Thunderstorm Alert for Mid West

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Continue to take action with thunderstorms coming in parts of the Midwest Gascoyne

Thursday 14 January 2016 - 5:58 PM

*The warning area for this storm has been reduced in size. 

If you live in an area bounded by Dongara to Mount Magnet to Meekatharra to Three Rivers to Mount Augustus to Overlander Roadhouse to Kalbarri to Dongara you should continue to take action and stay safe with more thunderstorms to come. 

This does not include Geraldton, Northampton, Kalbarri and Meekatharra. This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage 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 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. 
Take care in western parts of the Midwest Gascoyne
The severe weather warning for the area west of Overlander Roadhouse to Kalbarri and coastal parts between Kalbarri and Dongara has been cancelled, but people in these areas should take care when going outside and assessing damage. 

WHAT TO DO: 
DFES has these tips to help you and your family stay safe once the storm has passed: 

• Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways. 
• Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris. 
• Keep clear of fallen powerlines, they are dangerous and should always be treated as live. 
• Assess your home, car and property for damage.
• Check to see if your neighbour needs help.
• If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
• If your home has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500. 
People are being urged to do what they can to help themselves, if it is safe to do so, before calling the SES for assistance.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
Emergency services are currently monitoring the situation.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Road information may also be available by calling Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au
THUNDERSTORM DETAILS:
As at 4.27pm on Thursday 14 January 2016 the Bureau of Meteorology advises that there is a risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and continuing into the evening. At 4:00pm satellite imagery showed a line of possibly severe thunderstorms inland from the coast from north of Northampton to Overlander Roadhouse and moving slowly eastwards.
Storms may be accompanied by damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfal which may lead to flash flooding. Storms could cause damage to homes and property.
The overall weather pattern is not unusual for this time of year but severe weather may occur in some parts of the warning area.

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.
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.The next update will be provided when the situation changes.

Letter to Geraldton community from Salvos following robbery

To the people of the Geraldton community,

We are writing this letter to thank the community for the response to the break in at our Salvation Army facility just before Christmas. As many of you know, the Salvation Army Geraldton Corps experienced a break and enter on the 20th of December. When I arrived to check the alarm, I was confronted by a masked intruder wielding a crow bar who stole a large amount of the donated toys and food we were preparing to hand out at during the Christmas period to families in need around Geraldton. Aside from the theft, a significant amount of damage was done to our facility. The ongoing repairs have meant that the Salvation Army Geraldton Family Crisis centre has had to close until the damage is repaired. We apologise to the needy who would be looking to us for assistance in the coming weeks. We are working as hard as we can to get our facility up and running again so that we can be there for you in your time of need.

After the break in, the Geraldton Community rallied around us, with a constant stream of donations of food, toys and money coming in over the days following. It is due to these donations that we were able to maintain and indeed increase our assistance to needy families this Christmas.

We would like to thank all those who made donations, rang with offers of support and assistance, as well as the well-wishers who along with most members of the community voiced their sadness and disgust at this incident and those responsible. We would also like to thank particularly the following individuals and businesses who made significant contributions to our efforts, first amongst those being, Rigter’s IGA group for their $5000.00 donation.

They’re community spirit is wonderful and we are so grateful for their incredible support. We would also like to thank Mayor Shane Van Styn, MLCs Paul Brown and Darren West, Sun City Security, as well as all the members of the media who helped us publicise this incident. I would especially like to thank the team at Everything Geraldton who helped us get the word out almost straight away, and other members of the local media including Arthur Muhl at ABC Mid-West, Tasha Tania at GWN7 Regional, and the Geraldton Guardian newspaper. There are probably many more we have missed but to all those that brought donations in or those who made contact offering assistance and support, we are deeply appreciative of you and your efforts.

Our Christmas efforts this year were a success despite this incident. We were able to assist all those that presented for support at Christmas, and no child missed out this year. We are proud of the response from the Geraldton Community, and we pledge to continue, with the community’s ongoing support, to be there for those that are struggling in the Mid-West.

Blessings,

Lieutenants Jeff and Jacqui Milkins and the team at the Salvation Army Geraldton Corps

Warning from local after attempted theft in car park

This week [at a local supermarket], my mother had just finished putting her shopping into the car and popped her purse on top when a pregnant lady approached her in the carpark. The lady asked my mum if she could go into the shop and buy her a few things as she didn't have any money.

My mum locked her car (forgetting to grab her purse) went into the shop and told the nearest supervisor. He and another employee came outside with her, to find the lady AND about 8 other people were about to break into her car and steal her groceries and her purse.

PLEASE be warned about this method that is being used to distract you. Thank you

- Anon

Police asking for community's help following robbery of fast food delivery driver

Geraldton Detectives Seek Community Assistance

• A fast food driver has been robbed
• Incident occurred Monday night at 9:30pm
• Police describe male and female suspects as dark skinned
• Suspects last seen heading towards Wahn Ave, Waggrakine

At about 9:30pm, Monday 28 December 2015, a fast food delivery driver attended an address in Waggrakine for a delivery. On arrival at the address the driver was met by a male and female waiting out the front.

The male threatened the driver with an iron bar and demanded money, stealing the drivers’ takings.

The male and female persons are described as darked skinned and were last seen heading towards Whan Avenue, Waggrakine.

Geraldton Detectives are seeking assistance from the community with any information that may assist with the investigation. Please call Geraldton Police 99234555.

This local mum bought a Christmas present for the speed camera man

A local resident has gone the extra mile this Christmas, showing some kindness to someone who normally only gets abuse from the public.

We heard about her act of kindness and wanted to share it with the community.

Sarah lives near a popular speed camera spot, so sees the camera operator a fair amount, and also observes a lot of abuse he receives. 

I asked Sarah what prompted her act of kindness. She said she felt sorry for the guy and just wanted to do something nice for him. So she decided to get him a Christmas present. She said he seemed chuffed with the gift, although surprised.

She says she told him that she saw how much abuse he copped.

It happens so much that "even I feel like abusing him and I don't even drive," she said.

"I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year."

Thanks Sarah for reminding us all about what Christmas is all about.  

Pilot safe after emergency landing

Thanks everyone for sharing info. Many residents were concerned following what appeared to be a plane crash in Worree earlier this evening. The plane DID NOT crash however, and a local pilot who knows the pilot of this plane attributes exceptional pilot skills to the safe landing following minor issues with the aircraft. 

Here's some of the information sent in already to Everything Geraldton:

Peter: Just saw a single prop light aircraft fly past Strath heading East 6:50pm with what looked like some smoke trailing behind and an engine not sounding very healthy. Hope they got back to airport. It was heading that way.

Matt: Just saw plane with black smoke trailing come down real low and disappear near Eastlyn, engine sounded sick! Concerned.

Angie: There has been a light plane crash at the end of Place Rd in Wooree. No fire and pilot safe.

Dillon: Hey guys a plane blowing smoke just emergency landed in rowan reserve emergency crews there now police and fire brigade at the end of Place road. Multiple fire trucks there now, plane landed safely

Thanks Murray and Kim for the images.

Driver apprehended following hit and run

A fast response from Geraldton Police has resulted in a driver being apprehended following a hit and run in Marine Terrace this morning.

According to Police, a young man was hit by a vehicle on Marine Terrace, and the vehicle took off at speed.

Police used CCTV footage and information from the public to ascertain the location of the vehicle, and were able to quickly cordon off the CBD.

They apprehended the driver shortly after. 

Police said the driver and the passenger of the vehicle are currently assisting Police.

Senior Sergeant Brad Bird praised his team on their response, and thanked the public for their assistance.

The man who was hit was taken to Geraldton Hospital with minor injuries.

Motorists in Geraldton warned following Police impersonation

• Geraldton Police are advising motorists who are pulled over by a vehicle that they do not think is a Police car to not stop, and to drive straight to the Geraldton Police Station, following an incident in Geraldton last night. 

Acting Seargent Cooney confirmed that an incident occurred last night where flashing lights were displayed by a vehicle that was not a Police car, and a motorist was attempted to be pulled over.

Facebook in Geraldton today has been in a frenzy with posts and reposts of a particular incident. 

Acting Seargent Cooney said he said he could not confirm further details regarding the incident that have appeared on social media at this time, but said that Police wanted to advise motorists that if they were suspicious of a vehicle attempting to pull them over, they should not stop, and instead drive directly to the Geraldton Police Station. 

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Location of Police Station

 

What internet service providers are the best in Geraldton?

POLL: Climate Change

What's this strange shell?

What's this strange shell thing?

This was shared by David Quimboss on Buy and Sell.

HERE'S THE ANSWER:

Click here download Beachcombers Guide.

Drug seizure in Wonthella

Yesterday Geraldton Police siezed thousands of dollars worth of drugs from a home in Wonthella.

Multiple types of drugs were seized, methamphetamine (est. $30,000 worth), cannabis and cocaine including drug paraphernalia and around $2500 in cash.

A 32 year-old woman was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of the methamphetamine.

"The seizure of the drugs marks a significant crack down of the amount of drugs hitting Geraldton streets," Officer O'Keeffe said. 

Reflections on growing up in Geraldton and leaving

Name, date of birth and place of birth. Three questions asked repeatedly throughout my life. It is so ingrained into me, that I can write it down in less than ten seconds. It has become part of who I am just because I’m reminded so often. Like an immigrant is so often asked where they come from, so am I. It’s just that my place of birth doesn't resonate in people’s memories. 

The place of birth is Geraldton. 

And for the first eighteen years of my life, home was Geraldton. 

I learnt to walk and talk in Geraldton.

I made friends in Geraldton.

I passed my driving test in Geraldton.

I graduated in Geraldton.

Then my future was finally in reach, in my own hands. I could go anywhere, do anything, be anyone, whenever I wanted.

The world was my oyster and Geraldton was blocking me in.

I applied and got accepted into university in Perth. Started to travel; Australia and overseas. Made new friends, lost old friends. Got a puppy. Rented a house. Two years passed in ‘The big smoke’ but still it did not feel like home. 

Just recently in one of my uni classes we were discussing rural versus city education. I was the only one in my class that did not graduate in a Perth high school. They talked about the weekend classes teachers organised, and resources and people they had available. School swimming pools, numerous unit options, high quality teachers and the list went on. They had so much more to take for granted than I could even imagine.

But then I realised something else. 

I learnt more in my eighteen years in Geraldton then they could ever learn. 

I learnt how to get past the furnace sand to the beach without getting blisters.

How to go fishing and crabbing.

To climb trees, and ride bikes on sand.

To find an outfit that works from only a handful of shops. 

To keep my word, and always be on time.

To make friends and keep friends.

To be in the moment (And why not? Everything is only five minutes away).

To teach myself and do the best with what is at hand.

To put family first, friends second and to love myself and everything else will fall in place.

To always come prepared, but to live spontaneously.

To bring sunscreen and bathers no matter what they say.

The list is endless.

Geraldton has the lifestyle, the beaches, the ranges. It is undeniably beautiful. But what I miss is what I used to hate. How simple it is.

Geraldton was my home. It probably won't be again. But I thank Geraldton, and all its people I met in those eighteen years. Geraldton was not blocking me in. Rather, it was my starting point, and looking back, I could not have hoped for better. 

Why Australian's are getting screwed on their electricity prices

An absolute must read from the ABC - This is why Australian's are getting screwed on their electricity prices. 

Long story short - monopolistic networks are deliberately blowing money on unnecessary infrastructure because they can put a markup on it and charge you... and they convinced politicians energy needs are increasing when in fact our energy use is decreasing and we're switching to solar and batteries. 

"It's as if, at the beginning of the internet age, Australia invested about $45 billion in fax technology," one former federal government advisor observed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-10/hill-the-great-energy-con-that-is-costing-us-billions/6924272

Video interviews with all Mayoral Candidates for Geraldton

The team at the ABC Midwest recently interviewed all of the candidates for position of Mayor for the City of Greater Geraldton. 

We think you'll find it helpful to hear from each candidate to get a glimpse into the person behind the name.

Below are the videos of each of the interviews. 

Videos produced by Chris Lewis. Interviews conducted by Glenn Barndon. 

Click here to view videos if they're not displaying for you. 

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Ian Carpenter

2015 Mayoral candidate Ian Carpenter.

This week on Mornings we're talking to all five of the Mayoral candidates for the City of Greater Geraldton. We're asking them why people should vote for them to be Mayor. This morning we spoke to incumbent Mayor Ian Carpenter which you can watch here.

Posted by ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt on Sunday, 4 October 2015

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Rob Jefferies

2015 Mayoral candidate Rob Jefferies.

This week on Mornings we're talking to all five of the Mayoral candidates for the City of Greater Geraldton. We're asking them why people should vote for them to be Mayor. This morning we spoke to Rob Jefferies.

Posted by ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt on Monday, 5 October 2015

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Gavin Hirschhausen

2015 Mayoral candidate Gavin Hirschhausen..

All this week on Mornings we're asking the Mayoral candidates for the City of Greater Geraldton why people should vote for them. This morning we spoke to candidate Gavin Hirschhausen.

Posted by ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt on Tuesday, 6 October 2015

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Shane Hill

2015 Mayoral candidate Shane Hill.

All this week on Mornings we're asking the Mayoral candidates for the City of Greater Geraldton why people should vote for them. This morning we spoke to candidate Shane Hill.

Posted by ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt on Wednesday, 7 October 2015

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Shane Van Styn

2015 Mayoral candidate Shane Van Styn.

All this week on Mornings we asked all five Mayoral candidates for the City of Greater Geraldton why people should vote for them. This morning we spoke to candidate Shane Van Styn.

Posted by ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt on Thursday, 8 October 2015

Woman upset after her pet was dumped at the tip without her being informed

"Your missing pet might have been dumped at the tip." 

One morning a few weeks ago, a local woman who we'll call Mrs E left her house. While she was out, her pet cat was hit by a car in front of her home. 

The cat had been microchipped and registered as per the new cat laws. The cat cost $800, and was an exotic Persian. 

When the lady got home that afternoon, a neighbour came over and asked if anyone had been in touch. 

"No, no-one has called me," said Mrs E.

"Sorry to tell you your cat has been run over," the neighbour said. 

Mrs E was obviously upset at the news. But what made it even sadder for her was what she discovered next. 

Someone had already taken her pet away. 

Someone had contacted the City of Greater Geraldton regarding the dead cat, and they sent someone to collect the body. 

Mrs E said a friend of her's driving past stopped and begged the woman from the city not to take the dead cat, as it belonged to Mrs E.

But it was no use. The woman from the council said because it had been called in she "had to take it" according to Mrs E's friend. 

So the pet cat was thrown into the car and the car drove off. 

Once Mrs E heard what happened she set about retrieving her dead pet. She hadn't heard from whoever took the body, so she started ringing around. 

She rang the council, who couldn't help. She spoke with the rangers. They couldn't help. She rang all the vets in Geraldton. None of them could help. 

"No one knew anything," says Mrs E. 

So the next morning Mrs E got a description of the woman and vehicle that took her pet away from her friend, and again tried to get some information from the City. 

Then she waited for a call back. 

Later that afternoon she received a call. 

It wasn't good news. 

The woman told Mrs E that she had "already picked up a bunch of other deceased dogs and cats that day and your cat has been taken to the tip."

Mrs E was told there was no way at all she could recover the body of her pet. 

But what was more remarkable to Mrs E was that she wasn't even informed.

"My cat was desexed, microchipped, and registered with the council. I don't know why she wasn't scanned, and why I wasn't contacted."

Mrs E's biggest concern is for all the other people around town who have lost a pet, and can't find it anywhere. "Your missing pet might have been dumped at the tip," she says. 

Everything Geraldton contacted the City of Greater Geraldton last week regarding the matter, and we have even followed them up again since, asking if taking people's pets to the tip without scanning them or informing the owners is common practice. 

They have not responded. 

Finally: Tougher Home Burglary Laws pass Parliament

After making the promise at the last state election to toughen home burglary laws the Liberal party has at long last delivered something. After spending many months in the upper house, the WA parliament finally passed the legislation. Full press release from Ian Blayney's office follows:

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The Liberal National Government has re-affirmed its commitment to making WA communities safer after its tough home invasion and burglary laws passed Parliament last night.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said in delivering this election commitment, the toughest penalties in Australia would be imposed for serious home invasion offenders.  Mandatory sentencing laws for serial home burglars would also be tightened. 

“These tough new laws protect the people targeted for home burglaries and those that are terrorised and attacked during a home invasion,” Mr Blayney said.

“The Liberal National Government promised residents of Geraldton that we would be tough on crime and we have delivered on that commitment today.”

Mr Blayney the legislation mandated minimum jail terms of 75 per cent of the maximum sentence for an adult offender who committed serious physical or sexual assault during a home burglary. This means: 

• an offender who breaks into a house and sexually assaults someone will face a minimum of 15 years jail;

• an offender who breaks into a house and physically assaults someone causing serious harm will face a minimum of seven years, six months jail; and

• an offender who breaks into a house and indecently assaults someone will face a minimum of five years, three months jail.

Mr Blayney said the three strike rules would also be tightened to stop offenders being able to have all their offences bundled together as one strike.

“Under the new laws, if an offender has committed three burglaries, on three days that is three strikes and they’re going to jail,” Mr Blayney said

“We know that the majority of home invasions are committed by prolific offenders. To get these offenders off the streets and into a prison cell will help burglary rates decrease.”

Mr Blayney said the Liberal National Government was dedicated to making communities safer through tough laws and by providing police with the resources they needed to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

Man Attempts To Gain Entry To Rear Of Police Station

Update: Police asking for public assistance

On Friday 11 September 2015 at approximately 10.00pm a 57 year old male crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Chapman Road and Forrest Street Geraldton, the rear of Geraldton Police Station. The vehicle involved was a 2004 white Holden Commodore. 

The male immediately exited the vehicle and ran through the rear security gate of the Police Station whilst a Police vehicle exited. 

Police are seeking public assistance and asking for any information regarding the crash. Please call Geraldton Police Station on with any information 9234555.

On Friday 11 September 2015 at approximately 10.00pm a 57 year old male crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Chapman Road and Forrest Street Geraldton, the rear of Geraldton Police Station.

The male immediately exited the vehicle and ran through the rear security gate of the Police Station whilst a Police vehicle exited.

Police allege the male was yelling as he ran through the gate before approaching the security door that allows entry into the police station where he kicked the glass panel door causing it to crack severely.

The police vehicle that was exiting at the time quickly approached the male who was now holding a folding knife and a paint scraper. The male dropped the items when requested by police and was subsequently arrested.

During a search of the male, Police located a small clip seal bag containing cannabis in his pocket.

The male will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court charged with Trespassing, Criminal Damage, Being Armed in a Way That May Cause Fear and Possess Prohibited Drug (cannabis).

Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances of the traffic crash.