Newcastle
- Seven packages of suspected barnacle-covered cocaine wash up on beaches along Sydney's coastwww.abc.net.au Seven packages of suspected barnacle-covered cocaine wash up on beaches along Sydney's coast
The first parcel, covered in "significant barnacle growth", was discovered by a member of the public in the Central Coast.
> Seven packages of what police believe is cocaine have washed up on beaches between Newcastle and Sydney covered in barnacles.
- Three out-of-control bushfires burning towards hospital in NSW Hunter regionwww.abc.net.au Emergency warnings downgraded for multiple bushfires in NSW Hunter region
Residents are told to remain alert and watch out for spot fires, even though weather conditions are easing.
> Key points: > > - The RFS says people in the areas of Cessnock Road, Charles Street, York Street, Ridley Street, William Street and Hebburn Road in Abermain are at risk > - They are urged to leave now in a northerly direction if the path is clear to Kurri Kurri > - Embers blown by the wind could start spot fires, which may impact homes sooner than the main fire front
- Crews control blaze started by coal train derailment in New South Waleswww.abc.net.au Crews control blaze started by coal train derailment in New South Wales
Remote Area Firefighters are at work near Bylong where a grassfire sparked by a train derailment on Wednesday has been controlled.
> Key points: > - An empty coal train derailed and sparked a grassfire west of Muswellbrook on Wednesday > - The blaze is now listed as under control but has burnt nearly 40 hectares > - No one was injured and an investigation will be carried out when the area is deemed safe
- Fire breaks out at MEET restaurant on Darby Street, as scorcher day burns regionwww.newcastleherald.com.au Fire breaks out at MEET restaurant on Darby Street, as scorcher day burns region
Firefighters have extinguished a restaurant fire.
Couldn't find a non-paywalled story, sorry. Even the MEET Facebook page just says 'closed due to unforseen circumstances'.
- Thousands of people lost money as John Maitland was thrown in jail. He wants the NSW government to make up for itwww.abc.net.au Thousands of people lost money as John Maitland was thrown in jail. He wants the NSW government to make up for it
A former union boss says he lost everything after he was accused of dodgy conduct in Hunter Valley coal mining. With his name cleared, he's on a new mission for "mum and dad" investors.
> Key points: > > - John Maitland was cleared of corruption offences involving a Hunter Valley mining licence > - He is calling on the NSW government to compensate distressed coal investors > - The NSW premier's office says Mr Maitland's release will not change its position
- Krispy Kreme delivery van full of 10,000 doughnuts stolen7news.com.au Krispy Kreme delivery van full of 10,000 doughnuts stolen
Police are searching for a woman of interest.
> A Krispy Kreme delivery van containing 10,000 fresh doughnuts has been stolen, the US doughnut chain has reported. > > The van was en route to various delivery sites in Newcastle when it was stolen from a Carlingford service station about 3.30am on Wednesday. > > NSW Police are currently searching for the van, along with the sweet-toothed thief, believed to be a woman, who allegedly stole the van while the driver was inside the service station.
- Special detection dog Henry is on the trail of Chinese violet, sniffing out the invasive weedwww.abc.net.au Special detection dog Henry is on the trail of Chinese violet, sniffing out the invasive weed
The border collie is one of a precious few canny canines whose elite sense of smell can pinpoint a single specimen of the smothering, scrambling Chinese violet across a large area with minimal impact on the environment.
> Key points: > > - Sniffer dogs have been trained to detect the invasive weed Chinese violet > - The weed is commonly found in the Hunter region and can smother native plants > - Henry and his counterpart Daisy can detect the species in any location
- Family makes narrow escape following Fletcher house fire - 2hdwww.2hd.com.au Family makes narrow escape following Fletcher house fire - 2hd
A family has made a narrow escape after their home in Fletcher went up in flames. Fire and Rescue crews …
- Newcastle port: more than 80 arrested after climate protesters continue blockade past agreed deadlinewww.theguardian.com Newcastle port: more than 100 arrested after climate protesters continue blockade past agreed deadline
Groups of protesters took turns paddling out into Port of Newcastle’s shipping lane to maintain a 30-hour blockage
- Newcastle port blockade: paddling activists take part in one of the biggest climate protests in Australia’s historywww.theguardian.com Newcastle port blockade: paddling activists take part in one of the biggest climate protests in Australia’s history
Rising Tide’s weekend occupation of shipping channel urges the government to raise fossil fuel taxes and stop new coal projects
- Researcher says feral bees face extinction as deadly mite spreads in swarmswww.abc.net.au Researcher says feral bees face extinction as deadly mite spreads in swarms
The potential impacts of varroa mite on Australia are being realised as a feral bee die-off is predicted, potentially leading to increased production costs for farmers who relied on them for pollination.
> Key points: > - A New Zealand researcher says varroa mite caused feral bees to die-off within two seasons > - An infestation of 9,000 varroa mites has been detected in a Central Coast feral bee swarm > - Swarms are being caught to help amateur beekeepers restock
- Why conservationists are working to protect the creature behind Hexham bunyip folklorewww.abc.net.au Why conservationists are working to protect the creature behind Hexham bunyip folklore
Almost 150 years ago, three miners headed into a swamp for an evening of wild duck hunting. They discovered a terrifying creature with a roar "like that of a lion" in the darkness.
- Hundreds of mutton birds found dead as 'wreck' strikes during 'epic' migrationwww.abc.net.au Hundreds of mutton birds found dead as 'wreck' strikes during 'epic' migration
Experts say the "confronting" sights that greeted NSW beachgoers was likely caused by bad weather, though other factors could also have been at play.
> Key points: > > - Birdlife Australia says "wreck" events are "confronting", but not unusual > - It is suspected that stormy weather or an ocean warming event may have caused the deaths > - Some birds are being euthanased and others are being moved to safe places to recuperate
- Pro-Palestinian supporters rally for a ceasefire in Newcastle - NBN Newswww.nbnnews.com.au Pro-Palestinian supporters rally for a ceasefire in Newcastle - NBN News
Hundreds gathered at Newcastle's foreshore today calling for a ceasefire to the Israel-Gaza conflict
- Judge overturns high school teacher's conviction for punching student in classroom brawlwww.abc.net.au Judge overturns high school teacher's conviction for punching student in classroom brawl
A judge says Michael John Kable, 63, "was subject to extreme provocation as a casual teacher" prior to the assault at Maitland Grossman High School, and the offence was "out of character".
> Key points: > > - Teacher Michael John Kable has his conviction overturned on appeal > - A court heard Mr Kable punched a school boy after being tormented by a group of students > - Judge Peter McGrath said it was Kable's first criminal offence and "out of character"
- Newcastle 500 street race cancelled as Supercars excludes city from 2024 programwww.abc.net.au Newcastle 500 street race cancelled as Supercars excludes city from 2024 program
Newcastle's lord mayor says the 2024 event will no longer go ahead, after speaking with a Supercars representative.
> Key points: > > - Newcastle's mayor confirmed the news after speaking with a Supercars representative this morning > - The mayor says it is unclear whether the city will hold the race again beyond 2024 > - A recent survey found 59 per cent of locals did not want the event to return for another five years
- Man set on fire in horror attackau.news.yahoo.com Man set on fire in horror attack
A man who was set on fire after a horrifying pre-dawn attack stumbled to a nearby McDonalds to find help.
> A man has been rushed to hospital after he was set on fire during a terrifying pre-dawn attack, before seeking help at a nearby McDonalds. > > Emergency services were called to the fast-food store at King St in Newcastle, on the NSW Hunter Coast, shortly after 3am on Thursday. > > Police said the 23-year-old man had been assaulted and set on fire before seeking help at the northeast city store suffering serious burns. > > He was rushed to John Hunter Hospital before being transferred to Royal North Shore, where he remained in a serious but stable condition. > Police have since established a crime scene with investigations underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident. > > Local media reported that officer believed the man was involved in an altercation with two men in the busy street in Newcastle > > Investigators appealed for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area at the time to come Crime Stoppers.
- Is this Australia's tallest house? This 10-storey rural monolith comes with a suspended observation deckwww.abc.net.au Is this Australia's tallest house? This 10-storey rural monolith comes with a suspended observation deck
With home gym, rooftop spa, indoor swimming pool and whole-floor tennis court, this 10-storey, single family residence would look at home among the apartment towers of the Gold Coast.
> Girvan Estate is in the hinterland of Nelson Bay.
- Australia abandons efforts to eradicate deadly parasite varroa mite after 15 monthswww.abc.net.au Australia abandons efforts to eradicate deadly parasite varroa mite after 15 months
Australia has decided it is no longer technically feasible to eradicate varroa mite and will move to management of the pest.
> Key points: > > - Resources will be reallocated to slowing the spread of the pest > - Non-compliance from beekeepers and illegal hive movement was a major factor in the failed eradication effort > - Government and industry groups made the unanimous decision to move to a management approach
- Police suspend use of bean-bag rounds after death of Newcastle woman Krista Kachwww.abc.net.au Police suspend use of bean-bag rounds after woman killed by strike to the heart
Police say a bean-bag round entered the body of Newcastle woman Krista Kach, who was involved in a stand-off with police in Stockton last week.
> Key points: > > - NSW Police have suspended the use of bean-bag rounds when responding to high risk incidents > - Krista Kach, 47, died last week after a shot fired by police struck her heart > - Ms Kach was involved in a 10-hour stand-off with police at Stockton in Newcastle
- Founder member of The Screaming Jets, Paul Woseen, dieswww.abc.net.au Founder member of The Screaming Jets, Paul Woseen, dies
The Screaming Jets pay tribute to founding member and "beloved brother" Paul Woseen.
- RFS battle blaze near Cessnock at Neathwww.newcastleherald.com.au 'A rough 24 hours': blaze throws plumes of thick smoke into the air
Windy conditions are throwing plumes of smoke into the sky but the Neath blaze remains contained.
- Woman dies after being hit by bean bag round, tasered by police at Stocktonwww.abc.net.au Woman shot with bean bag round, tasered in deadly end to Newcastle siege
Police say they will investigate "less than lethal" options after a 47-year-old died in hospital after being subdued in her home to end a 10-hour stand-off.
> Key points: > > - The woman barricaded herself in her unit early Thursday afternoon after threatening people with an axe > - Officers entered the 47-year-old's unit just before 10pm following a 10-hour stand-off > - Police say she was able to walk to an ambulance, but her condition deteriorated and she later died
- Robbie O’Davis battles ongoing concussion issues7news.com.au NRL great’s sad moment with daughter: ‘It’s frustrating but upsetting’
Robbie O’Davis had one simple task, but his devastating health battle left his wife to pick up the pieces.
> The rugby league great, who played 223 games for the Knights, is battling the symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which is a progressive brain disease that is connected with repeated traumatic brain injuries and dementia.
> “I was a little man in a big man’s game so my height level was ducking through (opposition players) forearms and it was a habit of seeing stars, getting hit and seeing stars,” Robbie said.
> Asked about what he remembers from his two premierships that he won with the Newcastle Knights, Robbie struggles to recall any details about the games. > > “All I remember is that I played for a good team, played for a town,” Robbie replied. > > “Even watching the grand finals now, I’ve watched them that many times, I can’t remember doing them.” > > Depression and mood swings are symptoms of CTE, and as life got so bad for Robbie, he contemplated the same suicide attempt while sitting on the edge of a cliff six times.
> "[…] she (Dr Rowena Mobbs, one of Australia’s leading concussion and CTE experts) said that he (Robbie) has one of the worst brain scans that she’s seen,” she said
- Friends of the University Book Fair is on, from the 9th to 16th of Septemberuonfriends.wordpress.com Book Fair
The first Book Fair was held in in July 1983 with approximately 20,000 books. The last Book Fair, held in 2019, saw for sale early 100,000 books, magazines, records, CDs and DVDs. In the past, in…
> Hours of opening: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
- Volunteer RFS firefighter charged with lighting Hunter Valley fires that he later helped put outwww.abc.net.au RFS firefighter to face court after allegedly lighting several NSW bushfires
A teenage volunteer firefighter has been charged with deliberately lighting several fires in the Hunter Valley and then returning to help put them out.
> Key points: > > - An 18-year-old man has been charged with allegedly lighting bushfires in the Hunter Valley > - He's been charged with 15 offences > - Police allege the man lit several bushfires at multiple locations in July and August
- NSW beachgoers will be caught in the middle of 'fraught' shark politics this summerwww.abc.net.au NSW beachgoers will be caught in the middle of 'fraught' shark politics this summer
Twelve years ago the Dunedin council in New Zealand removed shark nets from three beaches and no one has been attacked. Questions are being asked about why the same can't happen in NSW.
> Beachgoers from Newcastle to Wollongong caught in the middle of shark politics this summer > > From September 1, shark nets will return to NSW beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong.
- Survey raises questions over future of Newcastle 500www.speedcafe.com Survey raises questions over future of Newcastle 500
A council-commissioned survey has raised questions over the future of the Newcastle 500, but there are also questions over the validity of the survey itself.
- New electric trains on track for Newcastle in 2024
> The NSW Government has reached a vital agreement to get the full complement of New Intercity Fleet trains on the tracks as soon as possible, including the Hunter.
- Governance review clears renewal project linked to Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorpwww.abc.net.au Governance review clears renewal project linked to Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp
A project linked to the family of Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is set to proceed after an urgent review.
> Key points: > > - Tim Crakanthorp resigned from the Ministry on August 2 > - The premier raised questions about Mr Crakanthorp's failed property disclosures and referred him to the ICAC > - A governance review has cleared a renewal project linked to property holdings of his wife's family
- Concern for native bee population as toxic baits used to kill feral European honey bees in varroa mite responsewww.abc.net.au Toxic threat to native bees prompts call for change in varroa mite eradication zones
Concerns have been raised around the use of an insecticide to control the varroa mite outbreak in New South Wales and its impact on the native bee population.
> Key points: > - A petition is calling for Fipronil baits to be banned in the varroa mite response > - There is concern the baits are killing native bee populations > - The DPI says it has mechanisms in place to ensure the baits strictly target European honey bees
- The Big Prawn at Crangan Bay has fallen victim to a beheading incidentwww.newcastleherald.com.au Who's the prawn perpetrator? Fibreglass icon's head cut off
'I love a joke but it's a bit disappointing to be honest.'
R.I.P.
- NSW Premier refers Minister for the Hunter, Tim Crakanthorp, to corruption watchdog, asks him to step downwww.abc.net.au NSW premier refers cabinet minister to corruption watchdog, asks him to step down
NSW Premier Chris Minns announced in a snap press conference on Wednesday that Tim Crakanthorp will step down after a significant breach of the ministerial code.
> Key points: > > - NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a Labor minister had been asked to step down > - Tim Crakanthorp self-reported a breach of the ministerial code of conduct over land holdings > - Mr Crakanthorp was Minister for the Hunter, and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
- Dashcam shows car flipping on the Pacific Highway at Narara (no injuries)
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
- 'Shocker' construction sites in Newcastle shut down as officials blast alleged safety failureswww.abc.net.au 'Shocker' construction sites in Newcastle shut down as officials blast alleged safety failures
NSW Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis says there is "absolutely no excuse" for noncompliance as stop work orders are issued at two construction sites in the city.
> Key points: > - David Chandler alleged there was an "absolute heap of danger" at an Adamstown site > - The CFMEU has compiled a list of concerns regarding safety at that site and another in the Newcastle CBD > - Sophie Cotsis says there is "absolutely no excuse" for noncompliance in the industry
> New South Wales Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis says she is shocked by the state of two Newcastle building sites that have been issued stop work orders. > > Work has ceased at sites on Brunker Road in Adamstown and Watt Street, in Newcastle's CBD, after NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler raised serious safety concerns.
- Central Coast high school student dies after catching influenza Bwww.abc.net.au Well-loved year 9 girl dies weeks after catching influenza
The death of the Central Coast teenager, who is being remembered as a "true friend", comes amid a spike in influenza-related hospital admissions in NSW.
> Key points: > - A young person has died in NSW after contracting influenza B > - It comes as hospitals record a rise in admissions > - Health authorities are calling for parents to vaccinate their children against the virus
- What are all the abandoned/half built structures opposite the Stockton caravan park
Coordinates 32.91622° S, 151.78913° E
I thought that they were under construction 3 years ago, but they still aren't finished. They're not on satellite view on Google Maps.
- Sex, drugs and real estate: harassment 'rampant' in Hunter industrywww.newcastleherald.com.au Sex, drugs and real estate: harassment 'rampant' in Hunter industry
Claims agents using clients' homes for sex with junior colleagues.