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Police appeal for information after armed robbery near Lake Macquarie

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Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery near Lake Macquarie yesterday.

Police have been told just after 4pm (Tuesday 13 September), an unknown man entered a shop on Hexham Street, Kahibah, armed with a knife.

The man then demanded money and left the store with cash. He was last seen walking down Kenibea Avenue.

The man is described as being in his mid 30s with a medium build and about 178cm tall with short shaved hair. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Former teacher charged over historical sexual assaults – Wagga Wagga

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Police investigating a number of alleged historical child sexual assault offences have charged a former teacher in the state’s south today.

Strike Force Cornet was established by Wagga Wagga detectives to investigate a number of incidents alleged to have occurred between 1964 and 1992 at a high school in Junee.

About 8.30am (Tuesday 12 September 2016), officers attended a home in Junee and arrested an 81-year-old man, who was a teacher at the high school between 1964 and 1992.

The man was taken to Junee Police Station where he was charged with three counts of buggery. These offences relate to the sexual assault of a 12-year-old male student over a five year period.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Wagga Wagga local court on Wednesday 19 October 2016.

Detectives are continuing with inquiries.

Police are urging anyone with information, including former students and teachers who may have been witness to or were in fact a victim of sexual assault to come forward and contact Wagga Wagga Police Station on 02 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

CMA ANNOUNCES “FOREVER COUNTRY” SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO IN HONOR OF “THE 50TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”

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In celebration of “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” CMA has created the biggest video in Country Music history. Titled “Forever Country,” the single and accompanying music video features 30 CMA Award-winning acts. This single was produced by CMA Award-winning Board member Shane McAnally and the video was directed by Grammy Award-winning director Joseph Kahn.

The music video is set to an intricate medley of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” All are former CMA Entertainers of the Year.

In another historic move, the single will be unveiled to the public Friday, Sept. 16 (Saturday, Sept 17 in Australia) in a global roadblock across Country radio, premiering on hundreds of radio stations simultaneously at 8:30 AM/ET across the U.S., in addition to premiering in key international markets. But fans will have to wait a few more days to see the full length music video; the video will make its worldwide premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 20 (Wednesday, Sept 21 in Australia).

For the past week fans have been buzzing across social media platforms trying to guess what the “Forever Country” project might be as the 30 acts featured in the video have been posting mysterious teasers created by CMA tagged with #ForeverCountry and driving fans to the website ForeverCountry50.com to see all of the artist teasers as they are released. Social teasers will continue to roll out this week until CMA announces the full list of participating artists.

“‘Forever Country’ is a moving tribute to Country Music, Country Music fans, and the artists who have built this format into what it is today,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This music video is the product of the CMA Board of Directors who came together in support of this project as a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards, a statement on the heritage and future of the Country Music industry, and a reflection of this year’s Awards theme — ‘Then. Now. Forever Country.'”

“The 50th Annual CMA Awards” will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. It will be simulcast in Australia on the Foxtel Country Music Channel.

“The 50th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer and Paul Miller is the Director. The CMA Awards will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

For more information on “Forever Country” visit ForeverCountry50.com.

Man charged following stabbing – Lake Macquarie

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A man will face court today after he allegedly stabbed a woman in Belmont overnight.

A man aged 64, and a woman aged 65, live in a block of units on Belstone Avenue and have been involved in an ongoing neighbour dispute.

It’s alleged that in the evening of Monday 12 September 2016, the man knocked on the front door of the woman’s unit and after a short discussion he walked inside.

It’s alleged the man produced a knife and started stabbing the woman.

She suffered serious lacerations to her face and hands.

The man allegedly left the unit and returned to his home where he allegedly contacted police.

He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with attempted murder.

He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 13 September 2016).

The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is expected to undergo surgery today.

Four charged after alleged home invasion and pursuit near Tamworth

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Police have charged two men and two women after an alleged home invasion and police pursuit near Tamworth yesterday.

Police have been told about 9pm (Sunday 11 September 2016), two men and a woman allegedly entered a premises on Centre Street, Quirindi, and threatened residents of the home with a knife and a screwdriver.

During the incident, a Mitsubishi Lancer was allegedly stolen from the home along with jewellery, phones and cash.

The three people, and a second woman, were seen leaving the premises in the Lancer and a second car, a Holden Commodore.

Officers from Oxley Local Area Command attended the premises and established a crime scene.

Later, just after 2am (Monday 12 September 2016), the Lancer was sighted on Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth.

Police attempted to pull the car over when it is alleged the driver failed to stop.

A pursuit ensued to Werris Creek Road, Currabubula, where the vehicle stopped.

Two 32-year-old men, a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old woman were arrested at the scene and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

A 32-year-old man was charged with three counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence whilst armed, and steal motor vehicle.

A 32-year-old man was charged with police pursuit non-stop – drive dangerously, three counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence whilst armed, and steal motor vehicle.

A 32-year-old woman was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence whilst armed, robbery armed with offensive weapon, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

A 33-year-old woman was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence whilst armed, steal motor vehicle and three counts of robbery in company.

The two men were refused bail.

The two women were given conditional bail.

They will all appear at Tamworth Local Court today (Monday 12 September 2016).

Truck issued defect notice for heavy vehicle speed tampering – Tumblong

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Traffic & Highway Patrol Officers from the Riverina have issued a defect notice to a truck driver after they discovered his truck contravened legal speed limits.

About 1am today (Monday 12 September 2016), officers stopped a Victorian-registered heavy vehicle on the Hume Highway, Tumblong after detecting it travelling at a speed of 126km/h.

Officers issued a defect notice for class B exceeding special speed limit of $568 and vehicle not speed limiter compliant of $2238. The truck grounded until Roads and Maritime Services complete their inspection of the vehicle.

The driver, a 46-year-old man from Victoria, was subject to a blood and urine test and the results are pending.

Fatal crash near Tamworth

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A motorcyclist has died after a crash near Tamworth yesterday.

About 1.30pm (Sunday 11 September 2016), emergency services were called to Werris Creek Road, Duri, following reports of a collision between a motorcycle and a car.

The rider, a 43-year-old man, died at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 19-year-old man, was assessed by NSW Ambulance Paramedics for minor cuts. He was taken to Tamworth Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Werris Creek Road was closed in both directions for about two hours while police examined the scene.

Officers from Oxley Local Area Command are appealing for anyone with information about the crash to come forward.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Speeding driver detected heading to funeral in Tarcutta

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Highway Patrol officers have detected a man allegedly speeding whilst travelling to a funeral at Tarcutta last night, NSW Police say.

About 10:30pm on Thursday 8 September 2016, Traffic & HWP Command Officers from Gundagai were patrolling the Hume Highway at Tarcutta when they were alerted to a vehicle travelling at high speed by truck drivers.

A short time later police detected a Mazda 6 sedan, hearing north, at high speed. A check of the vehicles speed on radar showed 169kph. A short time later police intercepted the vehicle and spoke to the driver and passenger, both 20-year-old males from Victoria.

The driver was found to have a Victorian provisional drivers licence, and was also found to be in possession of an expired NSW provisional licence.

As a result the driver was issued an infringement notice for driving more than 45kph over the speed limit, ($2350), driving in the right hand lane with the speed limit over 80kph ($325), and not complying with licence conditions – not displaying P Plates ($253).

As the driver was also the registered owner of the vehicle he was issued with a confiscation notice, and the vehicle was towed to Wagga Wagga where it was impounded for the statutory period of three months. His driver’s licence was also suspended in NSW for six months. Police later transported the driver and his passenger to Wagga Wagga to arrange alternative transport.

Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said that with the road toll currently at 274, 37 more than this time last year, drivers needed to take control of their behaviour on NSW roads.

“With this driver and his passenger travelling to a funeral and given their high speed, any crash would have potentially resulted in friends and family attending their funeral also.”

“We know that speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seat belt or proper helmet, driving fatigued or distracted are all risks in fatal crashes on our roads.

“Whilst this driver has learnt a costly lesson, and will be without a vehicle and licence, at least he gets to go home. Sadly, many don’t,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Driver said.

Another Australia Post truck catches fire on the Hume Highway

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Another Australia Post truck carrying parcels in transit has caught fire on the Hume Highway, destroying its contents.

The truck was near Woomargama, about 50 kilometres north-east of Albury when the driver of the truck noticed smoke on Friday morning.

Flames were seen spreading through the trailer on the side of the northbound lanes after it caught fire about 5am.

Rural Fire Service Superintendent Patrick Westwood said it took six fire trucks and about 25 firefighters to put out the blaze.

He told the Border Mail, a blown tyre may have contributed to causing the fire.

“It started a small grass fire next to the truck as well, but both were controlled and in hand by 6am,” he said

“I do believe the trailer had postage items in it … there was very little salvageable.”

The driver pulled over and tried to put out the fire, but it quickly became “far too dangerous”, and the trailer was destroyed, the mail service said in a statement.

“Fortunately and most importantly, nobody was hurt,” it read.

The driver managed to disconnect the trailer from his prime mover and was cleared of any injuries after being examined by paramedics.

Authorities created a makeshift lane to allow traffic to continue at a slowed speed until the truck was recovered about 10.50am.

It comes after another Australia Post truck was destroyed by fire on the same highway in April last year.

It took four Rural Fire Service trucks to extinguish the blaze at the time, which resulted in a large amount of letters being destroyed that were on their way from Sydney to Melbourne.

Australia Post said it would start sorting through the parcels damaged in the latest fire when it is safe to do so, and would use machine scanning data to help contact the senders.

Customers who posted parcels in Victoria on Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 September for New South Wales or Queensland are advised to contact Australia Post on 13 13 18 from Monday for further information.

Australia Post issued an apology to affected customers.

Jimmy Barnes to Launch Unique “Stories and Songs” Tour Based on Self-Penned Childhood Memoir “Working Class Boy”

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It’s a week of firsts for Jimmy Barnes. Not only is the Oz-rock icon releasing his first ever book, but he’s also announcing his first ever ‘spoken word’ tour throughout November and December.

WORKING CLASS BOY: An Evening of Stories and Songs will see Jimmy leaving behind the arenas and rock gigs where he’s blazed a trail for decades. Instead he will now be telling his life story for the first time on theatre stages across Australia, including special venues like the Sydney Opera House (Concert Hall), Brisbane City Hall and the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.

This unique live event will see Jimmy sharing stories from his troubled childhood and delinquent adolescence. It will also see him delivering intimate musical performances of some key songs drawn from his earliest years. For those who have previously enjoyed his Flesh & Wood acoustic gigs, this tour will be a treat with lots more storytelling providing a real insight into the events that shaped Jimmy’s life and his music.

“Just like the book, this live show will tell the story of an imperfect childhood that has led to me becoming an imperfect adult”, explains Jimmy. “I spent most of my life running from my childhood and now it seems like my time to face it. So this is the story of a lifetime spent running away. Running from fear. Running from shame but at the same time running from hope. I’m not running anymore”

Tickets for WORKING CLASS BOY: An Evening of Stories and Songs will go onsale to members of the General Public at 10.00am local times on Monday, 19 September although members of Jimmy’s mailing list will receive exclusive early access to a limited quantity of seats. To join Jimmy’s mailing list go to www.jimmybarnes.com/.

This unique live theatrical production is a companion piece to the eagerly anticipated first volume of his memoirs – Working Class Boy. The book was written entirely by Jimmy Barnes. It tells the raw and confronting story of fleeing the poverty of Scotland only to endure violence and abuse as an immigrant in the suburbs of Adelaide. The book explains what drove Jimmy to ultimately escape everything via rock’n’roll and its associated lifestyle. Fittingly, the childhood memoir ends with an 18 year old Jimmy and the fellow members of his new band, Cold Chisel, fleeing South Australia in the back of a truck full of musical equipment.

The hardcover first edition of Working Class Boy will be released nationally by Harper Collins on Monday, 19 September. Jimmy will be doing a number of signings and Q&A style events in association with various booksellers around the country over the following 3 weeks before heading into a month of focused rehearsals for the theatre tour.

Appropriately the tour will be drawing attention to the great work of the Luke Batty Foundation (www.lukebattyfoundation.com.au). In addition to providing relevant information online and at all of his shows Jimmy will also be encouraging everyone to support Australian of the Year Rosie Batty’s campaign to end family violence by signing up at www.neveralone.com.au

WORKING CLASS BOY: An Evening of Stories and Songs will premiere in Victoria in mid-November and wind its way around much of Australia thereafter. Dates and venues are below.
Jimmy Barnes
WORKING CLASS BOY: An Evening of Stories and Songs

Tuesday, 15 November 2016
The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Ballarat, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5338 0980 and www.wcpa.com.au

Thursday, 17 November 2016
Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5559 4999 and www.lighthousetheatre.com.au

Friday, 18 November 2016
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5434 6100 | www.gotix.com.au

Saturday, 19 November 2016
Regent Theatre, Melbourne, Vic
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Sunday, 20 November 2016
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5624 2456 and www.wgac.com.au

Friday, 25 November 2016
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Tickets available from BASS | 131 246 and www.bass.net.au

Saturday, 26 November 2016
The Barossa Arts & Convention Centre, Barossa Valley, SA
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Thursday, 1 December 2016
Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane, Qld
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Friday, 2 December 2016
Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast, Qld
Tickets available from Ticketek | 13 28 49 and www.ticketek.com.au

Saturday, 3 December 2016
Saraton Theatre, Grafton, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 6642 1633 and www.saraton.com

Thursday, 8 December 2016
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 1300 788 503 and www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au

Friday, 9 December 2016
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Saturday, 10 December 2016
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 9250 7777 and www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Sunday, 11 December 2016
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra, ACT
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 6275 2700 and www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9844 5005
and Ticketek | 13 28 49 and www.ticketek.com.au

Thursday, 15 December 2016
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 1300 661 272 and www.bunburyentertainment.com

Friday, 16 December 2016
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9231 9999 and www.perthconcerthall.com.au -and- Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Saturday, 17 December 2016
Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9956 6662 and www.queensparktheatre.com.au

Please note that in keeping with the nature of this production, the show will be staged over two acts with a short interval. There will be no support band so Jimmy will be onstage from the advertised starting time at all shows.