JESUS:JETS SAVIOUR?
July 31, 2008
There’s huge news for the Newcastle Jets who have confirmed a striker from Ecuador as their marquee player for the coming A-League season.
Edmundo Salomon Zura de Jesus - or more simply known as Edmundo Zura, is a 24-year-old striker who’s been capped seven times for his country and will arrive in Newcastle tomorrow.
He’ll undergo a standard medical assessment before he’s a confirmed as a signing for the A-League premiers.
THE MAN ON ANOTHER CRAZY VICTORY
July 31, 2008
It wasn’t all one way traffic for Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine when he took on Japan’s Crazy Kim at the Newcastsle Entertainment Centre. NBN’s Jim Callinan caught up with him after the fight.
DIAMOND SHOOTING FOR GOLD
July 31, 2008
Shooter Michael Diamond knows what works for him and his has the results to prove it.
After re-establishing himself as number one in the world, he celebrated by going fishing and in nine days time he’ll be after the biggest catch of all in Beijing.
LAKE MACQUARIE ARSON ATTACKS
July 31, 2008
A childcare centre and a community hall in Lake Macquarie have been severely damaged by fire overnight, throwing services into mayhem.
Police say there’s no evidence to suggest the fires are linked.
The teachers and parents at Glendale Early Education Centre had just finished repainting the building, hoping the bright new interior might hide the battle they’ve been waging outside, against vandals.
After a robbery earlier in the week, even more heartbreaking news, the centre was severely damaged by a deliberately lit fire just after eight pm.
“We’ve actually had a spate of break-ins and vandalisms in the centre, the area is very isolated and we’re in a vulnerable position.”
The staff spent today searching for child care places around Lake Macquarie for the 70 affected families.
“We will do everything we can, we will work with the council, and the emergency services and DOCS to get our centre up and running as soon as possible.”
Coincidentally at Lakelands, the room in the community hall that holds the playgroup equipment was destroyed in another suspected arson attack - two hours after the Glendale blaze.
Aside from three playgroups, council is also trying to re-home yoga, dance classes and other events, until the hall can be repaired.
“Three to six months, it’s hard to tell, but it will be a significant period where the building won’t be available.”
Police investigators visited both scenes, although there’s nothing to suggest the fires are connected.
COWBOYS BOUT WITH MARTIAL ARTS
July 31, 2008
Some of the region’s roughest cowboy’s will take on North West martial arts fighters on Saturday.
Local fighter, Ben Burrage, will be back to defend his Australian Muay-Thai title.
WALCHA RUGBY MOURNS
July 31, 2008
To Central North rugby and Walcha players will wear black arm bands and hold a minutes silence this Saturday to pay tribute to Neil Porter.
The 28-year-old Englishman was killed last Saturday in a motor vehicle accident, near Uralla, returning home from a rugby game.
BORAL CUTS WALCHA TIMBER
July 31, 2008
Workers at Boral’s timber mill in Walcha are holding out hope the owners will have a change of heart about closing down the operation.
An emergency meeting in Sydney today heard a claim the company is planning to divert the timber to other mills.
NSW FARMERS BACK COAL STUDY
July 31, 2008
The New South Wales Farmers Association has renewed calls for an independent study into the impact coal mining could have on artesian water under the Liverpool Plains.
The issue was debated at the farm lobby group’s annual conference in Sydney, as Caroona landholders continue to block BHP Billiton from drilling on private property.
EAST GOSFORD MAN KICKBIKES HIS WAY TO THE TOP
July 31, 2008
The Central Coast is now home to another Australian champion but he’s certainly not a household name yet.
That’s because the sport Daran Pratt has excelled in is also virtually unknown, but he insists that’s all about to change.
EARLY WARNING FOR FATAL STROKES
July 31, 2008
Central Coast Health has begun a program to reduce the incidence of fatal strokes, which are now the second most common cause of death in Australia.
Recent studies show most people who suffer a major stroke had a warning in the form of a mini-stroke, and doctors are now trying to raise awareness of the symptoms.
