Driver charged with high-range PCA after 4WD crashes onto train track – Lake Macquarie

A driver has been charged with high-range drink driving after his 4WD landed upside down on railway tracks, blocking the Sydney-Newcastle train line in the Lake Macquarie area overnight.
The Toyota Landcruiser was travelling north on Main Road at Dora Creek, when it left the road and hit the fence above the railway tracks about 7.15pm (Sunday 10 February 2019).
The 4WD rolled, crashing through the fence and landed on its roof, blocking the railway lines.
The driver escaped injury and left the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District and the Police Transport Command attended and arrested a 36-year-old man in a street nearby.
He was taken to Morisset Police Station, where he underwent a breath-test analysis, which returned an alleged positive reading of 0.153.
The Balcolyn man has been charged with drive with high-range PCA, negligent driving, and not give particulars to owner of damaged property.
He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 12 March 2019.
The man’s licence has also been suspended.
The railway line was closed for an hour while the vehicle was removed.

Sixth person charged over alleged drug supply syndicate across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie

A sixth person has been charged following investigations into alleged large-scale drug supply in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regions.
Strike Force Castlestead was established in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across both police districts.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested five men in December 2018 who were all charged with serious drug offences. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 26-year-old man was arrested at a Cameron Park home yesterday (Friday 8 December 2019).
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with nineteen offences,
– Supply prohibited drug (x7)
– Possess prohibited drug (x8)
– Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x3)
– Knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 9 February 2019).
Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated.

Two charged over alleged 2018 Newcastle taxi robbery

Proactive police work has seen two people charged over the alleged assault of a taxi driver in Newcastle last year.
About 2.20am on Sunday 1 April 2018, a man and woman, entered a taxi on Glebe Road, Adamstown, driven by a then-38-year-old man.
During the trip, an argument ensued between the driver and two passengers, before the pair were asked to get out.
The male passenger allegedly took cash from the driver and fled.
The driver attempted to chase the man, before the woman got out of the taxi and allegedly assaulted the driver, hitting him in the face, arm, and chest with her shoe.
The male passenger returned to the taxi and allegedly punched the driver in the face, before the pair fled the scene on foot.
The driver attended Newcastle Police Station and reported the matter to police, who commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Thursday 7 February 2019), in Merewether, and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with robbery in company and refused bail, appearing at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 8 February 2019), and refused bail again to appear at the same court on Thursday 11 April 2019.
About 7.15am today (Friday 8 February 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District Target Action Group were conducting patrols of Coady Street, Newcastle, where they sighted and arrested the 46-year-old woman.
She was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with robbery in company in relation to the alleged 2018 incident, and granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 28 February 2019.

Eleven charged following investigation into break-ins, vehicle thefts in Newcastle area

Police have arrested 11 people during a three-day operation targeting vehicle theft and break and enters in the greater Newcastle area.
Operation Disrupt was run by police from Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie police districts between Tuesday and Thursday (5-7 February 2019).
Local police were assisted by PolAir and the Dog Unit.
Eleven people were arrested during the operation and charged with a total of 18 offences, relating to alleged vehicle thefts and break and enters.
Commander of Newcastle City Police District, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said he was pleased with the results of the operation.
“Recent crime trends have seen an increase in both break and enters and vehicle thefts in the region and Operation Disrupt was established to specifically target these crimes across both commands,” Supt Greentree said.
“Through great police work we’ve been able to pro-actively target and disrupt this criminal activity, resulting in the arrest of the 11 people.”

Appeal for witnesses to assault of woman – Newcastle

Witnesses are being sought to the assault of a woman at Newcastle last month.
Officers from Newcastle Police District have renewed their appeal for information from the public after a 21-year-old woman was seriously assaulted between 11pm and midnight on Sunday 20 January 2019 in Denison Street near the intersection with Parry Street, Newcastle West.
The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
When police attended the location and established a crime scene they were told a man had assaulted the woman; however, a search for the man was unsuccessful.
Investigators are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Newcastle PD Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Anita Kruse, said the area was a popular entertainment precinct.
“Many people frequent the area during the day and night.
“I am sure that some members of the public have witnessed this incident and, have either not realised what was happening, or have not yet spoken to officers.
“Motorists also pass through the precinct and I urge anyone with dashcam footage to review it, and see if they can assist our investigation,” Det Insp Kruse said.
Police believe that a man described to them only as having long hair and wearing a white shirt with a cross on the front may be able to assist them with their inquiries.
Anyone with information should contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
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.

Pedestrian dies after being run over – Port Stephens

A woman has died after being hit by a car at Port Stephens today.
Just before 9.45am (Thursday 7 February 2019), emergency services were called to Guyang Street, Corlette, after reports a woman had been struck by a Hyundai whilst in the driveway of a home.
Neighbours rendered assistance before the arrival of emergency services.
Despite attempts to resuscitate the woman, she died at the scene.
The male driver was uninjured and is speaking with police.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
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.

New logo for a new city

Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre, Blackbutt Reserve and other city jewels have been united under a new corporate logo to reflect Newcastle’s revitalisation and ensure Novocastrians are aware of the assets they collectively own.
A multi-coloured ‘N’, the main feature of the new City of Newcastle logo, was inspired by the emergence of a new city and designed to promote its growing appeal to tourists.
Inside-(1).jpgNew logo on a blue background.
“All of our facilities and services will be united under a single banner that Novocastrians can be proud of,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at today’s launch.
“The new ‘N’ logo bears seven colours in a simple yet effective design that encapsulates Newcastle as an emerging global city. The ripple effect represents water, as a strong symbol and shared connection across our coastal city. The vibrant palette captures the beauty of Newcastle’s natural environment and represents the city’s bright outlook.
“The look proudly complements our highly successful Newcastle ‘See Change’ destination brand. The two will often feature side by side as we work to deliver services and facilities to Newcastle as well as promote the city as a destination.
“Through consultation with our community for our Newcastle 2030 Strategic Plan, we found that our coastline was an important element to the Newcastle region and our fresh brand reflects this.”
Research undertaken last year found around half of all Novocastrians weren’t aware Blackbutt Reserve, Fort Scratchley, the Civic Theatre, Newcastle Museum or Newcastle Art Gallery were City of Newcastle facilities.
City_of_Newcastle_Horizontal_RGB2-(1).jpgThe new logo on a white background.
An updated, more contemporary logo was needed, the Lord Mayor said, a quarter of a century after the Civic Fountain motif replaced a coat of arms bearing two seagulls.
insidelaunch.jpgLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes flanked by members of the City’s creative team at this morning’s logo unveiling.
“As a progressive, dynamic and rapidly changing City, it was important that we made this change to complement Newcastle’s transformation from a regional town into a smart, liveable and sustainable global city,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“When our community doesn’t recognise the services or facilities their local council provides, it’s clear that the old approach of separating council’s services and logos for each asset was not optimal. Under the new ‘N’, we are united with a consistent and recognisable symbol.”
CEO Jeremy Bath said he expected the new brand would engender a greater sense of city pride and ownership following its gradual roll out.
“We’ve brought together elements such as our affinity for water into a functional design that is bold and instantly recognisable,” Mr Bath said.
“And with our in-house design team partnering with local creative agency Headjam in a co-design capacity, along with some in-kind support from the agency, we were able to minimise the spend without compromising the result. This assistance to develop the design for our organisation, and all facilities cost just under $50,000.
“With the foundation design work done, we can start a 12-month implementation phase.
“While we intend to roll the brand out in a timely fashion, we won’t be replacing our 25-year-old brand overnight. We’ll start by replacing existing signage on our big-ticket items, like prominent sites and cultural facilities, before progressively rolling-out any new signage when it’s due for replacement under our routine signage renewal work.”
All-facility-logos.jpgNew logos of City of Newcastle facilities.
The timing of the brand refresh coincides with the City’s administrative move, from three separate Civic precinct buildings to a single office block in the City’s new CBD in Newcastle West.
As the above image shows, the new ‘N’ logo will feature on all City of Newcastle assets including the Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum, Newcastle Libraries, Fort Scratchley, Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Venues and Blackbutt Reserve.

Missing 10-year-old Newcastle boy found

A boy reported missing from Newcastle has been found safe and well.
The 10-year-old boy was last seen about 8am today (Sunday 3 February 2019), leaving a rear carpark of an apartment block, on King Street, Newcastle.
Officers from Newcastle Police District were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him.
The boy was located safe and well in Medowie.
Police would like to thank media and the public for their assistance.

Appeal for information after serious crash near Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance after a serious crash in Maryville today.
About 8.19am (Sunday 3 February 2019) emergency services were called to Hannell Street, Maryville, after reports, a Minivan had lost control and collided with two parked cars, a Honda Accord and a Jeep Cherokee.
The male driver of a Toyota Minivan, a 58-year-old man, from Mayfield, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition. His female passenger, a 30-year-old Mayfield woman, sustained lacerations and a possible leg injury.
The Honda Accord and Jeep Cherokee were parked and unattended.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Initial inquiries suggest the man may have suffered a medical episode.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam vision to come forward.