Plus, Daniel Johns could face jail time, freezing koala sperm, and top tips from a local first-home buyer

View as a webpage Share our local newsletter and tell us what you think You can let us know what you think of this newsletter by offering feedback here. And do you know others who might enjoy it? Send on this sign-up link. The moment that put an Edgeworth pub in the political spotlight An encounter between the Prime Minister and a disgruntled local pensioner thrust the Hunter into the national headlines. Watch the exchange that got everyone talking Daniel Johns is in rehab but he could face jail The world-famous Novocastrian and former Silverchair front man will be sentenced in June, after pleading guilty to high-range drink-driving. In March, the musician's car crossed to the wrong side of the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove and collided with a van. In Raymond Terrace Local Court a magistrate had this stern warning Local faces six-hour trip to take driving test Denman's Bela East is determined to get her P-plates, and so she is heading to Gunnedah, two and a half hours away, for a high-stakes driving test. We wish her all the best, but why has it come to this? This is why Bela can't take her test locally Could freezing koala sperm save the species? Koalas have been listed as endangered across most of the country's east coast, and they could be extinct by 2050. The devastating bushfires of a couple of years ago wiped out large numbers of the marsupials. Could collecting sperm make breeding programs more successful? Amelia's trials as a first home buyer After some heartache and lots of saving, ABC Upper Hunter's Amelia Bernasconi has managed to get her foot on the property ladder. Here's what she learned along the way Becky is a lucky chook What happens to egg-laying hens once they can't earn their keep? Thousands of lucky chickens have been re-homed by local group Let The Ladies Go. You might be surprised to know Becky's retirement age Now we have a 'regional health' department The state government has created a regional health division within the Ministry of Health, which it says will better service the unique needs of people outside the big cities. It comes just months after the government apologised for the standard of services in rural and regional areas. Will it make a difference? The best veggies for your health and your hip pocket As the cost of living continues to rise, you might be wondering how you can save a few dollars here and there. We have some tips. Listen: Frozen veggies can actually be fresher than those you buy fresh Scone teacher scores a try in NRLW grand final The winning Sydney Roosters team featured some talented Hunter-based footballers. Scone's Yasmin Meakes scored a try to help her team take the premiership, after a guard of honour at her day job at Scone Grammar School last week. Listen to how it feels to score a try in the grand final Local ballet star set for the international stage Joe Dufty from Gillieston Heights is only 16 years old, but he's getting ready to grace international stages with his incredible skill. Listen to Joe talk about moving to the US to pursue his dancing dreams Facebook bans local federal candidate Stuart Bonds has been a One Nation candidate, but is now running for the seat of Hunter as an independent. His candidate page on Facebook has been pulled down. Listen: What role does social media play in politics? Meet Jason English, one of Australia's best mountain bike riders Jason has turned his love of two wheels into a job. Originally from Gloucester, he's competed in mountain bike and endurance events around the world. Listen to what Jason loves about riding Have you ever seen a 'fogbow'? A rainbow will brighten your day, but what about a rainbow where the colours are replaced by white fog? Penny from Vacy spotted her first fogbow in her paddock. Head to Facebook to see a video of a fogbow in Vacy this week What else made news in the past week? New HMRI boss: Psychologist and mental health researcher Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin will be the new director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute for the next five years. She will take over from Professor Mike Calford next month. Redhead sand plan: Redhead Beach was stripped of sand during last weekend's huge seas, and it could take up to two years for it to return naturally. But Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says sand dredged from Swansea Channel could be used to replenish the beach. Woman allegedly held captive: A man is facing a raft of charges after allegedly holding a woman against her will underneath a house in Woodberry. Police allege the 18-year-old man forced an 18-year-old woman off a train at Beresfield train station on Monday afternoon. Police raided a home on Windemere Avenue around 3am where they found the man and woman under a trapdoor. Oyster concerns: It's a tough time for Port Stephens oyster growers, with heavy rainfall affecting water quality and delaying the harvest. The local estuary is currently closed. It comes at a particularly bad time, given the usual high demand for seafood during Easter. Ash dam study: The state's environmental watchdog is going to look at the effects coal ash dams have on the water in southern Lake Macquarie. Coal ash is the waste that's generated by the coal that's burnt at the Vales Point and Eraring power stations. The study should be finished by the middle of next year. Free events: The City of Newcastle says more than 40 free night events will be held in the city centre from the end of this month. The state government has provided $500,000 in funding for the series called 'Autumn Alive' to boost the hospitality, events, arts and culture sectors. Visit our website for more local news The best photos from around the country How pretty is this view! Sunrises in Newcastle are the best sunrises. 😍 A big thanks to @road_tripping_oz for sharing this stunning picture of Stockton with us. You can show everyone what the world looks like where you live by using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. See the latest photos on the #ABCmyphoto website How's the weather looking? It'll be cloudy with showers for the next couple of days, but the good news is that the showers will clear, and it will be mostly sunny for the Easter break. There will be a top of 24 degrees Celsius for Good Friday, 25 on Saturday and Sunday, and an extra-warm 28 on Monday. Enjoy the break, and we hope the bunny hops by with choccies. The serenity! Carol Swadling snapped this gorgeous pic of a misty morning at Merewether Beach this week. How did it grab our attention? She uploaded it on Instagram, using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto. Check the seven-day forecast for your town How are we doing? We love receiving your feedback on our local newsletter. Are we offering the stories you want to read? Is there something more we could include? Send us your thoughts. More from ABC Newcastle Visit our local website. Listen live to our local programs or download the ABC Listen app to take us with you. Catch the daily news bulletin via ABC Listen or on our website. Visit us on Facebook, or contact us via email. ABC Newcastle acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. People’s Republic of Mallacoota This character-led observational documentary series chronicles what happens when the citizens of a divided, disenfranchised and bushfire-ravaged Australian community roll up their sleeves, take charge of their own future, and seek to rebuild their town. STREAM NOW Discover more of the ABC on our Apps Find out how to download your favourite app. Follow us Need help? Visit the ABC Help Centre The ABC sent this message to [email protected], these details are included to help provide assurance that this is a genuine email from ABC. Any personal details and data acquired by the ABC from your participation in any ABC Online Services will be used only in accordance with the ABC's Privacy Policy © 2022 Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC, ABN 52 429 278 345, 700 Harris St Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia Unsubscribe from this Newsletter | Discover other Newsletters | Privacy Unsubscribe from this Newsletter Discover other Newsletters Privacy

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