Police investigating hold-up outside New Lambton pub

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Detectives are investigating, after a man was held-up outside the Blackbutt Hotel in New Lambton around 4am on Tuesday morning.

The 42-year-old was approached by three men, one armed with a knife, who demanded his wallet and mobile phone.

They then went into the venue and attempted unsuccessfully to steal items, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Police are appealing to the community for any information, including dashcam footage from the area between 3.30am and 4.30am that morning.

Four men pass away in the Hunter, with record COVID deaths across New South Wales

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,035 new COVID cases today and 4 deaths.

This brings the region to 108 cases in hospital, with seven people in intensive care. 

Sadly, authorities are reporting the deaths of four men, three in their 80s and one in his 90s.

One was from the Lake Macquarie LGA, one was from the Newcastle LGA, one was from the Mid Coast LGA and one was from the Tamworth Regional LGA.

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,830 new COVID cases and 36 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,850 cases in hospital, with 209 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Thousands of fish found dead in Throsby Creek

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Residents around Newcastle's Throsby Creek are concerned, after thousands of dead fish were found floating in the water in Wickham and Tighes Hill.

The Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Primary Industries say there's no evidence pollution or industrial discharge is responsible.

It's alleged critically low dissolved oxygen levels in the water are responsible, due to a build-up of leaf litter, as well as heavy rainfall and high temperatures.

But residents say they'd like to see further investigation into the issue.

There's also concern the dead fish could draw bull sharks into the shallow parks of the creek.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says the community's "extremely keen to see the reason behind [the fish kill]". 

"I've been contacted by a number of local residents living around the water, and they are deeply concerned, as am I," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"I know the community's very upset by this, and a quick analysis and an understanding of the issue would be very helpful for the Throsby community and Newcastle as a whole."

Image credit: Tom Mogus Wickert.

Police appeal after Bennetts Green armed robbery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public for information, after an armed robbery at a Bennetts Green service station on Monday morning.

It's alleged four men, one armed with a crowbar, threatened a 22-year-old employee just before 4:30am.

One of the men jumped over the counter and attempted to steal cash, while another stole a packet of chips.

The group are described as being of Caucasian appearance, and fled in a silver Mercedes sedan.

Detectives are also urging anyone who might have dashcam footage from the Pacific Highway between 4am and 5am on Monday 17th January to contact police.

One death in Newcastle as COVID cases plateau

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,365 new COVID cases today and 1 death.

This brings the region to 111 cases in hospital, with eight people in intensive care. 

Sadly, a woman in her nineties from Newcastle has passed away overnight. 

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,504 new COVID cases and 17 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,776 cases in hospital, with 203 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Tonga tsunami makes waves in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The tsunami warning which forced swimmers and surfers away from Hunter beaches yesterday has been cancelled, but a hazardous surf warning remains in place for the region.

Strange waves are expected to continue today as a result of the volcanic eruption in Tonga.

Hunter Surf Lifesaving President Henry Scruton says he reckons the tsunami even managed to touch down on our shores.

"There was evidence, I believe, that the tsunami wave did actually hit some of our beaches," Mr Scruton said.

"Probably around 10 o'clock there was a slow resurgence, almost like low tide hit in one wave, and then high tide hit with one wave."

"Nothing violent, or over-powerful, but just one wave slowly came all the way up - virtually deposited seaweed probably 15 or 20 metres further up the beach than the rest of the waves were."

New Maitland Hospital to open its doors this week

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's been confirmed, the long-awaited New Maitland Hospital will open its doors to the public on Wednesday morning.

From 9am that morning, the existing Maitland Hospital on High Street will close.

The $470 million centre has been in the works for a decade.

Services, staff, and patients will be transitioned over to the hospital in coming days.

It's hoped the facility will ease pressure on the health system, especially during the COVID crisis.