Police appeal to ‘schoolies’ to celebrate safely – Byron Bay
November 30, 2010
Police are continuing their schoolies operations in the Byron Bay area, urging school leavers to enjoy themselves responsibly and stay safe.
Tweed/Byron Commander, Acting Superintendent Owen King, said most of the schoolies celebrations have been positive to date.
“There have been no serious or major incidents reported to police in the Byron Bay area since the operation began on Friday 19 November,” he said.
“We have been conducting high-visibility policing operations, with the assistance of Richmond Local Area Command, focusing on alcohol-related offences, anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises, car parks and beaches.
“For those driving home, keep in mind alcohol can stay in your system for many hours after your last drink. P-platers must have a zero blood alcohol level.”
Schoolies incidents from 6pm Friday 19 November to 6am Monday 29 November 2010 include:
· 44 drug detections including 28 cannabis cautions and 16 people appearing in court (small quantities detected)
· Four ‘schoolie’-related assaults with five arrested and three in court
· 22 people charged with drink-driving
· Four people charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
Man trapped in burning vehicle dies – Mullumbimby
November 29, 2010
Crash Investigators are at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in which a man died near Mullumbimby this morning.
Police and emergency services were called to Main Arm Road, at Upper Main Arm, about 3am after a vehicle left the road and rolled over an embankment.
Four people travelling in the vehicle at the time escaped with minor injuries despite the vehicle being extensively damaged.
Police have been told the driver, believed to be a 29-year-old man, climbed back into the vehicle to retrieve some property.
The vehicle then caught alight and the man was trapped inside and died at the scene.
Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) and Forensic Service Group (FSG) officers are examining the scene.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police conduct drug and alcohol operation near Ballina
November 26, 2010
Police have charged 19 people and issued 30 fines during a drug and alcohol operation in the State’s north.
‘Operation Number’, which ran on Wednesday and Thursday this week (24 and 25 November 2010), saw police targeting drivers for drug and alcohol-related offences along the Pacific Highway, Ballina.
Those involved in the operation included officers from the Richmond TAG, Richmond Highway Patrol, Richmond Crime Management Unit, two drug dogs and an RTA heavy vehicle unit.
Seven people were charged with drug-related offences, five for drink driving and seven for traffic-related offences.
Police also suspended 13 drivers’ licences, issued 30 infringement notices and four cannabis caution notices.
Over $36,000 in cash was seized by police after it was allegedly located during a vehicle search.
NSW Fishing Monthly editor Tony Zann’s weekend report
November 26, 2010
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been quite a few flatties from North Creek to Pimlico Island, with heaps of undersized school jew in the same areas.
The whiting have arced up, with best spots behind the sailing club and up around Pimlico Island on the run-up tide, with bloodworms and beach worms working well.
A few mud crabs in Emigrant and North creeks but they’re not as thick as they should be.
Beaches have produced whiting, a few dart and some good flathead.
Nobody sane has been offshore apart from the trawlers and big trap boats.
Christmas in words and song
November 26, 2010
Nine Lessons and Carols, the story of Christmas in words and song, will be presented by a combined choir including choristers from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Lismore, and St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore.
Venues:
- Friday, 17 December, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina.
- Sunday, 19 December, 7.30pm, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Lismore.
- Tuesday, 21 December, 7.30pm, St Martin’s Anglican Church, Mullumbimby.
Carol services are also being held:
- Saturday, 4 December, 3pm, St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Coraki.
- Sunday, 5 December, 8pm Church of the Good Shepherd, Bexhill.
The original service of Nine Lessons and Carols derives from a service which the clergyman E W Benson first gave in a wooden hut in Cornwall, UK, on Christmas Eve, 1880.
Man charged after cold case breakthrough into sexual assault – Pottsville
November 25, 2010
A man has been charged with the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman at Pottsville Beach 21 years ago.
On 29 September 1989, a 30-year-old woman went for an early morning walk along Pottsville Beach near Tweed Heads when she was allegedly approached by a naked male.
The woman fled into nearby bushes but was allegedly grabbed and forced to the ground before being sexually assaulted.
Despite extensive investigations into the matter at the time, police were unable to locate the woman’s attacker.
AMP in the swim for local Tweed charity
November 25, 2010
The AMP Foundation will significantly boost the fundraising efforts of the 10th annual Tweed River Swim in Murwillumbah which is raising money for the Fingal Rovers Surf Life Saving Club.
Local AMP Financial Planner Andrew Chubb, of Bilambil Heights, said the AMP Foundation would dollar match 50 per cent of funds raised, up to $10,000, from the event to be held on Sunday November 28.
“The AMP Foundation’s donation will go to the Fingal Rovers Surf Lifesaving Club which has been providing a vital community service for almost 80 years, helping keep our beaches safe every summer,” Mr Chubb said.
“Last year the volunteer organisation performed 37 rescues in the local area which is the largest number of any club in the Tweed.
Elderly man found deceased near Ballina
November 24, 2010
The body of an elderly man has been located near Ballina this afternoon.
The discovery was made about 2pm today by State Emergency Services volunteers involved in a search for a 71-year-old man, who disappeared from his East Ballina home on Monday morning (22 November).
A crime scene has been secured on Flat Rock Road at Flat Rock, just north of Ballina, as police from Richmond Local Area Command and Forensic Services Group officers conduct inquiries at the scene.
At this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious.
The deceased has not been formally identified and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in coming days to determine a cause of death.
Investigations are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.
Appeal to find missing man – East Ballina
November 24, 2010
Police from Richmond Local Area Command are seeking public assistance to find a man missing from East Ballina since earlier this week, and will recommence a search for him today.
Gilbert Fulton, aged 71, was last seen about 11.30am on Monday (22 November) near his home in Seaswallow Place, East Ballina.
He was reported missing later that evening when he failed to return home.
Mr Fulton had left behind his car, wallet, identification and mobile phone.
Police and family hold concerns for Mr Fulton’s welfare as his disappearance is totally out of character.
Saffin acknowledges Telstra response to local jobs campaign
November 23, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin said she notes that Telstra has made some efforts to retain jobs in Grafton, following the local campaign against the closure of the call centre.
“I welcome the personal involvement of CEO David Thodey, following my representations and meetings with him on this issue,” Ms Saffin said.
“I understand that he visited Grafton and faced the workers last week, which I had requested he do, to see for himself the local situation and what might be done to support jobs in Grafton.
“When I met with Mr Thodey in my Parliamentary office last month, and had Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson on the phone as well, we made clear the strong local reaction to the planned closure of the Telstra call centre.
“Mr Thodey also said at that meeting that when some NBN services were available, he would consider what more could be done.
“At this stage I understand there are 18 positions to be maintained in Grafton until at least the middle of next year. I am hopeful that they will become ongoing positions.
“I have kept in touch with the union to discuss the latest situation for the employees who have lost their positions and how many are still in the area looking for local jobs.
“I feel for the workers losing their jobs, and extend my thanks to those local employers who have hired Telstra workers, starting with The Daily Examiner which was the first cab off the rank.
“It is very disappointing that many jobs have been lost, but I have to be gracious and acknowledge Telstra’s latest developments, as our concerted community campaign did achieve some positive results.”
