Dongara Police seize meth and $27k cash in traffic stops

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It's been another busy weekend for Police. This time Dongara Police have announced large seizures of drugs and cash. 

Moments ago via Twitter they announced:  

In separate traffic stops over w/e, drugs incl. 25 grams Ice, Property and more than $27k from drug sales seized 

Drivers under the influence of drugs is also still a recurring problem in the Mid West, with Police regularly reporting positive drug tests of drivers.  

Geraldton Police also reported finding meth on a driver Friday evening. 

At about 8.35 pm on Friday the 7th of August 2015 Police stopped a vehicle on Chapman Road, Drummond Cove.

Police say they had cause to search the occupants of the vehicle, and alleged the passenger concealed a small clip seal bag containing a crystal substance down his pants weighing approximately 0.57grams.

The 37 year old male from Spalding admitted the substance was methylamphetamines, and he was arrested for possessing a prohibited drug and was released to bail to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the 20th of August. 

Man charged over death of woman

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A 60 year old man has been formally charged over the death of a 38 year old woman on the weekend. 

A woman was found dead at the Bill Sewell complex on Chapman Rd on Saturday morning.  

Police have stated that they believe both the victim and the suspect knew each other. 

The man was charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and breaching a violence restraining order. 

The death occurred less than two days after Geraldton Police put out a public plea for victims of domestic violence to report it. "If you are a victim of domestic violence, the chance you avoid reporting it is a chance missed to break the cycle of violence."

Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Click here to read related article.  

This home is still getting trashed by neighbouring youths 7 months later

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6 months ago we shared the above video of a home in Geraldton that had been trashed by neighbouring youths. The owners were distraught. They say they've been to the Police so many times with nothing able to be done they don't even bother any more. 

The initial damage occurred in January 2015.

The total bill for the damage was $73,000.

Today, the owners contacted us again, at their wit's end about what to do regarding continued damage to the home, pleading for help from anyone in the community. 

"Hey I had my house destroyed in Jan by a bunch of kids under the age of 12... Well guess what. They keep coming back and doing more damage since the $73,000.00 worth of damage in Jan. They have done damage to our new fence out the front, thrown rocks at 3 windows and smashed them, graffitied the fence out the front our front porch with paint and yesterday the kid smashed holes in the fence! I've been really understanding with these kids but enough is enough. Where do I go? Police? DCP? Melissa Price? Council? Me and my family are exhausted. HELP please anyone?"
"I have even approached the rock group (youth organisation).... I'm seriously at my witts end. I have been making complaint after complaint. I have given up even reporting to the police. I don't bother any more."

The owner's also sent a message to local youth organisations trying to get assistance:

"The kid that did this fence was apparently 5. All the kids who have damaged my property have been under the age of 12. I seriously am at my whits end. Help them please. Every time I am at my house I see them do runs to and from the shops stealing food."

hey say they have already spent $10,000 of their own money (not insurance money) on improvements to the home, and now cannot afford a lawyer to help them handle this ongoing issue that no one is taking responsibility for. 

The neighbouring residents that are causing the damage are Dept of Housing tenants. The Department of Housing say they have "actioned" the matter, but the damage continues. 

When asked about taking the matter to the Police, the home owner stated that "they are under the age of criminal prosecution. Only thing police can do lodge a report for DCP to follow up with."

 

 

Crossfit for Kayla

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Can you believe the first image belongs to this gorgeous 11 year old Geraldton girl Kayla Walker. Kayla has Cerebal Palsy and requires 24hr care. Kayla had to be rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital 3 months ago due to her ribs and spine crushing her internal organs. 

Tomorrow 1st August at 8:30am CrossFit Geraldton will be holding a workout to raise funds for this local family. This is an open community event and all you pay is a gold coin donation. Participation in the workout is not essential. We would like to see the community there just to show support for the Walkers. Raffles, food and coffee will be available to purchase tomorrow. 

Kayla has seen her sibling twice since being flown to Perth. As you can imagine life is tremendously difficult for this family. Kayla's mum is also her full time carer and has struggled being apart from her 4 other children here in Geraldton. It would be fantastic if we can raise the much needed funds to have Kayla's special chair repaired so a visit back home to Geraldton can be planned. The ultimate dream would be for the Walker family to raise enough money to access specialised treatment for Kayla outside of Western Australia. 

Please join us tomorrow at Cross Fit Geraldton 

Saturday 1st August

2/5 Crawford Street Webberton

8:30am Start

Regards

CrossFit Geraldton


Staff fear for their lives after witnessing assault

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Staff at a local business complex were distraught after witnessing a violent assault outside their premises yesterday (Thursday 30 July). 

Those that tried to intervene were threatened by the attacker with the same violence. 

The attacker walked away from the scene, and Police arrived around half an hour after the incident. 

One witness, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, described what happened:

"We heard an argument between a man & woman outside of the (building) which began to escalate into loud verbal abuse followed by a violent physical attack of hitting, punching and later kicking when the victim was pushed to the ground. 
"We yelled out to the  attacker to stop - to which he threatened us with the same violence. 
"One of the staff members rang the police while we watched, unable to help. At this stage other people became aware and were trying to intervene and help as well.
"Police told us they were unable to send anyone at this stage because they did not have a vehicle to dispatch.
"The attacker walked away, I can only presume because of the amount of people who were now starting to stop.
"The police attended some 1/2 hr later - when we told them the woman was being attended to inside the building.
"This type of behaviour has been escalating since the (employment services organisation) opened in the building."
"(It's a) horrible situation, when you fear for you own life if you try to help someone else."

Another witness expressed her thanks towards the people who did intervene.  "I'd like to thank the two white men who ran to help an Aboriginal woman who was being belted to a pulp by her partner yesterday at the front of (.... ) and thanks to the other 4 white people who ran in to help her. It's good to know people do care about others whatever colour they are."

"I tried to help but 'cause I'm Aboriginal he was going to hit me but he sacked his panties when the white man came running in," she said. 

Police have advised that the woman who was attacked has not made any formal complaints at this point. 

Bad Weather Alert

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Take action with bad weather in parts of the Midwest Gascoyne, Goldfields Midlands and Perth Metropolitan regions 

Thursday 30 July 2015 - 4:34 PM

If you live in an area west of a line from Geraldton to Morawa to Southern Cross to Hyden to Mandurah you should take action and stay safe with bad weather to continue. 

This includes people in Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Dalwallinu, York, Southern Cross and the Perth Metropolitan region and surrounding areas. 

This is weather is not typical for this time of year and could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous.  

WHAT TO DO: 

• If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams.

• Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows. 

• Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightning. 

• If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home. 

• If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water. 

IF DRIVING:

• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current. 

• Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers. 

• Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen powerlines and loose debris. 

• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears. 

• Take care in areas that have been flooded and be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy, and vehicles could become bogged. 

STORM/THUNDERSTORM/WEATHER DETAILS:

As at 4.05pm on 30 July 2015 the Bureau of Meteorology advises a rain band with embedded thunderstorms currently lies across northern parts of the warning area. At 3:30 pm, satellite and radar imagery showed areas of moderate to heavy rain between Geraldton and Lancelin, extending eastwards towards Southern Cross. 

Areas of heavy rain will extend southwards during Thursday evening and will lie close to or over the Perth Metropolitan area. Heavy rainfall is more likely over areas to the north of Perth but there remains a risk that Perth will receive rainfall heavy enough to cause FLASH FLOODING. The period of greatest risk for the Perth Metropolitan area is from about 8pm Thursday through to about 2am Friday morning.

The rain band is expected to produce HEAVY RAINFALL that may cause FLASH FLOODING through parts of the warning area. The rain will ease during Friday morning and contract eastwards.

Flood Watches have been issued for the Central West, Central Wheat Belt and Lower West Districts. For further details please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/.

There is also the slight risk that thunderstorms with DAMAGING WINDS in excess of 90 kilometres per hour could cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY during late Thursday afternoon and evening northwest of a line from Lancelin to Wongan Hills to Morawa to Geraldton. This risk of DAMAGING WINDS will ease during Thursday evening. Damaging winds are not expected in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Between 9am and 3:00pm Thursday, the following rainfall totals have been

recorded:

Watheroo (DAFWA): 24.8 millimetres.

Three Springs (DAFWA): 24.2 millimetres.

Warradarge East (DAFWA): 20.8 millimetres.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE:

• If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the SES on 132 500 

• In a life threatening situation call 000

After a storm State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes and cars. Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs. 

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.

For the latest weather warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings or call 1300 659 213.

This car hit by a rock was a celebration of a final cancer checkup

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Everything Geraldton reader "Nicki" has shared a bit of info following her vehicle being hit by a large rock while driving on Friday: 

"Just been hit by something thrown at bridge near brigades. Be careful someone going to die if this keeps happening in Geraldton"

"As you can see it was not just a small stone by the damage done. Since this happened to us so many people have contacted us saying it has happened to them... If the object had of come through the window in our car I would of hated to see what would have happened to me."

"We got that car two weeks ago to celebrate our 16 year old daughters last cancer check up in Perth, but really even though it is our new car I am really more worried about someone dying from getting hit."

 

Travelling con-men alert

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Travelling conmen warning after reports in Geraldton

Consumer Protection is once again warning consumers not to deal with ‘bitumen bandits’ who offer to lay driveways on-the-spot with material supposedly leftover from another job and then leave town before you can challenge them about their shoddy work and materials.

Reports received by Consumer Protection’s Mid-West office suggest that two men in high-visibility work clothes, driving a white ute with a New South Wales plate, are approaching home and business owners in Geraldton with the offer of drive-way laying services.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll says carrying out work there and then is a sign of a travelling conman.

“Any tradesperson that approaches a consumer uninvited and carries out the job immediately is breaking the Australian Consumer Law by failing to allow a 10-day cooling off period for the customer to think over the unsolicited offer,” she said.

“Experience tells us that travelling conmen can be convincing salespeople and mislead consumers about the value of the work being carried out and quality or source of the materials being used. They have been known to pressure the vulnerable or elderly and have even driven some customers to the bank and used stand-over tactics to get them to withdraw cash.”

The Commissioner says because ‘bitumen bandits’ usually avoid staying in one place for too long that the warning is relevant to all Western Australians.

“Once local authorities such as police and consumer protection officers are aware that these operators are targeting the area, alerts are issued, which can prevent the travelling conmen from convincing further consumers to part with money.

“For that reason all home and business owners in WA, not just those in Geraldton, should shop around for quotes and use local reputable tradespeople when having work carried out.

“Ordinarily if you have a problem with a service, such as a bitumen driveway laid too thinly or of inferior quality, you can seek a repair, replacement or refund under the Australian Consumer Law. However, when travelling conmencome to you unannounced and with limited identification your opportunity to find them and exercise your rights is extremely limited.”

Report travelling conmen by calling Consumer Protection: 1300 30 40 54 with descriptions of the offenders, personal or business names used and vehicle registration numbers if possible.

Help bring the boys home→

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Chad Fairley, Mason Carter and Murray Turner are missing off the coast of Karratha. The last communication was on Saturday the 11th of July. We need as many planes, boats, crew etc out there as we can get! If you could please spare a Few bucks to help cover the hire costs it would be deeply appreciated. Let's bring these boys home alive!

 

An amazing letter published 100 years ago today in the Guardian from "my little dug out somewhere in Turkey"

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Thanks Neil Kidd for sending this in:

One hundred years ago today extracts from Lieutenant T. A. Kidd’s letters to his family appear in page 1 of The Geraldton Guardian; 15th July 1915. This is a transcript and the link to TROVE is below;

AN OFFICER'S LETTERS

Lieutenant T. A. Kidd, writing to his wife whilst travelling from Egypt to the Gallipoli Peninsula, mentions that the officers were shorn of all their glory and were dressed just like troopers. Whilst it might seem cowardly, it was necessary for the protection of both officers and men.

On the 25th May, he wrote from “My Little Dug-out, somewhere in Turkey.”

He states “As we have to carry everything on our backs, besides ammunition, anything we can dispense with is left behind. I have only a blanket, a rubber sheet and a great coat with me. We have no change of clothing, and as it is necessary to sleep fully dressed you can imagine the result.

But the tucker is good and plentiful. Pity they cannot issue sleep in a condensed form; it is a very scarce commodity.

Firing is continuous, the night time being the favourite time for the Turks display. The roar of the machine gun, musketry, field guns and howitzers renders conversation almost impossible.

Shrapnel is bursting over my dug-out as I write. An armistice was declared last Monday to bury the dead, as the bodies were ''humming in real earnest”.

About 3000 Turks and 100 Australians were buried. Our boys fraternised with the enemy's burial party. I think when you read the account of our boys landing you will acknowledge they are the finest fighting men in the world.Sir Ian Hamilton calls them the 'White Gurkhas.'

The country is very hilly, very much like the big hills near Woolanooka, the hills and valleys being covered with thick scrub. Our dug outs are cut in the face of the cliff-like sides in the hills. The weather here is delightful.

We are proper infantry, and work in the trenches. Many of our trenches are only ten yards away from the Turks. One has only to throw a biscuit over when the beggars open fire, and play hell for a time.”

On June 4th Lieut Kidd wrote;

“You will probably hear that I was wounded in operations against some Turkish trenches. It was nothing but a trivial scratch. Don’t worry.”

(In our last issue we published a thrilling account of this incident, in which Lieut Kidd bravely led an apparently forlorn hope. A bullet grazed his nose and cheek, under the left eye, but he was able to resume duty without delay. — Ed).

“B Squadron officers are the happiest family in camp. Have had no mail for such a long time now, but as we are all in the same boat, we consider the mails to be held up somewhere. The Turks are terribly frightened of our Australian lads. We get plenty of first line trench work, but are now enjoying a few days rest. Our first bayonet charge was very successful, the conduct of our boys being magnificent. They displayed courage in its best form.”

Man called "stupid" for sparking unneeded sea rescue

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From the Geraldton Guardian: 

A sea rescue official has described as stupid the actions of a man who failed to report he was safe after his dinghy overturned off Geraldton last night.

Click here to read full story.  

Your say: Is it time to legalise cannabis? - Geraldton Police seize 75 plants and charge 6

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A haul taken by Police in Mandurah earlier in the week. 

Your say: Do you think it's time to legalise cannabis?

Some argue it's taking too much valuable Police resources, court resources, and prison space on a drug that is less harmful than alcohol and very readily available. 

Others think it needs to remain prohibited because of potential negative impacts it could have if it becomes even more easily available. 

What do you think?

Major drug busts by Geraldton Police

Throughout the week Geraldton Police have conducted a number of searches on homes in the Geraldton area, as part of a major drug sting. 

Six people have been arrested and charged. Their charges range from possing drugs and drug paraphernalia to intent to sell and supply drugs. 

Police also uncovered large amounts of what is believed to be stolen property. 

A large number of cannabis plants have been seized, as well as amounts of what is believed to be crystal meth. 

Full press release from the Geraldton Police follows:

Drug Warrants Executed

Throughout the week, officers attached to the Geraldton Local Policing Team have executed a number of Misuse of Drugs Act search warrants within the Geraldton sub-district in relation to illegal drug activity.

At about 6:15am on Tuesday 7 July 2015 police attended a residential address on Scott Road, Rangeway.

Following the execution of a warrant, police allege that several items of interest were located. It will be alleged that an amount of cannabis and crystal substance was located along with other drug paraphernalia.

A 24 year old female from Rangeway was subsequently charged with possess prohibited drug and possessed drug paraphernalia while a 27 year old male also from Rangeway was charged with possess prohibited drug. Both will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date. 

Further;

At about 12:00pm on Tuesday 7 July 2015 police attended a residential address on Abelia Street, Rangeway.

Following the execution of a warrant, a number of items were seized. It is alleged that a drug smoking implement as well as two swords and a machete were seized.

A 32 year old from Mullewa was charged with possess drug paraphernalia and will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date.

Further;

At about 6:10am on Wednesday 8 July 2015 police attended a residential address on Hammond Street, Spalding.

Following the execution of a warrant, police allege that a large amount of property, believed to be stolen, along with drug paraphernalia, cannabis and white crystal substance was located.

A 48 year old male from Spalding charged with two counts of possessing stolen property and a 41 year old female also from Spalding charged with possess prohibited drug will both appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date.

Police are conducting further inquiries in relation to the various property items located in an attempt to return the items to the identified owners. 

CORRECTION: Error in police release sent earlier today. Police have seized 75 (not 40) mature cannabis plants and charged six people after a series of drug raids across #Geraldton Guardian.

Posted by Geraldton Guardian on Thursday, July 9, 2015