HITMAN SENTENCED TO 38 YEARS

A Cessnock hitman will spend at least 28 years behind bars for the murder of Tamworth farmer, Jeffrey Ryan.

Kenneth Brooks was hired by Mr Ryan’s estranged wife to carry out the cold blooded killing in 2009.

WEATHER UPDATE: WEEKEND FORCAST

The weather forecast for the weekend is looking pretty good.

There is a bit of high level cloud tracking across the country so we might see some high wisps above us but we are not going to receive any rain from it.

A front is passing to the south. They have all been wedged to the south due to that big belt of high pressure that has been sitting over the mid latitudes. That is going to generate some lovely westerly winds and some slightly warmer air so it will be comfortable during the day, but the nights are still quite cool. We have seen those morning fog patches and are still getting some frosts on the ranges. There are some negative temperatures around Armidale, Walcha and Woolbrook. Earlier this week Woolbrook dipped to -7 but those overnight minimums won’t be as severe but we will still see some frosts.

SWELL
The swell is really dying off at the moment and the high tide is in the morning and that will swallow up that really small swell. So rock shelves, beach breaks, shallow banks will be the go, and maybe some reef breaks and try and utilise that tide but it is all looking to be about a metre.

SURFER’S TODAY AT NEWCASTLE’S COWRIE HOLE

Last night’s weathershot
Erika Smart has reminded us why it’s worth to getup early before the sunrises. This was taken at Terrigal Beach on the Central Coast. Dry, clear skies have dominated May so far.

HUNTER HITMAN FACES 28 YEARS FOR KILLING TAMWORTH FARMER

A Cessnock man hired to kill Tamworth farmer, Jeffrey Ryan, has been sentenced to spend at least 28 years behind bars.

Mr Ryan’s body was found in a paddock on his property in October 2009. He’d suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen.

Mr Ryan’s estranged wife Helen hired hitman Kenneth Brooks to kill her husband, and was sentenced to 27 years imprisonment last December.

Today Brooks learned his fate, with Justice Fullerton saying the killer showed a complete lack of remorse and contrition, but that the offence didn’t fall within the worst category.

Brooks will be eligible for parole in 2038.

WOMAN DIES IN SOUTH GRAFTON BLAZE

Firefighters have issued a fresh warning to households following a deadly blaze on the north coast.

A 47-year-old woman perished when flames engulfed her South Grafton home at around 2:30am.

GRAFTON HOUSE FIRE CLAIMS LIFE OF A WOMAN

A woman’s body has been found inside a house destroyed by fire this morning on the NSW north coast.

Police discovered the body when they were called to the South Grafton address at about 2:30am.

Investigators are still determining what started the fire, which caused extensive damage to the inside of the house.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

HUNTER BUSINESSES WIN GRANT TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS

Hunter businesses will be able to save on energy costs thanks to a Federal Government grant.

An alliance between the Hunter Business Chamber, the City of Newcastle and the Hunter TAFE has won a $1.2 million grant to assist small and medium businesses save on energy costs.

The Hunter team was one of 28 projects granted a portion of the $20 million in Government grants to help improve energy efficiency at small and medium businesses.

WEATHER UPDATE: BIG DRY CONTINUES

It was another beautiful day right across the region, with a few showers lingering off the coast. But the big dry continues. There has been a big turnaround from what was a very wet summer and start to autumn, now in May we are hardly seeing a drop of rain. That trend is set to continue for the rest of the week.

There is a little high cloud moving across South Australia and we might see a little of that come across over the next 24 hours.

On the synoptic chart we are protected from the wet weather thanks to a large high that has locked itself in over Eastern Australia. As it weakens and moves offshore, another one is moving in to take its place. That’s all thanks to that big belt of high pressure that’s been sitting in the mid latitudes.

Light onshore winds have been building during the day and we might see some showers develop on Sunday afternoon.

The nights are remaining cool and calm so there are will still be some fog patches and frosts on the tablelands. But the days are beautiful and calm with lots of sunshine.

Boating looks great this weekend but the swell is going to fade away.

LAST NIGHT’S WEATHER SHOT
Ailsa Schilling Took this shot at Taloumbi. Beautiful spot near MacClean on the Northern NSW coast, showing a cold, calm morning with mist.

Upload your weather shot to www.nbnweathershots.com.au

SUBBIES DUDDED AGAIN

A prominent Nationals MP is threatening to quit the O’Farrell Government, if sub-contractors working on a major project aren’t paid.

Contractor, St Hilliers, has gone into voluntary administration, threatening public housing developments in the Hunter and mid north coast…

And for tradesmen at Coffs Harbour, it’s a case of deja vu.

DIGGING DEEP FOR AUSSIE BATTLERS

Australia’s underprivileged are doing it tougher than ever, with new research showing 45 per cent of Salvation Army clients are selling possessions to make ends meet.
The grim figures came as the charity launched its annual appeal in Newcastle.

OUTRAGE AFTER GOLD COAST WOMAN WINS THAILAND HOLIDAY AND BREAST IMPLANTS

Plastic surgeons have criticised a competition run by a Gold Coast company, giving away medical procedures in Thailand.

The 22-year-old winner will receive breast enlargement surgery and a holiday – but doctors warn it’s sending the wrong message.

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