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COVID-19 traces found at Newcastle sewage treatment plant

A viral fragment of COVID-19 has been found at a Newcastle treatment plant, raising concerns about unidentified cases. Residents have been urged to get tested if they have symptoms.

Paedophile priest Vincent Ryan no longer permitted to celebrate sacraments

A notorious paedophile priest has lost his authority to perform any sacramental action on behalf of the Catholic Church. There was an angry backlash when Vincent Gerard Ryan was seen in the ABC's Revelation program performing mass in his home, wearing holy vestments and blessing the communion wine and bread. But his faculties to minister in the church have now been removed.

Wind turbine parts start journey from Newcastle

Have you seen trucks carrying parts for a wind farm leaving Newcastle? Giant wind turbine components are being trucked from the Hunter to near Mudgee in central west NSW. They include 20-tonne, 68m-long turbine blades. 

NRL gives final warning to players breaking the coronavirus bubble

Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V'landys has been scathing about players breaching COVID-19 guidelines, saying they're putting the entire game at risk for years to come. Two Knights players were reported to the NRL for allegedly breaching the bubble by attending a local rugby league game. They've since been cleared with an investigation determining the COVID-19 risk exposure for the pair was negligible.

Organ donor's wishes scuttled by coronavirus

"He really would have liked the fact that he could have helped people." A moratorium on kidney donations forced by COVID-19 earlier in the year has left one Hunter family doubly bereft. Julie Frith says her husband Steve, who died in April, was a strong advocate for organ donation, but his wishes couldn't be fulfilled.

The rise and rise of horse racing in country NSW 

There has been a resurgence of horse racing in country NSW and it's driving local economies. But this wasn't always the case, with limits on horse ownership and women discouraged from taking part.

Knights take on Warriors in regional game

The Newcastle Knights and the New Zealand Warriors will go head-to-head in Tamworth this month. The round 16 clash is a way to thank the local community for allowing the Warriors to quarantine in the region earlier this year. But anyone from the Newcastle, Maitland and Sydney regions won't be allowed to go due to the latest COVID-19 outbreaks. 

What else made news this week?

Monday:

• Two Newcastle high schools — St Pius X at Adamstown and St Francis Xavier at Hamilton — re-opened this week after closing for deep cleaning and contact tracing when a student at each school tested positive to COVID-19. The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle says the wellbeing of staff and students is paramount and both schools will be vigilant in implementing infection control procedures.
• Two people have been charged with coronavirus health breaches after they travelled to Newcastle and the Hunter, including one woman who had travelled from Victoria. 

• The State Government is warning construction sites in the Hunter to be on alert this week, with unannounced visits from Safework NSW inspectors clamping down on high risk practices.
• Gloucester's aged care nurses will have their pay and conditions preserved for five years when they transfer to the private provider Anglican Care. The Industrial Relations Commission made the ruling after the Nurses and Midwives Association lodged a dispute against Hunter New England Health. 

• The University of Newcastle's Vice Chancellor says time has run out to continue talks with unions over salary-related measures in response to COVID-19. The university will now work within the current enterprise agreement to find $35 million in savings by the end of the year.
• October 1 has been flagged as the start date for the controversial relaxation of some liquor laws in Newcastle. The trial would see seven small bars and some restaurants allowed to stay open longer and sell cocktails after 11pm.

• A coalition of Newcastle community groups has formed to push calls for stockpiles of ammonium nitrate on Kooragang Island to be removed. The groups from Stockton, the Throsby Villages, Mayfield and the Better Planning Network will meet tonight. They've started a petition that has attracted more than 2,500 signatures in less than 48 hours. Organiser Keith Craig said there's renewed energy in the campaign, given an explosion in Beirut last week.
• A boil water alert in Scone and Aberdeen has been lifted. Since the end of last month, residents have been required to boil all water for food and drinking purposes.

What people liked on air and on Facebook this week

Janine Vaughan went missing after leaving a Bathurst nightclub in 2001. Her sister Kylie Spelde, who lives in Muswellbrook, spoke to Paul Turton about a new podcast about her sister's disappearance.
You don't need to go to New York or London to see some of the best wildlife art in the world ... just head to Morpeth. Trevor Richards, owner of Morpeth Gallery, spoke to Kia Handley about selling Australian artwork around the world.
Have you seen the erosion at Stockton Beach? Solutions for the problem are now a step closer after the State Government signed off on plans to manage the issue. Breakfast's Dan and Jenny spoke to the chairwoman of the Stockton Community Liaison Group, Barbara Whitcher.
How cold was it last weekend? Very cold! Enough to turn the Barrington Tops into a winter wonderland. Check out this Facebook video of the white stuff.
Are you aware of the light rail when you're driving or walking in the Newcastle CBD? Transport operator Keolis Downer has released a video of near misses around the city's light rail system. 

How's the weekend weather looking?

Not sure if there will be any more snow this weekend but it looks like there could be some rain. There's a high chance of showers on Saturday while there could also be a few drops on Sunday.

Meet one of our Drive producers, Ty King

Ty says one of the things he loves about his job is contending with ideas ... along with Chief of Staff Lucia's baking! Outside of work he loves surfing, fishing and going bush. Ty's favourite food is oysters and his favourite movie is The Matrix.

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