Jets grand final to inject millions into the region: Newcastle Tourism Industry Group

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle's peak tourism body has projected the economic benefits from Saturday's Jets grand final home game against Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium to be in the millions.

Hotels across the city are nearing or completely booked out as well as flights from Melbourne to Newcastle, as Melbourne Victory is expected to bring two to four thousand fans along for the ride.

Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Manager Gus Maher said the flow on effects for local businesses will be tremendous.

"There are so many people who will benefit from this such as our hotels, transport operators, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Let's hope people also get out and listen to some live music.

"But, one of the biggest influences, is that these people will come to this great city, they will see how good it is and they will come back with their friends and relatives," Mr Maher said.

Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to vent their anger after tickets sold out in both presale and general public sale in minutes and are now appearing on resale websites for up to $1300.

Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna said any members caught participating in scalping will be banned in the future.

Mr McKinna said another announcement regarding "member tickets" would be made on Tuesday.

@NewcastleJetsFC If any one offers you GF tickets at an inflated price do not buy and get their name and report to the Jets office, if these people are members we will ban them in the future

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

@NewcastleJetsFC We will make another announcement tomorrow regarding members tickets

— Lawrie McKinna (@LawrieMcKinna) April 30, 2018

Man questioned over alleged genital mutilation- Newcastle West

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police have arrested a male tattoo artist and body modifier over an alleged genital mutilation carried out in Newcastle West two years ago.

A 33-year-old woman engaged the man for a procedure in 2016 but she later made a formal complaint about the results to police.

Around 8 o'clock this morning, police arrested the man at his home in Terrigal on the Central Coast.

The 37-year-old is not a registered medical practitioner.

Body modification is currently not legislated in NSW, but members of the Skin Penetration industry must adhere to public health regulations.

The man is currently assisting police with enquiries at Gosford Police Station.

Teen boy critical after Anna Bay smash

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A 16-year-old boy remains in a critical condition in the John Hunter Hospital after a bad crash at Anna Bay last night.

Police say the boy was driving an unregistered  Toyota RAV 4 which ran off Gan Gan Road and slammed into a tree just before 7 o'clock.

The teen suffered broken legs, a punctured lung as well as face and chest injuries.

Police hope to speak to him when he's well enough.

Police Investigate Shooting At Mayfield West

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was shot in the leg at Mayfield West this morning.

Emergency services were called to a unit block in Buruda Street just before 5.30am to reports of a shot being fired.

They found a 25-year-old with a gunshot wound to his left thigh - he's been taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Detectives hope to speak to him when he's well enough.

In the meantime, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police Shortage In Maitland

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison is criticising the state government for failing to enlist more police in Maitland.

The region was promised ten new officers, however, they are still three short.

"We've just had 234 new police recruits coming into the state- three of those have come into the Hunter, but none to Maitland," she says.

"We've only got seven out of ten of the promised recruits, and that is not good enough."

Ms Aitchison feels the area is being overlooked, despite a growing population and crime rate.

"Our population has topped well over 80 thousand now, we need these services to be delivered and yet the government just seems to ignore us," she says.

"They're very happy to build and to knock down stadiums in Sydney, but when it comes to putting police on the ground in Maitland, they can't cut a ribbon for that one."

Since the start of the year, seven outlaw motorcycle gang incidents have occurred, on top of day to day crime.

Ms Aitchison says this, paired with a high domestic violence rate, should be acknowledged.

"In 2016 we were the third highest increase in domestic violence in the state, and we have the highest Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) application rate," she says.

"There have been six to seven incidents of outlaw motorcycle gang violence in the first two months of this year, and a lot of that violence was centred in Maitland,"

"That takes time out of police in their busy schedules, so that makes it even harder."

Old Wallsend Fire Station Back on the Market

BY TARA LOUIS

The Old Wallsend Fire Station has been relisted for sale despite community outcry.

Minister for Emergency Services, Troy Grant, originally agreed to remove the station from the market following a number of community groups expressing interest in the repurposing of the site.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery, is disappointed by the Minister’s actions and says the government have gone back on their word.

“The minister appeared to be listening but he has ignored these requests and quietly and secretly put it back on the market,” she said.

“There’s only one reason why the Minister would put the fire station on the market,” she continued, “and that’s to make money at the community’s expense.”

Ms Hornery’s office was not contacted regarding the relisting and she believes the Minister has been disrespectful in dealing with the matter.

“I feel sorry for the local community groups [such as the local Men’s Shed] who had some great ideas for the old building.”

Old Wallsend Fire Station. Image: The Herald

Worker Slashed In Face During Shoal Bay Armed Robbery

BY IAN CROUCH

A worker has been stabbed in the face during an armed robbery at Shoal Bay.

A man wearing a silver motorcycle helmet and gloves entered the Shoal Bay Country Club just before 1.30pm on Monday and demanded cash.

It's understood he grabbed a cash till and had left the premises when he was approached by a 24-year-old staff member who took back the till.

The offender then produced a knife, slashing him across the face before running off down Tomaree Street.

The worker was taken to hospital for treatment of lacerations to his face - he's since been released.

Investigations are continuing.