Australian-first in Newcastle trial: Woman switches identities in witness box

The finalists tackled words such as "precipice", "circuitous" and "rockabilly" in the quest to find the state's best speller.

An alleged victim of child sex abuse has in an Australian first given evidence as different identities during a trial.

The family of 11-year-old Laith Alaid have thanked volunteers and community members who "selflessly dedicated their time and resources" to search for the boy who was swept out to sea.

Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on designer dresses is out of the reach of many Australians, but a trend of hiring outfits has emerged across the country.

Thanks to a chance meeting outside her home, Kerry Gonzalez embarked on a long and rich horticultural journey.

Tony and Lyndelle Bristow divorced in the early 1990s when his cricket career took him to the other side of the world. Thirty years later they have remarried.

In 2024 ABC Newcastle decided to bring back a listener-driven radio play.

Photographer Pete Smith has re-created an image of carnival performer Hanco 100 years after the original was taken by his grandfather. He hopes it will draw out the escape artist's descendants.

NSW Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two police dogs in Lucas Heights. Two German Shepherds, PD Xtra and DD Soldier, were found dead inside a police vehicle on Thursday.

Eric Idle, one-sixth of legendary comedy group Monty Python, brings his new live show, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live!, to Australia this month, which includes a stop in Newcastle.

Local police officer awarded: A Port Stephens police officer was named Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year at a ceremony in Sydney last Friday night. Senior constable Alison Stewart was recognised for her charity work and efforts with local youth. Ms Stewart, who's been an officer for 36 years, initiated the charity Backpack Venture, which provides school supplies to children in need.

Pictured: NSW police commissioner Karen Webb (left) presented Senior Constable Alison Stewart with the Rotary NSW Police Officer of Year award at a ceremony in Sydney on November 1. Image supplied: NSW Police

Water price hike proposed: Hunter residents are facing an average $430 increase to their water bills over the next five years. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is currently considering Hunter Water's pricing plan. The proposal shows the annual bill for a typical house that receives water, wastewater and stormwater services would rise by $86, or 5.7 per cent a year. Hunter Water says the key drivers of higher prices for customers include delivery of the Belmont desalination plant and a modest increase in operating expenditure.

House prices increase: The average price of a home in the Hunter Valley has grown by more than 60 per cent since the beginning of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Data released Friday from the REA Group shows areas of the region outside of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie have had a surge in dwelling prices. REA senior economist Eleanor Creagh says areas like Muswellbrook and Maitland are strong performers.

Calls to build solar panels in Australia: Hunter-based senator Ross Cadell says all solar panel parts should be built in Australia, rather than just assembled, under the federal government's Solar SunShot program in the Upper Hunter. The $1 billion program will result in the former Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook being turned into a solar manufacturing hub. It's part of the government's Future Made in Australia package. A senate estimates hearing this week heard there's no specific requirement for solar panels to have Australian components under the program.

What's next for old power station site? A community consultation group has met for the first time to discuss the future of the former Lake Munmorah power station site. The group of nine representatives gathered for a site inspection last week, while discussing future development opportunities once remediation work is complete. Housing, industry and green energy projects have been raised as possible options for the future of the site.

Newy music festival funding: Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon hopes a federal government grant can help the live-music scene in Newcastle rebound after some lean years. The government is providing $67,000 for next year's West Best Bloc Fest, which last month attracted more than 100 musical acts which performed on 12 stages in Newcastle. Ms Claydon says the industry is still recovering from the impact of COVID.

Jets women draw to open season: The Newcastle Jets recorded a 2-all draw against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday in Cessnock in round one of the women's A-League. The Jets came from behind to level the score and share the points, with a goal from Deven Jackson just before half time and Lauren Allan scoring the equaliser in the second half.

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