Watch scenes of joy as missing 3yo boy is found

Plus, the latest Hunter COVID news, Kurri Kurri GP retires after 46 years, and the hunt for the John Hunter Hospital street artist

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 have friends or family who might enjoy it too? Send on this sign-up link Scenes of joy as AJ found safe and well It was the news everyone was hoping to hear. After four days missing in rugged bushland at a property in Putty, three-year-old Anthony "AJ" Elfalak was found on Monday morning. This is the moment the family learned AJ was alive COVID-19 cases spike, threatening the end of the current lockdown COVID-19 cases have risen this week in the Hunter with a new cluster in Port Stephens. As Hunter residents express frustration over the vaccine booking process and volunteers from Putty are urged to get tested, the owner of a tree lopping business whose staff were diagnosed with COVID-19 has apologised. From his hospital bed, this is the message he shared Lockdown separation starting to take its toll Meet James Ross who is effectively stuck here in the Hunter after coming to live with his parents at Lake Macquarie during lockdown. Now he's not allowed to return to Victoria and resume his studies. This is why James and others can't return to their homes and jobs Kurri Kurri GP retires after 46 years For 46 years Dr Jalil Ramzan has cared for the community of Kurri Kurri. He has treated generations of the same family, spent his 80th birthday giving out COVID-19 vaccines, and now he's ready to hang up his stethoscope. Dr Ramzan looks back on his time as Kurri Kurri's GP Do you know who made this local street art? Street art can pop up overnight and leave a lasting impact on a community. No-one knows who is responsible for this piece of stencil art near the John Hunter Hospital, which pays tribute to frontline health workers during the pandemic. Now the hunt is on to find the artist. Here's what we know and what the community would like to find out Bought something strange during lockdown? Bet it wasn't a WWII plane The Rathmines Catalina Association stumbled upon something special while browsing the internet during lockdown. It's an aircraft known as Our Girl and it's about to call the Hunter home. What will happen to the plane now? Listen here to find out Why are there pom poms hanging in trees? They're bright, colourful, easy to make and popping up on trees around the Hunter. But why? Welcome to the pom pom bomb. Listen to this to join the movement The story behind the search for missing AJ You've watched the Facebook video of the Elfalak family learning their three-year-old son had been found, but what was it like out in the bush searching for him? Listen: A Port Stephens SES volunteer takes us behind the scenes Lauren Parker on her silver medal and the Tokyo games Like most athletes at the Paralympics, Lauren Parker wanted to bring home the gold. It was a thrilling race to the finish of the triathlon, after a lead-up to the games that was anything but regular for this Hunter athlete. Listen: Lauren tells Craig Hamilton about her Paralympics experience What else made news in the past week? Support for Regal Cinema: The historic Regal Cinema has received a federal government grant aimed at helping the arts sector recover from COVID-19. It will receive more than $180,000 and the money will go towards the Newcastle International Film Festival. Forklift ram raid: Police are investigating a ram raid at a Lake Macquarie shopping mall where a forklift was used to steal an ATM cash machine. Officers were called to the shops at Cameron Park on Sunday. They were told a man drove a forklift through the glass doors of the shopping centre and stole the ATM. Escaping DV during lockdown: A Hunter domestic violence support service says it's increasing efforts to help people escaping harm during COVID lockdowns. Under the public health rules, fleeing abuse is a reasonable excuse to leave home. Lee Leiwes from Nova for Women says it's often hard to get hold of a phone without an abuser knowing. Spreading the vaccine message: A refugee advocate says more needs to be done to ensure the Hunter's migrant community is receiving up-to-date public health information. Health officials say they have Arabic speaking GPs and pharmacists to spread messages about vaccination and COVID testing. But Sister Diana Santelben says the case of an Afghan woman who didn't know how or where to get tested or be vaccinated shows the system is flawed. Knights boosted for final: The men's Newcastle Knights will be bolstered by the return of Daniel Saifiti, Tyson Frizell, Mitch Barnett and Jacob Saifiti for Sunday's elimination final against Parramatta. Rheed McCracken's success at Tokyo: Lauren Parker wasn't the Hunter's only silver medallist. Rheed McCracken from Newcastle won silver in the men's 100m T34 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Well done, Rheed and Lauren. Visit our website for more local news The best photos from around the country Surf's up at Newcastle as Andrew of @aramphotos shares this photo of "swell times". 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's going to be a beautiful end to the week around the Hunter. The seas will be calm, the spring sun will continue to warm and by the weekend we might even hit temperatures into the 30s. It's been a wild time off the Hunter coast this week. Thanks to Mez for this early morning shot at the baths. 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? 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