BREAKING! Tea Gardens House Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

An E-Bike left charging is suspected of sparking a fire which destroyed a house at Tea Gardens overnight.

Firefighters arrived at the single storey brick veneer home in Martin Circuit at about 10.00pm on Thursday to find a fire in a garage had quickly spread to the rest of the home.

Crews spent 4 hours extinguishing and mopping up the blaze.

Police say the owners were away in Sydney.

Forensic officers and fire investigators will examine the scene on Friday morning to confirm the cause of the blaze.

Police Pursuit Through Tighes Hill Called Off

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have called off a high-speed pursuit through Tighes Hill overnight due to safety concerns.

A routine patrol spotted a silver Ford Territory with expired registration on Maitland Road at Mayfield at 12.34am on Thursday.

A pursuit was initiated when the male driver failed to stop.

The chase went down industrial drive through Tighes Hill but was called off when the vehicle crossed to the wrong side of the road.

BREAKING! Unit Fire: Cooks Hill Apartment Complex Evacuated

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has forced the evacuation of a unit block at Cooks Hill.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Newcastle, Merewether and Carrington were called to the 3 storey unit complex in Darby Street at about 5.10am on Thursday 6 June,2024 to find a fire in a ground floor unit.

They've managed to contain the blaze to the one apartment and there are no reports of injuries.

It's understood the unit was unoccupied when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Hunter Catholic School Staff Strike Over Salary Dispute

 BY IAN CROUCH

Office staff at Hunter Catholic schools are walking off the job today (Thursday 6 June, 2024) over a pay dispute.

The Independent Education Union says the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Diocese has refused to pass on an 8% increase paid to teachers, instead offering a 3% pay rise.

Branch secretary Amanda Hioe says salaries for school-based psychologists and counsellors have fallen far behind those in government schools, meaning the Diocese will struggle to retain this critical resource.

Staff will rally at Wickham Park at 3.30pm before marching to the Catholic Schools office on Hunter Street.

Man Facing Court After Pursuit At Maitland.

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Wednesday 5 June, 2024) accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen car at Maitland.

Police were called to reports of a man acting suspiciously near a white utility on Finney Close at Rutherford at about 11.00am on Tuesday.

A short time later the car was spotted on High Street at Maitland, but the vehicle took off when officers tried to pull it over, sparking a pursuit.

The chase was called off for safety reasons.

The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later on the banks of the Hunter River.

A 28-year-old man was arrested nearby.

He's been refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today charged with seven offences including vehicle theft, police pursuit and having custody of a knife in a public place.

Police Launch Appeal For Missing Sisters From Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Police are appealing for help to find two sisters who've gone missing from their Muswellbrook home.

13 year-old Emily Rowland and her 12-year-old sister, Monique were last seen at a home on Skellatar Stock Route on Sunday and there are concerns for their welfare due to their age.

Monique is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, thin build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Emily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 140cm tall, thin build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information into their whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing sisters Monique and Emily Rowland

 

Concerns For Missing Teenager From Waratah

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help to find a teenage boy who's been missing from his Waratah home since  Thursday. May 23

17-year-old Tyrus Reseck was last seen leaving a Platt Street unit and was dropped off at Waratah Railway Station.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Tyrus is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with a solid build, short red/ginger hair and blue eyes.

He's known to frequent the Hamilton, Islington, Mayfield and Cameron Park areas.
 

Missing teen Tyrus Reseck