Articles By Author - Gabriel Khouli
Porterdale Bar & Grill to reopen
The Porterdale Bar and Grill is planning to reopen June 1 under new ownership after being closed for nearly a year following the Porterdale City Council's vote to revoke the prior owner's licenses to sell beer and wine and liquor.
Gun ordinance on Tuesday's agenda
The newly-created gun-firing ordinance could be voted on by the Newton County Board of Commissioners Tuesday as county officials seek a resolution to the issue of recreational shooting, which has stirred strong emotions on both sides.
Improved intersection or local landmark?
Henderson's Restaurant on Ga. Highway 36 is a Newton County institution. But it also appears to be on precarious footing, as a long-discussed widening of Ga. Highway 36 could eventually force the restaurant to close.
Sheriff seeks big budget increases
Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown is seeking nearly $4 million in additional money for next fiscal year's budget, but with property tax revenue again expected to decline, it's unclear how much - if any - money will be available.
Newborn, Porterdale seek to make voting easier for residents
Newborn and Porterdale officials are hoping to streamline elections in their towns to help residents vote more easily whenever there are city and county elections in the same year.
Board mulls recycling center fee
One of the most significant discussions so far this budget year has been whether to institute a new fee for residents to use the county's recycling centers.
County faces tough budget decisions
Newton County commissioners have a lot of work left to do for next fiscal year's budget, including decisions on whether to raise the property tax rate, fund any of the $5.4 million in additional department requests or institute a fee to use recycling centers.
EHS tennis star signs with Piedmont
Eastside High School girls' tennis team captain and No. 1 singles player Amanda Blackwell signed with Piedmont College this week, a NCAA Division III school in Demorest.
Annual Fire House 5K race Saturday
The fourth annual Fire House 5K will kick off Saturday, and there's still time to register, as Covington fire officials hope the turnout will continue to grow to more than 400 runners this year.
Firehouse Subs comes to Covington
Firehouse Subs is coming to Covington, adding another national, fast casual chain to the city's growing restaurant mix.
City may expand fiber network
The city of Covington has saved around $60,000 per year since it began creating its own fiber optic cable network to connect its buildings across the city, and officials hope to be able to offer those kinds of savings to other local government entities and possibly create another revenue stream in the future.
Solar devices will clean water sources
Newton County's two drinking-water reservoirs, Lake Varner and City Pond, are getting a helping hand from the sun in the battle to keep them as healthy and clean as possible.
Illegal street race blamed in wreck
An infant and a Covington teenager were killed Thursday night in a wreck on I-20 that police believe was caused by an illegal car race going awry.
Thief steals church’s history
Luther Hays Presbyterian Church had its history stolen recently, and the church's members are pleading for its safe return.
Mystic Grill plans move forward
Creating the real Mystic Grill restaurant - named after the popular restaurant from the TV series "The Vampire Diaries" - won't be cheap at a cost of $2.27 million, but the owners are hoping to get a low-interest loan from the state to cover at least a fraction of the cost.
Archive By Author - Gabriel Khouli
A noble nomination
Judge Samuel Ozburn pauses in concentration as he works his way back through his years of memories as a lawyer and judge.
State further removes water restrictions
One week after Newton County's drought water restrictions were reduced, the state decided to remove the drought restrictions altogether. On June 10 Gov. Sonny Perdue declared Georgia was going to non-drought restrictions because of the state's abundant rainfall over the past few months.
City council divided over budget items
The Covington City Council approved the 2009-2010 budget, but Councilman Keith Dalton voted against approving the budget because he disagreed with pay raises to the mayor and council and the addition of two new city employees.
Restaurant owners speak out against low health grades
Several new and established restaurants in Newton County have been receiving failing restaurant inspection grades, and they say they're being unfairly treated by the local health inspectors.
Shelter up and running
The Covington homeless shelter at Turner Lake Circle is filled with residents and up and running.
Airport to close for repairs
The Covington Municipal Airport will close for two months, beginning in late July or early August, when the city begins rehabilitation of the 4,200 feet of older runway.
Breaking ground
General Mills broke ground in Social Circle Monday on what will be its largest distribution center in the United States, a 1.5-million-square foot, $42 million facility at 5239 E. Hightower Trail.
City of Oxford to use Newton fire departments
After disbanding its volunteer fire department in December, the City of Oxford is in the process of reaching a permanent 50-year agreement to pay Newton County to handle Oxford's fires.
New homeless shelter opens after final inspections
Covington now has a homeless shelter as Rainbow Covenant Ministries received its final certificates of occupation for the three homeless shelter buildings at Turner Lake Circle.
Republican candidates prepare for ‘10 elections
Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) declared last Thursday's local Republican Party meeting a victory party, in the wake of the Board of Commissioners decision to not raise the millage rate.
With drought over, water restrictions eased
Newton County residents will be able to wash their cars and water their lawns Wednesday as the state lowered Newton County's watering restrictions to Level IV c.
911 dispute close to solution
Porterdale received answers to all of its 911 Center questions, but it still wasn't satisfied with the amount of money it had to pay for emergency dispatch services. However, Porterdale, Covington and Newton County accomplished more in Tuesday's 45-minute joint work session than they did in the previous few months of back and forth discussion. The only issue remaining between Porterdale and Covington and Newton County is how Porterdale's share of 911 dispatch ...
UPDATED: County watering restrictions lowered
Newton County residents will be able to wash their cars and water their lawns Wednesday, because the state lowered Newton County's watering restrictions to Level IV c. At Tuesday's Board of Commissioner's meeting, Administrative Officer John Middleton announced that residents will be able to water lawns and wash vehicles three days a week on the same odd-even address schedule currently used. Under that schedule watering is allowed between midnight and 10:00 am: odd addresses water ...
Events on square to be able to use power
Private events on the square will now have access to the city's power supply for a $30 fee, after the city council voted to amend the Downtown Covington Permit.
Turner Lake shelter final OK delayed again
Once again, the Garden of Gethsemane homeless shelter on Turner Lake Circle is almost ready to open.
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