Denman Woman To Face Court On Drug Supply Charges

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman is due to front court today (Wednesday 24 April, 2024) accused of supplying drugs in Muswellbrook.

As part of investigations by Strike Force Smollett, police searched a home in Virginia Street Denman on Tuesday and allegedly found a quantity of drugs and mobile phones.

They arrested a 36-year-old woman at the house.

She was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and refused bail to face Singleton Local Court today.

Appeal to find teenage girl last seen at Elermore Vale

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A teenage girl has been reported missing in the Newcastle area.

13-year-old Lily Renyard was last seen leaving a home at Elermore Vale around 2:15pm on Sunday, 14 April 2024.

Police are concerned for Lily's welfare given her young age, and are appealing to the public for help locating her.

She is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a fair and freckled complexion, about 162 centimetres tall, of slim build, with long straight brown hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing denim shorts and a black t-shirt with white lettering "Palm Angels".

Police say Lily is known to frequent Glendale, Edgeworth and the Newcastle CBD or will possibly be on public transport.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

BREAKING! Police Investigate Armed Hold-Up At Anna Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens police are searching for two men following an armed hold-up at Anna Bay overnight.

Police say the pair, who had their faces covered and were armed with a machete and a bat, entered a take away shop on Gan Gan Road at about 8.1opm on Thursday and confronted the male attendant.

The pair escaped with an amount of cash in a red 2-door hatchback.

The worker was not injured during the hold-up

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

ANZ CEO Endorses The Hunter Region

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

ANZ Chief Executive Shayne Elliott has endorsed Newcastle and the Hunter during his regional tour of Australia. He says the Hunter has a resilient economy and strong population growth. 

Mr Elliott also described the region as a vibrant place with lots of opportunity, and says it ticks more boxes than most parts of the country, including capital cities.

In an address to the region's business leaders, Mr Elliot says good jobs, lifestyles and infrastructure are some of the aspects attracting young people to the Hunter.

Mr Elliott also says ANZ is aiming to help the region unlock potential for a stronger economic future. It comes after ANZ released a report into hydrogen yesterday, providing insight into an industry Mr Elliott believes could be become big in Newcastle and the Hunter region. 

He says sectors such as hydrogen and off-shore wind requires significant investment, which ANZ could assist with.

Lochinvar Residents Meet Over Pending Post Office Closure

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lochinvar residents are meeting with Australia Post officials on Thursday morning to discuss the pending closure of their local post office on May 1.

Australia Post is ending daily letter deliveries and closing smaller licensed post offices, particularly in regional areas, in a bid to make the organisation more viable as more people opt for digital forms of communication.

Despite the trend, many residents, particularly the elderly and disabled rely on their local post office for a range of over-the-counter postal, bill paying and other services.

There's already been community uproar over the pending closure of the Lambton Post Office, also due to shut down on May 1, with close to 4,000 residents signing a petition to no avail. 

Lochinvar resident, Kevin Gordon is attending today's meeting and says many in the community have only recently been informed about the decision, and closing the post office will have a major impact on the village.

"There's always going to be an element that are people who are elderly, people who are disabled (who) need to have access to those particular facilities and I think it's a bit of a shame that they're doing this so quickly," he said.

The Lochinvar Post Office is due to close on May 1 Picture: Google

Hunter Police Issue Appeal For Wanted Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley Police are asking for public help to find a man wanted on a string of robbery related offences.

23-year-old William Hickey is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and is known to frequent the Sydney and Kempsey areas.

He's described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 180cm tall with a thin build, blue/grey eyes, brown hair and beard.

Police are warning people not to approach him but to call Triple Zero immediately.

 

Wanted Man William Hickey

BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Shark Centre At Anna Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by neighbours has prevented a fire spreading at the Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre at Anna Bay.

Newcastle Fire Command says multiple RFS and Fire and Rescue crews were called to the centre in Jessie Road just after 6.15am on Wednesday.

A large timber shed used to store wet suits had caught alight.

However neighbours managed to douse the flames and had the fire almost out when crews arrived.

Smoke from the fire has impacted the centre and crews have ventilated the building.

It's believed a battery left charging sparked the fire.