Hutt Valley: Car Chase last night ends in arrests
Well there was a lot of drama last night as noted from Twitter over Police cars moving at high speed.
It started with a police chase through the streets of Wellington and ended in the Hutt Valley with five arrests.
The chase began late last night in central Wellington, when an officer on foot patrol tried to get the driver to pull over on Tory Street, but the driver ignored him, and sped off down Aotea Quay. A police patrol gave chase, but had to abandon the pursuit because of the number of pedestrians leaving the AC/DC concert outside Westpac Stadium.
The offender drove onto the motorway, and sped towards the Hutt Valley, where he exited at the Petone off-ramp. Police say officers rejoined the pursuit at this point, and continued through the streets of Petone and Lower Hutt.
It eventually ended in Manor Park where the five male occupants of the vehicle were arrested. The driver is likely to face charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess breath alcohol.
Stokes Valley: Fire at Bus Depot
Fire fighters put out a fire that engulfed a bus at the Stokes Valley bus depot (Cnr of Stokes Valley Road and Kamahi Road) on Friday afternoon.
The fire was in an engine compartment of the bus and no one was injured or on board at the time.
Naenae: Friday Car crash update
The police say the driver of a car that crashed into a house in Naenae on Friday night was just 16 years old and had only a learner’s licence.
Two men were hurt, one seriously, and three passengers fled the scene after their vehicle failed to take a corner and ploughed into a brick house in the suburb of Naenae.
Mary Boyle was alone in the house at the time when she heard tyres screeching, and a huge crash. It felt like an earthquake, she says, but luckily she was unharmed.
She says her granddaughter Caitlin, aged five, sometimes stays in the room where the car hit, but was not there at the time.
The police are waiting for the results of a blood alcohol test before deciding whether to lay charges against the driver.
The house was structurally damaged.
via NZ Police
Naenae: Car crashes into house
Last night around 9.30pm as we reported via Twitter a car crashed into a house on the corner of Naenae Road and Gibson Crescent.
A Toyota Corrolla sedan had lost control (apparently from burnouts) and hit the front of a brick house causing structual damage.
No one in the house was injured. Of the two male passengers, one has suffered moderate injuries while the driver had to be cut out from the car. It is reported that he has serious but not life threatening injuries.
The area around the incident was closed for several hours as the accident was investigated.
Petone: Video highlights reel
Petone on KenzoTV
Enjoy looking at Petone through a creative Summer eye.
Wainuiomata: Youths detained as result of arson attempt
Three young people will be referred to Police Youth Aid after a second small fire was discovered at a school in Wainuiomata on Saturday.
The fire was started in a pile of wood at St Claudine Thevenet School, but did not take hold, said Police.
Earlier in the day, a classroom at Pukeatua Primary School, also in Wainuiomata, was destroyed by fire which police are treating as arson.
However, they do not believe the two fires are linked and have made no arrests in connection with the Pukeatua fire.
Wainuiomata: Fire at Primary School
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a Wainuiomata primary school.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at Pukeatua Primary School in Wainuiomata about 4pm Saturday, Detective Sergeant Scott Cooper, of Lower Hutt police, said.
Fire crews arrived to find the outside decking and one of the classrooms fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was brought under control before it could spread to other areas of the school, Cooper said.
Fire investigators and police said the blaze appeared to be deliberately lit.
via TVNZ
Lower Hutt: Fire evacuation at Queensgate
A small fire occurred at Westfields Queensgate today.
The fire began near the foodcourt just before four this afternoon and the entire mall was evacuated, as a safety measure.
Westfield’s spokeswoman Bev McGee says the fire was put out as the mall was being evacuated as standard practice and management is now investigating the cause of the fire.
Ms McGee says there were no injuries and no damage to the surrounding area.
via Newstalk ZB
Stokes Valley: Man injured in fall
The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew a seriously injured man from Stokes Valley on Christmas eve.
The 36 year old Stokes Valley man fell approximately 4 metres off of a deck onto concrete at his home around 6 pm. He was initially knocked unconscious from the fall.
The Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics who responded to the scene requested the helicopter to transport the man when he was found to be suffering from head injuries.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter landed in a small park near the mans home and transported him to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department.
He is currently being assessed and treated in the emergency department.
via NZ Police
Upper Hutt: Short Straw Cafe Whitemans Valley (Review)
I recently visited a little known cafe – local favourite of mine – The Short Straw Cafe.
It is a delight to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city cafes and find somewhere that has some outside area – with grass and a country view.
The Short Straw has all of this in bucket loads and more. You have to travel over to Whitemans Valley and to 50 Johnsons Rd (well sign posted from top of Blue Mountains Rd Silverstream, map here) but worth the drive.
This cafe was built of straw bales and then plastered (hence the name) – Eco Friendly and so are the staff. Always willing to go the extra mile to ensure you get what you want.
The food selection is great and very generous. The berry cake is to “die for” and they serve some of the best coffee around the area. They have a menu for Adults and Kids - licensed as well.
You really do feel that you get country hospitality when you dine here.
The kids (and parents) love this place as it has lots of areas for the kids to play outside (sandpit – slides – swings and lots of grass). A quick look over the fence and you can chat with the local animals.
“
Inside also has an area for kids with lots of toys. I know I have mentioned kids a lot in this article and with good reason – This cafe will do kids birthday parties with small tables and an area set aside just for the littlies.
You just need to ring them to discuss what you want and they will oblige – much better than a McD party and then they can play outside and wear off all that sugar.
A wonderful place to go now that the weather is improving…..Even the adults can come here and enjoy themselves – without the kids.
The Short Straw Cafe
50 Johnsons Road
Whitemans Valley Upper Hutt
04 5287884
A review courtesy of one of our readers Thanks Nola
see here previous review here
