2NURFM

Newcastle Council is celebrating the one year birthday of its digital library, boasting an attendance record of 59,000 visitors in just twelve months.

Authorities say the material featured a child known to the man who was allegedly uploading the footage to an online chat platform.

Although there is rain forecast for the rest of the day, the Bush Fire Danger Period officially begins for the Lower Hunter on Friday.

Police discovered the bike in the boot of a car they pulled over after observing the vehicle had several cracks across the windscreen and non-functioning brake lights.

19 of the Hunter's active cases are being cared for in hospital, including one in intensive care.

A Cessnock man has been charged with driving, drug and weapons offences following an investigation into dangerous driving and burnouts in the Hunter.

It brings the regions total to 521 cases since August 5.

The epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake was near Mansfield but it has been felt in Canberra, Newcastle, Dubbo, Adelaide, and Tasmania.

The new cases are from the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Glen Innes local government areas.

Two men have been arrested in Beresfield and Belmont and will face court in October.