Mayfield Car Crash: Driver Allegedly Blows Six Times Over Limit

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police say a driver was almost six times over the limit when he crashed into a parked car at Mayfield on Monday night.

Officers were called to Ingall Street just after 11.30pm to find a white Ford on its side.

Police say a 57-year-old man was reversing his yellow Kia out of driveway when he struck the Ford.

He initially left the scene but later returned and was arrested after returning a positive breath test.

Police say he subsequently blew a reading of 0.291.

The man's been charged with high range drink driving and had his licence suspended on the spot.

He's due to face court next month.

Firefighters Called To Unit Fire At Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have contained a unit fire at Maitland.

Crews from East Maitland, Maitland and Rutherford were called to Bourke Street at about 4.45am on Tuesday to find two separate fires had broken out at a mixed commercial and residential premises.

Newcastle Fire Command says all the occupants have been safely evacuated without injury.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

BREAKING! Pacific Highway To Close After Truck Crash At Karuah

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Transport Management Centre is making preparations to remove a truck which has crashed down an embankment at Karuah.

Newcastle Fire Command says a B-Double loaded with mixed goods crashed off the southbound lanes of Pacific Highway approaching the Karuah Bridge just after 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning.

The driver managed to escape unharmed, however the truck is almost vertical down the embankment and will require a 100 tonne crane to remove it.

It's expected the southbound lanes of the highway will be closed for several hours later on Tuesday morning so the salvage operation can get under way, with a contra flow to be set up.

 

The B-Double waiting to be salvaged  Photo: Karuah RFS

 

BREAKING! Former Paterson MP Bob Baldwin Considers Running For Mayor Of Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A former federal member for Paterson is considering a tilt at the top job in Port Stephens.

Bob Baldwin released a statement overnight announcing he was considering running for mayor of the shire at the September 14 Local Government elections.

He says the decision of incumbent mayor, Ryan Palmer not to run again has prompted the move.

Bob Baldwin says he wants to continue the legacy Councilor Palmer and former mayor, Bruce McKenzie before him and shares their conviction that there's no place for partisan politics in local government.

Despite retiring from federal politics ahead of the 2016 election, Bob Baldwin says he still has a desire to engage with the community and lead the advocacy for the issues that matter to people and says he feels the community would benefit from his strong leadership experience after a break from public life.

He says he will canvass community support and assess local concerns in coming weeks.

Bob Baldwin

 

Better Protections For Survivors Of Domestic And Family Violence

BY BEN COLLISON

It's hoped Hunter families will be better protected after the states Coercive Control Act came into effect today.

Designed to protect victims from emotional and financial abuse, the laws could see convicted offenders sentenced to up to seven years in prison.

The laws are also joined by the enforcement of tighter bail laws that will see alleged offenders of serious domestic violence offences, required to show why they should not be held on remand pending the outcome of their court hearing.

As part of the legal reforms, NSW Police Officers will receive additional training to recognise the complex and nuanced signs of coercive control to better identify and to support victims.

NSW is the only state in the country to criminalise coercive control.

Search Ramps Up For Missing Man Near Gloucester

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search for man missing near Gloucester is entering it's fifth day.

72-year-old Garry Conwell was last seen on a property at Rookhurst about 20kms from the town last Wednesday morning.

An initial search located Garry's quad bike.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue helicopter has been supporting ground teams in the search.

Fire & Rescue, RFS and SES teams will commence a major land search from 8.30am on Monday.

Missing Man Garry Conwell

Climate Protests Close Hunter Line

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police and transport authorities have taken the unprecedented action of cancelling train service at the weekend after several days of climate protests.

There have been daily disruptions to services since last Tuesday leading to the weekend cancellations on the Hunter line.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation says 111 services have been affected as a result of the protest action.

In the latest incident, a 40-year-old woman was arrested after causing obstruction to trains at Lochinvar on Sunday morning.

She's been released on bail to face Cessnock Court on July 10.

Climate Protesters from Blockade Australia have disrupted the Hunter Valley Coal chain since last Tuesday Picture: Blockade Australia