NEWCASTLE Permanent Charitable Foundation (NPCF) has granted Sleapy’s Foundation $92,000 towards the development of a clinically-equipped outdoor courtyard at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the John Hunter Hospital. The outdoor courtyard is designed to mimic a tranquil and natural, non-hospital environment, and estimated to offer respite to around 750 young patients and their […]
Forensic evidence may help solve historic double murder
FOR 25 years, the families of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin have been left without answers over the brutal slaying of their loved ones. NSW Police are pouring more resources into potential forensic clues and new lines of inquiry to find out who killed the pair in a suburban home. Officers forced their way into […]
NRAR to step up water usage compliance check ups
THE Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) will step up water compliance checks along regulated sections of the Hunter River catchment during May to improve water law compliance. NRAR will visit properties across the Hunter region in the coming weeks to speak with water licence holders about their water take conditions. The visits follow a review […]

Is it down? Strict rules for telcos that suffer outages
CONSUMERS must be told why their phone or internet service has been disconnected during major outages and when they can expect it to return under stricter telecommunication rules. Providers will also have to improve the way they deal with triple-zero outages under the regulations and issue detailed plans to prevent recurrences. The Australian Communications and […]
Have your say on the future of Salamander Bay Town Centre
PORT Stephens Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of Salamander Bay Town Centre. Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson described Salamander Bay Town Centre as one of the key commercial and community hubs in Port Stephens. “Salamander Bay has grown over time without a clear plan – but that’s changing,” Mayor Anderson […]

Overseas rates decision to dominate domestic chatter
WHEN the United States speaks, Australian investors listen. And they will be doing so very closely as the much-anticipated US rates decision is handed down on Thursday. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has previously indicated there will be no changes to the cash rate in May, while the bank waits for more information on the […]
In the can: school student’s goal to raise $10k for Vanuatu school
DURING COVID-19, nine-year-old Georgia Jontulovic set up a driveway stall selling handmade bookmarks and jewellery to raise money for a cause she felt was important. It was the Life Changer Christian College in Vanuatu, a school that Georgia had visited on a school excursion. The school was built by Port Stephens residents Steve and Helen […]
Twelve new police officers hit the ground across the Hunter
TWELVE new Probationary Constables are beginning work in the Hunter region, allocated to Hunter Valley, Manning-Great Lakes, Mid North Coast and Port Stephens-Hunter Police Districts. NSW Police Force’s Class 365 officially attested at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 2 May. The new recruits have now commenced duties at their new home stations across the […]

Pests, weeds to cost $30 billion a year without action
MORE than 350 invasive plant and animal species are causing about $2 billion worth of damage every year in one of Australia’s most populated states. But that annual figure could balloon to a whopping $30 billion by 2030 without investment in a long-term biosecurity management system, a government body has warned. A report released on […]
Marine Rescue complete late-night assist in challenging offshore conditions
A VOLUNTEER crew from Marine Rescue Newcastle navigated darkness and a fast-flowing run-out tide overnight to rescue a stranded sailor four nautical miles (7.4 km) south of Nobbys Head. Unit Commander Lyn Van Homrigh said the skipper of a 11-metre sailing catamaran called radio operators at the Marine Rescue Sydney State Communications Centre at 10 […]