UPDATE! Emergency Services Called To Bad Crash At Jerrys Plains

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter has airlifted a 53-year-old man to the John Hunter Hospital after a bad crash at Jerrys Plains.

Two cars collided at the intersection of the Golden Highway and Lemington Road at 5.40am on Wednesday, with the man trapped by confinement in his car.

NSW Ambulance says he's been freed and airlifted to hospital in a stable condition suffering neck pain and a lower leg injury.

The driver of the other car managed to climb out of the wreckage and asked to be transported to Singleton Hospital for a check-up.


EARLIER:

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been called to a serious crash at Jerrys Plains.

Two cars collided at the intersection of the Golden Highway and Lemington Road at about 5.40am on Wednesday.

It's understood at least 1 person was trapped in the wreckage.

A contra flow has been set up using one lane of the Golden Highway for traffic to get past the scene.

BREAKING! Fire Crews Called To Major Blaze At Heatherbrae

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to a major fire at Heatherbrae.

Crews arrived at the RMS depot in Heather Street at about 5.45am on Wednesday to find three demountable buildings well alight - it's not clear at this stage what's inside the buildings

Newcastle Fire Command says they were alerted to the fire by a triple oh call from the Ministry of Transport

Extra fire brigade resources and the RFS have also been called to assist.

Worker Trapped Under Dump Truck At Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

The Port Stephens SES Unit has been called to rescue a person trapped under dump truck.

Emergency services were called to the Resource Recovery Centre on New Line Road, Raymond Terrace at about 4.00pm on Tuesday.

It's understood a worker was doing maintenance on a 6 wheel Moxy dump truck when he became trapped under one of the wheels.

The SES crew used heavy lifting equipment to free the person who was trapped for about 45 minutes before being taken to hospital with unspecified injuries.

The incident scene Picture: Port Stephens SES

Truck Loses Load Of Vegetables At Sandgate

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are urging motorists heading north on Maitland Road at Sandgate to drive with caution after a truck lost its load of vegetables.

It appears the truck was turning from Maitland Road onto the Inner City Bypass just after 4.00am on Wednesday when the load shifted.

No-one's been injured and emergency services are at the scene.

1 of 3 northbound lanes (lane 2) is closed.

A council crew is o the way to assist with the clean-up.

Driver Airlifted to Hospital Following Hunter Valley Crash

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man's been airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital following a single-car crash at Pokolbin this morning.

The 23-year-old suffered head injuries when his vehicle collided with a tree on Palmers Lane at the corner of Wine Country Road around 9:30 this morning.

Emergency services had to free the man from the wreckage.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has transported the man to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The WRHS Chopper near the scene of the crash. Image: WRHS Ops Media

University Researchers Receive Funding Boost

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have received extra funding to continue their studies into the connection between women's reproductive health and cancer.

The research project conducted by the University in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute will receive $566 000 dollars over the next three years from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to help better understand how changes in a female's reproductive hormones affect their risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The intention is to investigate how medications already on the market, such as the oral contraceptive pill, can be utilised over an extended period to reduce the risk of developing the life-threatening disease.

Associate Professor Pradeep Tanwar says the project team hopes to alter the way the pill is perceived.

"With the pill, our aim is to shift the focus from birth control to cancer prevention," says Professor Tanwar. "We are developing a strong scientific foundation that shows the benefits of using contraceptive pills to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers."

Photo belonging to the University of Newcastle

Firefighters Called To Fire Pit Blaze At Corlette

BY IAN CROUCH

A Corlette resident has had a lucky escape after a fire pit blaze threatened his home early Tuesday morning.

Newcastle Fire Command says the resident of the two storey brick home at The Yardarm woke to a loud bang just before 4.30am and found a smouldering fire in a home made fire pit on the front timber deck had re-ignited and started spreading.

Fire crews from Nelson Bay arrived a short time later to find the resident tackling the blaze with a garden hose and helped him to fully extinguish the flames.

The fire burnt out about 6 square metres of timber deck but thankfully the house escaped damage.

It's prompted a warning from firefighters to fully extinguish fire pits before going to bed.

Crash Blocks One Lane Of Great North Road At Laguna

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to a single vehicle crash at Laguna.

A Rural Fire Service crew was called to Great North Road just before 5.00am on Tuesday to find a car on it's side blocking one lane.

It's understood no-one was injured in the crash.

Police and a tow truck are on the way.

Motorists are being advised to proceed with caution.

Man Dies After Cliff Fall In Newcastle

A critical incident investigation has been launched following the non-suspicious death of a man in the presence of police.

Police were called to Bogey Hole, Newcastle about 5.00pm on Monday following reports that there was a concern for the welfare of a man at that location.

About 7.20pm, the 36-year-old man fell from the cliff with police in attendance.

A critical incident team from Lake Macquarie Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident. Police were conversing with the man prior to his fall.

That investigation will be subject to an independent review.

All information will be provided to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the man’s death.

No further details are available at this time; however, Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who can assist Police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you need to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

UPDATE: Three Injured as Truck and Motorhome Crash on Nelson Bay Road

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A 90-year-old man has been airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition following this morning's truck and motorhome crash.

The man, who was driving the motorhome, had to be freed from the vehicle and is being flown to hospital suffering head and limb injuries.

An elderly female passenger travelling in the motorhome has been taken to the John Hunter via road ambulance.

The male truck driver was also transported to hospital by road.

EARLIER:

A man has been taken to hospital and two other patients are being assessed following a serious crash on Nelson Bay Rd at Bob's Farm.

Paramedics were called to the scene near Marsh Road just after 9 o'clock Monday morning, following reports a truck had collided with a motorhome.

The male truck driver was transported to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition suffering back pain.

Two other patients, believed to be an elderly man and woman travelling in the motorhome, are being assessed at the scene after paramedics worked to free the male driver from the vehicle.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter has been called to the scene.

BREAKING! Truck Driver Killed In Horror Crash At Nabiac

BY IAN CROUCH

A crash involving two trucks on the Pacific Highway north of Bulahdelah has claimed the life of one of the drivers.

Police say two B-Doubles were travelling one behind the other in the northbound lanes about 4 kilometres south of Nabiac at about 11.50pm on Thursday, when the front truck left the road and tipped over.

The rig travelling behind crashed into the wreckage.

The driver of the front truck, which was carrying garbage, died at the scene.

The other driver was freed by NSW Fire & Rescue and the VRA and airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with head, pelvic and leg injuries.

A contra flow is now in place as crews continue cleaning up rubbish and the wreckage of both trucks which has been strewn across all four lanes of the highway.

Jarryd Hayne Pleads Not Guilty to Hunter Sexual Assault

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Ex-NRL star Jarryd Hayne has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman at a Fletcher home last year.

It's alleged Hayne had sex with a 26-year-old woman without her consent, knowing that she did not consent, on NRL Grand Final night in September last year.

The former Parramatta Eels player was arraigned in Newcastle District Count court on Thursday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault and inflict actual bodily harm.

The 31-year-old will remain on bail until his trial begins on May 4th, 2020.

Earlier this month, Hayne's bail conditions were altered to allow him to attend a religious education course in Perth.

The trial is expected to take between 5 and 7 days.

Jarryd Hayne. Image: Pedestrian TV

Hamilton Community to Have Their Say on Gregson Park

BY ALICE PEART

The Hamilton community will soon be able to have their say on the future of Gregson Park with workshops by Newcastle Council planned for consultation with local residents.

Council passed a motion to prioritise planning at the site of the former Hamilton Bowling Club situated on the park.

The site has remained vacant for a number of years while it was subject to a development application which was recently withdrawn.

Councillor Carol Duncan said although it had taken a while the good news was the Council could start moving on the re-purposing of the site.

"We can start looking at what is required for an ongoing plan of management, and then once we have all of that sort of information we can then go back out to the community and bring in their involvement".

The Councillor said that although the development will not be happening in the immediate future, council was looking at a long-term management plan which would not be reliant on a single budgetary cycle.

Some suggestions reportedly put forward referenced the Sydney examples of Camperdown Commons or The Grounds of Alexandria as city-farm models.

The green "refuge", as the Councillor described it, is intended to be a feature of the future Newcastle CBD which is planned to be in walking distance of the park.

Workshops to consult the community will be taking place soon, Hamilton residents and workers interested in contributing are encouraged to keep up to date on the Council website.

Efforts Ramp Up To Remove Sunken Containers Off Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

More than a year after 83 shipping containers fell into the sea from the YM Efficiency off the coast of Port Stephens, expressions of interest are being sought to remove the remaining 79 containers from the ocean floor.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority expects to award a tender for the massive task which could cost as much as $50 million.

It comes after the ship's owner, Yang Ming and its insurers failed to act to clean up the mess.

The Authority says leaving the containers in the sea poses an unacceptable risk to the community, the environment and local fishers. 

The YM Efficiency lost 83 shipping containers overboard in June 2018 Picture: gcaptain.com

                                                                       

Newcastle's Park And Ride Service Extended

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council has committed to funding the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium into the city for at least another year.

For the past 4 months, council has funded the service on a month-to-month basis after state funding ended with the opening of the light rail line.

Council has now locked in a contract with Keolis Downer which will see the cost of a return trip increase slightly to $4.60.

Around 1000 people use the service each week and council hopes the consistent patronage will help push the case for extending the light rail line.

McDonald Jones Stadium Manager Brett Campbell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and commuter Jenni Payne

Man Charged Over Train Sex Offences

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man's been charged by police over two sexual offences on public transport, including one in the Hunter.

It's alleged the man performed sexual acts in front of passengers on a train from Wyee to Fassifern last month.

He's also been charged in relation to a similar incident on a train travelling from Hornsby to Strathfield in April.

Operation Artemis detectives arrested the 53-year-old man at a home in Glebe yesterday afternoon, he was refused bail to face court today.

Operation Artemis is an ongoing operation targeting sexual offences on the public transport network.

Williamtown Residents Told to Avoid Toxic PFAS Chemicals

BY EDIE-LOUISE DIEMAR

New guidelines from the Environmental Health Standing Committee (EnHealth) advises Williamtown residents to avoid contact with the toxic firefighting chemical, PFAS.

The EnHealth statement suggests "action should be taken to address the source of exposure and interrupt known human exposure pathways".

Coalition Against PFAS president, Lindsay Clout, says this announcement is a shift in government position but he is disappointed the onus has been put back on residents.

"We've been contaminated through no fault of our own. All we want is for our properties to be cleaned up," he said.

The government has maintained its position there is no link between PFAS chemicals and health effects but stands by the EnHealth guidelines.

The EnHealth advice comes as free blood testing for Williamtown residents comes to an end.

Mr Clout believes the government wishes to avoid seeing what a second round of blood tests might reveal about the extent of the PFAS contamination.

"I think people are frightened that a second round of blood test might show that the levels haven't changed or in some cases increased," he said.

The blood tests were ended citing reasons the results shouldn't be considered diagnostic but Mr Clout says residents are aware of this, its the history and scientific benefits of testing that are important.

The Coalition Against PFAS has fought to extend blood testing to monitor residents attempts to avoid PFAS.

"At long last [the government] have recognised that the short answer is move residents away from it. That's what we've been telling them for sometime."

BREAKING! Pedestrian Hit By Semi-Trailer At Heatherbrae

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is nursing suspected fractures to his shoulder, ribs and pelvis after being hit by a truck at Heatherbrae.

Police say it appears the man in his 40's stepped out into the path of a semi-trailer on the Pacific Highway around midnight.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police are yet to speak to the man but it's suspected he may have been intoxicated when the incident took place.

Police say it could've been a lot worse if the truck driver had not been paying attention or had been travelling at the full speed limit.

Newcastle Airport Continuing Direct Service to New Zealand

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Newcastle Airport has today announced a three-year partnership with Virgin Airlines to continue direct flight services between the Hunter and Auckland, New Zealand. 

Virgin Australia will operate three return flights per week from 21 November 2019 to 16 February 2020, the peak holiday period, with potential for development of the service in the future.

“In what is a great sign of confidence in the region, we have formalized an agreement to continue connecting these two harbor cities for at least the next three years,” said Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock.

This agreement between the two parties, brought about by the success of last year's trial run, is said to boost the regional economy and cement Newcastle as an international airport. 

"The first season was a real success, delivering an estimated $5.4 million in economic benefit into our region. Importantly, 38% of holiday travelers were visiting the Hunter for the first time, which indicates this direct service stimulated new demand," said Dr Cock, "with our international capability now confirmed, we’re strengthening the region’s reputation as a key destination for both domestic and international travels and a second international gateway into NSW.  It’s thanks to the ongoing support from our shareholders as well as state and federal government stakeholders that we’re well placed to deliver our vision to be the Airport the region deserves."

Photo belonging to the Newcastle Herald

Bolton Point Aged Care Facility Approved Despite Excess Building Height

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Council has given the green light to an aged care facility at Bolton Point even though the development is more than double the standard building height for the area.

The $32 million project will feature 108 rooms on The Ridgeway, but due to the steep slope of the site, the building increases from 2 storeys at the south to 4 storeys to the north, meaning it exceeds the standard building height by 9 metres.

However, a report to council says the development includes high design elements and landscaping and tree retention which softens the bulk of the project.

A artist's impression of the proposed aged care facility at Bolton Point

Kathleen Folbigg Loses Final Appeal: Convictions To Stand

BY IAN CROUCH

Notorious Singleton child killer, Kathleen Folbigg will remain behind bars after losing the final avenue of appeal against her convictions for killing her four babies.

The 52-year-old is serving a 30 year sentence for killing her four children Patrick, Laura, Sarah and Caleb between 1989 and 1999.

In 2015 her lawyer lodged a petition casting doubt over some of the evidence used to convict her, prompting NSW Attorney General, Mark Speakman to order an inquiry.

Former NSW District Court Chief Judge, Reginald Blanch chaired the inquiry which began hearing submissions and evidence in March.

Mr Blanch has now released a 557-page report following the conclusion of the inquiry.

He found the inquiry produced evidence which reinforced Folbigg's guilt and that he does not have "any reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Kathleen Megan Folbigg for the offences of which she was convicted".

Mr Blanch's report went on to say that "I find that Ms Folbigg's untruthfulness to the police and in the evidence she gave before the Inquiry was a deliberate attempt to obscure the fact that she committed the offences of which she was convicted."

He also found Folbigg's explanations concerning incriminating diary entries at the times of her babies' deaths to be "simply unbelievable".

Attorney General, Mark Speakman says he has spoken to Folbigg's former husband, Craig about the report and acknowledged the inquiry has further aggravated what already was "an unimaginable tragedy", saying he was sorry for the toll the inquiry has taken on Mr Follbigg and family members over the past year.

Kathleen Folbigg will continue serving her 30 year sentence and will be eligible for parole in 2028 at the conclusion of her 25 year non-parole period.

Katheen Folbigg: convictions to stand

BREAKING! 6-Year-Old Boy Killed in Seaham Crash

BY IAN CROUCH

The Metropolitan Crash Investigation unit is looking into the circumstances leading up to a crash at East Seaham which claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy.

A 29-year-old woman was driving a Mazda 3 on New Line Road just before 6pm on Sunday when she lost control and hit a power pole.

It's understood the boy, who was a rear seat passenger, died at the scene.

Police say a 3-year-old girl in the front passenger seat and the driver suffered facial lacerations and were taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

The woman has undergone mandatory blood and urine tests while at hospital.

One Dead And Two Others In Hospital After Crash On Bucketts Way

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died and a woman and toddler have been flown to the John Hunter Hospital following a single vehicle crash at Hillville south west of Taree.

Emergency services were called to the Bucketts Way near Hillville Road just before 5.00pm on Sunday to find a Holden Commodore had left the road and slammed into a tree.

Police say a 22-year-old male passenger died at the scene while the 21-year-old female driver and a 2-and-a-half year old child, believed to female, were cut free from the wreckage and airlifted to hospital by two Westpac Rescue Helicopters.

The toddler suffered multiple fractures while the woman suffered unspecified injuries.

The Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit is looking into the circumstances leading up to the crash and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Off-duty Police Officer Praised For Bravery At Port Stephens

An off-duty police officer and a local man are being praised for their bravery after rescuing three people, including two children, who were washed off rocks at Port Stephens yesterday.

About 2.40pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people, who had been swimming in rock pools, were washed into the ocean.

Due to high swell and windy conditions an eight-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old woman – were carried south.

Onlookers alerted a local man, Mr Michael Pascoe, of Boat Harbour, in a small aluminium vessel, who went to their aid.

An off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker, from the Marine Area Command, entered the water with a rescue board and pulled the three swimmers to the boat.

Officers from Nelson Bay Police Station, Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW all attended the scene.

The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl is being checked for a suspected sprained ankle.

“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.

“If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers.”

Meningococcal Claims Another Life In The Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter New England Health has confirmed the death of an elderly woman from meningococcal disease in the Hunter, the second in a week in the region.

It's believed the woman was a resident of the Jesmond Grove Aged Care Hostel operated by Anglican Care. She was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but sadly died overnight.

Hunter New England Health has previously confirmed the risk of other cases from the Jesmond facility is extremely low.

The woman is the 5th case of meningococcal disease in the Hunter New England District in 2019 and the second person in the region to die from the illness in a week after a toddler fell victim to the bacterial infection.

Dr Craig Dalton from Hunter New England Health says while the disease is rare, it is difficult to identify and people need to be aware of symptoms.

"Often it can mimic other common illnesses, so be aware nearer spring that nausea symptoms, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, light sensitivity, or a sudden fever, could be something else.
Most people associate meningococcal disease with a rash or red-purple spots or bruises but in some cases a rash doesn't appear, or it could be the last symptom to take shape," he said.

Hunter New England Health says meningococcal disease does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria. Close and prolonged contact is needed to pass it on.

Five Injured In Heater Explosion At Medowie

Five people have been injured – two critically – after a backyard heater exploded north of Newcastle overnight.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a home on Carnouskie Way, Medowie, about 8.30pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), and found five people suffering serious burns.

A 50-year-old man, from Medowie, and a 42-year-old woman, from Corlette, sustained severe burns and were airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

Three men, two aged 39 and 54 from Medowie and a 40-year-old man from Raymond Terrace, were treated at the scene for serious burns to their bodies. They were taken by road ambulance to John Hunter Hospital.

Police have been told the diesel heater was being re-fuelled when the explosion occurred.

A crime scene was established, and witnesses are assisting police with inquiries.

Local Businesses' Urgent Plea for Rate Relief

BY TIM MOORE

Newcastle businesses are suffering as high rates in the city place them under serious financial pressure, with many facing a very real threat of closure.

Council is particularly being called on to scrap the Special Benefit Rate (SBR) applied to businesses across Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.

However, despite the pleas, Newcastle City CEO Jeremy Bath recently announced a program which will redirect funds away from the Business Improvement Association into running projects and events.

Additionally, despite an announced budget surplus of $11.95 million, little is being done to relieve some of the burdens affecting local businesses, including failure to address reducing parking costs which has been cited by business owners as the number one concern affecting their trading.

Hamilton Chamber President Nathan Errington is among those calling for action, and has said that Council needs to pay more more attention to the needs of businesses in the community.

"Newcastle City Council is failing. We have lost all confidence in the city administration regarding small business, so we're calling them to start listening to the business community... They need some rate relief."

Removal of the SBR has been cited as the main priority for local business, however this call comes alongside several other requests, including identified needs regarding infrastructure renewal and the ineffective financial assistance which was offered to businesses affected by construction during May this year.

Image source: http://www.nobullrealestate.com.au/blog/Newcastle

Hunter Water Levels at 13-Year Low

BY TAHLIA HALE.

The Hunter's water storage levels have reached a thirteen-year low of 67% capacity, edging closer to the 60% capacity at which level one water restrictions will be enforced.

According to predictions from Hunter Water, level one restrictions will apply within the next six months if the region receives average rainfall. 

Hunter Water's Lauren Eyles said it's important to keep conserving water as best we can.

"If low rainfall conditions continue, we could reach level one water restrictions in mid to late September," said Ms Eyles.

Under level one restrictions, households and businesses cannot use sprinklers at any time, except for the limited irrigation of sports ovals.

The Hunter's water levels drop faster than most other major Australian urban centres during hot, dry periods as we have high evaporation rates and shallow water storages.

Lauren Eyles said there's a lot Hunter residents can do to conserve water.

"Little things make a big difference,"

"Simple things like having a shorter shower, only watering the garden with a trigger nozzle, and waiting until you have a full load before you use the washing machine or dishwasher."

Image: Hunter Water.

Man Arrested Twice in One Day over Bail, Weapon Offences

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A senior member of the Rebels outlaw bikie gang has been charged with drug and weapon offences after detectives seized items from a home at Rutherford.

Just after 5:30 Thursday morning, Strike Force Raptor North detectives stopped the 45-year-old man on Young Street and arrested him for allegedly breaching his bail.

The man appeared at Maitland Local Court later that day, where he was released on conditional bail.

Detectives conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order search at a Rutherford home shortly after, seizing several items including a push dagger, a sheath knife, a disguised electronic control device, an extendable baton and Rebels OMCG colours.

Investigators also seized a crystal substance suspected to be methylamphetamine, prescribed restricted substances and 20 drums of diesel believed to being stolen.

The man was re-arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with offences relating to the possession and use of a prohibited weapon, drug possession, and possession of stolen goods.

The man was again refused bail to face court on Friday.

Firefighters Called To TV Towers At Mount Sugarloaf

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called out to the TV Towers on Mount Sugarloaf this morning.

Firefighters from Holmesville and RFS crews from Cameron Park and Seahampton responded to an automatic fire alarm just before 5.00am, arriving to find smoke issuing from a portable building at the transmission site which houses an NBN broadband repeater station.

They managed to gain entry and found a cooling unit for electrical equipment had overheated.

A technician has arrived to attend to the faulty equipment.

There's been no disruption to TV or radio transmissions as a result of the fire.

House Destroyed By Fire At Cessnock

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed at house at Cessnock overnight.

Fire crews from Cessnock. Bellbird, Kearsley and Paxton were called to the brick and tile home in Alkira Avenue at 11.45 last night, arriving to find the house well alight.

Newcastle Fire Command says a resident of the home managed to escape without injury.

It took firefighters about an hour to bring the blaze under control and more than four hours to fully extinguish and mop up the fire.

Fire investigators are working to determine how the cause of the fire.

Knights Player Faces Possible Fine Over Pub Incident At Hamilton

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Knights five-eighth Mason Lino is facing a possible fine from the club over an incident at a Hamilton hotel last weekend.

Fairfax reports the 25-year-old was involved in a push-and-shove incident with two people at the Greenroof Hotel on Saturday night.

Knights CEO, Phil Gardner has issued a statement saying the club is aware of a "low-level" incident involving Lino at the weekend and the club is conducting a review and will work with the playing group to identify methods to best prepare for the rest of the season, including the avoidance of venues with previous issues.

The Greenroof Hotel is the same venue where prop Jacob Saifiti was knocked out and suffered a broken leg during an altercation in December last year.

Mason Lino involved in "low-level" incident last weekend Picture: foxsports.com.au

Newcastle Property Market Recovering

BY ALICE PEART

New data released by the REA Group has shown Newcastle's property market is resisting the worst of  the downturn seen in capital cities across the country, with numbers falling to less than half of Sydney's.

Newcastle property prices are down from their peak by five per cent compared to Sydney at eleven per cent.

House prices across the country have been on a downward trajectory, particularly since the Banking Royal Commission and the subsequent tightening of lending practices.

Local property groups have attributed Newcastle's lack of 'bust' to the market relying more on home occupiers rather than investors.

The new data has also shown a spike in inquiries from buyers with consumer sentiment reportedly more positive.

Chief Economist for REA, Nerida Conisbee, has credited this recent spike to interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank in a statement which said "all positive news for the local property market". 

But, the cuts reflect a soft job market and stagnant wage growth with some areas of the Hunter reaching over the national average of five per cent unemployment, which has continued to remain steady in figures released today.

UPDATE! Police Seek Information over Muswellbrook Break In

BY ALICE PEART and IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court accused of breaking into the Muswellbrook Workers Club.

Police say a man gained access to the Sydney Street club around 2 o'clock on Thursday morning and removed cash from the office area before leaving.

Around 1.30pm on Thursday police went to an address on Scott Street at Muswellbrook and arrested a 34-year-old man.

He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and been charged with break, enter and steal.

He's been refused bail to front Muswellbrook Local Court today (Friday 19 July 2019).


EARLIER:

Police are searching for a man who broke into a Muswellbrook club in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

The man is believed to have entered the Sydney Street club at 2am this morning, he then went through the office area taking cash from a safe before leaving the club. 

The scene was attended by Hunter Valley Police District who are appealing for public assistance.

Anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area on the evening of Wednesday 17 July or in the early hours of Thursday morning is urged to  contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333.