This is our final ABC Newcastle newsletter for 2020!
Thank you for your support and feedback during the year. If you love what we do, invite your friends to sign up and join us in 2021.

We'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead. 
Look out for us in your inbox on January 14. 

Jailed for burning man alive in 'brazen act'

A Newcastle man, Troy McCosker, has been jailed for 36 years over the murder of 23-year-old Wade Still who died, according to the sentencing judge, in "one of the worst ways imaginable".

A taxi driver found Mr Still, who had been set alight twice, alive but severely burnt, in the early hours of August 20, 2018, at Whitebridge.

Legend of Shortland footy club fatally stabbed

A man accused of murdering a Newcastle resident who was out walking his dog tried to rob a petrol station while armed with an improvised explosive device minutes before the alleged attack, a court has heard.

Zack Mavin, 24, is accused of murdering Robert Palmer, 54, outside a second service station in the Newcastle suburb of Shortland on Saturday night.

Toronto childcare centre closing education gap

The impacts of racism and the challenges of remote living can mean Indigenous kids end up attending less early childhood education than their non-Indigenous peers.Changing that could help close the gap — but significant barriers remain.

Good news for the Hunter River short necked turtle

After a tough year of bushfires and drought, the short necked turtle, which is native to the Hunter region, was thought to be facing quite a grim future.

But there's been some good news for the species following a recent survey of the population. 
 

High hopes Hunter will embrace COVID-19 vaccine

As jabs against the virus begin to roll out worldwide, how will people respond here in the Hunter? The Hunter is known for its high rates of vaccination and rates among Australia's top vaccination locations over the past 30 years. 

But Holly Seale, an expert in perceptions and behaviours regarding infectious diseases, says there needs to be more community discussion on how residents are feeling about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hayne to face retrial over sex assault allegation

Former Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne will face a retrial in Sydney next year after the Crown decided to pursue a prosecution against him in relation to an alleged sexual assault in Newcastle in 2018.

Last week, a jury of eight men and four women in the Newcastle District Court said it was deadlocked and in dispute over the guilt or innocence of Mr Hayne on two charges of aggravated sexual assault.

Horse 'Cupcake' rescued from underground water tank

Local emergency services in the Upper Hunter were tasked with a big rescue this week, after a filly fell two metres into an underground water tank.

Inspector Glenn Byrnes at the Hunter Valley Rural Fire Service told ABC Newcastle's Paul Turton about the operation, which involved the SES and RFS, NSW Police and a local farrier!

AGL slapped with $1million penalty by EPA

Energy giant AGL will be forced to spend more than $1million on community projects and rectification works after one of its ageing coal-fired power stations polluted a creek in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.

Village of Wollombi on the 2020 rollercoaster

The small village of Wollombi has experienced a year like no other — from bushfires to the quietest of times during COVID-19 lockdowns.

But the town is now seeing a boom in visitors, and Jenny Marchant paid them a visit.

Barker College celebrates first year at Wollombi

An independent school where learning incorporates Aboriginal texts, poetry, dancing, painting and singing is teaching primary-school-aged kids pride in their cultural identities.

Ngarralingayil Barker is part of independent school Barker College and this year 15 students from around the Hunter have travelled to the quiet, bushland campus for classes that weave Aboriginal culture into the primary school curriculum.

What else is making news?

Real Christmas tree demand spikes: Demand for real Christmas trees has spiked in the Hunter with one seller reporting a 30 per cent spike in sales. Hunter seller Ian Heathcote sources 'thousands' of trees from Goulburn.

Frazer Park drowning: A notorious stretch of the Central Coast has claimed another life, with a 55-year-old man drowning near Frazer Beach, south of Swansea. Another 20-year-old man was pulled from the water and CPR was performed on both, but the older man died at the scene.

Stockton pollution solution: After nearly five years of waiting a solution to elevated particle pollution over Stockton has been approved, but its implementation is still three years away. In 2016 a CSIRO pollution study identified Orica's 50-year-old ammonium nitrate plant as a primary source of harmful particles over Stockton.

Parvovirus warning for dog owners: There's been an outbreak of the deadly parvovirus in Cardiff and Cameron Park prompting a warning for dog owners. The virus is highly infectious, attacking the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular systems of dogs. 

Aluminium smelter site rezoning: Cessnock Council says bringing jobs back to Kurri Kurri is at the forefront of a rezoning plan for the town's former aluminum smelter site. A planning proposal for a neighbourhood centre and general industrial use on the 329 hectares of land is on public exhibition until February 1.

What's the weather doing?

A 90 per cent chance of rain, 32 degrees and a possible thunderstorm on Friday. Low- to mid-20s and rain this weekend.

ABC Emergency: add your town for local warnings

Want a fast way to check local emergency warnings for where you live?  Visit the new ABC Emergency website and add in your postcode or town name. 

Stay tuned to ABC Newcastle. Find our radio frequency or use the Listen app. Keep us handy this summer season and stay safe.

Not sure what to read this summer?

ABC Newcastle has partnered with Newcastle Libraries to highlight Aussie authors this holiday season and our Breakfast team has you covered with “Your Summer Stories”.

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