Police are investigating a house fire in the state’s Lake Macquarie region overnight.
Emergency services were called to Mary Street at Cardiff about 12.15am (Tuesday 21 July 2015), where they found a house alight.
The blaze was extinguished before officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command established a crime scene.
An investigation into the incident is underway and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The fire is being treated as suspicious.
Women charged after arrest at Bondi home
Two women have been arrested at the scene of a council clean-up in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs this morning.
The women, aged 38 and 45, were arrested by police from Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command about 7am today (Tuesday 21 July 2015), in the yard of a home in Boonara Avenue.
Police will allege the women breached a Land and Environment Court order, which allowed Waverley Council to clean up the site.
The 45-year-old woman was taken to Waverley Police Station where she was charged with wilfully obstruct listed officer in exercise of functions under the Local Government Act, and resist arrest.
The 38-year-old woman was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offence of wilfully obstruct listed officer in exercise of functions under the Local Government Act.
Both women are due to appear in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2015.
Woman arrested in relation to alleged poisoning of nine-year-old girl – Child Abuse Squa
Child Abuse Squad detectives have arrested a woman in the State’s Hunter region in relation to the alleged poisoning of a nine-year-old girl.
Strike Force Twine was established by detectives from the Child Abuse Squad at Newcastle in March this year to investigate the alleged abuse of the girl who had been admitted to hospital with life-threatening renal failure and other serious medical conditions.
Police will allege a contaminated substance had been given to the girl intravenously earlier this year. She has since been released from hospital and is recovering.
It will also be alleged that early last year she was administered tablets which caused medical complications.
About 10.15am today (Tuesday 21 July 2015), Strike Force Twine detectives arrested the child’s mother at a Hunter region address and took her to Cessnock Police Station.
The 42-year-old woman was charged with using poison to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
She has been granted conditional bail to appear at court next month.
Strike Force Twine detectives are continuing their investigations into the girl’s medical history.
The Child Abuse Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect.
Man stabbed during home invasion – South Tamworth
Police are appealing for information after a man was stabbed during a home invasion in South Tamworth overnight.
Just after midnight (Tuesday 21 July 2015), a 46-year-old man answered a knock at the front door of his Petra Avenue home and was confronted by a man armed with a knife.
Police have been told he threatened the occupant and forced his way inside, with three people following him.
A 26-year-old man from inside the home ran out the back door and was confronted by four people waiting at the rear of the premises and assaulted.
When the 46-year-old man ran to assist his son, he was stabbed in the lower back.
The group stole the man’s wallet and prescription drugs before leaving in an older-model white Commodore sedan.
Police and Ambulance Paramedics were called and the 46-year-old man was taken to Tamworth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police are interested in speaking with a number of people who may be able to assist with inquiries.
The first man has been described to police as having a dark complexion, aged in his teens with a skinny build, about 170cm tall, wearing a grey hooded jumped and dark blue jeans.
The second man has been described to police as having a dark complexion, aged in his teens, about 172cm tall, very skinny build, wearing a blue hooded jumper, baseball cap and black track pants.
The third man has been described to police as having a dark complexion, aged in his teens with a skinny build and buck teeth. He was wearing a multi-coloured football jumper and a black beanie.
The fourth man has been described to police as being Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, with fair skin, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, 173cm tall, with a solid build, facial hair and sandy-coloured short hair.
Missing teens located safe and well – Muswellbrook
Two teenage girls missing for a week from Muswellbrook, have been located safe and well.
The 14-year-old girls were last seen by family at 5.30pm on Monday 13 July 2015, in Reef Way.
Yesterday (Monday 20 July 2015), the girls attended Toronto Police Station after one of the parents located the pair had been staying at a house in Toronto.
The girls have been reunited with family.
Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.
Police appeal for information after firearms stolen during break-in – Rathmines
Police are appealing for information after firearms were stolen during a break and enter near Lake Macquarie last week.
Between 7.30am and 1pm last Friday (17 July 2015), a break-in occurred at a home on Northview Street, Rathmines.
During the incident, a number of items were stolen, including three air rifles and a shotgun, which were stored in a locked firearms cabinet.
Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information which may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.
NEW FACES OF COUNTRY ROCK ARE SHAKING THINGS UP
Who says Country Music isn’t young, hot and ready to rock! Nobody who has had the chance to see Jade Holland and The Jay Seeney Band take the stage that’s for sure.
These two “artists on the up” on the Country scene have been making some serious noise over the past few months as both have seen chart success with the first singles of their respective new records. Now it is time to get serious with dates nearing for their full production releases. For both Jade and Jay, having worked together on many projects in the last few years, it made a load of sense to embark on a combined record launch tour. So that is exactly what they are doing.
From August through to November the two acts and their bands will be hitting the road to share their new music with Australia and there is big a wave of excitement right behind them.
Jade Holland is the “straight talkin” country girl from North Queensland and The Jay Seeney Band, the “rockin-est” thing to come out of Greater Western Sydney in a long time. That’s yin and yang with a guitar.
Jade’s drive and attitude comes through in everything she does. While the music world is flooded with good-looking hopefuls, Holland is very clear and somewhat blunt on the topic of what makes her different from other artists.
“I guess you could call me no frills. What you see is what you get. I’m a country girl who loves music and I do whatever I have to do to make the music happen. I don’t go for the whole beauty queen thing and I hate being called “cute” (Laughs). I’m pretty much a normal girl in her twenties from the country. I like a drink and some fun, I speak my mind and I’m chasing my dreams. For me the glamour stuff comes second, the music stuff comes first, and that is just how it should be.” – Jade Holland
Jay spent 6 months co-writing with some of Australia’s best to assemble the songs and then the best part of two months in Nashville recording for the release. But that was the easy part, choosing a name that truly represented the direction and drive behind his music, that was the tough bit.
“As a musician you always want the best songs and put in so much time to create a great product, but in this case everything just fell into place. It got to a point where we had a bunch of songs that we were really stoked with, but haven’t really thought about the record beyond that. So we spent a lot of time trying to explain the songs and what the band is all about within the title we chose.” – Jay Seeney
The new record, entitled “The New Black” is obviously a new take on a time-tested concept.
“We to demonstrate what we intend to be as a band. So we wanted something that is always in fashion, always cool but always new and exciting. Then we thought about the group and what we represent both physically and with our music. When it boiled down to it, the title “The New Black” just worked on every single level.” – Said Seeney
Jade’s album is called “Leather And Les Paul” named directly after a very personal track on the album that captivated both her and the woman who wrote it.
“After being in the studio with Sean (Sean Rudd, Golden Guitar-nominated Producer) and listening to the album back. It was very clear that Jane’s (Acclaimed Songwriter Jane Robertson) song was the standout. – Stated Jade
That track became the album title and was written about Jade personally by the songwriter after the two met and collaborated.
“Both Jane and the song are amazing, so by the end of the lengthy production process the title just fit like an old pair of cowboy boots. It was the perfect choice.” – Mentioned Holland
Both recordings will be available for pre-order shortly through Maven Records/Sony Music Australia. Keep up with the artists via their web and social media pages for order details.
Confirmed Tour Dates So Far – More to come!
July 30, 2015 – Townsville Album Preview (Jade Holland Only) – The Avenues Tavern – Free Show
August 1, 2015 – Alligator Creek Album Preview – Melville’s Farm – Tickets on the gate from 11AM
October 17, 2015 – Rooty Hill RSL Album Launch – Sydney NSW – Tickets from www.rootyhillrsl.com.au
Two men charged over prison contraband – Cessnock
Two men will appear in court today after allegedly attempting to bring a loaded firearm and prohibited drug into a correctional facility in Cessnock.
About 10.20am yesterday (Saturday 18 July 2015), two men, a 26-year-old from Smithfield and a 22-year-old from Eastwood, attempted to drive into the car park of the facility.
NSW Police attached to the Central Hunter Target Action Group, and Corrective Security Operations Group officers, were conducting a joint operation and searched their vehicle.
They allegedly located and seized a loaded handgun, 1.89 grams of white powder, believed to be cocaine, $4960 in cash, and five mobile phones.
The two men were taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with numerous offences including an outstanding arrest warrant, possess unregistered firearm, possess firearm without licence, not comply with safe storage of firearm, introduce firearm into correctional centre, possess prohibited drug, introduce prohibited drug into correctional facility, possess prohibited weapon, introduce prohibited weapon into correctional facility and deal with proceeds of crime.
They were refused bail to appear before Maitland Bail Court today (Sunday 19 July 2015).
Man charged over domestic 'glassing' – Lake Macquarie
A man will appear in court today after he was charged in relation to an alleged domestic glassing incident at Lake Macquarie overnight.
About 11.30pm on Saturday 18 July 2015 a 38-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman returned to their home in Fourth Street at Seahampton.
The woman went to bed taking their three year old child with them but an argument commenced between the man and woman.
Police will allege that during the argument the man hit the woman on the left side of her face with a glass which caused a severe laceration.
The woman suffered significant blood loss and was conveyed to the John Hunter Hospital by Ambulance Paramedics where she will need to undergo surgery.
Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and arrested the man who was taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was later charged with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today.
Road closures, school closures, flooding alerts
THE MASSIVE dump of snow across large parts of the state overnight is causing traffic chaos with major arterial roads closed and a number of schools in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands closed.
More than 10cm of snow fell in Katoomba with falls experienced as far north as Armidale and south to Goulburn.
It’s not often kids in NSW get a snow day, but more than 40 schools in the mountains and highlands won’t open today because of the icy conditions.
The Great Western Highway, Mitchell Highway and New England Highway have all been closed due to snow or ice on the road and police and emergency services are urging drivers to avoid non-essential travel until this cold snap thaws.
“We are urging all road users to drive to the road conditions and exercise caution. In wet and cold conditions, roads will slippery and vehicles may take longer to stop,” Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said.
The treacherous conditions have been hampering paramedics who have been trying to respond to more than 20 crashes caused by the storms and snow.
“Snow, ice, strong winds and heavy rain are making for treacherous conditions for NSW Ambulance paramedics to respond to patients,” Chief Superintendent Simon Locke said.
The major arterial road between Sydney and Melbourne, the Hume Highway, was closed near Bowral but one lane in each direction has since been opened but the RMS is warning of big delays in the area.
Residents in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands are also experiencing power outages with Endeavour Energy reporting 8500 customers are affected.
The State Emergency Service set up a number of refuges in the Blue Mountains to provide shelter and food to stranded motorists.
The following road and school closures will be updated as more information becomes available:
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Bald Blair Public School
Ben Lomond Public School
Bigga Public School
Binda Public School
Binya Public School
Black Springs Public School
Blackheath Public School
Blayney High School
Blayney Public School
Burraga Public School
Capertee Public School
Carcoar Public School
Crookwell High School
Crookwell Public School
Cullen Bullen Public School
Euchareena Public School
Hampton Public School
Katoomba High School
Katoomba North Public School
Katoomba Public School
Laggan Public School
Leura Public School
Lithgow Public School
Lyndhurst Public School
Mandurama Public School
Meadow Flat Public School
Megalong Public School
Nashdale Public School
Neville Public School
Niangala Public School
Oberon High School
Oberon Public School
O’Connell Public School
Portland Central School
Rockley Public School
Taralga Public School
Turnkey Creek Public School
Wallerawang Public School
Wattle Flat Public School
Wyangala Dam Public School
Wytaliba Public School
The following schools in the Southern Highlands will have limited staff and students have been advised to stay at home:
St Paul’s Moss Vale
St Thomas Aquinus, Bowral
St Michaels, Mittagong
ROAD CLOSURES
Oxley Highway – Bendemeer to Walcha
Great Western Highway – Mt Victoria to Lawson
Great Western Highway – Bathurst to Marrangaroo (West of Lithgow)
Bells Line of Road – Bell to Mt Irvine
Duckmaloi Road – Oberon (between Oberon and Jenolan Caves Rd)
O’Connell Rd – Oberon
Mid Western Highway – Cowra to Blayney
Mitchell Highway – Orange to Bathurst
Hume Motorway – Berrima (at Berrima Turnoff)
New England Highway – between Glen Innes and Armidale
Crookwell – Goulburn to Crookwell Rd
Perisher to Charlotte Pass Lookout
Khancoban to Cabramurra
Smiggin Holes to Guthega Link Rd
TRAFFIC AFFECTED
Kosciuszko National Park (all directions)
Kosciuszko Rd
Alpine Way
Snowy Mountains Hwy
Guthega Rd
Elliot Way
Perisher to Charlotte Pass Lookout (road closed at Perisher)
Khancoban to Cabramurra – road closed
Smiggin Holes to Guthega Link Rd – road closed
POWER OUTAGES
Blue Mountains: 1100 customers without supply
Southern Highlands: 1100 customers affected
FLOODING ALERTS
Coonamble
Cobar
Far Western Region – Broken Hill
Central Darling
Carrathool