Manhunt Under Way For Edgeworth Break And Enter Suspect After Foot Pursuit

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has managed to evade police following a suspected break and enter at Edgeworth.

Officers chased him on foot after witnesses reported him standing on a bin trying to break into a Main Road unit block through the windows just before 3.00pm yesterday.

He scaled a fence and jumped into a blue Ford Ranger parked in a nearby car yard on Arnott Street which has now been reported stolen.

Police say the suspect dropped an iPad during the foot pursuit and they're asking for public help to identify and locate the man.

He's described as having a dark complexion and was wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans and things.

Boolaroo Police want to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of a break-in around the Edgeworth area recently.

Homeless Man Accused Of Assaulting A 5-Year-Old Girl at Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH

 A homeless man has been charged with assaulting a 5-year-old girl at Maitland.

The 54-year-old is accused of approaching the girl and her mother as they waited at a bus stop in Church Street on Monday afternoon before rubbing her head and her back and grabbing hold of her arm while telling her she was beautiful.

The mother quickly pulled the girl away and called police who tracked down the man in the same area yesterday.

He's been charged with assault and has been refused bail to front Maitland Local Court today.

Hunter Youth Urged To Seek Help For Mental Health Issues

BY IAN CROUCH

 It's been revealed many young people in the Hunter dealing with mental health issues are too embarrassed to seek help or can't afford it.

Research released as part of National Headspace Day has found half of 12 to 25 year olds who need treatment wait six months to act, while close to 45% believed they could not be helped.

The research also revealed close to 50% said cost was a barrier to them getting treatment.

Every year, a quarter of young people will experience mental health issues and the findings of the research has prompted the inaugural Headspace Day.

Community Development Officer for Headspace Newcastle, Byron Williams says the problem will only get worse if people don't receive support.

"Mental health issues are the single biggest health issue facing young Australians at the moment. We can talk about lots of different things but we still find it difficult to talk about mental health and part of Headspace Day is to decrease that stigma a little bit more and give us the tools to talk about mental health," he said.

Byron Williams Photo courtesy abc.net.au

Newcastle Basketball Poised To Hit The Big Time

BY IAN CROUCH

 A major investment is coming to Newcastle basketball, with the state government pledging $5-million to upgrade the Broadmeadow Stadium.

Vacant land next to the stadium will be used to build 3 new courts including a show court with room for 2000 people, increased parking and improved facilities for staff, players and spectators, bringing the facility up to international standard.

It's hoped the upgrade will strengthen the case for a licence in the NBL and and the WNBL.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald says the upgrade will help Newcastle Basketball develop the next generation of players.

"They can point to involvement across all the age groups from the very very smallest to the most senior level. They don't have professional at this stage but that's something that they will no doubt turn their mind to later, but certainly all through the school age groups, the local regional clubs, they'll all benefit. There will be six courts here now," he said.

Centre Court at the current Newcastle Basketball Stadium

Boy Hit By Car At Denman

BY IAN CROUCH

 Police are appealing for witnesses after a 15-year-old boy was hit by a car at Denman last night.

The accident happened at the intersection of Virginia and Ogilvie Streets at 5.40pm.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew the boy to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with abrasions and a collapsed lung.

Police breath tested the 37-year-old male driver from Muswellbrook at the scene - he returned a negative result.

Investigations are continuing and anyone who witnessed the accident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newcastle Rail Corridor Top Topic At Pubic Voice Session

BY IAN CROUCH

 A Public Voice meeting is being held tonight at City Hall to discuss the future use of the land where the Newcastle inner city rail line used to run.

The meeting will allow those in favour of developing it and those against the idea to make their case to Newcastle Council.

Newcastle Concerned Citizens Convenor, David Blyth believes the cutting of the rail line has had a detrimental impact in the city.

"There's a lot of concern about what we would regard as a very hasty cutting of the railway line with no real forethought as to how that might affect the city and the access to Newcastle by people from Sydney or from Lake Macquarie, and the consequences being fewer people are coming to Newcastle," he said.

David Blyth. Photo courtesy abc.net.au

However, Hunter director of The Property Council of Australia, Andrew Fletcher believes council should back a rezoning application which would allow for new buildings.

"By demanding further reports and further briefings they're risking the jobs and growth and the $2-billion investment pipeline we're seeing in the city centre," he said.

Andrew Fletcher

Premier Poised To Rethink Greyhound Racing Ban

BY IAN CROUCH

 Hunter greyhound owners and trainers facing the loss of their industry look set to be thrown a lifeline.

Premier Mike Baird is expected to announce a backdown on parts of the greyhound racing ban in the face of a voter backlash and assurances from the industry the mass slaughter of dogs will stop.

The Daily Telegraph says he'll extend a trial period for racing in the state tomorrow while introducing tougher industry standards.

But, Greens MP, Mehreen Faruqi says she's sceptical about the industry's assurances.

"Historically, the industry has given guarantees before and not reformed, and one of these guarantees was actually a commitment to greater transparency and improving animal welfare. They gave this guarantee for 10 years, but nothing improved," she said.

Mehreen Faruqi

However, Labor MP for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery is calling on the Premier to go a step further and overturn the ban on the greyhound racing industry, saying the decision was rushed and will ultimately cause enormous damage to the local economy, with greyhound racing contributing $17.69 million to the Wallsend economy each year.

More than 6000 people in Wallsend signed a petition calling on the government to overturn the ban, with more than 37,000 signing it across NSW.

"It is clear from consulting the community that a clear majority of people want the ban overturned," she said.

Sonia Hornery