All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBlayke Murray and Jacob Camara, both 19, were arrested over the alleged fracas which left a man wounded, and faced Wollongong Local Court on Thursday Murray and Camara are yet to enter a plea to a common charge of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm between 7pm and 9.30pm on December 14 The court heard a heated argument erupted inside a house which turned physical before moving outside where it escalated Shocking video was played during the pair's respective bail applications showing a group running from the property and into a garage where Murray allegedly threw several punches at a man's head after he fell to the ground "The complainant has suffered a very serious injury," the prosecutor said Camara allegedly raised a machete in the air and swung it downwards Murray wiped away tears with his handcuffed hands when the video was played His lawyer Abbas Soukie accepted the allegations were serious however argued the strength of the case was the "elephant in the room" Mr Soukie disputed his client had a machete in his waistband and that this could not be seen from the footage He said the weapon had not been seized from the scene "There is simply no evidence proving the existence of that machete," he said but there are issues with identification at this point." Camara's lawyer Caitlin Drabble also conceded the allegations were serious however said a defence of provocation and excessive self-defence may be available Ms Drabble said the charge may also result in a downgraded offence of reckless wounding rather than wounding with intent following negotiations She said her client presented a strong subjective case as he had a very troubled upbringing and was introduced to drugs at age nine with suspected PTSD as a result of childhood trauma A community-based jail sentence is potentially available to Camara if he is convicted of the charge The police prosecutor opposed bail for both teens due to the presence of a weapon and seriousness of the "explosive violence" adding that Murray was on bail at the time Mr Soukie said Murray had a need to be at liberty to care for his sister who is battling Hodgkin's lymphoma Magistrate Greg Elks denied bail on account of the strength of the prosecution case and adjourned the matters to March 5 Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Love footy? We've got all the action covered. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Get the latest property and development news here. Find out what's happening in local business. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. 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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Error: no decision tree source folder detected Picture by Darren MaloneA young girl was airlifted to a Sydney hospital after being hit by a car at Albion Park Rail All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueEmergency services were called to the intersection of the Princes Highway and Tongarra Road just after 5pm on Saturday where an 11-year-old girl had been hit by a car She had been hit by a Toyota LandCruiser while crossing the street with early reports suggesting she was riding a bike at the time The girl was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to Randwick Children's Hospital in a stable condition was uninjured and returned a negative breath test I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced Transport for NSW has completed an extension of the M1 Princes Motorway between Yallah and Oak Flats to bypass Albion Park Rail The Albion Park Rail bypass is a $630 million project funded by the NSW Government that completes the 'missing link' for a high standard road between Sydney and Bomaderry Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG) If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us. Transport for NSW recognise and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and care of Country. We pay respect to traditional custodians and Elders past and present. File picture by Adam McLeanA deer has been killed in an early-morning passenger train strike in Albion Park All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe southbound train was travelling on the Dapto-Albion Park single line section The train limped to the station as large panels scraped along the tracks with about 20 passengers on board transferred to an Endeavour rail service to continue their journey The incident caused damage to the train's underskirt and the train horn was broken A train technician arrived just after 5am to help remove the damaged parts and Fire and Rescue NSW attended to assist Repairs were completed and the train departed before 6.30am A Mercury report from 2021 revealed trains struck a deer 242 times between 2011 and 2017 and the cost of dealing with the problem was estimated to be $1.4 million. Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au pose for a picture after being sentenced at Wollongong Local Court Picture by ACMTwo men involved in a serious assault which began as an argument at a tobacconist All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKieran Conlon and Timothy Collins were sentenced in Wollongong Local Court on October 23 Court documents tendered to the court said Conlon was leaving the tobacconist at about 4.30pm on February 9 when he began to argue with a woman he knew The argument continued online on Facebook Messenger after Conlon left the store with the woman showing her de-facto partner the messages The two then drove to Conlon's home in Albion Park Rail where the partner asked neighbours if Conlon was home Conlon walked out of his house holding a pole and a kitchen knife Conlon struck the partner multiple times using the pole while Collins kicked and punched the man The assault continued after the victim fell to the ground and tried to protect himself by placing his arms over his head The woman then "lunged" at Collins to push him away and shielded the victim with her body before assisting him into the vehicle calling 000 and taking him to the hospital The victim underwent surgery and sustained significant injuries including multiple fractures and a laceration to his scalp said the assault "wasn't planned or premeditated" and that he only armed himself after the victim asked a neighbour where he was The prosecution acknowledged both men had shown remorse but said Magistrate Claire Girotto sentenced Conlon to a two-year community corrections order for damaging property and a 10-month intensive correction order for assault occasioning bodily harm Collins was sentenced to a seven-month intensive corrections order for assault occasioning bodily harm "These two men don't have violence on their record" and "jails are violent places" Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, covering business and entertainment most of the time. Got a tip? Send it to me at joel.ehsman@austcommunitymedia.com.au. He/Him Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe single vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Wooroo and Koona streets at about midday on Monday View +2 PhotosPolice and firefighters arrived at the accident scene to find a 2008 model grey coloured Honda Civic sedan had left the road and struck a tree Paramedics were not called as there were no reported injuries The car suffered significant front end damage on the driver's side a front tyre and wheel was buckled and the windscreen was smashed "The driver had left the scene," a Lake Illawarra Police District spokesperson said Police have urged anyone with information or dashcam is urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe workshop foreman at the MG dealership in Albion Park Rail was in the early stages of ensuring the cars booked in for service and repairs that day would be ready on time and with no electricity for the foreseeable future "I had some deliveries that were to go out that morning I had service washes that needed to be carried out on time," he said and make sure the business goes forward when we have no electricity?" but the issue was getting that electricity in a way that could run the workshop's devices recently upgrades to some battery-powered models allow for bidirectional charging where electricity can be drawn from the car's battery and used for other purposes Mr Thomson knew this was possible on the latest model 'This ain't going to work,' but I was like Their faces suddenly changed when the charge from the car began to power the vacuums and buffers that the workshop needed to get the cars booked that day back to their owners in time While this wouldn't be Mr Thomson's ideal set up this instance shows one of the lesser known advantages of the cars and how they could power much more than our commutes As part of an electric home standalone battery if they can use their EV's battery to run their electric devices During the day, the house would run on solar panels on the roof. The car, either in the home garage or at a garage at work, would soak up the cheap power from the sun, returning home close to fully charged in the evening. Then, when the sun goes down, power would come from the car battery, instead of solar panels. Austinmer engineer Saul Griffith has pushed for rapid adoption of home electrification, including electric vehicles, in Australia. Picture by Sylvia LiberAustinmer electrification guru and co-founder of Rewiring Australia Saul Griffith said electric cars have a role to play beyond a green way to get from A to B, but Australia has lagged when it comes to the adoption of this technology. "We simply must clean up the regulatory standards and grid incentives to enable the vehicles to be a critical and inexpensive part of our future energy infrastructure," he said. "The can be particularly useful in making the system more robust and resilient." A challenge to realising this has been getting the right plugs and electrical components in Australia. Not all electric vehicle models are compatible with bidirectional charging, and the standard plugs that come with the cars do not allow for two-way flow of electrons. There have also been regulatory hurdles to overcome, with the overseas-made charging modules having to be certified to meet Australian standards. Now, some solutions are available, however the wider rollout of this technology is predicted to support the decarbonisation of Australia's electricity grid, with the country's fleet of electric cars to become mobile battery units. The federal government's National Electric Vehicle Strategy outlines the country's electric cars may have a big role to play. "EVs could also play a key role in storing and later dispatching excess power generated from solar photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy systems, and potentially assist in electricity grid management," the strategy explains. A report prepared for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency found the country's EV fleet could provide four times the total storage requirements of the national electricity network by 2050. Achieving this, however, will require complex reconfigurations of the electricity market and infrastructure, something Australia is only beginning to grapple with. But if the experience of Mr Thomson and the Albion Park Rail dealership is anything to go by, there is great potential, even in unexpected situations. After operating the workshop on the charge from the electric vehicle for about three hours, when the grid power came back on just before midday, Mr Thomson checked the charge of the vehicle. Picture from FacebookWarning: This story contains details of domestic violence Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe sister of a woman who was murdered by her controlling jealous boyfriend in a sustained attack in their Albion Park Rail home has told a court of the moment she had to make the devastating call to her mother "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life," Rudeemas Khuntaras said on Monday "I called my mother who lives in Thailand and had to tell her that her daughter was dead," came to Australia from Thailand seeking opportunities on a student visa in 2019 Natthawut Tammajanta in a social media image stole her life from her after his coercive control escalated a month after the couple moved into an Albion Park Rail townhouse on November 25 We are all struggling with intense grief in trying to come to terms with the fact she's gone," Ms Khantaras said "She was the wonderful aunt in my son's life Ms Khuntaras read out the statement during Tammajanta's sentence hearing at the Supreme Court in Wollongong after he pleaded guilty last month to murder Picture from FacebookHe sat quietly in the dock as an interpreter translated the proceedings Ms Khuntaras said her life was upended when police knocked on her door on December 19 telling her they found her beloved sister's body in Wollongong Justice Natalie Adams said Tammajanta will likely be deported to Thailand when his non-parole period expires adding the matter is an example of how destructive coercive control can be "He beat a door down to get to her," Justice Adams said Ms Khantarat visited her sister the month before her murder and disclosed Tammajanta's jealousy the pair received a termination notice from their workplace in Sydney after Tammajanta became jealous when he watched Ms Khantarat serve a customer The couple got another job at a Shellharbour restaurant in November 2022 with their new colleagues noticing Tammajanta becoming "hot-headed" and abusive towards Ms Khantarat Picture from FacebookCCTV showed the pair leaving the restaurant after 9pm on December 19 with Tammajanta having downed a bottle of wine within a few minutes while on shift Tammajanta frantically called a colleague and screamed down the line: "Nan dead Tammajanta was found by police in the loungeroom kneeling by Ms Khantharat's unresponsive body yelling: "Wake up Agreed facts state Tammajanta bashed Ms Khantarat throughout the unit and broke down the bathroom door after she locked herself in there to escape him He struck her repeatedly in the face and she died of blunt force head injuries Blood stains were found throughout the unit as well as a trail of destruction Tammajanta left in his wake - a smashed mobile phone and a television overturned and lying face down on the floor Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay said Ms Khantarat's forearm fractures were particularly serious and showed a high level of force was used in the "prolonged and savage" assault Tammajanta's sentencing was adjourned to Wednesday and a Park Fuels tanker.An Albion Park Rail company whose driver spilt more than 11,000 litres of diesel at a Bowral service station Agreed facts tendered to the Land and Environment Court said Routledge connected hoses between the fuel tanker and began to unload diesel before walking away But he had not properly connected the hoses causing 11,260 to 11,760 litres of diesel to discharge onto the concrete for at least 10 minutes until he returned and discovered the spill An unknown amount of fuel flowed onto a grassed and gravelled area and into a stormwater drain which discharged into Mittagong Creek Park Fuels subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of polluting waters and polluting lands Justice Sandra Duggan ordered the company to pay a fine of $135,000 The Environment Protection Authority and Park Fuels disputed the extent of the harm caused by the water pollution although it was agreed that 300 metres of Mittagong Creek downstream of the stormwater drain was affected for 20 days after the spill While Park Fuels submitted expert evidence that the harm was "minor and [the water] recovered in a short period of time" Justice Sandra Duggan instead accepted the expert evidence from the EPA The presence of diesel severely affected the water quality and there were significantly lower populations of macroinvertebrates in the creek downstream of the spill than upstream The extent of the harm from the land pollution was also in dispute with Park Fuels arguing it was likely rather than actual harm Justice Duggan accepted Park Fuels' submissions adding that the diesel was "effectively removed from the land and the land was appropriately remediated within a period of a week" after the spill Park Fuels disputed that Routledge's actions were the only cause of the spill arguing that the service station did not have structures to prevent the escape of spilt fuel had stormwater drains in the fuel loading area and did not have a collection pit for fuel spills But Justice Duggan said she was not satisfied the service station was required by government guidelines to have these features She found the error made by Park's employee Routledge was the cause of the spill but noted he had acted quickly when he became aware She also acknowledged it was unintentional Justice Duggan found the training Park Fuels gave to its drivers was not extensive enough although the company said it had updated its training and gave an undertaking to the court it would update emergency procedures Park Fuels also argued that Routledge had not adequately informed them of the extent of the spill but Justice Duggan said the driver had conveyed the urgency of the issue to his employer "Notwithstanding this information being conveyed the defendant did not ensure that appropriate action (or any action) was taken with the speed required to respond to the incident," she said But Justice Duggan found the company was genuinely contrite noting the company had spent almost $98,000 excluding labour to remediate the land pollution and took steps to address the water pollution Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 44-year-old Albion Park Rail father of seven once led a busy life and was the proud stay-at-home dad to children aged from three to 25 years old He'd had back pain for months and on April 6, no longer able to cope with the immense pain, he walked into the emergency department. "They found an infection in his spine and two days after the surgery he lost use of his legs," he wife Emma Wilson said. "The infection had been there so long it was barely holding his spine together and when they cleaned it out it crumpled like a biscuit." During a second surgery doctors removed two of Mr Wilson's ribs and placed titanium sections in his back to replace five vertebrate that were removed. Intensive rehabilitation followed, but his case is so serious that doctors said he needed to be transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital's spinal unit to get him walking again. That's where the problem lies, the couple say; the waiting list is extensive. Albion Park Rail man Alex Wilson, his wife Emma and some of their seven children. Picture suppliedWhen he was first put on it, he was 13th on the list, and three months later, he's only moved up one spot. "Wollongong's rehab post-surgery is for general stuff. The surgeon applied to POW two days after surgery, and ever since then, we've been waiting," Mrs Wilson said. "The nature of his injury is the longer it takes [to get into specialised spinal rehab] the less likely he'll be able to walk." Mr Wilson's bladder and bowel were affected by the operation, and he worries as he lies waiting that it will have a disastrous effect on his future. "I've got patience like anything. I can wait forever, but I can't wait," he said. Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Wilson is distraught and feels he has been forgotten about in an overburdened health care system. Sometimes, he lies in his hospital bed for days without anyone coming to help him with rehab, and he misses his family. Emma Wilson with her children Lexy, 15, Alex (AJ), 13, Ziggy, 12, Blayze, 8, and Tahahni, 3, at their Albion Park Rail home. Picture by Adam McLean"I see them as much as I can, but one of my sons isn't coping," he said. "I just need to get back home." Mrs Wilson is worried about her husband's mental health, being away from his family for so long, with no idea of when he may be able to come home. "Not only is he dealing with the fact he'll never be the same physically, but he's missed our three-year-old's birthday party," she said. "He's not a patient who's going to waste their time; he just wants to get home to his family The couple's 15-year-old daughter plays league and tag and will often post her tries on social media, saying, "I scored this for Dad". The couple praised Wollongong Hospital and its staff for all their help, but they say Mr Wilson's needs are far greater than what the facility can offer. "Wollongong Hospital has been amazing, but they're only working with what they've got ... they're taking amazing care of my husband," Mrs Wilson said. "Wollongong just don't have the resources, the machines to help him walk." Staff have, however, been able to get Mr Wilson standing while holding onto a walking frame or furniture, but his legs crumple beneath him if he tries to walk. View +8 PhotosAlex Wilson, his wife Emma and some of their seven children. Pictures supplied"The goal would be getting him up and walking on a frame," Mrs Wilson said. Mr and Mrs Wilson are so desperate for help that they've reached out to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, their state MP Stephen Jones and Kiama MP Gareth Ward. "Every day's delay impacts Mr Wilson's chances of future mobility, and I kindly seek your support in expediting his transfer," Mr Ward's letter to the health minister said. An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokeswoman said they could not comment on specific patients due to privacy. In a written statement she said patients on hospital waitlists are admitted according to the acuity or urgency of their clinical needs. "We understand it can be difficult and stressful for patients and their families to wait for beds to become available in specialist units," the statement said. "Wollongong Hospital will continue to provide specialist care within its capacity until a place in a specialist unit becomes available for Mr Wilson. "Staff will continue to liaise with the specialist unit about bed availability and communicate with Mr Wilson and his family to keep them updated." A spokesperson at NSW Health minister Ryan Park's office said the minister would not comment on the care of a specific patient. Picture by Joel EhsmanAn Albion Park Rail woman will remain behind bars amid allegations she fatally stabbed a man near a Shellharbour train station on Tuesday afternoon Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMother of three Tamara Doust was arrested and charged over the alleged murder of Jack Westren after he was found critically injured about 2.30pm at Saturn Crescent in Dunmore on January 28 Paramedics responded and treated Westren for a stab wound to his abdomen with a crime scene taped off as officers with the assistance from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad canvassed the area for hours after the incident A crowbar and another item was located on the pavement Doust was arrested at her Albion Park Rail home in the early hours of the morning and was subsequently charged with murder She dialled into Wollongong Local Court from the police holding cells on Wednesday where her defence lawyer John de Jonge said there would be no application for bail Picture by Darren MaloneDuring the brief appearance Doust was wearing handcuffs and spoke only to say "yes" when asked by the Magistrate David Williams if she could hear him Police prosecutor Sergeant Richard Novatin told the court an additional charge of being an accessory after the fact to murder had also been laid against Doust Investigations are continuing as police believe several people were at the scene "Anyone with information about criminal activity in the Lake Illawarra area is urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police Station or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au," police said in a statement An unlisted fund backed by VFMC – which manages annuity on behalf of 32 Victorian public authorities and related organisations – and Telstra Super has shed a regional large format retail asset after seven years is trading to an Asia-based private investor for $40.6 million – a 4.89 per cent net passing yield CBRE’s James Douglas brokered the off-market deal for VFMC also known as Victorian Funds Management Corporation Costi Cohen’s Tas Costi and Jacky He were the buyer’s agents and transaction advisors It is the second property Charter Hall has divested this month for a sub-5pc return; the other, a childcare centre in Melbourne, collected $16.5m on 3.23 hectares with 344 car parks (story continues below) The weighted average lease expiry is 10.9 years “The transaction…represents the largest Bunnings warehouse sale in New South Wales in over three years and the largest nationally since early 2023,” Mr Douglas said Bunnings sores remain highly sought-after by a broad range of investors due to the typically long-term nature of the leases and inbuilt fixed annual rental growth,” he added “It is an interesting period in the market for highly secure single tenant ‘bond style assets’ with some investors targeting [properties] with predictable returns higher than where they believe the cash rate is forecast to settle over time” according to the executive The disposal comes four years since the LWHP outlaid $353m for six metropolitan Bunnings stores Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login a caravan fire at Mount Warrigal and bushfire at Albion Park on Monday (centre) Cam BrownFirebugs are thought to be behind a series of four bushfires that erupted during a nine-hour period in the Illawarra The first suspicious fire started just after school let out with bushland area off Darkes Road at Kembla Grange erupting in flames at 3.26pm When crews arrived flames were moving quickly through the dried vegetation and rushing up past the top of the tree canopy No sooner had that fire been extinguished and firefighters were called to two separate fires that started in bushland off Fraser Crescent at Albion Park at 3.52pm View +10 PhotosThe fires were around 100 metres square in size and are considered suspicious NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Martin Surrey said "We'll be looking at point of origin and suspected cause." firefighters were called to multiple small fires that were lit along a pathway off Spoonbill Place and Shearwater Boulevard at Albion Park Rail a caravan parked in the driveway of a Charlton Street home at Mount Warrigal erupted into a fireball When firefighters from Shellharbour and Albion Park arrived at the property at 10.34am, flames and dark, black smoke were shooting high into the air, well above the height of surrounding homes. Firefighters wore breathing cylinders as they moved in close to fight the blaze and it was extinguished by 11.15am. The caravan was totally destroyed, however crews were able to prevent the blaze spreading to the home. There was nobody inside the caravan at the time and the cause of this fire has not been determined at this stage. FacebookWarning: This story contains graphic details of domestic violence Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueA man who "brutally" killed his girlfriend Manthana 'Nancy' Khantharat in a sustained attack inside their Albion Park Rail sharehouse has been jailed for 23 years Ms Khantharat had planned an overseas trip to see her parents however her controlling boyfriend Natthawut Tammajanta beat down their bathroom door murdering her with his bare hands on the evening of December 18 The judge said Khantharat "managed to hide from the attack" and "might have briefly thought she was safe" but that her final moments must have been "terrifying" "It's deeply heartbreaking that she never got the chance to make that visit," Khantharat's sister Rudeemas Khuntaras told the Supreme Court in Wollongong on Monday "Instead we had to bring her body to Thailand which has been incredibly painful for all of us." had been due to stand trial but pleaded guilty to domestic violence-related murder last month on the basis he intended to cause grievous bodily harm He was sentenced on Wednesday to 23 years and four months jail The court heard Ms Khantharat's family struggles to come to terms with her sudden death with her mother keeping her bedroom exactly how it was left when she came to Australia on a student visa in 2019 "She was clearly loved by her family and friends," Justice Natalie Adams said who was jailed for murdering his partner on September 18 had a history of coercive control and violence against Ms Khuntharat the couple received a termination notice from their workplace in Sydney in mid-2022 after Tammajanta became jealous when watching Ms Khantharat serve a customer The pair got another job at a Shellharbour restaurant in November 2022 with their new colleagues noticing Tammajanta becoming "hot-headed" and abusive towards his partner CCTV showed the pair leaving the restaurant after 9pm on December 18 Agreed facts state Tammajanta bashed Ms Khantharat throughout the unit and beat down the bathroom door after she locked herself in there to escape him Manthana Khantharat (left) with her sister Rudeemas and their parents in 2019 Picture from court documents He struck her repeatedly in the face and she died of blunt force head injuries Her body was severely bruised and an arm seriously fractured Tammajanta told a forensic psychologist in his youth he drank heavily and used 'yabba' - a drug made up of a mix of meth and caffeine that is popular in South East Asia He also said he was "a jealous person" and that he hit Ms Khantharat as he "wanted to teach her to stop being a liar" Picture from FacebookJustice Adams said she wasn't satisfied Tammajanta had shown genuine remorse for his offending which he downplayed the seriousness of when police arrived at the scene telling them he didn't hit her and she had fallen down the stairs the judge said Tammajanta's offending fell within the mid-range of seriousness for this type of crime but acknowledged the community's increasing concern at the rate men are killing women known to them A non-parole period of 16 years and four months was fixed Tammajanta will become eligible for release in April 2039 The court heard he will likely be deported to Thailand when released Warning: This story contains details of domestic violence Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueManthana Khantharat had only been living in Albion Park Rail for a month when her partner stole her life from her in a brutal she had just started a new job at a Thai restuarant in Shellharbour with her boyfriend Natthawut Tammajanta He murdered her in a drunken rage the week before Christmas in 2022 Ms Khantharat had come to Australia from Thailand seeking opportunities on a student visa in 2019 She joined her sister who arrived in the country a few years prior and went on to complete a certificate in childcare the pair working at the same restaurant in Sydney initially pleaded not guilty in November last year to her murder but changed his plea to guilty on August 22 The Mercury can reveal Tammajanta's callous offending for the first time Ms Khantharat was the 54th woman killed by a man in 2022 Ms Khantharat saw her sister for the last time the month before her death She disclosed to her that Tammajanta didn't want her to visit that day and that he was always questioning and controlling her whereabouts A housemate the couple moved in with in Sydney in September 2022 noticed Tammjanta's jealously and drinking She on one occasion saw bruising around Ms Khantharat's eye Court documents state the couple was fired from the Sydney restaurant after Tammajanta was aggressive towards Ms Khantharat in front of a customer Natthawut Tammajanta in a social media post They started working at a Thai restaurant in Shellharbour in November 2022 moving into an Albion Park Rail townhouse with two of their new colleagues Three days before Ms Khantharat was murdered a colleague told her she noticed Tammajanta was "hot headed" Ms Khantharat disclosed he would abuse her when he drank a colleague noticed Tammajanta was aggressive at work banging pots and pans when he was usually quiet Another colleague noticed he downed a bottle of wine within a few minutes during his shift CCTV footage showed Tammajanta and Ms Khantharat leaving work at 9.07pm which the colleague explained to police was an expression in Thailand that meant you've assaulted someone and they're seriously injured Tammajanta was found in the loungeroom kneeling by Ms Khantharat's unresponsive body yelling: "Wake up An officer who administered CPR on Ms Khantharat realised he had been kneeling in shattered glass Agreed facts state Tammajanta bashed Ms Kharanthat throughout the unit and during the assault she locked herself in the bathroom to escape him Blood stains were found throughout the unit as well as a trail of destruction left in Tammajanta's wake - a smashed mobile phone An autopsy revealed Ms Kharanthat's neck injuries and bloodshot eyes suggested neck pressure and that she had several broken ribs and a severely fractured arm Tammajanta denied choking or striking Ms Kharanthat I never expected this kind of thing," he said in a police interview on December 18 through an interpreter Tammajanta has remained behind bars since and will face a sentencing hearing on September 13 Albion Park Rail Public School Principal Erin Sinnott and Jason Kent from Illawarra Community Care with backpacks for students in need at the school Picture by Adam McLeanA school backpack is an essential that every child should have but it's not the reality for all Illawarra students Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueLocal charity Illawarra Community Care arrived at Albion Park Rail Public School on Monday December 11 with their hands full of bags for students in need As the Christmas lists grow alongside end-of-year costs, school principal Erin Sinnott said the bags will likely bring tears to families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis "It's actually so much more than a backpack; it's about equality and it's about our kids' self-esteem and having the same sort of things as some of their friends," Ms Sinnott said Each of the 10 backpacks is filled with essential school supplies including a lunch box The school will hand out the bags before the end of term with some families potentially using them as Christmas presents "We have a lot of kids who come to school without a backpack The school has had more families asking for support to pay for excursions and programs "We're actually seeing as well a really big increase in families that are asking for second-hand uniforms," Ms Sinnott said Illawarra Community Care also donated 10 backpacks valued at $100 each to Lakelands Public School earlier in December One of the directors of the charity Mrs Inge Garvan thanked Shellharbour business Beach Street for selling the backpacks and pencil cases to them at a discounted price "Our intention as a charity was to help people struggling with the cost of living," she said "January is a really tricky time to be able to purchase school items etc that's why we've come in before Christmas so that's one pressure taken off families." The Illawarra Community Care said the gifts were purchased through community fundraisers including cake stalls and sausage sizzles at local Bunnings stores National video journalist at Australian Community Media. Previously a cadet journalist at the Illawarra Mercury and a radio and podcast host at 2SER Radio. Story tips? marlene.even@austcommunitymedia.com.au Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Get the latest property and development news here Find out what's happening in local business tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords BAR Crusher’s NSW dealer network has expanded with the appointment of three new dealerships South Coast Suzuki Marine (Albion Park Rail) Webbe Marine (Kirrawee) and Terrace Boating (Heatherbrae) have recently come onboard to broaden access to Bar Crusher’s premium fishing boat range The new dealerships join North Coast Boating Centre (on the Coffs Coast) and our long-term NSW dealer Blakes Marine (in northwest Sydney) Bar Crusher said partnering with family-owned businesses deeply rooted in their local communities was very important Wollongong Local Court on Monday on seven charges Tendered court documents state the 51-year-old tradie who was on bail for alleged offences against the woman entered her home through the bathroom window shortly before midnight on October 16 Veenstra allegedly assaulted her and ransacked her bedroom Police allege after he couldn't find what he was looking for Veenstra stood over the woman with the pole before picking up a butcher's knife in the kitchen and stabbing a box of cereal Court documents state the complainant arrived at Veenstra's home with two friends waiting outside while she picked up some belongings two days later He is accused of chasing her back to her car with a shovel The trio left the scene and called triple-0 Police obtained a statement from the woman and Veenstra handed himself in on Sunday Magistrate Michael Love said he was "surprised" Veenstra was on bail in the first place after he was allegedly filmed headbutting the same woman several times and knocking her to the ground in June "There is video of him attacking the complainant apparently Defence lawyer Matt Ward noted Veenstra would spend a significant time period on remand awaiting a trial date that may be longer than a potential jail sentence if convicted the magistrate denied the application on account of the strong prosecution case with Veenstra shaking his head in response He pleaded not guilty to aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence while people are there being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and three counts of contravening an apprehended violence order The matter will return to court next month Anaconda and Supercheap Auto could be among 10 new outlets coming to Albion Park Rail Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueConstruction work has begun on a Colden Drive block that runs north-south just to west of the Bunnings store along the Princes Highway Read more: Grant backs Fairy Meadow development that will knock down his seafood shop While the development - tagged Park Central - has been approved by Shellharbour City Council a modification request has been lodged to allow changes to signage "The majority of the changes include minor amendments to the internal layout and elevations of the units a minor shifting the size of unit 10 and the cafe in addition to other minor changes," the modification request stated An artist's impression showing the location of the Colden Drive site.In that modification request are drawings of the site which show a Spotlight store as well as Anaconda and Supercheap Auto outlets In the case of Spotlight and Anaconda - both owned by the Spotlight Retail Group - there is only one other outlet in the Illawarra Also pictured in the artist's impressions are Autobarn A roundabout at the intersection of Colden Drive and Shandan Circuit is planned to allow entry to the site Real estate consultants Knight Frank is looking after the site and its website states that six of the 10 units have already been leased Picture by Robert PeetA man will front a Wollongong court on Saturday after he allegedly led police on a chase from Albion Park Rail to Kembla Grange Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePolice swarmed on Northcliffe Drive near Bunnings in the late morning when the alleged pursuit came to a dramatic end after road spikes were deployed to bring the vehicle of interest to a halt There was a heavy police presence at the scene after officers arrested the male driver and took him to Lake Illawarra Police Station The alleged chase began about 11.30am when police patrolling on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail tried to stop a vehicle It allegedly failed to stop so police turned on their vehicle's warning lights and a pursuit began The car headed north and took the off-ramp onto Northcliffe Drive at Kembla Grange A 30-year-old man has since been charged with police pursuit; driving recklessly furiously or at a dangerous speed or manner; driving with an expired licence; and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45kmh He was also charged with five counts of contravening an apprehended domestic violence order and three outstanding warrants He was refused bail to face Wollongong Local Court on Saturday This is at least the second alleged pursuit Illawarra police have faced in as many weeks This week, a 30-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman faced court charged in relation to an alleged pursuit involving a stolen car that took place from Flinders to Warrawong on July 31 There is no suggestion Friday's incident is linked to the earlier alleged chase Matthew Bill, who was allegedly also involved in a pursuit on July 23, remains in custody after his application for bail was denied on Monday Picture by Adam McLean.A runaway builder and a smash'n'grab theft could not deter Gulcin Topel from opening a new cafe in the heart of Albion Park Rail "From physical labour to bunches of flowers friends and strangers rally to help us realise our dream and open our doors," she said they told me I was a fighter and made me wake up." The entrepreneur is so grateful to the community for their support she is throwing a party of free homemade food on Thursday Expect plenty of homemade Turkish delights at the grand opening of Batch 10 in Albion Park Rail Pictures supplied.She said after the Mercury reported on the tragedies that unfolded while trying to get the business established it prompted many people to come in over the past two weeks and buy a coffee or a sandwich in support supporting local which is very nice," Topel told the Mercury sharing my happiness is with the love of food." Batch 10 is found at 10 Colden Drive in Albion Park Rail, in the same industrial park as the recently opened Spotlight, Officeworks, Anaconda and other national retailers At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au Picture: Adam McLeanToday marks another major milestone for the $630 million Albion Park Rail bypass with the northbound lanes opening to traffic this morning Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMinister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said more residents would now be able to experience the new motorway for the first time we are now one step closer to delivering faster safer journeys between Sydney and Bomaderry," Mr Toole said "Those locals who braved the elements to attend the community event in June have seen first hand what a game changer this bypass will be "Sixteen intersections will be bypassed when the motorway is fully open delivering a time saving of up to 30 per cent and returning local streets to local communities with 65 per cent of traffic expected to use the bypass instead." Kiama MP Gareth Ward said one of the reasons he stood for Parliament was to fix the Princes Highway and said he'd since helped deliver more than $2 billion of NSW Government funds for upgrades to the highway "I am delighted to be able to report to you that in the early hours of this morning we removed the final barricades on the northbound lanes on the Albion Park Rail bypass," he said on Saturday "Northbound commuters now won't see a single traffic light between Bomaderry and Heathcote Mr Ward thanked the team at Fulton Hogan that had delivered the project on-budget and one year ahead of schedule "I have worked closely with Fulton Hogan on a number of our highway projects including the Gerringong duplication the Berry bypass and the Shoalhaven River Bridge," he said "When I committed the NSW Government to this project we also committed to the largest single infrastructure project in the history of our region and the largest single investment in the history of the Princes Highway This project is a massive achievement for our community but I anticipate having the entire project complete by the end of the year." Mr Toole said there will be additional traffic changes between now and the end of the year including new traffic lights at Tongarra Road and Transport for NSW would be monitoring closely how traffic flows "Traffic flow has improved as a result of adjustments to the timing of the lights at the Oak Flats interchange during peak times but this will be an ongoing process as more changes occur and we thank the community for their patience," he said Picture: SuppliedOther traffic changes up to the end of 2021 including the opening of northbound and southbound ramps and the activation of new traffic lights at Tongarra Road Road users travelling to Albion Park Rail will now need to exit at the Oak Flats interchange and a temporary left turn will be provided for road users exiting at Tongarra Road until both ramps are complete We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here Pictures: supplied Shellharbour City Council has progressed the rollout of new suburb signs that feature Aboriginal place names All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueCouncil took four sign designs to the community in 2021 as part of its renewals program, using online voting to determine a clear winner Dharawal-born artist Jasmine Sarin has since been enlisted to finalise the design which includes Aboriginal place names alongside the European ones - Albion Park The new signs sit on a sandstone base with a timber side post Ms Sarin's artwork covers the attached metal facade Signs were installed in some locations - Albion Park Rail and Croome - late last year A council spokeswoman said the rollout was now continuing The signs have sparked some local conversations as they start out as a nondescript sandstone block and post "There will be Aboriginal place names on the new signage aim to enhance the community's understanding and appreciation of both the landscape and Aboriginal cultural heritage of our City," the spokeswoman said "The designs aim to provide a consistent look Kiama MP Gareth Ward and RMS senior project manager Adrian Rouse at the northern end of the project Picture: Robert PeetTraffic lights will be added to the Oak Flats interchange as part of the revised design of the Albion Park Rail bypass Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAlso motorists could see the start of demolition work for the bypass at the northern end before Christmas Adding signalisation to the Oak Flats interchange – colloquially known as the octopus – is one of a number of changes introduced in the detailed design phase of the project The lights on the interchange will operate in a similar fashion to the roundabout at the Princes Highway and Illawarra Highway intersection While there will be lights at each entry point of the interchange they will only operate when one leg has heavy traffic flow At other times the interchange will operate as it does now Other changes include grade separation for the cycleway, removing the Yallah Road overbridge and instead build the bypass over the ground-level road “We’ll also be making a number of traffic changes that will help the traffic flow," Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said “such as along the east-west link where in response to approaches we’ve had from a number of businesses we’re going to be installing traffic lights to manage the flow of traffic in that area.” He said the changes to the bypass plan had not led to an increase on project costs Mr Ward said he was hoping “in the next few weeks” to see construction company Fulton Hogan start demolition just west of the Princes Highway-Illawarra Highway roundabout Major construction is scheduled to start early next year and is expected to have minimal impact on road traffic “The great thing about this project is that it’s largely a greenfield project,” Mr Ward said READ MORE: Council to push RMS for rethink on bypass The revised plan does not include the Yallah interchange meaning Dapto residents will still travel south along the Princes Highway Mr Ward estimated the traffic on that road will drop by around 65 per cent “As part of this we’re also going to be looking at an integrated strategy as to how to deliver the best possible outcome for people at that northern end,” he said “People from the Dapto area will be able to access [Albion Park Rail] the same way they do right now but with a vastly reduced traffic volume along the Princes Highway.” The revised plans are on display for feedback until December 7.  There will be drop-in sessions at Albion Park Shopping Village This is probably not the page you’re looking for built by a leading global bouldering company with builders flown in from Bulgaria to complete the fit-out in Albion Park Rail Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBouldering may have burst onto TV screens during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but it had steadily ridden a wave of popularity that saw nearly every second mid 20 year old telling housemates and nonplussed family members they'd just joined a bouldering gym those who caught the bouldering bug could chalk up their hands and try out their grips before collapsing onto mats in gyms in North Wollongong and Coniston but from December 16 will be able to clamber up "problems" in a purpose-built gym next to Shellharbour Airport It's the second location for Luke Magill, whose company Dynomite also operates a dedicated bouldering gym in North Wollongong, and six months on from receiving the keys to the warehouse, he's preparing to have the first customers through the door from December 16. View +2 PhotosPictures by Robert Peet"These walls are imported from Europe, they flew a team over to install them and they just finished today," Mr Magill said. With the walls now installed, local bouldering enthusiasts are "setting" the courses, or "problems" as they are referred to, on each trapezoidal section, to provide a range of difficulties and styles. "A lot of the younger people enjoy the parkour style, with a lot of gymnastic running, jumping, and then there's other styles like more traditional climbing," Mr Magill said. Some sections require more upper body strength, while others require chimp-like balance and control from the lower legs and feet. But a unique feature of the Albion Park Rail gym is the arch, which requires climbers to hang upside down about a metre and a half above the mats. As much as bouldering requires skill and strength, its popularity has been a result of the social nature of the sport. Runs are quicker, with shorter intervals, and don't require as much preparation as traditional rock climbing with its array of ropes and pulleys. In bouldering, a climber surveys the route, dusts their hands with chalk and goes, often with a group behind them involved in every grip and fall onto the mats below. Mr Magill said the new set up would cater to this side of the sport as well, with theme nights and the ability to support families and groups. A new feature for younger climbers will be an augmented climbing wall, which combines motion tracking and projected graphics to mix climbing and video games. For those keen to give it a try, Mr Magill said the sport had few barriers for the uninitiated. Our website is available with information specific to your location here.' data-statistics='This content is blocked. Please accept analytics cookies. You can do this here.'>This content is blocked. Please accept marketing cookies. You can do this here Roads are crucial to economic and social development but congestions can easily reduce road efficiency and result in unpleasant driving experience By using digital tools and leveraging global collaboration Arcadis helped Transport for New South Wales to improve the design and ultimately improve the travel experience along Princes Motorway The Albion Park Rail Bypass will pave the way for shorter time on the road and improved road capacity for future development in the area reduction in travel time during peak hours The Princes Motorway is part of Australia’s Highway One network and connects the cities of Sydney and Bomaderry A section of this important road near the Albion Park Rail is shared by freight tourists and local traffic thus it can easily become congested With a planned extensive residential development in the area over the next 30 years Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) saw that traffic congestion could get worse resulting in lower road efficiency This led TfNSW to launch a $630 million bypass project to seamlessly connect Sydney to the south coast environmental assessment and site investigations for the 9.8km Albion Park Rail bypass We understood that time is an important consideration for this project that is why we used an online GIS platform instead of drawings to quickly progress the early phase and share designs within an ambitious 10-week timeline The GIS portal also enabled effective data collection that helped in providing accurate analysis and solutions We tapped the expertise of our offshore design center to help TfNSW succeed even at early stages of development Our design team in Manila built a federated building information model (BIM) at the concept stage — a first for Arcadis and TfNSW — which our local BIM team further developed by integrating traditional road geometry and cross-section displays to help with the design review Due to the successful delivery of our commitments have been engaged to provide services outside the original scope These included additional site investigations strategic and final business case preparation and Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) rating of the project The project also proudly engaged local Aboriginal residents to ensure that great care and local knowledge-based approach is applied in doing archaeological investigations By providing a way to skip six sets of traffic lights and 16 intersections between Heathcote and Bomaderry the Albion Park Rail bypass can help road users spend less time on the road and reduce the risks of vehicular accidents by six times the project will reduce morning northbound travel time by up to 65% which can also be experienced in the southbound direction during the afternoon peak The project can also lessen the impact of annual flooding on the roads by providing an alternative route to the existing Princes Motorway and replace the section of the Illawarra Highway most affected by flooding TfNSW will be ready for the expected increase in road demand due to the planned greenfield development in the area in the coming decades Connect with {name} for more information & questions Arcadis will use your name and email address only to respond to your question. More information can be found in our Privacy policy We are 36,000 people active in over 30 countries. We support our clients wherever they need us. For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. who suffered missing teeth and severe periodontal disease An Albion Park Rail man who was banned from owning animals for five years after his dogs were found horribly diseased and emaciated has had the disqualification period reduced on appeal Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueRobin Charles Harvey was convicted on April 6 of four counts of animal cruelty relating to the very poor condition of his golden labradors with multiple ailments and diseases indicating "gross surrendered both dogs when inspectors came calling in September and they were euthenaised to end their suffering Read more: Two Nowra men died after drinking buddy allegedly ran over them Harvey accepted sentencing magistrate Michael Stoddart's penalty of a $3000 fine and 12-month community corrections order but he fronted Wollongong District Court on Thursday to appeal an ancillary order which gave him 28 days to surrender his eight remaining labradors and banned him from owning any pets for five years Harvey told the court he now had access to a roadworthy car and his financial position had improved because he could access his superannuation leaving him better-placed to access a vet if any of his remaining dogs needed care "I think my circumstances have improved to the point that there shouldn't be a repeat of any past mistakes," he said "It's not just [for] myself; the dogs become attached to me." He told the court the dogs had brought him great comfort when he was providing end-of-life care to his mother But a RSPCA lawyer Kate Hewson said Harvey had shown no insight into his offending "I believe Mr Harvey's said it's regrettable At no point beyond that has there been any remorse or any reflection upon the impact of this offending on this animal The court heard Harvey had ignored previous approaches from the RSPCA to educate him on issues including animal husbandry Judge Alistar Abadee noted Harvey gave no evidence of having made changes to operations at the property that would make it more hospitable to animals He found Harvey had shown no remorse or contrition and that a letter he had written to the court was largely "self-pitying" But he also noted Harvey had been assessed as posing a low risk of re-offending Judge Abadee reduced Harvey's disqualification period to three years The remaining penalty - including the surrender order - remains unchanged Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily The alleged final suspect involved in a major opal heist at Albion Park Rail last year has been granted bail to attend drug rehabilitation Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDavid Robert Kominovski was still at large until September 24 when he was arrested and charged with aggravated break and enter and commit a serious indictable offence over the heist of a former opal miner in February 2021 Police allege Kominkovski is the fourth man who allegedly broke into the miner and his wife's home before stealing over a thousand gems worth half-a-million dollars at knife point in a slick two-minute operation have either been sentenced or are awaiting trial and another man has been sentenced for trying to sell the opals to Melbourne gemstone dealers Read more: Coniston man spared jail after molesting 'vulnerable' sleeping victim It is not clear who took custody of the gems over the following months court documents reveal Munn had the bulk of the opals by mid-April a confession in prison and an admission of guilt police had enough information to finally arrest Kominkovski Love told another inmate that he had organised their heist and allegedly carried it out with Kominkovski police tapped Kominkovski's phone and from March this year began listening to his calls Kominkovski received a message from an unnamed associate asking about selling the gems "I need to ask you about a stone that you gave J before police turned up at Kominkovski's address and left a business card Kominkovski's wife called him and asked him to come home to which he replied "f--- off" and appeared stressed over the phone Read more: Fresh details emerge in Bulli siege that led to childcare lockdown Jordan-Glover was charged over the break in and confessed to police and also describing a man matching the description of Kominkovski Jordan-Glover had only met Kominkovski the night of the heist but did know where he lived as he'd been there in the weeks after the robbery Kominkovski was employed as a metal fabricator and worked at a factory directly opposite the house he had allegedly robbed defence lawyer Matt Ward argued for Kominovski's release due to a residential drug rehab bed becoming available Mr Ward told the court Kominovski has not intefered with any witnesses or committed any further offences a year and a half on from the alleged crime He added Kominovski's alleged role in the heist was much lesser than his accomplice's and that while he was present in the house The court also heard this was Kominovski's first time in custody Magistrate Claire Girotto pointed to Kominovski's record which reflected a "drug problem" and granted him bail Kominovski sat quietly in his prison greens as Magistrate Girotto read out his strict conditions allowing him to go straight from prison to rehab He was ordered to participate and comply with all program requirements Picture by Adam McLean.The Illawarra today gets its first taste of the charcoal chicken phenomenon that is El Jannah with doors opening at the new Albion Park Rail restaurant Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Lebanese chicken chain has a cult following across western Sydney although that may be underselling its popularity To its devotees El Jannah is a taste sensation, famed for its fundamentals of marinated and charcoal grilled butterflied chicken, toum (whipped garlic sauce) and fresh flatbread Hummus and pickled vegetables round out the plate After more than a year in the making the new APR store on the Princes Hwy is cooking on coals which will rarely go cold While development approval has been given for 24-hour operation the store's opening hours will be 10am-11pm At least 58 local people have been hired already to work at the restaurant This restaurant will be the second franchise run by the Vantage Food Group View +2 PhotosThe new restaurant is open for business Pictures by Adam McLean.For the group's operations manager Rachel Reilly it's the flavour that makes her business a good bet "The recipe is unbeatable," she told the Mercury a day before opening the doors to customers "It's just flawless - like it hits every one of your senses," she said Good quality charcoal chicken isn't easy to find in Wollongong with the traditional Greek milk bar-chicken shops mostly gone and nothing taking its place It's this gap in the market El Jannah will make its own One job advertisement described the new location as "paradise" (El Jannah means 'paradise' in Arabic) "Albion Park Rail's a great location," Ms Reilly said "The restaurant's in a great location and now we get to bring a great cuisine to a great demographic of people." El Jannah started as a family takeaway shop in Granville In recent years it has been on an expansion drive after hiring Brett Houldin as CEO owner of chicken chains Oporto and Red Rooster Stores have opened in Canberra and Melbourne as the chain became a franchise operator as Houldin said the challenge was making sure each outlet tastes just the same All the chickens are marinated at a single kitchen in Sydney before being sent out for cooking on site "We are very specific about how long our chicken cooks over an open flame, how hot it needs to be, how long it is held for in terms for when it is cooked and when it is consumed," he told SBS in 2022. "Getting all that right is an art form. That is the number one priority. That is what we are known for. That's what we can do when others cannot." Mr Houldin told the Mercury a "grand opening" would be held at Albion park Rail on January 13. "As the vibrant green lights of El Jannah illuminate Illawarra, the restaurant looks forward to becoming an integral part of the community, fostering connections through the shared love of flavourful and satisfying meals," he said. "Residents can anticipate the same high standards of quality and service that have made El Jannah a beloved culinary institution over the past 25 years." Two more teens have been charged and faced court a week after a young man was allegedly stabbed to death during an assault Jack Westren, 25, was allegedly stabbed in the chest on a walkway near Shellharbour Junction train station in Dunmore on the NSW south coast Police arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy from Horsley and Tamara Lee Doust, 35, from Albion Park Rail hours after the alleged stabbing Police were keen to speak with other people they believe were at the scene after CCTV captured three people fleeing shortly after the alleged attack two 13-year-old boys were arrested 100km apart in Thirroul and Nowra on Wednesday Both boys were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and affray One teen was refused bail and appeared before a children's court on Thursday where he was granted bail He will reappear in court again on April 1 The second boy was also granted bail and is due to front a children’s court on March 25 He was charged with murder and possessing an unauthorised pistol in relation to the seizure of a gel blaster firearm  He remains in custody and will return to court in April Doust faced Wollongong Local Court via video link while wearing a hospital gown and handcuffs She was charged with murder and being an accessory after the fact to murder She did not apply for bail or enter a plea, the Illawarra Mercury reported Doust was refused bail and will reappear in court in March Police will allege Mr Westren was stabbed during an assault by multiple people who fled the scene in an Isuzu MU-X The vehicle was later found in Albion Park Rail and seized for forensic examination Investigations into the stabbing continue under Strike Force Feods Police are investigating whether Mr Westren was allegedly lured to the train station through TikTok, Nine News reported. 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A not-so-wise armed bandit was strong enough to break into an Albion Park service station by kicking a hole through its gyprock wall before making off with over $7000 worth in cigarettes Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut he wasn't smart enough to keep the beanie he was wearing at the time secured to his head After Kevin Leslie Henry and his unknown co-accused crawled through the wall they kicked in at Caltex Service Station in Albion Park Rail in April this year Henry used a yellow screwdriver to force open a safe behind the counter The pair then piled 167 packets of cigarettes into a tub, before crawling back out through the hole they made, according to agreed facts tendered to Wollongong Local Court. But Henry left behind an important piece of evidence After an alarm was triggered and police were alerted of an incident they found Henry's beanie stuck to the plaster wall at the point of entry His DNA profile was found on the inside of the beanie with the pair also caught on CCTV crawling on the floor of the shop and entering it by squeezing between two fridges Read more: Final suspect in 500k Albion Park Rail opal heist bailed to attend drug rehab CCTV footage also showed a small white sedan driving past shortly after the heist which was registered in Henry's girlfriend's name In the early hours of the morning on April 13 Henry and another unknown co-accused also robbed Enhance Service Station in Gerringong Henry was masked and wielding a crowbar when he ran into the shop while a worker was counting the till The worker tried to move away from the till and crouched down on the ground and said "take the cash from the drawers The robbers took the cash drawer with $1280 in it as well as four cartons of cigarettes totalling $1137 and nearby highway patrol found the cash till abandoned on the road in the northbound lane of Kiama Bends Read more: Figtree man jailed over cache of 'callous' child abuse videos Officers also found clothes dumped on the road at Belinda Street which matched what Henry and his accomplice were wearing on CCTV footage police raided Henry's Albion Park home while he wasn't there on a search warrant They found clothes he was wearing at the time of the robberies Further evidence was linked to one of Henry's co-accused who police found with the stolen cigarettes He was arrested on May 13 when police returned to his address Henry appeared via video link while his lawyer Laura Fennell entered guilty pleas to armed robbery and aggravated break Magistrate Claire Girotto adjourned the case to November 18 for sentence Read more Illawarra court and crime stories here Picture by Adam McLeanAfter years training in community centres and school halls the women and girls of Lakeview Physical Culture Club have a place to call their own Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe physie club is now coming up on a year in its own dedicated studio space in Albion Park Rail President Kasey Coomber said the COVID pandemic had a significant impact on the club: it lost its use of school halls and the council facilities became too expensive For a time the club used Oak Flats Scout Hall the club began running its classes out of its own studio adding that it had strengthened the bonds of the physie community Lakeview Physical Culture Club's history stretches back at least 55 years Miss Coomber started physie with the club as a six-year-old more than 22 years ago She has been involved with the Lakeview club ever since and her sister Abbie who joined at the same time at the age of two is now a senior teacher and her mother Karen is the club secretary Lakeview Physical Culture Club president and head teacher Kasey Coomber Picture by Adam McLeanMiss Coomber described physie as a sport that fostered a sense of community - "we call it our physie family" - and forged lifelong friendships She said the sport had an encouraging atmosphere where everyone was treated the same regardless of whether they were "the best of the best Now her passion is teaching younger girls in the sport and come off the floor proud of themselves," Miss Coomber said Lakeview Physical Culture Club will hold an open day from 5pm on Tuesday Albion Park Rail for anyone interested in seeing what they are all about The club has about 40 members of whom 30 compete but hopes to double that to return to team events Miss Coomber encouraged anyone aged from two to 70 to give it a go "It's suited to beginners to experienced dancers and it is a more cost-effective option than dancing," she said is a sport that brings together different dance styles as well as elements from gymnastics and yoga to improve strength It emerged in the 19th century as an exercise form for men but later became increasingly popular among women and is now an overwhelmingly female sport the sport's most prominent organisation is BJP Physie which began as the Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture in Hobart in 1892 Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has recognised Peter Keyes of Albion Park Rail for 50 years of service to the community as a Justice of the Peace during a special ceremony with NSW Attorney General Mark Speaman SC in NSW Parliament House Mr Ward said that Mr Keyes is one of the longest-serving JP’s in the State who has donated countless hours to helping local people “Just about everyone needs a JP at some point in their life - such as when they buy a house or access their superannuation – and it is admirable the way in which Mr Keyes has always been happy to lend a hand.” Mr Keyes is among more than 250 NSW JPs who are celebrating their Golden Jubilee of service in 2018 Mr Keyes has been witnessing documents and he has also witnessed profound social changes and advances in technology “The way people track down a JP is among the many things that has evolved with people now more likely to search online than rely on word of mouth,” he said Mr Ward said that the NSW online register of Justices of the Peace is being upgraded to make finding a local JP faster and more convenient than ever “The revamped system will enable JPs to specify the dates and times they are available and what languages they speak,” he said this will mean fewer unwanted calls when they’re busy while people who urgently need a document witnessed or certified will be able to search the register for someone who can help them promptly “The new-look register will begin operating in early 2019 The current register only allows users to search for a JP by name “JPs act as independent and objective witnesses to documents people need for a variety of purposes “Their main functions are to witness affidavits and statutory declarations and they may also certify copies of original documents JPs provide their services on a voluntary basis and I would once again like to thank Mr Keyes for his ongoing contribution as a local JP,” Mr Ward concluded There are over 95,000 JPs covering all corners of our State. For more information on JPs or to find one in your area, please go to: www.jp.nsw.gov.au Gareth is always available to meet with you to discuss your concerns Because we have such a vast electorate, Gareth holds regular village visits. To find out when your nearest visit is, please email [email protected] Authorised by Gareth Ward MP, 102 Terralong Street KIAMA NSW 2533 / Legal / Login Picture supplied by NSW Police ForceAn Albion Park man stands accused of running a drug operation that manufactured large commercial quantities of MDMA - totalling thousands of pills - in a Yallah warehouse All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMatthew Joel Purches made a bid for bail at Wollongong Local Court on Friday That followed a five-month investigation into the 35-year-old and two co-accused during which police allegedly identified a criminal enterprise with connections to organised crime syndicates around the state Court documents outlining the allegations indicated there was extensive covert physical video and audio surveillance of Purches and his alleged co-offenders during the course of the investigation In April police allegedly uncovered inside a man's hire truck in southern Sydney prohibited substances used to make drugs and 1.645 kilograms of red 'Donkey Kong'-stamped MDMA pills Earlier that day the man had allegedly picked up the items at an Albion Park Rail address linked to Purches and Doherty; police alleged they had supplied the drugs Investigators installed surveillance devices inside a warehouse unit in Yallah where Purches and Doherty were allegedly detected making MDMA pills for about 12 hours on May 22 Police alleged a scrap of cardboard Purches was seen writing on which was later found and seized by investigators had formulas for the manufacture of nearly 15,000 MDMA pills totalling almost 10 kilograms That same day the two men allegedly dropped off almost seven kilograms of MDMA pills to the Albion Park Rail address while Purches also allegedly took drug-making equipment to Davies' Tullimbar home which police allege Matthew Purches bought with the proceeds of crime Picture supplied by NSW Police ForceSeveral days later Purches and Davies were seen inside the warehouse and had a discussion allegedly related to the supply of drugs Police later carried out a covert search of the warehouse and Purches' vehicle where they allegedly discovered items associated with drug making and more than one kilogram of MDMA tablets It was also alleged they caught Purches on video weighing cocaine police carried out a series of raids on the homes of Purches and his two co-accused At Purches' home they allegedly seized MDMA pills firearm ammunition and more than $62,590 in cash Items allegedly found at his co-accuseds' homes and other properties included MDMA and cocaine a cutting agent used in the production of MDMA and a 2000 Porsche 996 Turbo Purches bought for $87,000 Purches was charged with three counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs manufacturing a large commercial quantity of drugs two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime knowingly allowing a premises to be used as a drug premises and not complying with a digital access order defence lawyer Matt Ward conceded the allegations were serious but argued that a combination of factors showed why his client's detention was not justified Mr Ward said these included the lengthy period Purches would likely wait before the case was resolved; issues regarding his client's knowledge of some of the alleged drugs; and his community ties The court heard Purches was the father of two young children and had lived in the region his whole life Mr Ward said Purches' criminal history "does not assist him" but his last offence was nine years ago He proposed strict bail conditions effectively amounting to house arrest But police prosecutor Sergeant Zane Barron said Purches appeared to be the alleged director of the enterprise and argued the prosecution had a strong case "We say the risk to the community is great," Sergeant Barron said Magistrate Paul Lyon determined that Purches had not shown why his detention was not justified wet weather didn't deter a host of hungry folk waiting up to one hour and a half to try a tasty Taco Bell meal on Monday Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe first day of trading at Albion Park Rail for the famed US Tex-Mex takeaway chain went better than expected brand manager of Restaurant Brands Australia Read more: Taco Monday in Albion Park Rail - and yes there's a drive-through "It's a little cold and wet but customers have been really patient," she said "I'd say we've had about 600 people drop by from 10am to 5.30pm "We don't close until 10pm and judging by the amount of people waiting now I reckon we'll get at least 1000 customers through today." about 30 cars were lined along Princes Highway waiting to place their order via drive-through Another 50 odd people were waiting to get in some lined up in a special tent outside to keep out of the rain Albion Park father-son duo Shane and Quinn Schutz waited about an hour to get their meal Having tried Taco Bell before while holidaying in the USA the pair were willing to wait as long as it took Teenagers Sarah Smith and Teagan Tickner just wanted to see "what all the fuss was about" Read more: Barbs and ideas thrown at Illawarra Pre-NSW Budget Roundtable event We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.