Two Men Charged Over Another Alleged Copper Theft

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged over another attempted copper theft in the region this week.

Police were called to a property on Wangi Road at Myuna Bay at about 5:00pm on Wednesday the 2nd of August 2023, following reports copper cables were being stolen.

It's there they spotted two men, aged 38 and 49, allegedly removing the copper cables and loading them into a vehicle.

The pair was arrested at the scene and taken to Toronto Police station.

They've been granted bail to appear before Toronto Local Court on the 29th of August. 

Greta Bus Driver Facing Additional Charges

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Dozens more charges have been laid against the driver behind the wheel during the Greta wedding bus tragedy.

Prosecutors have revealed 58-year-old Brett Andrew Button will face 63 charges when he appears in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He's already charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as a back-up charge of negligent driving.

He'll now also face an added 9 counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Police and prosecutors have also charged him with 25 counts of misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle, in relation to the 25 injured survivors of the crash. 

 

Image: Newcastle Herald

 

Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp Stood Down Over Alleged Breach Of Ministerial Code Of Conduct

 BY IAN CROUCH

The political career of state member for Newcastle Tim Crackanthorp is on the line after he was sensationally dumped as a minister over a failure to disclose potential conflicts of interest.

Premier Chris Minns sacked him from his portfolios for allegedly failing to declare a number of properties his wife and in-laws own, including his father-in-law, who is a property developer.

The number of commercial properties they own is significant and the Premier is concerned this could impact decisions in which Tim Crackanthorp could be involved in as Minister for the Hunter.

Chris Minns says the failure to properly declare these interests is a serious breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

The Premier has referred the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Chris Minns told reporters Mr Crackanthorp's membership of the Labor Party will come into question if the commission decides to act.

"If they open an inquiry and regard it as serious enough to launch an investigation, then no, he cannot stay in the NSW Labor Party," he said.

Tim Crackanthorp addressed the parliamentary chamber on Wednesday night, telling members he did declare a number of those investments, but not all of them...and he failed to update them or declare when they became a conflict of interest.

He said he made the Premier's Office aware of the breach and maintains it was an oversight on his part.

"In recent days, I again notified the Premier's Office that I have now spoken to both my in-laws and my sibling's in-laws to assemble a full list of each of their interests and I've provided those to the Premier's Office. I appreciate and firmly believe that ministers must be held to the highest standards and would like to note that this oversight was identified due to my own self-reporting," he said.

Swansea Mp, Yasmin Cately will now be Minister for the Hunter and Deputy Premier, Pru Carr will take over the Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education portfolios.

 

State Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp has been stood down from his ministerial portfolios

Former Charlestown MP Richard Face Dies, Age 80

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Former Hunter Labor MP and State Government Minister Richard Face has died at the age of 80. 

The Former Charlestown MP reportedly passed away last night after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. 

He held the seat of Charlestown for 30 years, which is believed to be a record for any state or Federal MP in the region. 

Mr. Face also served as the Minister Assisting the Premier on Hunter Development, which is now known as the Minster for the Hunter. 

He was instrumental in the establishment of the Glenrock State Recreational Reserve, and was a staunch advocate for the construction of the West Charlestown bypass, and the redevelopment of McDonald Jones Stadium. 

Batteries And Cars On Fire In Kooragang Wrecking Yard Blaze

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Firefighters have managed to contain a fire which broke out at a wrecking yard at Kooragang this morning. 

Crews responded to reports a large amount of smoke could be seen coming out of a building on Sandpiper Close just after 11:00am on Wednesday the 2nd of August, and arrived to find the structure on fire. 

It's understood they had to enter the building from the ground and found batteries and car parts alight inside. 

One man was reportedly treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation before being transport to hospital. 

Crews say there's been no contaminated runoff into the Hunter River. 

BREAKING! Man Charged Over The Murder Of Anthony Nugent

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been arrested in relation to the shooting of Hamilton South local Anthony Nugent last year. 

The 57-year-old was shot in the chest at the front door of his Fowler Street unit at about 11:00pm on the 6th of September 2022. 

Detectives will allege it was a targeted attack linked to the black market gun trade. 

Following enquiries, detectives linked to Strike Force Alcheringa searched a property on Station Street at Waratah yesterday (1st of August 2023), where they arrested a 26-year-old man. 

He's since been charged with murder. 

A second man from Macquarie Hills was also arrested this morning (2nd of August 2023) and is reportedly assisting police with enquires from Campbelltown Police Station. 

So far he has not been charged. 

Anthony Nugent 

Police Investigate A String Of Hunter Copper Thefts

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are appealing for information in relation to several alleged copper-theft incidents in the Hunter during June and July. 

A number of incidents have been reported over the last two months, including on Monday the 31st of July 2023, when police say copper cables were stolen from a site on Thomas Mitchell Drive at Muswellbrook.

The following other incidents are also being investigated by police:

• On Friday the 9th of June 2023, copper earth tails were stolen from more than 50 power poles along the Golden Highway near Merriwa.
• Between Wednesday the 5th of July and Thursday the 20th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near Wybong Road at Muswellbrook.
• On Friday the 7th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near George Booth Drive at Cameron Park.
• On Saturday the 8th of July 2023, electrical wires were stolen near Regents Drive, New Lambton.
• On Wednesday the 19th of July 2023, an attempted theft occurred on electrical wires at Tomalpin, near Cessnock.

It's also believed similar thefts have occurred at Morisset and Awaba. 

Officers are currently investigating the thefts and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

The incidents have also prompted Ausgrid’s Executive General Manager of Field Operations, Sam Sofi to issue a safety warning. 

He says people are putting their lives at risk by interfering with live electrical assets.