The latest edition of the Somerville Times will be in distribution from Monday 11 May 2026, with free copies available across the usual collection points in Somerville, Tyabb, Hastings, Baxter, Langwarrin and surrounding areas.
STPL News spoke with Nepean by-election candidates on election day, with candidates from Independent, Greens, Libertarian and One Nation campaigns taking part. Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh declined the opportunity.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has doubled down on its waste charge messaging, insisting there is no new charge to ratepayers despite draft budget figures showing a proposed combined annual waste bill of $570 for properties with kerbside collection.
Early voting opens Wed for the Nepean District by-election, with voters able to cast their ballot before election day on Saturday 2 May. Here is where to vote, the full list of candidates, postal voting deadlines and election day voting centre details.
Fire restrictions have eased in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula, with CFA confirming the Fire Danger Period ended at 1am on Tuesday 7 April 2026. The change means some private burn-offs can resume, but safety rules still apply.
Frankston City Council has launched its 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey, with 800 residents to be interviewed across the municipality as part of a six-week door-to-door survey program.
A second Liberal-authorised attack flyer has surfaced in the Nepean by-election, this time targeting independent candidate Tracee Hutchison as the Liberals widen their negative campaign.
STPL News is seeking support to expand its independent coverage of the Nepean by-election, with funds to go towards reporting, travel, fuel, print distribution or digital coverage.
Somerville Highway Patrol has nabbed two motorbike riders after police allegedly detected them travelling at 144km/h and 130km/h, including one rider on a learner permit.
Police have released CCTV images as they investigate a hit-run collision on the Peninsula Freeway at Rosebud, where a driver allegedly fled the scene on foot before the offending vehicle was driven away.
Three girls were arrested after an allegedly stolen hatchback was tracked across Melbourne’s southern and eastern suburbs before being stopped in Mount Waverley, according to Victoria Police.
A Frankston man and a Rosebud man are among three people charged following an alleged armed robbery at a Berwick jewellery store and two other alleged incidents on the same day, according to Victoria Police.
Victoria Police is appealing for public assistance to help locate Bernard, 84, who was last seen leaving a residence on Waterfall Gully Road in Rosebud about 9.30pm on Saturday, 28 March. Police say he was travelling in a 2008 Subaru Outback, registration WGD037.
Somerville Business Group will host a community clean-up day on 3 May, with locals encouraged to register in advance to assist with planning, catering and insurance coverage.
A local resident says uneven access to services, transport and community facilities across the Mornington Peninsula is leaving some suburbs isolated, particularly older residents and people living with disability.
A letter to the editor argues Australia’s fuel crisis is not solely a government failure, but the result of global instability, disrupted oil supply routes and long-term policy decisions that weakened fuel security.
The latest edition of the Somerville Times has flown off shelves at some collection points, with the allocated print supply moving quicker than usual. Readers who missed out can access the digital version now, with collection points set to be refilled on Monday.
The latest edition of the Somerville Times is rolling out now and will be available at all collection points from tomorrow, featuring local headlines, election coverage and community issues.
A Dromana man has been charged and a Mornington woman released pending further enquiries after police seized drugs, vehicles, ammunition and allegedly stolen ID cards at a Cranbourne property.
Police are investigating after a stolen industrial buggy allegedly rammed a police vehicle in Moorooduc early on Monday morning. The incident began at a business on Moorooduc Highway before officers later located the vehicles on Bentons Road.
A Rye resident says promises of a new hospital in Rosebud should be viewed realistically, noting that funding decisions rest with the Victorian Government through the state budget.
Victoria Police are appealing for public help to locate missing Highett woman Carmel, last seen on Friday morning.
Mornington Peninsula police conducted more than 1,800 roadside breath and drug tests during the long weekend Operation ARID road safety blitz, detecting several drink and drug drivers.
An anonymous letter to the editor raises concerns about police follow-up, call handling, and the availability of disability liaison support after assaults involving an autistic person on the Mornington Peninsula.
Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after an assault at the intersection of McCombe Street and Thomas Street in Rosebud about 5pm on Saturday 28 February 2026. A man was taken to hospital with significant injuries to his leg, and investigators believe a person in a white car may have filmed the incident.
STPL News has published an interim snapshot of results from the Rate Your State MP survey, covering Hastings, Mornington and Frankston for the 2022–2026 term. The survey is ongoing and voluntary. See response totals, key themes and interim grades, and take the survey.
Latest edition of the Somerville Times by STPL News.
More than $11,000 in prize money and staff salaries was allegedly stolen in a break-in at a sports facility on Boneo Road. Police say a Cranbourne man has been charged and bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in May.
Victoria Police are appealing for assistance to locate Khial Smith, wanted on warrant over an alleged aggravated burglary in Shepparton.
Somerville Times returns on Wednesday 25 February 2026 with a refreshed layout and design, leading with coverage of the monitors’ appointment and terms of reference and confirmed developments in the Nepean race involving Mayor Anthony Marsh. This edition also includes a local crime roundup, a Rate Your MP survey snapshot and how to participate, an MPCA Country Week carnival recap, Australia Day in Hastings revisited, and more.
A snorkeller has reported seeing a small shark near Anthony’s Nose Boat Ramp at Dromana Beach, with the sighting logged through the Dorsal shark alert platform on Saturday evening.
STPL News’ Rate Your MP survey is tracking what locals want prioritised in 2026. Early responses point to cost of living, crime, roads and housing as key issues across Hastings, Mornington and Frankston.
Victoria Police are appealing for information after two classic Suzuki GSXR 1100 motorcycles were stolen from a collector’s garage in Seaford, within the Frankston City Council area.
STPL News has launched a community feedback survey inviting residents in Hastings, Mornington and Frankston to rate their local state MP’s performance during the current parliamentary term (2022–2026). Nepean will open after the by-election result.
Victoria Police say a Ringwood North man has been charged with more than 60 offences after allegedly using electronic “key mimicking” devices to steal at least 25 cars across Melbourne’s east and south-east, including Frankston.
Victoria Police are appealing for information to help locate 17-year-old Cynthia, last seen about 10.45am on 15 February in Langwarrin South. Police believe she may be in the Langwarrin, Cranbourne or Frankston areas.
A Seaford man is expected to face court after police allege he returned a high-range BAC of 0.171 and was driving unlicensed during a weekday morning intercept on Klauer Street.
A shark sighting near Rye Pier has been reported by swimmers after a large fin surfaced close to shore. The animal later swam toward the pier, prompting swimmers to return to shore and warn others.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has issued a reminder about battery disposal after a recycling truck caught fire in Mount Martha, highlighting the risks of hazardous waste in household bins.
Three Frankston teenagers and a Seaford man are among four charged after police allege an overnight aggravated burglary and luxury car theft spree that ended in Mount Eliza with a stolen Maserati.
A Frankston man has been remanded in custody following an alleged hammer assault in Cranbourne, with two men now facing court.
Two men have been charged after an alleged home invasion in Narre Warren South, where police allege a loaded sawn-off shotgun was involved and a Mercedes SUV was stolen before arrests in Narre Warren.
A 53-year-old man has been remanded after police executed a warrant at a Rosebud address, with officers alleging they located firearms, drugs, cash and a 3D printer during the search.
Diamanda has claimed this year’s Balnarring Cup, carrying a record 77 kilograms to a dominant hometown victory for Crib Point trainer Michael Binney at the Balnarring Picnic Races.
Crackdown On Jet Skis And Boats: 94 Fined On The Mornington Peninsula In Two-Month Safety Blitz
Frankston locals have been recognised in the 2026 Citizens of the Year awards, with community work across coastal protection, youth wellbeing and free legal support celebrated at Frankston Arts Centre.
Victoria Police have released images of a man they believe may assist with enquiries after an 18-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted on a city-bound metropolitan train.
Australia Day begins warm before a hot mid-week spike across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston, with UV expected to stay high to extreme. A cooler change is forecast for the weekend, with light showers possible on Saturday.
A shark sighting was reported off Merricks Beach in Western Port Bay on Saturday afternoon, with the animal listed as about 50 metres from shore, according to a public Dorsal Shark Reports entry.
A Frankston man has been charged following an alleged 3am home invasion in Mount Eliza, where a wallet, car keys and a silver Porsche were taken before the vehicle was intercepted by police in Carrum Downs.
