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Community rallies after tragic pool drowning

The Hunter Valley community has rallied around the family of a 13-year-old girl who died after a trip to a public swimming pool at Maitland on Friday. Zainab Zainab and her family had arrived in Australia from Afghanistan less than two years ago.

Daughter charged after fatal stabbing in Maitland

Maitland resident Maddison Hickson, 23, is accused of fatally stabbing her father Michael Carroll in the Hunter this week. It is not yet known what triggered the attack on Mr Carroll, who had previously served jail time over a brutal assault.

Coal exports from Port of Newcastle strong despite China ban

While Australian coal remains off limits in China, the trade tensions have barely dented overall export figures from Australia's largest coal terminal, in Newcastle, with producers finding other international markets. An analyst says the international coal market has rebalanced itself "remarkably quickly" in the face of the trade war.

Former Hunter priest, Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide dies

Archbishop Philip Wilson, who served as a Catholic priest in the NSW Hunter Valley in the 1970s, died unexpectedly on Sunday afternoon. He was once the highest-ranking Catholic to be convicted with concealing child sex abuse before his conviction was overturned.

Country shows cancelled again due to COVID-19

COVID restrictions and related costs have caused multiple country communities to cancel more than 20 agricultural shows. However, the Sydney Royal Easter Show will still go ahead, with organisers and authorities working together to ensure everyone's safety.

Melbourne flights cancelled due to COVID uncertainty

Qantas has delayed the start date of some of its new regional routes, including Newcastle to Melbourne, due to COVID uncertainties. Australia's largest domestic and international airline has decided to postpone the rollout until March 1.

Parkour space built to cater for Newcastle fans

A purpose-built parkour space has opened in the Newcastle CBD. ABC Newcastle Breakfast spoke to designer Clarence Henderson, who describes the facility as "a new space to come and train".

Historic Hinton Wharf collapse captured in an image 

In 1932, men, women and children had to scramble to safety when the Hinton Wharf collapsed. Incredibly, the scene was captured on glass plates. On Kia Handley's Mornings program, historian Greg Ray reveals what happened on the day and the incredible photograph that took the story to the world.

Newcastle physio gets COVID-19 jab in London

Imagine working in the medical profession and getting COVID-19. Well, that's exactly what happened to Newcastle-born physio Hannah Smith, who has now received the COVID vaccine. 

What else is making news this week?

Cane toad sightings: Authorities are concerned about an increase in reports of cane toads in the Hunter. Locals are being urged to take photos if they spot one of the invasive frogs and report it to the Department of Primary Industries. Several sightings have been reported over the Christmas break around Elermore Vale.

Triple fatal crash: A head-on crash at Muswellbrook on Sunday night that killed three people will be upsetting for the Upper Hunter Valley community, according to a top cop. Chief Inspector Guy Guiana said police were investigating the cause of the collision. "The number of people killed means there will be a lot of people that knew them, and that will have a significant impact on everybody."

Some shows go on: The Maitland Show has been postponed after the board met this week to discuss whether it'll go ahead or not due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of regional shows across the state have been called off this year, including Cessnock's. However, the Newcastle and Gresford shows will go ahead. Manager of the Maitland Showground Brett Gleeson said the decision to postpone wasn't taken lightly and was based on the lack of clarity under the current COVID-19 circumstances.

Cheap petrol list: Freeman's Waterhole and Muswellbrook have made the list of towns with some of the state's cheapest petrol. The NRMA compiled data on average petrol prices for 2020, and it showed petrol in Freeman's Waterhole last year was on average 117.4 cents a litre, while in Muswellbrook it was 116.7

Affordable housing boost: Dozens of modern affordable housing units have been built in Newcastle as part of a statewide push to ensure rental stability in the regions. The NSW Government and the St Vincent de Paul Society have opened 94 new units in Cardiff. Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said careful planning was needed in the regions to help ease demand on the rental market.

Board battle back: Newcastle may have lost Surfest due to COVID, but it will still get to host this year's national final of the Australian Boardriders Battle. Surfest, normally held in March, was cancelled late last year due to the pandemic. But the State Government says series eight of the Boardriders Battle will once again culminate at Newcastle Beach in May for the fourth consecutive year.

Rate rise opposed: Battlelines are being drawn over Central Coast Council's contentious plan for rate increases following revelations of huge budget losses, with a major co-ordinated community campaign gearing up to fight the proposal. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has confirmed it has so far received almost 3,000 submissions on the proposed 10 to 15 per cent hike proposal.

How's the weekend weather looking?

It will be mostly sunny from Friday through until Sunday with temperatures in the mid-30s. Meanwhile, there was high water this morning at the Newcastle Ocean Baths. The bureau has issued a warning for hazardous surf for the Hunter coast. Thanks to Jean from Newcastle for the pic!

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