The “Back the Blue — Not the Bike” petition was launched by Tanya Penfold and argues that current laws leave police with limited options to stop riders of stolen, unregistered and uninsured vehicles who flee from officers and endanger the public.
Social issues and services
Posted inGlen Innes, Youth
Glen Innes youth program recognised at state level for third time
Glen Innes Severn Council’s Youth Booth has again been recognised among NSW’s leading youth programs, with its Youth Week 2026 program named a finalist in the NSW Youth Week Awards.
Posted inCrime, Domestic Violence, Gunnedah
Mum from Gunnedah charged over young son’s death
A woman raised in Gunnedah has been charged with murder after the death of her young son on the Central Coast. The state government has now launched an independent review.
Posted inCrime, Tamworth
Man charged after firearm, knife and drugs allegedly seized at Taminda business
A 40-year-old man will face court after police allegedly seized a firearm, a knife and drugs in Tamworth.
Posted inCommunity action, Good News, Uralla Shire
80 student volunteers to descend on Uralla, Deepwater for The Big Lift
Eighty student volunteers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will arrive in Uralla on Tuesday, 7 July, as part of The Big Lift’s 2026 Winter Trip across regional New South Wales and Queensland.
Posted inFederal Politics, Parkes Electorate, Social issues and services
National gun buyback deadline expires as Parkes MP joins criticism
Labor promised a national gun buyback by 1 July. It’s now collapsed, with states walking away and Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey saying regional gun owners were made a scapegoat.
Posted inCrime, Moree
Two 13-year-olds charged after alleged assault and theft in Moree
Two 13-year-old boys have faced court after allegedly assaulting a man and stealing from a vehicle in Moree over the weekend.
Posted inCrime, Inverell
Teen charged over alleged Inverell break and enter
A 16-year-old boy has been charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter at a home in Inverell, where police allege a safe, cash and household items were stolen.
Posted inCrime, Tamworth
Teen charged after knife threats on Tamworth’s main street
A teenage man allegedly chased a man with a knife along Peel Street before threatening hotel security in the early hours of Sunday morning. He’s now in custody on nine charges.
Posted inArts, Inverell, Tamworth, Youth
Tamworth and Inverell young musicians win places at country music academy
Two New England kids, Miah from Tamworth and Peyton from Inverell, have won places at one of Australian country music’s most prestigious youth programs.