday 17 October 2017 after a man started behaving erratically.

An ambulance was called to take him to hospital but it's alleged he spat in the face of a paramedic in the vehicle and grabbed the officer's leg, squeezing it tightly as he got out of the ambulance.

Yesterday, (Monday 30 October, 2017) the 47-year-old man was released from hospital and arrested by police.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with common assault (x 2).

The man was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Truck Fire Closes Northbound Lanes Of Pacific Highway North Of Karuah

BY IAN CROUCH

A truck accident and fire has closed the northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway north of Karuah.

Newcastle Fire Command says a semi trailer carrying a load of paper overturned just before 1.30 on Thursday morning between Tarean Road and the Karuah River.

The driver suffered head injuries and has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Several fire trucks and RFS units are at the scene.

It's expected the highway will remain closed for some hours.

Northbound traffic is being diverted at Tarean Road.

Residents Disturb Suspected Thieves At Raymond Terrace

BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are under police guard after they allegedly tried to break into a shed at Raymond Terrace early Wednesday morning.

The residents of a property on New Line Road heard a car arrive at about 2.00am and went to investigate, challenging the pair before they fled in a borrowed car.

They didn't get very far, with the car crashing down a small embankment about half a kilometre away.

Both men have been taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Police say the property owners have been the victims of recent thefts, with a quad bike and motorbike stolen.

Garage Destroyed By Fire At Anna Bay

By IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which destroyed a garage and its contents at Anna Bay.

Fire crews were called to Morna Point Road just before 2.00am on Tuesday to find a detached tin garage well alight.

The intense heat from the fire caused damage to the side of a house at the property.

One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

It's taken crews about 30 minutes to extinguish and mop up the fire.

Parents Charged After Little Girls Left Home Alone At Nelson Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged the parents of two young girls left home alone at Nelson Bay.

Officers were called to Government Road at about 1.45am on Sunday after a passerby found a 4-year-old girl walking along the road by herself.

She was able to point out where she lived and officers searched a unit, finding a 2 year-old girl asleep in a cot in the empty apartment.

Officers contacted the parents who returned to the unit and spoke with investigators.

It is alleged that during a search of the woman’s handbag, officers located cannabis and white powder believed to be methylamphetamine.

The girls, aged 4 and 2 were removed from their parents’ custody and a Family and Community Services notification was made.

Officers have now charged the parents with abandon/expose child under 7 cause danger serious injury, and possess prohibited drug.

They are expected to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 27 November 2017.

Inquiries continue.