Police charge two men after pursuit – Ballina
May 2, 2012
Two men will front a North Coast court today after police discovered a loaded gun, drugs and cash in a car following a high-speed pursuit at Ballina.
About 1.20pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 May 2012), Highway Patrol officers pursued a stolen maroon Ford Falcon XR6 along the Pacific Highway at Woodburn.
The pursuit was terminated a short time later for safety reasons.
Police initiated a second pursuit on the Pacific Highway at Ballina about 10 minutes later; however, it was terminated as well due to the stolen vehicle’s speed.
The Ford then sideswiped a silver-coloured Toyota Camry before crashing into a roadside railing.
The two male occupants got out of the vehicle and ran into bushland.
One of the men was arrested by police a short time later, while the other was taken into custody following an hour-long search operation.
The pair was taken to Ballina Police Station and questioned.
Police investigate death of woman near Mullumbimby
April 29, 2012
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman on the state’s Far North Coast.
Police and emergency services located the body of a woman near Boogaren Falls at Mount Jerusalem National Park shortly after 7am today (Sunday 30 April 2012).
It is believed the body is that of a woman who went missing earlier this week from Mullumbimby.
Inquiries into the woman’s death continue and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Anyone with information about the woman’s death is asked to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Police appeal for information into woman’s disappearance – Mullumbimby
April 28, 2012
Police are seeking assistance from the public after a woman went missing from the Far North Coast town of Mullumbimby.
Krista Bernard, aged 41, was last seen when she dropped her partner at work at Tunnel Road, about 9am on Thursday 26 April 2012.
She was driving a white 1990 Holden Barina Hatch, NSW registration number AGW 341 at the time and has not been seen since.
Ms Bernard is described as having a tanned complexion, a medium build, with greying hair and about 160cm to 170cm tall.
When last seen she was wearing long, purple-coloured cotton pants, a navy blue jumper and green-coloured shoes.
There are concerns for Ms Bernard’s welfare as her disappearance is highly unusual.
Anyone who has information regarding Ms Bernard’s whereabouts is asked to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Two killed in Far North Coast crashes
April 28, 2012
A man and a woman were killed in seperate accidents on the Far North Coast yesterday.
A truck and motorcycle were involved in a fatal crash near Casino, in the afternoon.
The vehicles collided on Summerland Way about 3km south of Casino about 2.30pm.
Police from Richmond Local Area Command and other emergency services responded to the incident.
The motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, was located deceased at the scene.
Inquiries are being conducted by Ballina Crash Investigation Unit.
Earlier, a woman was killed with her Toyota Echo collided with a fully-laden cement truck at Yamba.
Police from Coffs-Clarence LAC and NSW Ambulance Paramedics responded to reports of a crash on Yamba Road, Yamba, about 7.20am.
Upon arrival at the scene, they found the 23-year-old woman deceased.
The truck driver, a 71-year-old man, has undergone mandatory blood and urine tests and been questioned by investigators.
Anyone who witnessed any of the crashes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
North Byron Parklands approved
April 26, 2012
Following a comprehensive planning assessment process the North Byron Parklands site at Yelgun in the Byron Shire has been given the green light.
Today the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) announced approval for the venue, saying “the Commission agrees with the Director-General of the Department of Planning’s assessment that the proposal will provide Byron Shire with a permanent cultural events site attracting visitors to the area and generating much needed employment, as well as providing environmental benefits arising from revegetation”.
Abduction of teenage girl – Chinderah
April 25, 2012
Police are appealing for information after a man has forced a teenage girl into his vehicle, in the state’s north last night.
About 7.30pm (Tuesday 24 April 2012), a 16-year-old girl was walking south on Tweed Coast Road, Chinderah, under the Pacific Highway overpass near the big round-about.
A car approached the girl, and the male driver spoke to her.
The girl ignored the man and kept walking, the car has stopped and the man forced the girl into the front passengers’ seat.
The man drove onto Pacific Highway and continued north onto Terranora Road.
As the car was going around a bend at Banora Point, the girl has managed to jump out of the car.
She ran and hid in bushes, before calling a family friend and running to a nearby house.
Police from Tweed/Bryon Local Area Command were contacted and attended her location.
The man has been described as 50 to 60 years old, dark complexion, with an Australian accent, short greying hair balding at the front, wearing a black and white small checked long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.
The car has been described as a small silver four-door hatch, black interior, leather seats, dark tinted windows, an automatic transmission, and bearing small white number plates with black writing.
Anyone who knows the man’s identity or who may have seen the vehicle in the area should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
18-year-old man dies in crash – Casino
April 25, 2012
A report will be prepared for the Coroner following a fatal collision in the State’s north last night.
About 8pm (Tuesday 24 April 2012), a Ford Falcon sedan, was travelling south-east on Naughtons Gap Road, Casino.
The driver, an 18-year-old man from Casino, negotiated a left-hand bend, lost control, crossing onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with a tree.
Police from the Richmond Local Area Command and other Emergency services attended the scene, but despite efforts the driver died from his extensive injuries.
The front passenger of the sedan, a 19-year-old Casino man, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital.
Naughtons Gap Road was closed for four hours while police conducted examinations of the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Richmond Local Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Double fatality – Leeville
April 23, 2012
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following a double fatal collision on the state’s Far North Coast.
About 5.45am today (Monday 23 April 2012), emergency services were called to Summerland Way at Leeville, 5km from Casino, following a head-on collision between Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara.
The driver and passenger of the Hilux, believed to be two men, died at the scene.
The male driver of the Navara was treated at the scene before being taken to Lismore Base Hospital with spinal injuries.
Officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command have established a crime scene and are attempting to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Summerland Way was closed in both directions and diversions were in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area or expect significant delays.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, or the events leading up to it, should contact Richmond Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Detectives launch investigation after seizing counterfeit $20 notes – Lismore
April 22, 2012
Detectives on the State’s Far North Coast are conducting inquiries after a number of fake $20 notes were found in circulation in the Lismore area.
A number of business owners contacted local police on Friday (20 April 2012) after the counterfeit notes were used to pay for good and services.
The phony cash was detected by staff at a Lismore kebab shop, pub, convenience store and fast food restaurant, and by two taxi drivers.
Detectives have launched an investigation in a bid to identify who is responsible for producing them.
The counterfeit notes, totalling $240, have also been seized for forensic examination.
Richmond LAC Duty Officer, Inspector Robert Cairnduff, warned local residents and business owners to be on the lookout for the notes.
“I would encourage everyone to be extra vigilant when handling their money and if you do notice something odd or that doesn’t look quite right, please contact us immediately,” Insp Cairnduff said.
“The counterfeit notes that we have seized are not of great quality; however, in poor light or to the unsuspecting eye they could quite possibly be passed off as the real thing.”
Inquiries by local detectives are ongoing.
Anyone with information that might assist investigators is urged to contact Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Australia’s place in the world – Byron at Byron presents George Negus
April 22, 2012
On May 17 The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa will host legendary Australian media personality George Negus who – among other things – will share his thoughts on Australia’s place in a monumentally changing world.
The first in the Byron at Byron Presents dinner series for 2012, the event follows last year’s sell-out dinners with Bettina Arndt, Joanna Savill and David Clark.
George’s most recent book, The World From Down Under, is a compilation of interviews with international “movers and shakers” for SBS Dateline that reveal George’s passion to put significant world events into perspective for Australians.
“The world is in turmoil and sometimes we Australians tend to overestimate our own problems,” says George. “I wouldn’t go so far as to call us the lucky country, but we are definitely a fortunate country. Less than 25 million people out of 7 billion world-wide, we need to think about that and get it into a realistic perspective. We need to see Australia in relation to the world – not the world in relation to Australia.
“There are people in other parts of the world facing hardship and difficulty we can’t imagine, yet our own politics has become so spiteful, small-minded and uninspired. There’s a leadership crisis in this country that goes right across the ideological spectrum. A lack of maturity and sophistication in our politics means we find ourselves complaining at a time when we should be thankful.
“I’ve seen Third World countries handle the up-and-down nature of their affairs in a more dignified way. I’m disappointed that we can’t get our heads out of our own sandy beaches.”
