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Amy ZiniakJournalist

Amy is the senior chief reporter for The Newcastle News covering a wide variety of stories, mainly court and crime but also health, education, sport and much more.

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Raymond Terrace man Corey Blake Ridgeway was arrested on December 11, 2025 and charged with seven online child abuse offences, alleged to have had discussions with people in the Philippines and transferred money for child abuse material. Credit: NSW Police

Online child abuse charges: Man faces court after AFP raid

A tip-off from US authorities has led to the arrest of a Raymond Terrace man accused of transferring money overseas for child abuse material.

Raptor Squad North are appealing for information after a barber shop was set alight in East Maitland in September 2025. Pic: NSW Police

Police hunt arsonists who torched barber shop

Raptor Squad North has released CCTV footage of a trio suspected of torching an East Maitland barber shop in September. See the vision.

Industrial Dr, Mayfield. Pic: Google Maps

Tragic outcome for rider after crash

A month-long fight for life has ended tragically for a Newcastle motorcyclist who collided with a truck in Mayfield’s industrial precinct.

Burglar entering to house trough window - Picture istock

A dozen days on parole: Man’s two-day crime spree

A man’s freedom lasted just 12 days before he embarked on a brazen two-day Newcastle crime spree that would land him back behind bars until 2027.

UpdatedNewcastle

The fire south of Bulahdelah which jumped the M1 Pacific Highway and is threatening the town of Nerong on Mid North Coast. Pic: Facebook

Crews continue battle across blazing fire grounds

An emergency warning for a “raging” bushfire close to a town inland from the Mid-North Coast has been downgraded as firefighters continue to try and bring the blaze under control.

27th November, 2025 a family lost their Raymond Terrace house and everything in it due to a fire from a mower battery on charge. A Go Fund Me has been set up for the family. Credit: Go Fund Me

‘Gut wrenching’: Family loses home in fire before Christmas

A family’s Christmas preparations turned to ash when a battery fire destroyed their Port Stephens home, leaving them with nothing but the clothes they escaped in.

Child practising writing their letters abc Picture: Istock

Top performing Hunter schools in 2025 NAPLAN

The 2025 NAPLAN results are in, and we can reveal the top 10 primary and high schools in the Hunter. FIND OUT YOUR SCHOOL’S RESULTS HERE.

Fire has damaged part of the Lake Macquarie council chambers at Speers Point on November 27, 2024. Picture: Lake Macquarie City Council.

‘Big developer’ job: Council arson undone by Maccas run

An East Maitland man’s post-arson McDonald’s run has proved the perfect evidence for police investigating a costly attack on Lake Macquarie council, which looks to have been at the request of a “big developer”.

Ronald Cuthbertson (right) from Victoria was arrested on December 1, 2025 after chaining himself to coal equipment at Port of Newcastle. Supplied.

Grandad’s act of protest for ‘future generations’ lands him in court

A 73-year-old grandfather has been granted bail after allegedly chaining himself to coal equipment during Rising Tide protests at the weekend, telling court he acted out of concern for future generations.

Raptor Squad have charged a man following an aggravated robbery in the stateâs Hunter Region, Nelson Bay, early 2025 under Strike Force Bromsgrove.

Man charged with shotgun assault in violent home invasion

Raptor Squad detectives have charged a man following a violent robbery in Port Stephens earlier this year where it is alleged a group of armed men stormed a home in face coverings and demanded drugs before fleeing with mobile phones and luxury items.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/amy-ziniak