Hunter residents forced to flee fires, and aged care home accused of drugging residents without their knowledge

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Fires threatened Hunter Valley homes

The Hunter region didn't escape the fire crisis on Tuesday as two blazes in North Rothbury and Greta reached emergency level during catastrophic fire conditions.
Some residents were forced to flee their homes as the flames came within metres of their properties.
"What seemed like seconds it went from a small fire to crowning above the trees, and yeah, it was just out of control," firefighter Brett Douglas said.
Several firefighters were injured battling the blazes.

Lake Macquarie nursing homes on notice

A nursing home at Bonnells Bay has been accused of drugging residents without their knowledge.
The Bayside Aged Care facility is one of two nursing homes in the Hunter that have been given non-compliance notices by the federal Department of Health.
The other, at Carey Bay, was criticised for its use of antibiotics, as well as being found lacking in terms of personal and clinical care.

Offshore sand dredging may be an option for Stockton Beach

Sand dredging is being investigated as an option to replenish the battered Stockton Beach. The beach has been devastated by erosion, with the local childcare centre having to be demolished.
Locals who are watching their beach wash away are desperate for action, and the State Government has recognised that offshore dredging is a potential option.

Police praise This That festival crowd

It was a huge weekend for music festivals in Newcastle last weekend, with more than 16,000 music lovers descending on the This That festival on Saturday - and they got a thumbs up from police.
"It was a large crowd and I'm pleased to say they were very well behaved," Newcastle Police District acting superintendent Gerard Lawson said.
It came just a day after Deputy Coroner Harriet Grahame released her findings into the deaths of six people at NSW music festivals.
The following day, the Scene & Heard festival - the more "grown up" of the two events - cranked up. If you missed it, you can make the most of our all-access pass and listen in here.

Preliminary report released into fatal helicopter crash

There's more work to be done to find out how and why a helicopter crashed off the coast near Newcastle in September, killing five people.
That's the word from air safety officials, who have released their preliminary report into the Anna Bay crash.
They say the chopper got into trouble after hitting turbulence, minutes before communication was lost.

Controversial power pole to be moved next month

Remember the controversial (#embarrassing) Wickham power pole that created a social media storm last month?
It will be moved by Ausgrid in December. The pole was left several feet out from the kerb after roadworks were undertaken by Newcastle Council.
The decision to undertake the road-widening works led to a stoush between the council and Ausgrid - and lots of attention around the country.

It's a big week for....

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