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 ...

Not MY mother’s cooking!

My mother used to make biscuits so hard they would dent walls, and once tried to make a meatloaf in the crockpot. Three guesses how that turned out. So if you mom is like mine – of if she just likes to cook – then get her cooking classes for Mother's Day! The Viking Store has cooking classes all the time. From Italian to pies – they'll teach you right. If you wanted to take ...

A berry good time with Mom

Picking your own strawberries is one of those things that is so much fun it should be illegal. If you were required to pick them, I'm sure it would be much less entertaining, but since you aren't you can feel free to plan and pick and giggle and get muddy – to truly have an amazing time. It's fun for all ages, so it's a great way to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend. Why order ...

To the moon and back

If you mom is a little more adventurous, then the New Moon Kayak Tour might be the place to go this weekend. My mother would tip us both over into the lake, but your mom might be more coordinated. If so, this sounds like an amazing idea. Take a ranger-led tour of Lake Rutledge and relax while watching the stars. The ranger told me that the new moon lets you see the stars better, so ...

Give mom wine, not whines

Take a drive to the mountains to celebrate mom this weekend at Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, because nothing says I love you like being your mother's designated driver! But this isn't just any old winery. They consistently win awards and were even featured in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine – that's nothing to scoff at. Plus they offer "Napa-style" wine tours and tastings. I have no clue what that entails since the closest I've been ...

Queen for Mother's Day

Does your mom get tired of flowers? Is she bored to death with the thought of brunch rather than sleeping in on Mother's Day? Then read on, because there's no reason you can't ditch the cliché this Mother's Day and do something that will make your mom remember just why you're her favorite child – or why you should be from now on.

Sleepy suspect

A man wanted in Walton County was found sitting in a Newton County neighborhood early Tuesday morning.

Cats and hamsters don't mix

I grew up with hamsters, so when my kid decided he wanted one for his birthday in December last year, I was totally OK with that.

Second arrest made in Silos shooting

Investigators have made a second arrest in the Jan. 27 shooting at a birthday party in The Silos subdivision.

Woman suffers head injuries

A Covington man was arrested for simple battery, after police noticed a woman walking down the street with a lump on her head and a bloody mouth Thursday afternoon.

Tours and tastes at SweetWater

Take a tour of one of Atlanta's best breweries this weekend. Check out SweetWater Wed.-Sat. Check out how some of the city's best beers are made and then take a taste of what SweetWater has to offer. Tours are loose and social, but if you get there early you'll have more time to spend on the tasting part. Wed.-Fri. you can tour from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and on Sat. from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Make sure to bring ...

Jimbo's rocks the river

If you think Jimbo's is just about burgers and chicken fingers you would be wrong. They have those, of course, along with a plethora of other tasty food and drinks, but they also have live music with local talent (like Gannon Adams later this month!), open mic nights and karaoke. And if you show them some love, they might add trivia to the mix soon! Not only can you support a local business and local talent, but you can get your entertainment close to home.

Dauset Trails: FREE family fun!

Everyone enjoys having fun, and when it's free that just sweetens the deal! Take a scenic drive down to Jackson, GA and visit Dauset Trails. They have flowers, animals, a pond, picnic areas - all of it completely free. You can bring quarters and feed the fish in the pond, pack a lunch and enjoy the atmosphere, and this time of year it is phenomenal. And did I mention it was free?

It ain’t easy bein’ sleazy

Grab your friends or your boo and head out to Blind Willie's Friday for music by Delta Moon, a little Cajun food and some drinks. Use it as a chance to get a little dressed up if you want, or you can always dress down. A joint that has the motto "It ain't easy bein' sleazy" isn't going to mind if you wear jeans. It's like a little bit of the Bayou in the middle ...

Local libations

Take a drive to Conyers and have a beer and some bar food at the Celtic Tavern this weekend. It's a small space, but it's not the size that matters. At least not here. There's a decently stocked bar, some adorable patio seating - which is great this time of year, and the small setting comes off more as intimate and not cramped. Intimate in a good way, not in a creepy I-want-to-wear-your-feet sort of ...

Porterdale volunteer fire dept. looking for vendors

The Porterdale Volunteer Fire Department is looking for vendors to join their Spring Fling, and donations for the department to raffle off. The funds will be used to benefit the volunteer department so they can make repairs and maintain the department, which is not covered in budgets for the city of Porterdale or Newton County Fire Service.

Complaint by Meadors wont be investigated

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission has found no probable cause to investigate claims made against former Alcovy High School principal LaQuanda Carpenter by Newton County Board of Education member Jeff Meadors.

Crime Briefs: That’s just the way she shops

Two Covington women were charged with shoplifting from the Salvation Army Tuesday afternoon. Employees of the store watched as two women, later identified as Josephine Gilley Jones and Stephanie Lynn Harris, allegedly removed several pieces of clothing and concealed them in a white purse. When officers questioned the women initially, they both said there were no clothes inside the zipped up white purse. But when they were separated, the story changed. Harris reportedly told officers ...

Local charged with 192 counts

Several people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of forgery after reportedly stealing checks from a Conyers business.

Woman charged with 192 counts of forgery

Several people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of forgery after reportedly stealing checks from a Conyers business.

Local caregiver charged with murder

A Covington woman has been charged with murder after the death of a mentally-challenged patient for whom she was the caretaker.

Crime briefs: Don't leave your car alone

Two women were arrested and cited for disorderly conduct Saturday morning after a fight involving a car and an unpaid loan.

Sunday fire total loss for local family

A Woodland Ridge Circle home was declared a total loss after a fire destroyed it early Sunday morning.