A woman has now been charged over the stabbing death of man in Albury this morning (Thursday 1 September 2016).

About 5.25am, emergency services were called to a house on Hibiscus Way after reports of a disturbance.

When police arrived they found the body of a 48-year-old West Albury man. He had wounds to his leg and upper torso.

A 30-year-old local woman was arrested at the scene. She was taken to Albury Police Station where she has now been charged with murder.

She was refused bail and will appear in Albury Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 1 September 2016).

A woman is assisting with inquiries after the stabbing death of man in Albury this morning (Thursday 1 September 2016).

About 5.25am, emergency services were called to a house on Hibiscus Way after reports of a disturbance.

When police arrived they found the body of a 48-year-old West Albury man. He had wounds to his leg and upper torso.

A 30-year-old local woman was arrested at the scene. She was taken to Albury Police Station where she continues to assist with inquiries.

A 34-year-old Goulburn woman is in a serious but stable condition following a crash on Monday.

The woman was driving north on the Hume Highway at about 4pm when she lost control of her Kia Sorento, 8km south of the Federal Highway junction.

The car rolled several times, landing in a paddock the right way up.

Motorists helped her until emergency services arrived, police said.

She was transported to Canberra Hospital with minor chest injuries.

Traffic was not disrupted.

Police have charged a man with several drug and speeding offences in the state’s Southern Tablelands as part of the CATCH program.

Just after 5pm yesterday (Friday 26 August 2016) officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a silver Holden Commodore travelling above the sign posted limit along the Hume Highway, Towrang (13 kilometres north of Goulburn).

Police spoke to the driver, a 29-year-old man, and conducted a mobile drug detection test, which allegedly returned a positive result.

Police conducted a search of the man and his passenger, a 33-year-old woman, and allegedly located bags of amphetamine and heroin.

The pair were arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station.

The 29-year-old man was charged with possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug.

The 33-year-old woman was charged with supply prohibited drug.

Both were bail refused to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 31 August 2016.

Police are investigating a report that a man was threatened with a rifle during an attempted stock theft in the State’s Riverina last week.

A man was driving in the Bidgeemia area – 100km south west of Wagga Wagga – about 7.15am last Friday (19 August 2016), when he saw a truck backed up against a fence.

The man stopped to investigate and saw three men attempting to load sheep into the truck. As he went closer, he was threatened by a man armed with a rifle and he moved away.

The would-be stock thieves left empty-handed and, despite the threat, the man followed the truck as it was driven towards Urana before he was again threatened by one of the men armed with a rifle.

The man reported the incident to police and an investigation was initiated by the Wagga Wagga Rural Crime Investigator (RCI) .

The RCI is now appealing for anyone with information about the truck, or the men involved, to contact police at Wagga Wagga.

The truck was described as being a white stock carrier; at the time it was seen it had no front or rear registration plates.

The men were described being either of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern or Asian in appearance, all aged between 25 and 40, with dark complexions, long, black shoulder-length hair and long full beards.

Officers warn against anyone approaching the truck or occupants if found, and instead to alert police immediately.

Police from Albury Local Area Command (LAC) have thanked the community for their ongoing support during the recent ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.

The Commonwealth-funded campaign is currently being conducted in States and Territories across Australia.

While members of the public are urged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers; ‘Dob in a Dealer’ is targeting the manufacture, supply and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine) in the community.

‘Dob in a Dealer’ was promoted across Albury/Wodonga Local Area Commands between Wednesday 13 July 2016 and Sunday 24 July 2016.

Police and Crime Stoppers conducted intensive community-engagement activities at locations across the command, encouraging members of the public to report information about prohibited drugs.

Over the course of the campaign and in the weeks that followed, Crime Stoppers received a number of Information Reports from the community relating to possible drug activity in the local area.

Albury Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Evan Quarmby, thanked the community for getting behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.

“During the campaign we received 18 Information Reports via Crime Stoppers about suspected drug activity across our region, all of which will now undergo further investigation,” A/Supt Quarmby said.

“We know that a whole-of-community approach is required to tackle the spread of ‘ice,’ so it was positive to see the calls coming in with valuable information.

“I’d also like to urge the public to please keep the calls coming in; ‘ice’ does not discriminate and continues to affect people of all demographics right across the state of NSW,” A/Supt Quarmby said.

“It’s also important to remember that your call to Crime Stoppers could very well change someone’s life. This drug has the potential to ravage lives but don’t forget help is available and it’s never too late to make that change.

“For the money-hungry criminals who manufacture these dangerous substances it’s all about the bottom line; the wellbeing of their customers is simply not of concern, which is why you can never be sure what you’re consuming,” A/Supt Quarmby said.

“Do not underestimate the important role you can play in helping us track down and arrest those involved in manufacturing and distributing ‘ice’ across our neighbourhoods – your phone call could make an enormous difference.”

Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within Albury Local Area Command can still report information confidentially and anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.

“While the campaign has come to a close in Albury LAC, the issue of illegal drugs has not – and we urge the community to continue reporting drug-dealing or drug-manufacturing activity to Crime Stoppers,” Mr Price said.

“We’re calling on members of the public to step up and stamp out ‘ice’ in their community – together we can affect real change.

“Calls made to Crime Stoppers are directed to a state-wide call centre and they’re completely confidential. You do not have to identify yourself and you will not be compelled to participate for a court case,” Mr Price said.

“Most importantly, every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce drug supply – so if you know something, say something.”

In NSW, the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is being held in 21 metropolitan and regional local area commands over a six-month period between March and September 2016.

The campaign runs in each command for two weeks, during which local officers and Crime Stoppers representatives host a number of activities to inform local residents of how they can take part and show their support.

Police are appealing for public assistance after a child was approached by the same man twice in Yass this week.

Police have been told about 2pm (Sunday 14 August 2016), a 14-year-old girl was walking along Comur Street, Yass where she was approached by a man in a white 4WD.

The girl ignored the man and continued walking.

Shortly before 6pm (Wednesday 17 August 2016), the girl was walking along Hume Street, Yass and was approached by a man in a small black hatchback.

On both occasions, the man asked the girl to come to the vehicle.

The girl declined and the man drove away.

Police from The Hume Local Area Command are investigating both incidents and would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.

He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, olive complexion, with a large build.

The vehicles are described as being a white 4WD with roof racks and a small black hatchback.

Police are urging for anyone who may have dash cam footage from around the area at the time of the incidents to contact them.

Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;

– Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.

– Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.

– Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.

– Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.

– Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.

– If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.

– If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

Police are investigating after a man in a wheelchair was injured during a home invasion near Albury yesterday.

Police were told, about 7.15pm (Tuesday 16 August 2016), two people attended a home on Kottoff Street, Lavington, and assaulted a 38-year-old male resident after he answered the door.

The pair demanded cash, jewellery and drugs before they began to rummage through the house.

The 38-year-old male resident punched one of intruders, but was pushed to the ground, out of his wheelchair.

The two people then left the premises after taking cash and electronic items from the house.

Police from Albury Local Area Command attended the scene and established a crime scene.

Investigators would like to speak with two people who may be able to assist with inquiries.

One is described as being male and of Caucasian appearance, with short brown hair and had his face covered. He was last seen wearing dark clothing at the time.

The second person is described as being possibly female and of Caucasian appearance with long light brown hair in a pony tail and also had their face covered. They were last seen wearing dark clothing as well.

The resident sustained a minor injury to hand and grazing during the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Albury Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A female P-plater has been suspended from driving and fined after she was allegedly caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h yesterday.

About 7.20am Tuesday (16 August 2016), Traffic and Highway Patrol officers detected a silver Toyota Aurion travelling at a speed over the 110km/h limit on the Hume Motorway.

The vehicle’s speed was checked at 174km/h and police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the 23-year-old female driver of the vehicle.

An alcohol breath test returned a negative result and the driver was issued an infringement for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h, which carries a penalty of $2306, six demerit points and an automatic licence confiscation and six-month suspension.

An old hospital site in southern New South Wales has sold for the second time in a year — for a 500 percent profit.

The NSW health department sold the old Gundagai hospital in early 2015, after building an new hospital next door.

Contracts have now settled for the old hospital’s next sale, to a Sydney doctor, for $650,000.

NSW Upper House MP Mick Veitch, who was born in the old Gundagai hospital, was astounded when he heard the price.

“Well, I’m gobsmacked. Congratulations to the person who bought it for $110,000 and was able to turn it around for so much money in such a short time,” Mr Veitch said.

“At the time, I was concerned that the old site sold for significantly below what I thought was the market value. And this new sale shows my views were justified.”

“There does need to be some investigation as to why the difference in the price.”

Gundagai community leaders shared Mr Veitch’s concerns about the original sale.

Elders real estate principal Jim Saunderson said the latest sale was embarrassing.

Gundagai GP Paul Mara says it was further evidence of the need for a public inquiry.

“How did the health department arrive at that sale price of $110,000, only for it to be sold for so much just a year later?” Dr Mara said.

In 2014, a Gundagai community group opted not to bid for the hospital, because they could not raise enough money to meet the listed price.

They were outraged when they learned the State Government then sold it for significantly lower than the listed price.

Mr Veitch said records obtained under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 showed NSW Health was concerned about the cost of asbestos remediation.

“And that’s part of the reason the health bureaucrats at the time let the building go for the price they did,” Mr Veitch said.

New owner considers plans for refugee support

The new owner, Sydney general practitioner Nirmal Taluja, said the site was listed for $1.5million, but she negotiated for $650,000.

According to her practice website, Dr Taluja has 40 years’ medical experience, including as head doctor at Sydney’s Auburn Hospital.

“What I’m thinking is why don’t I make an establishment centre to help refugees?” she said.

“The government can achieve so much out of that if you do a settlement commission where the people can start, and the government can give them incentives rather than unemployment benefits.”

She said the centre would teach refugees how to farm, before assigning them some land to look after.

“Of course I have to do a lot of work for it. I’d like to have Australia do something for these refugees, but we have some gain out of it,” Dr Taluja said.

She said it was one of three options she was considering.

The others were a boarding house for homeless people, and a palliative care centre.

“Gundagai is beautiful. I would love to retire there myself,” Dr Taluja said.

“Whatever is proposed for the site isn’t as important now as what will happen about the remediation of that building and that site,” Mr Veitch said.

“There are asbestos issues, and we need to make sure the remediation is done properly.”

Dr Taluja said she would now approach government and community groups for assistance realising one of her plans.