As well as this fine local newsletter, the ABC produces Rural Roundup, a weekly newsletter that connects with the people, places and innovation in rural and regional Australia. It also regularly contains stories about cute animals.

By taking a stand against vaccination requirements, the licensee of the Caledonian Hotel in Singleton has been fined for breaking the new COVID-19 health orders.

Thanks to hubs, pop-ups and GPs the Hunter region has hit the milestone of having 93 per cent of the eligible population with one COVID-19 vaccine in their arm. We're edging closer to the 70 per cent double vaccinated milestone too, after a 10 per cent jump in the last week.

How much history can a local car park have? Well, if you're looking at the one at Newcastle Mall, it turns out there's a lot! It dates back nearly 60 years and was built by a team of Italian migrants who started one of the longest running concrete companies in the Hunter.

Landscape fabric and bubble wrap are the biggest culprits contributing to the microplastics found in backyard soil. University of Newcastle researchers say more work is needed to know if microplastics can travel from your backyard to you through vegetables.

A West Wallsend horse that died of Hendra is the second in Australia confirmed to have contracted a new strain of the deadly virus. The AVA says it's not surprising to see a case this far south, and it's a reminder to horse owners to be vigilant.

University of Newcastle business student Egrinya Adie started making musical beat tracks in his bedroom when he was 15. Dropping new tracks online every day, his sounds are used by hip hop artists, rappers and musicians from all around Australia.

Thanks to lockdown, the Fernleigh track has been a hive of activity and the number of people using it has doubled. Now it's being extended with some impressive features to be added.

He's most comfortable in the classroom at Lambton High School or as the musical director of Star Struck. But Dan Wilson is getting ready for his red-carpet debut. He's a nominee for the ARIA Music Teacher of the Year award and his passion for music is infectious.

If you plan to forage for food in the Hunter, you'd best know the rules of the game. A lemon hangs over your side of the fence. There are berries growing on the median strip. You can see an excess of tomatoes in the neighbour's veggie patch, which is really close to the footpath. Can you take what you want?

Money for sports centre: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was in Glendale this week to confirm that $10 million from the Building Better Regions fund will go towards the $25 million Hunter Sports Centre project. It'll see the athletics track upgraded to a World Athletics Class 1 classification, new community meeting and function rooms, plus new car parking and pedestrian access.

History-making appointment: Kate Haberfield has been appointed to the Newcastle District Cricket Association board. She is the first female elected to the board and says it's an excellent opportunity to represent women in the game.

Two injured in accident: A man and woman were critically injured when their car rolled in the Hunter Valley on Monday night. The male driver and female passenger, both aged 94, were travelling on Wine Country Drive at North Rothbury when their car left the road. Police are urging anyone with dashcam footage or who witnessed the crash to come forward.

ACCC looks at grain terminal: Australia's competition watchdog has launched an investigation into the sale of a Newcastle grain terminal. Last month Qube logistics paid $90 million for Newcastle Agri Terminal. The ACCC says it was given insufficient time and information to assess the transaction, which raises concerns over competition in the supply chain for bulk grain in the Port of Newcastle

New Jets signing: The men's Newcastle Jets have signed former Socceroo Eli Babalj for the upcoming A-League season. The 29-year-old forward has made two appearances for the Socceroos and played with top European sides such as Red Star Belgrade.

Wow wow what an incredible photo! Thanks to @stevefromnewy for sending it in. Steve is a local who goes for swims and walks before dawn because he "loves the anonymity", and captures the beauty of our region. Check out more of his work on Instagram.

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. 

The rain is here to stay for the next few days in the Hunter. The chance of showers will ease for your weekend. But get out and enjoy the sun when it shines because showers are likely to fall well into next week.

Alfie the Schnauzer is making sure he enjoys the sunshine, and he loves hanging out with his mum Liz at the beach.

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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.