Central Coast News

If you’ve ever thought you’d like to be a foster carer, now could be the time to take the plunge. The Central Coast is struggling with an overwhelming shortage, with CatholicCare desperately working to find loving homes for children in need.

There was a time when vinyl sales seemed to be going to the wall – but that downward spiral appears to have been reversed. One Central Coast music store has seen a three fold rise in records sold, and it’s not older buyers sending sales off the charts.

Police are seeking public assistance in the search for two missing girls from the Central Coast. Tuggerah Lakes police hold serious concerns for the welfare of Melakai (MEL-EH-KYE) O’Connor from Glenning Valley and Lillian Bridge from Holgate. Both girls are aged 14-years-old and were last seen on Tuesday morning leaving a school in the Berkeley Vale area. Anyone with any information should contact Crime Stoppers. (Note: Vision Only – No Audio)

A house at Wyoming has been engulfed in flames for the second time in weeks. The Japonica Drive property was destroyed at around 11:30 last night, as a blaze tore through the single-storey brick structure. The same house suffered fire damage on July 10. Police are now investigating the cause of this latest blaze, which is being treated as suspicious. (Note: Vision Only – No Audio)

People power may have prevailed in the fight to stop trees being felled, for the construction of a rail maintenance facility at Kangy Angy. In response to community feedback, the state government has announced the section of road, connecting Orchard Road to the site, could be re-classified to retain vegetation. Previous plans had the stretch earmarked as an industrial road. The re-classification will reduce the proposed width of the road to avoid the clearing of any more trees… and it will also have no kerb, guttering or lighting. (Note: Vision Only – No Audio)

Concerns are growing over the welfare of two teenage girls missing from the Central Coast. 14-year-old Melakai O’Connor (pictured left) was last seen around 10.30am on Tuesday, leaving Berkeley Vale High School. She is believed to be in the Berkeley Vale area in the company of another missing teenager, 14-year-old Lillian Bridge (pictured right). Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR WELFARE – MISSING 14 YEAR OLD FEMALE MELAKAI O'CONNOR. Missing from the Glenning Valley. Last… Posted by Tuggerah Lakes Police District on Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Central Coast is doing its bit to help drought-affected farmers. A local cafe has begun collecting supplies to personally deliver to those struggling in the state’s central west.  

There’s a growing demand for non-traditional learning programs to suit special needs children on the Central Coast. Luckily, there’s one very special academy devoted to providing just that….and it’s NOT in a galaxy far, far away.

Bianca Harrington was a suspended learner driver who took drugs the night before she crashed into a car on the Central Coast, killing an aged care nurse on her way to work. But the pregnant 22-year-old was today found not guilty of a serious drug driving charge, leaving the victim’s family shocked, angry and confused.

Central Coast Council is adopting its first climate change policy, in a bid to reduce emissions. Two workshops will be held, in an effort to put together a new strategy for the region.