Maitland news, sport and weather | The Maitland Mercury | Maitland, NSW

Milton Orkopolous facing 15 fresh sexual and indecent assault charges

Milton Orkopolous facing 15 fresh sexual and indecent assault charges

Sculptor Linda Klarfeld, Tony Abbot MP and Ballarat Mayor Smantha McIntosh at the unveiling of Tony Abbotts's bust at Prime Minister's Avenue in Ballarat. Picture: Luka Kauzlaric

'Moronic' and 'sad': Artists behind vandalised prime minister sculptures speak out

Jolyon Attwooll

RICH PICKINGS: New England MP Barnaby Joyce and deputy Nationals leader Fiona Nash announce $8.5 million for a Tamworth sports centre in 2016 under the Community Development Grants program. Photo: Geoff O'Neill

IN DEPTHDeputy PM defends Coalition ignoring Hunter in 'election' grants

Michael Parris

NRL: Knights' undefeated run ends at hands of Smith's Storm in Gosford

NRL: Knights' undefeated run ends at hands of Smith's Storm in Gosford

Barry Toohey

WAR ZONE: The scene of the Singleton truck crash and, inset, Rodney Johnson.

SUBSCRIBERSingleton truck crash: Rodney Johnson's appeal over jail term denied

SAM RIGNEY

Concerned: Labor's federal member for Paterson Meryl Swanson. Picture: Marina Neil

Postal changes will cause delivery blow-out in Hunter, Labor predicts

Nick Bielby

Blood donor Peter chalks up 300 milestone

Blood donor Peter chalks up 300 milestone

PERMIT: RSPCA Hunter Shelter's Lucy Macrae has her hands full with some of their residents.

Two weeks to desex your cat or you'll be slugged $80

Brian Burke: On The Ball | There's merit in an inter-regional country competition

Public transport use slowly on the rise in the Hunter

Water restrictions to continue in Hunter despite rain

New hospital: ground floor structure complete, and up we go

Milton Orkopolous facing 15 fresh sexual and indecent assault charges

Milton Orkopolous facing 15 fresh sexual and indecent assault charges

PERMIT: RSPCA Hunter Shelter's Lucy Macrae has her hands full with some of their residents.

Two weeks to desex your cat or you'll be slugged $80

WAR ZONE: The scene of the Singleton truck crash and, inset, Rodney Johnson.

SUBSCRIBERSingleton truck crash: Rodney Johnson's appeal over jail term denied

New hospital: ground floor structure complete, and up we go

New hospital: ground floor structure complete, and up we go

Patronage on the Hunter train line is about a quarter of what it was a year earlier, but still up on the previous month.

Public transport use slowly on the rise in the Hunter

The last restrictions have been lifted at Woolworths. Picture: Karleen Minney

Final supermarket removes all purchase restrictions

OPINIONHeat on Bevo as Shaw's Roos fire

18:00PM

Milton Orkopolous facing 15 fresh sexual and indecent assault charges

17:08PM

SUBSCRIBERSingleton truck crash: Rodney Johnson's appeal over jail term denied

17:01PM

Two weeks to desex your cat or you'll be slugged $80

14:49PM

Final supermarket removes all purchase restrictions

10:00AM

Public transport use slowly on the rise in the Hunter

08:16AM

Tighten that belt, says the PM. Photo: Shutterstock

DIGESTPrime minister says it's time to tighten our belts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

'There is a mountain yet to climb': Morrison warns of belt-tightening after COVID-19

The last restrictions have been lifted at Woolworths. Picture: Karleen Minney

Final supermarket removes all purchase restrictions

Registered nurses Julie Parducci and Nivekta Singh at the COVID-19 drive-through testing centre in Canberra. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

EXPLAINERThe places that have beaten COVID-19

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

$72b worth of infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked

Katie Burgess

Fears for the future damage mental health of young Australians

DIGESTFears for the future damage mental health of young Australians

Simon Bourke

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says common sense should keep would-be protesters at home.

DIGESTCommon sense says stay home, McCormack tells protesters

PM green lights small stadiums to re-open at reduced capacity, but states have final approval

FREEPM green lights small stadiums to re-open at reduced capacity, but states have final approval

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge shows his frustration during his side's loss to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Michael Willson/Getty Images

OPINIONHeat on Bevo as Shaw's Roos fire

Howard Kotton

RETURN: Greyhound racing will make a return to Maitland from next month.

Maitland greyhounds get all clear to resume racing

TOUGH: A memorial service will be held for former Maitland, Newcastle and NSW Country prop Jon Runchel on Saturday after he died from cancer last week.

Obituary: Maitland, Newcastle, NSW Country prop Jon Runchel remembered as 'leader'

Josh Callinan

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge shows his frustration during his side's loss to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Michael Willson/Getty Images

OPINIONHeat on Bevo as Shaw's Roos fire

BACK: City's Mitch Knight and Terrigal Avoca's Luke Bury before last year's Black Diamond Cup grand final. Picture: Simone De Peak

Hunter Central Coast AFL: Black Diamond Cup season gets green light from July 18

Josh Callinan

MERIT: The matt Lantry plan for season 2020 has appeal. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers.

Brian Burke: On The Ball | There's merit in an inter-regional country competition

IDEAS: Morpeth's Trevor Richards says The Levee needs a shakeup in order to thrive. Picture: Marina Neil

Morpeth businessman's take on The Levee: build it and they'll come

IDEAS: Morpeth's Trevor Richards says The Levee needs a shakeup in order to thrive. Picture: Marina Neil

Morpeth businessman's take on The Levee: build it and they'll come

BUSINESS: Daughter/mum duo, Taylah and Tracy Williams of Preah Ko in The Levee. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Positive energy propels Preah Ko to fifth birthday

BUSINESS: Daughter/mum duo, Taylah and Tracy Williams of Preah Ko in The Levee. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Positive energy propels Preah Ko to fifth birthday

Newcastle Permanent Maitland will close on March 13.

Maitland Newcastle Permanent to close next Friday

Newcastle Permanent Maitland will close on March 13.

Maitland Newcastle Permanent to close next Friday

Skiers are keen to get back to the action at Thredbo Resort. Picture: Supplied

Ski passes selling out as more than 20,000 wait in line

Julia Kanapathippillai

The historic main street of Canowindra has a bend because it follows an old bullock track. Pictures: Michael Turtle

Characters, quirky surprises in a magical part of Australia

Michael Turtle

Make the most of cool evenings at Paperbark Camp.

Winter warmers by the campfire perfect for weekend getaways

Explore Travel

Get the digital version of The Latest Paper

Get the digital version of the Latest Paper

READ NOW

RECOGNITION: Australian Museum's 2020 science illustration scholarship recipient Rachel Klyve at Ash Island, where pioneering artists the Scott sisters lived and worked in the mid 1800s. Picture: Simone De Peak

IN DEPTHRachel Klyve is drawing inspiration from trailblazing sisters

Scott Bevan

PM green lights small stadiums to re-open at reduced capacity, but states have final approval

FREEPM green lights small stadiums to re-open at reduced capacity, but states have final approval

BACK: City's Mitch Knight and Terrigal Avoca's Luke Bury before last year's Black Diamond Cup grand final. Picture: Simone De Peak

Hunter Central Coast AFL: Black Diamond Cup season gets green light from July 18

Josh Callinan

RECOGNITION: Australian Museum's 2020 science illustration scholarship recipient Rachel Klyve at Ash Island, where pioneering artists the Scott sisters lived and worked in the mid 1800s. Picture: Simone De Peak

IN DEPTHRachel Klyve is drawing inspiration from trailblazing sisters

The hosts of ABC TV's Escape From The City, from left, Jane Hall, Simon Marnie, Del Irani, Bryce Holdaway and Dean Ipaviz.

When city folk go house hunting in the regions: What the locals say

John Hanscombe

Skiers are keen to get back to the action at Thredbo Resort. Picture: Supplied

Ski passes selling out as more than 20,000 wait in line

Julia Kanapathippillai

Photo Cody Tsaousis from the Muswellbrook Chronicle.

One Nation: fighting to get NSW working again

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS: Joel Fitzgibbon firmly believes Australia's national interest and Australia's trade interest are one and the same thing.

Trade relations must be managed, not damaged

Simon Walker

Everyone's a winner with Pennytel

Everyone's a winner with Pennytel

Emma Brown

Photo Cody Tsaousis from the Muswellbrook Chronicle.

One Nation: fighting to get NSW working again

Making a difference: Natasha Bull and her grandmother Evelyn Berg.

Family affair: The united front of women with passion for supporting kids in need

Rosie Ryan

Staying close to your loved ones at a distance

Staying close to your loved ones at a distance

Emma Brown

PRIDE AND JOY: According to Raine & Horne needing space to park your car can play a big part in deciding where to rent. Photo - Shutterstock.

How do you choose a rental?

The hosts of ABC TV's Escape From The City, from left, Jane Hall, Simon Marnie, Del Irani, Bryce Holdaway and Dean Ipaviz.

When city folk go house hunting in the regions: What the locals say

John Hanscombe

ON THE MARKET: A chance to own one of the Barossa's biggest olive groves, but also a solid brick federation-style home with elevated views.

On the market: One of Barossa's biggest olive groves

Submit your sports results

Submit your sports results

A Penders Bee newspaper advertisement from the Mercury in 1900.

Our Past | When beekeeping was the buzz around Maitland

JANECE McDONALD

LOVE: The important point that should not be ignored is that, if we want to be loved, then we have to work on being loveable.

OPINIONLove is the thread that binds us together

Gary Bentley

Submit your sports results

Submit your sports results

Maitland Gaol.

Enjoy Maitland: Five things you can do this weekend

Four Hunter courts to share in $9 million statewide upgrade fund

Four Hunter courts to share in $9 million statewide upgrade fund

Matt Carr

SEEDS: East Maitland Library manager Lisa Fisher with Slow Food Hunter Valley's Amorelle Dempster. Picture Max Mason-Hubers

Time to grow a green thumb in the garden

SEEDS: East Maitland Library manager Lisa Fisher with Slow Food Hunter Valley's Amorelle Dempster. Picture Max Mason-Hubers

Time to grow a green thumb in the garden

MARKET: Farmers Tom Christie, Tony Milburn and Michelle Fogarty with earth market chairwoman Amorelle Dempster during better times. Picture: Marina Neil

Earth market latest cancellation casualty amid COVID-19 fears

MARKET: Farmers Tom Christie, Tony Milburn and Michelle Fogarty with earth market chairwoman Amorelle Dempster during better times. Picture: Marina Neil

Earth market latest cancellation casualty amid COVID-19 fears

GRASS GALORE: Sonny Morrison, of Summit Open Space Services, is busy keeping lawns short amid a sudden growth spurt. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Grass, grass and more grass: life on the flip side is on the mower

GRASS GALORE: Sonny Morrison, of Summit Open Space Services, is busy keeping lawns short amid a sudden growth spurt. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Grass, grass and more grass: life on the flip side is on the mower

Game changer: Mink and me owner Lucy Moss is one of the business operators in regional areas who has seen sales soar since the launch of Buy from the Bush. Photo contributed.

Buy from the Bush delivers $5 million sales to small businesses

2hrs ago

WAR ZONE: The scene of the Singleton truck crash and, inset, Rodney Johnson.

SUBSCRIBERSingleton truck crash: Rodney Johnson's appeal over jail term denied

New hospital: ground floor structure complete, and up we go

New hospital: ground floor structure complete, and up we go

A Penders Bee newspaper advertisement from the Mercury in 1900.

Our Past | When beekeeping was the buzz around Maitland

NRL: Knights' undefeated run ends at hands of Smith's Storm in Gosford

NRL: Knights' undefeated run ends at hands of Smith's Storm in Gosford

Barry Toohey

NOT DETERRED: Tasmania Police Northern Commander Brett Smith at Launceston Police Station, where a Molotov cocktail was thrown on Friday night. Picture: Paul Scambler

Molotov cocktail thrown into police station car park

Ryan Young

Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke at the 2020 Australian of the Year Awards. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

It's time to salute our pandemic, bushfire heroes

Amy Martin

Chip, with wheels attached

WATCHSmall dog with a big personality and a set of wheels

TROUBLING TIMES: We fear death and feel uncertainty about what might follow it.

COMMENTCOVID-19 has exposed the terror which death holds for us | Opinion

DAVID ROBINSON

While it's going to be a long road back for many local businesses, we can all show them they don't need to do it alone.

Recovery close to home

Jenny Aitchison: State Matters | Sadly, mixed messages for our nurses

OPINIONJenny Aitchison: State Matters | Sadly, mixed messages for our nurses

NSW Seniors Festival: so much to celebrate

NSW Seniors Festival: so much to celebrate

LADY OF THE HOUSE: Miriam Margolyes as Aunt Prudence in Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, in cinemas nationally from February 27.

Dear Prudence comes out to play for unstoppable Miriam

Geraldine Cardozo

TURNING THE PAGE: Rosie Craven is living with early stage Alzheimer's but is now able to enjoy hobbies such as reading again thanks to a new clinical trial.

Everything is Rosie thanks to new Alzheimer's drug trial

Rowan Cowley

Milton Orkopoulo faces child sex charges over offences allegedly committed in the 1990s.

Orkopoulos to face court on fresh charges

2hrs ago

Game changer: Mink and me owner Lucy Moss is one of the business operators in regional areas who has seen sales soar since the launch of Buy from the Bush. Photo contributed.

Buy from the Bush delivers $5 million sales to small businesses

2hrs ago

Carmel Barbagallo has rejected the defence team's DNA contamination argument as implausible.

Claremont murders defence 'implausible'

2hrs ago

Donovan Rodrigues is accused of importing drugs into Australia with his wife and another man.

Vic man refused bail over $1.2b drug haul

2hrs ago

An illustration of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Latest snapshot of the coronavirus impact

2hrs ago

Adem Somyurek MP (R) has resigned from Labor, before the party could expel him.

Vic MP resigns over branch stacking claims

Marnie Banger and Benita Kolovos

A second Black Lives Matter protester has contracted coronavirus, one of 12 new cases in Melbourne.

Vic protester among 12 new COVID-19 cases

Benita Kolovos, Christine McGinn and Ulises Izquierdo

From July, the limit on the number of people at indoor venues will be lifted in NSW.

Too soon to change quarantine: NSW premier

Dominica Sanda

Bill Weidner, 91, Bungowannah is proving age is no barrier to online bidding, purchasing stock through platform StockLive. Pictured at the Wodonga saleyards last year.

Online bidding at any age

Olivia Calver

The first Sire Shootout judges have been announced.

Industry leaders to judge Sire Shootout

Previously at RLX saleyards vendors and non-registered buyers could inspect cattle prior to the sale, but had to leave before the auction got underway. Now they are allowed to remain on site.

Vendors now allowed at RLX saleyards

Olivia Calver

FINGERTIP CONTROL: Technology is making life a little easier with the touch of a button.

Welcome to a world where loT ensures control of everything

Mathew Dickerson

Three rules to follow so you can nail your DIY bathroom

Three rules to follow so you can nail your DIY bathroom

Renovation sees Hamptons hit the bush

Renovation sees Hamptons hit the bush