Headstones Vandalised in Suspected Hate Crime

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Investigators are appealing for information after 10 headstones were vandalised in Maitland last week, in a suspected hate crime.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police officers were called to a cemetery on Louth Park Road in South Maitland last Tuesday 31st of January, and found 10 headstones had been spray-painted with a Nazi symbol.

A crime scene was established and a number of seized items will be forensically examined.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Vital Newcastle Gas Supply Terminal Project Shelved

 BY IAN CROUCH

NSW is facing a critical gas shortage, with a major supply terminal earmarked for Newcastle axed.

The gas terminal, which had been backed by the state government as critical infrastructure, was expected to supply 80 per cent of the state's gas needs.

It's reported the South Korean backers of the project claim the volatile international gas market has made the project economically unfeasible.

The move to drop the Newcastle terminal also placed pressure on the state government to deliver the stalled Narrabri gas project.

Snowy Hydro's controversial gas-fired power plant at Kurri Kurri may also need to be fast-tracked. 

Plans for a LNG import terminal in Newcastle have been shelved Picture News Limited

BREAKING! Woman Knifed During Adamstown Home Invasion

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has been slashed in the arm during a frightening home invasion at Adamstown.

Police say the 54-year-old answered the door to her Bryant Street home at about 4.00pm on Thursday and was confronted by a man who demanded the keys to her car.

When she refused it's alleged the man produced a knife and slashed the woman's arm before running off empty-handed.

A friend of the victim took her to the John Hunter Hospital where she received sutures for her injury before being allowed to return home.

The alleged offender is described as being of Caucasian appearance, short with a slim build.

BREAKING! Former Convent At Bulahdelah Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have launched an investigation after the former convent at St Joseph's Primary School at Bulahdelah was destroyed by fire overnight.

Two Fire and Rescue crews from Tea Gardens along with five RFS crews were called to the property on Bulahdelah Way just after midnight to find the former nun's residence well alight.

It's taken firefighters almost 2 hours to get the fire under control.

Police say a tenant who was leasing the convent building from the Catholic Diocese of Maitland Newcastle was not at home and no-one was injured.

The fire was contained to the building and the school has not been impacted by the blaze.

Forensic crews will be called in to determine the cause of the fire.

Senior Citizens Targeted in Fire Safety Program

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Seniors across the Hunter and the state are encouraged to book a free home visit with Fire and Rescue NSW. 

It comes after new data revealed citizens over 65 have accounted for 50% of all fire-related deaths over the past five years. 

Firefighters are now offering to visit local homes as part of FRNSW's Safety Visit Program, to discuss evacuation plans and safety measures, and perform essential smoke detector tests. 

Visits can be booked on the Fire and Rescue NSW website. 

$21 Million Needed For Long-Term Stockton Solution

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A funding short-fall is the latest spanner in the works to re-nourish Stockton Beach. 

The Coastal Management Plan estimates at least an extra $21 million is needed before long term sand re-nourishment can occur. 

After announcing on Monday, NSW Public Works would take over the short-term dredging project, Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the body would work with the commonwealth and council to minimise costs. 

While City of Newcastle and The Greens are in support of a break-wall levy to fund the ongoing works, both Labor and the Coalition have ruled it out. 

While council maintains the NSW government should be the one to take key action in relation to the plan, discussions continue over which government agency will take majority responsibility of the project.

Police Investigate Alleged Charlestown Robbery

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Lake Macquarie Police have commenced an investigation into a robbery in Charlestown overnight. 

It's alleged a 31-year-old man was walking to his parked vehicle on Carl Close at about 10:30pm, when he was approached by two unknown males.

There was an altercation, and the pair allegedly stole cash and a car key before fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained a wound to his knee and was taken to John Hunter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.