A man will appear in court today after being charged with numerous offences, including drug supply, in the state’s Hunter region.
In May 2019, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established Strike Force Dunwell to investigate the supply of illicit substances in the local area.
Following inquiries, detectives and officers attached to the Drug Unit executed a search warrant at a house on Narang Street, East Maitland, about 11.40am yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2019).
During the search, a number of items were located and seized including 115 grams of methylamphetamine hydrochloride (Ice), 33 grams of cannabis, a replica prohibited firearm, an extendable baton, over $4000 in counterfeit Australian $50 notes, documentation and electronic devices, believed to be stolen.
A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with supply prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited drug, possess prohibited weapon, receive stolen property, unlicensed driving and goods in custody.
The man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 5 July 2019).
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
New playground open in Adamstown
Local families looking for outdoor fun can mark Fletcher Street Reserve’s new playground down as a fantastic place for the kids to play.
The $150,000 facility, nestled away in a leafy part of the suburb, was opened yesterday by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes as part of the City’s annual playground replacement program.
Located in a reserve also known as Laneway Park, the new playground includes an extra wide stainless-steel slide, clock, musical chimes, mountain ramp, rope net climber and double swings.
“I’m delighted to open this new playground,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at the official opening attended by students from St Columba’s Primary School in Adamstown.
“The design, which was selected by the community, is versatile enough to suit toddlers up to primary school-aged children and makes for a great new addition to the suburb.
“Fletcher Street Reserve takes the total number of playgrounds replaced by the City in the past four years to 15 across 11 different suburbs, equating to more than $5 million worth of fun new facilities for the community.”
Under the annual renewal scheme, the City’s Parks and Projects teams completely overhaul outdated equipment, replacing them with more modern materials that meet rising standards and service expectations.
This opening follows the recent delivery of the South Stockton Active Hub, the Cressington Way playground in Wallsend and last year’s opening of Blackbutt’s Richley Reserve adventure playground.
“We look forward to rolling out more of these wonderful facilities for young families in the years to come,” Councillor Nelmes added.
The $150,000 facility, nestled away in a leafy part of the suburb, was opened yesterday by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes as part of the City’s annual playground replacement program.
Located in a reserve also known as Laneway Park, the new playground includes an extra wide stainless-steel slide, clock, musical chimes, mountain ramp, rope net climber and double swings.
“I’m delighted to open this new playground,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at the official opening attended by students from St Columba’s Primary School in Adamstown.
“The design, which was selected by the community, is versatile enough to suit toddlers up to primary school-aged children and makes for a great new addition to the suburb.
“Fletcher Street Reserve takes the total number of playgrounds replaced by the City in the past four years to 15 across 11 different suburbs, equating to more than $5 million worth of fun new facilities for the community.”
Under the annual renewal scheme, the City’s Parks and Projects teams completely overhaul outdated equipment, replacing them with more modern materials that meet rising standards and service expectations.
This opening follows the recent delivery of the South Stockton Active Hub, the Cressington Way playground in Wallsend and last year’s opening of Blackbutt’s Richley Reserve adventure playground.
“We look forward to rolling out more of these wonderful facilities for young families in the years to come,” Councillor Nelmes added.
Teacher charged over alleged sexual touching of student – Hunter region
A teacher has been charged over the alleged sexual touching of a student at a high school in the Hunter region.
In June 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation, following reports a 14-year-old girl had been sexually touched by a male teacher during a class.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 50-year-old man at a Newcastle home just before 2pm yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2019).
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with intentionally sexually touch child under 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually touched the girl, then aged 14, during a school class in April 2019.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 5 July 2019).
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Resident critical after house fire – Hunter region
A man remains in a critical condition after a house fire in the Hunter region overnight.
Emergency services were called to a home on Peewee Close, in the Maitland suburb of Woodberry, about 6.45pm (Wednesday 3 July 2019), after neighbours noticed the home alight.
The resident was evacuated from the home by neighbours.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which had been contained to the kitchen.
Whilst speaking with firefighters, the resident has suffered a medical episode and CPR was performed until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The 84-year-old man was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
Officers from Port-Stephens Hunter Police District were notified, and initial inquiries suggest the fire is not suspicious.
Fatal single-vehicle crash – Aberdeen
Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region last night.
Just after 6.30pm (Sunday 30 June 2019), emergency services were called to Dartbrook Road, Aberdeen, after reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and located a Ford Falcon well alight, after its believed to have left the road while travelling north and crashed into a tree.
Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire and a body was located in the driver’s seat.
The driver is yet to be identified.
Inquiries into the crash continue, and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Renewed appeal to locate missing man – Port Stephens
Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to help locate a man who went missing from the Maitland area last month.
Michael McGarity, aged 61, was last seen leaving Maitland Hospital about 1.30am on Monday 24 June 2019.
He walked out of the hospital and was last seen heading towards Telarah.
Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to medical reasons.
Today, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted an extensive land search around the Telarah and Maitland areas, with the assistance of the NSW Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, PolAir and police trail bikes.
Mr McGarity is known to frequent the Newcastle and North Rothbury areas.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his left lower arm ‘TY’.
He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket and white T-shirt with grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.
Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
City makes pact with local artist for NAIDOC Week
City of Newcastle is counting down the days to NAIDOC week 2019 after drawing on the inspiration of a talented local Aboriginal artist to help celebrate First Nations people.
In celebration of the week-long event from 7-14 July, the City has commissioned local artist Jasmine Craciun to bring this year’s theme – Voice, Treaty and Truth – to life in a colorful display of paintings to be draped on flagpoles across the City.
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Voice, Treaty, Truth: The three images which will feature on City banners to promote NAIDOC week in July
Craciun, a proud Barkindji and Malyangapa woman, says intense pride lies behind each of her three images and their connection to the words of this year’s theme.
“When I think of the word ‘Voice’ I think of protest and change, I think loud and proud,” said the 21-year-old (pictured below) said.
“The red was used as the base colour in this work as, to me, red is the colour that speaks and represents being unapologetically proud and loud. “A treaty is a coming together of peoples, a sign of solidarity, and within this work you can see the many symbols for waterhole or meeting place.
“This work uses blue and purple tones to instill a sense of peace and calmness that could ensue in a country where the First Nations people not only have a treaty but support and understanding from all non-indigenous Australians.”
Craciun says her third image speaks to the need for transparency in the education of Australian indigenous history.
“I’ve tried to portray the bridges of history trying to break through into the upper level of the painting where Australia’s ‘comfortable’ history lives,” she said. “You can see the upper level is smooth lines and clean shapes representing the smoothing of Australia’s early history, compared to the chaotic ‘hard-to-swallow’ truth boiling below.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the artworks, both in their design and meaning, would play an instrumental role in supporting this year’s NAIDOC week celebrations.
“These works are important as they provide a real representation of our First Nations People’s history told through the lens of a local artist,” the Lord Mayor said.
“NAIDOC week is an important event on the City’s calendar and it’s fantastic that we have been able to bring Jasmine on board to help with the promotion of this special occasion.”
Local activities during NAIDOC week will be announced closer to the event. For more information on NAIDOC week, visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/.
In celebration of the week-long event from 7-14 July, the City has commissioned local artist Jasmine Craciun to bring this year’s theme – Voice, Treaty and Truth – to life in a colorful display of paintings to be draped on flagpoles across the City.
Voice, Treaty, Truth: The three images which will feature on City banners to promote NAIDOC week in JulyCraciun, a proud Barkindji and Malyangapa woman, says intense pride lies behind each of her three images and their connection to the words of this year’s theme.
“When I think of the word ‘Voice’ I think of protest and change, I think loud and proud,” said the 21-year-old (pictured below) said.
“The red was used as the base colour in this work as, to me, red is the colour that speaks and represents being unapologetically proud and loud. “A treaty is a coming together of peoples, a sign of solidarity, and within this work you can see the many symbols for waterhole or meeting place.
“This work uses blue and purple tones to instill a sense of peace and calmness that could ensue in a country where the First Nations people not only have a treaty but support and understanding from all non-indigenous Australians.”
Craciun says her third image speaks to the need for transparency in the education of Australian indigenous history.
“I’ve tried to portray the bridges of history trying to break through into the upper level of the painting where Australia’s ‘comfortable’ history lives,” she said. “You can see the upper level is smooth lines and clean shapes representing the smoothing of Australia’s early history, compared to the chaotic ‘hard-to-swallow’ truth boiling below.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the artworks, both in their design and meaning, would play an instrumental role in supporting this year’s NAIDOC week celebrations.
“These works are important as they provide a real representation of our First Nations People’s history told through the lens of a local artist,” the Lord Mayor said.
“NAIDOC week is an important event on the City’s calendar and it’s fantastic that we have been able to bring Jasmine on board to help with the promotion of this special occasion.”
Local activities during NAIDOC week will be announced closer to the event. For more information on NAIDOC week, visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/.
Elderly pedestrian dies – Mayfield
An elderly man has died in hospital after being hit by a car in Newcastle overnight.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday 27 June 2019), an 89-year-old man was attempting to cross Maitland Road, Mayfield when he was struck by a vehicle.
The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the vehicle, a 50-year-old man, stopped after the crash. A roadside breath test returned a negative result. Inquiries are continuing.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Investigations continuing following death of a man – Birmingham Gardens, near Newcastle
A man has died following an altercation near Newcastle overnight.
Shortly after 11pm (Thursday 27 June 2019), police were called to a home on Wilkinson Avenue, Birmingham Gardens, following reports of a domestic related incident involving two men, aged 52 and 68.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 68-year-old man unconscious.
Both men were taken to John Hunter Hospital, where the older man later died.
A crime scene was established; inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.
Woman charged with high-range PCA after crash near Wallsend school
A woman has been charged with high range drink-driving after a crash near a Wallsend school this afternoon.
About 3.10pm (Thursday 27 June 2019), police were called to Boscowen Street, after reports a Mazda 2 had crashed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle while driving through a 40km school zone.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Highway Patrol attended and spoke with the female driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, who was subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result.
The 40-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where she returned an alleged reading of 0.296.
Her licence was suspended, and she was charged with drive with drive with high range PCA. She has been granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 18 July 2019.