A tale as old as Christmas itself: the mystery of the so-called Christmas Star.
EVERY year, as the festive season picks up speed, the night sky quietly rolls out its own holiday display- no tinsel, no blinking bulbs, just a crisp dome of stars performing the same cosmic pageant they’ve been staging for thousands of years. And woven into that ancient canvas is a tale as old as Christmas […]
TRANSPORT for NSW is encouraging motorists travelling on the Pacific Highway through Hexham to plan their trip and allow extra travel time during the Christmas New Year period, with high traffic volumes and delays expected. The M1 Pacific Motorway at Beresfield and the Pacific Highway at Hexham are linked via John Renshaw Drive and the […]
The number of emergency and urgent care patients is the highest since reporting began.
THE latest Bureau of Health Information report shows increased demand for hospital care and urgent surgery across the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. There were 108,152 presentations to emergency departments (EDs) across the district, which is 2174 fewer than in […]
Sonja ready to start her journey. Photo: supplied.
Sonja ready to start her journey. Photo: supplied. Camping in Africa. Photo: supplied. Rugged up at the top of Norway. Photo: supplied. WHEN most people think of “roughing it” in Africa their thoughts might extend to a bumpy four-wheel guided tour through a wildlife reserve, or perhaps sitting on a log by a fire sipping […]
A RECENT accident has raised questions about the reliability of the NSW Live Traffic app. According to information on the App, “Live Traffic NSW provides real-time information about incidents and changes in traffic conditions that affect your journey. “Our aim is to help customers make the best possible travel decisions that will, in turn, contribute […]
IMPROVED methane capture at six high-emission coal mines appears the state’s best bet to hit climate targets. A report released by climate advisory group Common Capital said NSW could help reach emissions targets with best-practice abatement at the six mines, which produce half the state’s coalmine emissions despite delivering less than 10 percent of the […]
TRIBUTES have flowed for John Lohan, 59, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) firefighter who lost his life protecting the townships of Bulahdelah and Nerong. In a statement to social media, the NPWS said Mr Lohan was a “treasured and long-serving staff member” who was based at the service’s Lake Munmorah depot for […]
Megan de Witte, Di Mansfield, Rhonda Merchant, Barbara Reichert and Denise Hawdon.
GLOUCESTER CWA Evening Branch members held a successful cake and pudding stall on Saturday 13 December. They cooked the usual Christmas favourites, and while most items sold quickly, there are a few Christmas Puddings and some Rocky Road still available. The Branch has donated to the five schools in the Gloucester area to assist with […]
PEOPLE living in communities impacted by recent bushfires who require essential medicines, including diabetes, heart and asthma medicines, can now access a limited supply without a prescription at pharmacies. NSW Health has issued an Authority under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation that enables pharmacists to supply prescription medicines to people without a prescription who […]
Landslip repairs underway. Photo: MidCoast Council.
MIDCOAST Council has announced that Scone Road is set to reopen on Wednesday, 17 December after undergoing significant repairs. A number of landslips occurred on Scone Road during the May 2025 flood event, the most significant about 2.5km from Geales Bridge. Due to safety concerns it was deemed necessary to close Scone Road in both […]
