Calls for more people to have their blood pressure checked

BY JORDAN REGNIS

The Hunter Medical Research Institute provided blood pressure checks at Customs House in Newcastle today.

Today marks International Hypertension Day, with people encouraged to have their blood pressure checked to prevent three preventable causes of death.

These include Coronary heart disease, Stroke and Dementia.

It's been revealed one in three Australian adults have high blood pressure, yet only half of them know they have it.

Customs House Time Ball Struck By Lightning

BY IAN CROUCH

The future of the iconic time ball at the top of Newcastle's Customs House is uncertain after the iconic mechanism was struck by lightening in a recent thunderstorm.

The Herald reports the time ball has been out of action for two weeks, meaning it's unable to drop at 1pm each day.

The Fort Scratchley Historical Society has funded the maintenance costs of the time ball for the past four years and has been told it will cost $4000 to repair the damage.

However, the society cannot afford it and is hoping someone can help fund the repairs.

The Time Ball At Customs House Is Out Of Action Picture: Customs House