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A man has been arrested and charged following a two-car collision and attempted car theft in the Hunter region.
About 7.30am yesterday (Monday 27 May 2019), a Suzuki Swift and a Toyota Yaris were travelling in opposite directions on Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash, when the vehicles collided.
A member of the public stopped to assist the occupants of the Suzuki Swift, a male driver and two female passengers.
It is alleged the driver of the Swift approached the car belonging to the man assisting, and attempted to leave in it.
The man was able to retrieve his keys, before the other man fled the scene into nearby bushland on foot.
Police attended and searched for the man, however, he was unable to be located.
About 8.10am today (Tuesday 28 May 2019), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a taxi travelling on Richardson Road, Raymond Terrace and spoke with a 27-year-old man.
He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
The 27-year-old Windale man was charged with nine offences, including negligent driving, two counts of drive whilst disqualified and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
He was refused bail in Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Tuesday 28 May 2019) to reappear at the same court on Tuesday 11 June 2019.

A group of primary school students from Wallsend had special permission to test drive the suburb’s new playground.
Wallsend South Public School’s year-six leadership group were joined by Newcastle’s Lord Mayor as they scaled nets, flashed down slides and swung on revamped swings at the rejuvenated Cressington Way playground.
The Lord Mayor with Amber Hunt, 3, and year six students from Wallsend South Public School 
Today’s opening takes the total number of playgrounds replaced in the past four years to 14 across 11 different suburbs and more than $5 million worth of fun new facilities for the community.
“I’m delighted to open this wonderful new $150,000 playground,” the Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

A snapshot of suburbs across the Newcastle LGA which have received upgraded playgrounds
“The timber and steel-structured playground, which includes a tepee tower with stainless steel slide and a shop counter, among other great aspects to exercise little bodies and develop young minds, was built as part of the City’s playground replacement program.
“Under this annual renewal scheme, the City’s Parks and Projects teams completely overhaul old, weathered equipment, replacing them with more modern materials that meet ever-rising standards and service expectations.”
Elijah Maltby, 2, enjoying all there is to offer at Cressington Way playground
Alex Maltby, 4, enjoying the playground’s teepee                               Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with three-year-old Amber Hunt
Cr Nelmes said this spoke to the City’s commitment to upgrading community assets as a core component of its annual capital works program.
“We’ve also just recently celebrated the opening of the South Stockton Active Hub along the Stockton foreshore, and an adventure playground at Richley Reserve as a part our ongoing commitment to make Blackbutt Reserve one of the Hunter’s premier attractions.”
For further information, please visit the City of Newcastle’s Playground Replacement Program page here.

A new exhibition celebrating the work of Newcastle-born artist James Drinkwater, (2014 winner of the Brett Whiteley travelling art scholarship) will be showcased at Newcastle Art Gallery from Saturday 1 June 2019.
Featuring a painting of the same name, the survey exhibition JAMES DRINKWATER: the sea calls me by name, explores the artist’s career to date, with a particular focus on his travels overseas.
Born in Newcastle in 1983, James has spent key pockets of his career painting in far-flung locations such as Berlin, Kenya and Tahiti. He has also spent three months in Paris after winning the 2014 Brett Whiteley travelling art scholarship.

The 2018 Kilgour Prize finalist and four-time Wynne Prize finalist creates works inspired by place, intimacy and memory, using abstraction, colour and mark making.
While Drinkwater has a growing reputation as an abstract painter who immerses himself in his environment, he is a dynamic and multi-faceted artist with a portfolio that traverses assemblage, collage, painting and sculpture.
Having previously been exhibited across Australia and overseas in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, London and Singapore, Drinkwater’s art returns home for this latest major solo exhibition, JAMES DRINKWATER: the sea calls me by name, which was developed by Newcastle Art Gallery in collaboration with the artist.
The Gallery’s exhibition program has a strong focus on local artists, with previous major survey exhibitions including well established artists such as Patricia Wilson Adams, Brett McMahon and Mazie Karen Turner.
Earlier this month, Newcastle Art Gallery also opened a major exhibition of works by Virginia Cuppaidge, an internationally respected Brisbane-born artist who returned to Australia to live in Newcastle after more than 40 years in New York.
“Newcastle has an incredible wealth of great artists,” Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said.
“James Drinkwater is rightly celebrated, for he has experienced significant success in his relatively short career, and with Newcastle being his home and birthplace, we were quick to offer him this opportunity.
“Much like other renowned Newcastle-born artists such as Willam Dobell or John Olsen, James has been an avid artist since he was a young child.
Above: James DRINKWATER The Sea Calls me by Name
“He has an incredible work ethic, fuelled by a great personal energy and ambition. This exhibition has tried to capture some of James’ exuberance, mastery of colour and prolific output.”
Two significant public programs will herald the beginning of the Drinkwater exhibition, including an artist’s talk on Saturday 1 June at 2pm.
Early access to the exhibition will also be granted during the Gallery’s monthly Last Fridays event, a tactile, sensory and social occassion incorporating art, music, and interaction in a relaxed environment. Drinkwater has guest-programmed the line-up of activities for the Last Fridays event on 31 May, which will include local music, wine tastings and fashion.
JAMES DRINKWATER: the sea calls me by name
1 June – 11 August 2019
Newcastle Art Gallery
Free entry
More information: http://nag.org.au/Exhibitions/Future/JAMES-DRINKWATER-the-sea-calls-me-by-name
Public Programs
Opening weekend artist talk: James Drinkwater
Saturday 1 June, 2pm – 3pm. Free event, no bookings required.
More information: http://nag.org.au/Whats-On/Event-Calendar/Opening-weekend-artist-talk-James-Drinkwater
Last Fridays: James Drinkwater
Friday 31 May, 2019, 5pm – 8pm. Free event, no bookings required.
More information: https://www.nag.org.au/Whats-On/Event-Calendar/Last-Fridays-Friday-31-May

The body of a man located at a wharf in Newcastle has now been identified.
About 8.20am on Saturday 25 May 2019, the body of an unidentified man was located in the water behind a hotel on Wharf Road.
The body was formally identified by police today (Monday 27 May 2019).
Police would like to thank members of the public and the media for their assistance.

Police are appealing for assistance following a two-car collision and attempted car theft in the Hunter region.
About 7.30am (Monday 27 May 2019), a Suzuki Swift and a Toyota Yaris travelling in opposite directions on Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash, when the vehicles collided..
A member of the public stopped to assist the occupants of the Suzuki Swift, a male driver and two female passengers.
It is alleged the driver of the Swift approached the car belonging to the man assisting, and attempted to leave in it.
The man was able to retrieve his keys, before the other man fled the scene into nearby bushland on foot.
Police attended and searched for the man, however, he was unable to be located.
Police would now like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with inquiries. He is described as being 27 old, 160-165cm tall with a thin build, and black hair.
Investigations are continuing.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A former member of the Comanchero and Rebels outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG) will appear at court today after Strike Force Raptor seized drugs and ammunition during a search of a home in the Lake Macquarie region.
As part of ongoing investigations into the acquisition and use of prohibited weapons, police from Strike Force Raptor North conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapons Prohibition Order (WPO) search at a home in Blacksmiths about 7am last Wednesday (22 May 2019).
During the search, officers seized ammunition consisting of 9mm and 0.32 calibre rounds, 11g cannabis and 27 cannabis seeds.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and possess prohibited drug.
The man, who is a former member of the Comanchero and Rebels outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG), was granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 28 May 2019).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
 

A man has been charged with dangerous driving after the car he was driving allegedly hit a pedestrian in the Hunter region.
Around 3.30pm yesterday (Sunday 26 May 2019), a 79-year-old man was walking along a nature strip on Villiers Street, Mayfield.
Police will allege a 17-year-old boy was driving a Holden Nova when the vehicle collided with the pedestrian.
The elderly man suffered serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital; his injuries are non life-threatening.
Police will allege the driver left the scene without rendering assistance.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The 17-year-old later attended Waratah Police Station where he was arrested and charged with five offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail to face a Children’s Court today (Monday 27 May 2019).