Police chief: No secrecy to seized funds

Georgia's forfeiture laws have come under scrutiny lately, following an investigation into reports of alleged abuse in some counties across the state.

It's not cool to keep silent

I remember the first time I ran away from home. I was in sixth grade and I had been wronged in some way. I was sure my parents loved my sister more or denied me some privilege, and I was having none of that. I stayed home when my parents left for work, skipped school, packed a bag and took my bike to this little secluded spot by the river, thinking that was an awesome place to live. I was home before my parents.

Porterdale teen reported missing found

The Porterdale Police Department said a 14-year-old girl who had been reported missing has been located.

50 Shades of funny

There's no disputing that the book "50 Shades of Grey" took the world by storm, just as there should be no argument, from those who actually read it, that the book was atrocious. But rather than punish ourselves for reading it, why not take back our power and realize that the only real way to win, is to mock the book and its characters! If you're filled with self-loathing (or not), head over to The ...

The best form of entertainment

The best form of entertainment has always been reading – at least for me. You can be anyone, go anywhere, and learn anything – all from a book. And if you're looking to update or increase your library then The Montessori School of Covington is the place to go today and Friday. Open from 3-8 p.m. Thursday and 3-6 p.m. Friday, the school will have books for elementary, middle and high school-age on sale through ...

Party in the Park

You know summer is coming when Atlanta starts their outside concerts in Centennial Park. This weekend check out Party in the Park with Ellie Goulding, Electric Sons and Passion Pit. Gates open for the one-day concert at 3 p.m., with music starting at 3:15 p.m. and going until 11p.m. – rain or shine. You can even pay extra and get yourself a VIP pass to meet the performers. Keep in mind, Ellie Goulding has played ...

Taking over Peachtree

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have miles of Atlanta streets to wander on your bike or on foot without worrying about being plowed down by a MARTA bus? Well here's your chance to find out! For four hours on Sunday 2.7 miles of Peachtree Street will be closed to cars and open to YOU! You can ride your bike, walk, skateboard – you can travel in any way that does ...

One Tank Trips

The kids are almost done with school, and you know what that means. It's time for vacations! But vacations take time and usually lots of money since you always have to go into those awful souvenir shops at the beach and take a picture standing in front of the giant shark mouth.

East Atlanta style

All the beer you want to drink, live bands, East Atlanta people watching and awesome weather? That's what you've got to look forward to if you get tickets to the 10th annual East Atlanta Beer Festival this weekend. Taste beers from more than 100 different companies, eat some tasty food, watch three bands, listen to some DJs and just chillax in the sun. It's really a great way to spend the day. And you don't actually ...

Local teen still missing

Jordan Marie Aaron has been missing for two weeks, and although investigators are sure the seventh-grader is alive and left on her own accord, they are still pushing to find her and bring her home to a mother who dreads leaving the house, fearing she'll miss her daughter's phone call.

Jailer charged with sexually assaulting inmate

A Newton County Detention Officer has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate.

Local teen still missing

Jordan Marie Aaron has been missing for two weeks, and although investigators are sure the seventh-grader is alive and left on her own accord, they are still desperate to find her and bring her home to a mother who dreads leaving the house, fearing she'll miss her daughter's phone call.

Be part of the ‘American Dream’ tonight

Synthetic high

A concerned driver called authorities for help Sunday night after seeing a vehicle driving erratically.

A colorful Mother’s Day

No matter what mom is into, you can share a special mother's day by painting pottery together. From coffee cups to serving platters, hang out together and paint something that will last forever – or at least until you have slippery hands while unloading the dishwasher. I love this idea, because it's perfect for all ages. You can take wee ones and let them put their handprints on a coffee cup for mom to use ...

AHS students face criminal charges

 Two students at Alcovy High School have been detained and are facing criminal charges following an incident Tuesday morning in which a plastic bottle full of combustible fluids burst in the commons area.

Charges against EHS coach dropped

 The Eastside High School head football coach who was charged with theft by taking in a case of alleged mortgage fraud has had all the charges against him dropped.

Woman charged with prostitution

Officers from the Covington Police Department arrested a 35-year-old woman for prostitution in the Happy Hollow area following stepped up patrol in the area.

Covington man charged with child molestation

A 40-year-old Covington man was arrested Saturday and charged with child molestation.

Alcovy High School commons area no longer in lockdown

At roughly 8:30 a.m. a water bottle with an unknown substance inside of it went off in the commons area of Alcovy High School. It was not an incendiary device and no students or school property was affected at all as far as investigators are aware at this time.

3 charged after shots fired from car

Concerned residents in the Green Acres neighborhood contacted authorities in the early morning hours of April 20 after they witnessed a gun being shot out of a vehicle with three occupants.

Shoplifting fish and wine

Food Depot was the scene of two separate shoplifting attempts, both of which were thwarted by observant employees.

Special education figures below state targets

In an update, Newton County School System Special Education Director Cathy Stubbs showed Board of Education members just how far behind the county's special education program is compared to state percentages.

Gresham pleads not guilty

Don Gresham, who is charged with one felony count of false swearing and one felony count of false statement in filing a notice of candidacy, pled not guilty during an arraignment in front of Superior Judge Samuel Ozburn this morning.

Board approves uniforms for Sharp students

The Newton County Board of Education unanimously approved uniforms for students attending Sharp Learning Center at Tuesday night's board meeting. Sharp teaches attending the meeting seemed excited about the approval.

A long time coming

It's been about 188 years since the Brick Store was first built and quickly became the hub of the community in Newton County. The store still stands on U.S. Highway 278, a tribute to times gone by. But recently Brick Store has received some long overdue credit, after being added to the National Register of Historic Places. After 18 months of hard work, researching ownership and past uses of the former Superior Court of Newton ...

Drowning victim identified

A Conyers woman who fell into the rapid waters at Factory Shoals Park late Monday morning was found dead, a victim of a drowning. According to Newton County Sheriff's Office 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, a call for help went out at roughly 11 a.m. when a group of the friends that the women, identified as 35-year-old Marie Elaina Carley, was with, called 911 after the she accidentally fell into the water and they were unable to find her.

Gearing up for the CRCT

Students in Newton County's elementary and middle schools are preparing to take the annual Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) this week – a test designed to measure how well students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the Georgia Performance Standards.

Police, deputies look for robbery suspects

Both the Covington Police Department and the Newton County Sheriff's Office are seeking the community's help in finding men that they say are responsible for robberies on April 11 and 14.

Celebrating Earth Day

The entire community was invited to attend Oxford College's annual Earth Day celebration Saturday afternoon. Held on the lawn of the Tarbutton Performing Arts Center, the day featured a variety of activities, including a band and snacks, demonstrations on environmentally-focused topics presented by organic chemistry students such as how to make Silly Putty were available and children were invited to decorate cookies and tote bags and plant seeds to take home, among ...