Newcastle News

Former NRMA chairman Kyle Loades was honoured for his tireless community work, at last night’s Hunter Business Awards. The self-made entrepreneur was named Business Leader of the Year. “It’s really having the knowledge to get on, and take on something and succeed, many of the people here in this room have contributed to whatever I have happened to have done along the journey.” – Kyle Loads, Business Leader of the Year. Carrington sign manufacturer Hi Vis Group won the Presidents Award, while Prue McPherson was named the Kristen Keegan Young Business executive. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

He’s a big man with a big heart, and his dream of helping disadvantaged children in Tonga, is getting bigger too. Former professional rugby league player Sione Finefeuiaki has spent the last year gathering support for his second mission to his homeland, and the Hunter has rallied behind it.    

Charges have been laid against a 32-year-old man, after two men were struck with a glass at Port Stephens. It’s understood the pair, aged 42 and 43, were playing pool at a licensed premises at Shoal Bay in the early hours of Saturday morning, when they got into an argument with another man. Police will allege during the argument the pair were struck with a schooner glass. They were taken away for treatment, while the 32-year-old was arrested and charged with reckless wounding. He was granted conditional bail to reappear in court later this month.

A man has been granted conditional bail, following an incident which saw a police officer assaulted and a truck window smashed in Newcastle. It’s understood a man was making a grocery delivery on Mounter Street at Mayfield at around lunchtime yesterday, when a man approached his truck, hitting it with a golf club and smashing the passenger side window. A 33-year-old man was arrested nearby, with police alleging the man kicked a female senior constable in the mouth during the arrest. The officer was taken to hospital with a laceration, while the man was charged with a string of offences including destroy or damage property.

A Newcastle tradie has almost eight million reasons to celebrate this afternoon after his 10-number ticket delivered the biggest Keno win in Australian history. The 43-year-old walked away with $7,898,799.30 after enjoying an afternoon at Lambton’s Northumberland Hotel. It’s just the third 10-number jackpot to be won in Australia. The winner is now understandably considering retirement.

Newcastle business owners have spoken about the decision to join a class action over light rail construction – saying they’re at wits end. The legal battle over losses and disruption is expected to ramp up tomorrow, when the legal team involved hits town.

It’s a challenge no one would take lightly – abseiling down the side of a stadium. But that was the task facing dozens of prominent Novocastrians today, all for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

A petition featuring 10,000 signatures will be taken to state parliament on Thursday, calling for Stockton’s erosion woes to be fixed. ‘This government is sitting on a $63 million pot of money for coastal erosion, they’ve only spent four per cent of it and at this rate by the program’s end, they’ll have only spent 10 per cent. Meanwhile, we’ve got Stockton washing away, and we’ve got people in Hazmat suits patrolling the beach for Asbestos.’ “This government is sitting on a $63-million pot of money for coastal erosion, they’ve only spent four per cent of it and at this rate by the program’s end, they’ll have only spent 10 per cent. Meanwhile, we’ve got Stockton washing away, and we’ve got people in Hazmat suits patrolling the beach for Asbestos.” – Tim Crakanthorp -State Member for Newcastle (ALP) Tim Crakanthorp …

The investigation into PFAS contamination in the Williamtown RAAF base area will extend to the nearby Salt Ash weapons range. Letters have gone to nearby residents, informing them that environmental inspectors will be on site later this month, collecting ground and water samples. The firefighting chemicals were used on the bombing range, but not to the extent they were on the base. A Defence report is expected later this year.

The driver who struck and killed Newcastle architect, Jennifer Bates, in a hit-and-run crash, will spend at least four years behind bars for manslaughter. A judge found 33-year-old Lee Norman Ranclaud showed genuine remorse for his actions.