Last piece of the puzzle

Newcastle members might be voting for a new coach as well as a new owner tonight after Wayne Bennett departed the Dragons and the race for his services narrowed down to the Knights and the Broncos.

Liberals retain the pole position

THE final results in Newcastle and Swansea should be known tomorrow or Saturday, with the Liberal likely winners, Tim Owen and Garry Edwards, to be declared on Monday.

Party pics

USHER Where: Newcastle Entertainment Centre When: Tuesday, March 22 ‚€œ Pictures by Phil Hearne

Action on illegal brothels diverge

NEWCASTLE City Council has refused to take action to stop illegal brothels despite conceding they are operating, and despite prompt action by Lake Macquarie City Council against illegal brothels in its area.

Newcastle faithful embrace Tinkler

PROSPECTIVE Newcastle Knights owner Nathan Tinkler enjoyed a hero's reception when he addressed the club's members at an information session at Newcastle Panthers club last night.

Edwards urges members to get to Tinkler talk

KNIGHTS members will get an opportunity to hear firsthand the plans billionaire Nathan Tinkler has for the club at an information meeting at Newcastle Panthers tonight.

Home strait - race day is here

YOU'VE made it! The Newcastle Herald Hill2Harbour Challenge is happening this Sunday, April 3.

Newcastle and Wollongong voters deliver crushing verdict

JUST because the crash was expected did not make it any less shocking. Labor has been crippled in its last true heartlands, the twin steel cities to Sydney's north and south, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Newcastle make it four straight titles

HAMILTON centre Shaimus Lautaimi scored a hat-trick of tries to help steer Newcastle to a resounding 46-20 win over Central North and seal a historic fourth straight NSW Country rugby union title at Lismore yesterday.

Party pics

EDDIE VEDDER Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle When: Wednesday, March 16 ‚€œ Pictures by Jonathan Carroll

PRAISE for Newcastle's earlier pub closing times

€“ PRAISE for Newcastle's earlier pub closing times and lockouts was used as justification last night to refuse a Medowie hotel's bid to open 22 hours a day.

Private word

OUTSPOKEN Newcastle Knights member Jim Thornton said he felt appeased after a meeting with the Tinkler Sports Group yesterday but would reserve judgment on whether to vote for or against privatisation.

Briefs

Culina lands at Newcastle

Over & Out

Knights members are considering a vote of no-confi dence in the Newcastle board after millionaire Nathan Tinkler yesterday withdrew his bid to buy the club Pages 22-24

Tinkler withdraws offer to buy Knights

MINING magnate Nathan Tinkler has accused Newcastle Knights chairman Rob Tew and chief executive Steve Burraston of acting in self-interest and ruled out further dealings with the NRL club under the management.

THE KADE RAID

NATHAN TINKER'S sports company has rejected claims the prospective Newcastle Knights owner made a $2 million offer to Kade Snowden that led to the NSW Origin prop reneging on a deal to stay at the Sharks.

Houston impressive in return from wilderness

Warriors 22 Newcastle 22

Musialik rises from the pine for Jets clash

STUART MUSIALIK likens his recall to the Sydney FC midfield for Sunday's clash against the Newcastle Jets as coming "back from the dead" after spending the first six weeks out of the first team set-up.

Knights' clubbing ensures finals race goes down to wire

Canberra 30 Newcastle 14

Knights show Stone they haven't lost their grit

NEWCASTLE 26 (M Hilder, J Mullen, M Taufua, C Vuna tries; K Gidley 5 goals) bt MELBOURNE 14 (B Anderson, C Cronk, S Turner tries; C Smith goal) at EnergyAustralia Stadium. Referees: Phil Haines, Jason Robinson. Crowd: 13,580.