Articles By Author - Gabriel Khouli
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.
Fire leaves family of five homeless
A Wednesday night fire that damaged part of an Oxford duplex and destroyed most of its contents left a family of five homeless, but the Red Cross and the family's home church is rallying to offer support.
Officials discuss what CPD offers
Covington's population and the number of people needing help from the police are growing, even if the police force isn't because of a string of tight budgets in recent years.
Newton’s Sneed signs scholarship with West Georgia Tech
Newton High School senior Micah Sneed signed a two-year, full-ride scholarship Tuesday to play basketball at West Georgia Technical Junior College in Carrollton.
Archive By Author - Gabriel Khouli
Board reaches consensus on budget
The citizens and county employees who had filled the Newton County Historic Courthouse broke out in applause Wednesday night after Chairman Kathy Morgan announced that the Newton County Board of Commissioners had reached a consensus on a budget for next year.
BOC approves FY2010 budget
The Newton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2010 on Wednesday night, which will keep the millage rate at 9.73 and will cut approximately 16 jobs.
Local Democrats to counter rally
Before the commissioners debate next year's budget in the Historic Courthouse at 7 p.m. tonight, Newton County's political parties will take to the square to give their thoughts on property taxes and county jobs.
County aid coming for Fairview Estates
Newton County will attempt to revitalize the Fairview Estates subdivision by spending $1.74 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed and bank-owned properties. Fairview Estates is located off Fairview Road near its intersection with Salem Road.
Bidding begins for gas providers
As the price of gas continues to rise, Covington is trying to save money and gain supply stability by purchasing in bulk. In April Covington joined the North Georgia Fuel Cooperative, a 16-local-government-agency cooperative that is pooling its fuel needs in an effort to secure less expensive gas prices.
Republicans to rally against taxes
Before the county's final budget work session at 7 p.m. today, the Newton County Republican Party will rally against a property tax increase at 6 p.m., today on the Square.
Republicans to hold rally against a property tax increase tomorrow
Before the county's final budget work session at 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Newton County Republican Party will rally against a property tax increase at 6 p.m., tomorrow on the Square. Elizabeth Christian, 1st vice chair of the local republican party, said the party opposes both increasing property taxes and cutting any public safety jobs. Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) and Newton County GOP Chairman Ester Fleming will speak at the rally.
Commissioners weigh in on automated call
Newton County residents received automated phone calls Wednesday night opposing any millage rate increases and accusing Board of Commissioners Chairman Kathy Morgan and commissioners J.C. Henderson, Nancy Schulz and Earnest Simmons of wasting money on selfish, special interest projects. The phone call goes on to support the stands of commissioners Mort Ewing and Tim Fleming and urges residents to call all of the commissioners to make their views known.
Rails-to-Trails idea meets local opposition
 The topic of the Norfolk Southern railroad in Newton County is gaining momentum even as the line itself falls into disuse. In the past week, the topic of purchasing the railroad has been discussed at three different meetings: District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz's fireside chat on Thursday, the public comments segment of Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting and the Monday railroad
Increased rates coming for utilities
Covington residents will pay higher natural gas rates, water rates and garbage collection fees beginning July 1. The city council approved the second and final reading for all three increases Monday.
BOC at impasse over FY10 budget; Henderson to hold public meeting Saturday
Update, May 22, 12:52 p.m. District 4 Commissioner J.C. Henderson is holding a public meeting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Courthouse for all county residents to voice their concerns and give suggestions about the fiscal year 2010 budget. The meeting will be rebroadcast on WGFS 1430 AM on Sunday between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Commissioner J.C. Henderson can be reached at home at 770-788-1994 or on his cell phone at ...
Residents receive mysterious automated call condemning millage rate increases
Newton County residents have been receiving automated phone calls opposing any millage rate increases and accusing Board of Commissioners Chairman Kathy Morgan and commissioners J.C. Henderson, Nancy Schulz and Earnest Simmons of wasting money on selfish, special interest projects. The phone call goes on to support the stands of commissioners Mort Ewing and Tim Fleming and urges residents to call all of the commissioners to make their views known.
BOC at impasse over budget
After a four and a half-hour budget work session on Monday night, the Board of Commissioners remained divided over how best to cut the remaining $4.8 million fiscal year 2010 budget deficit.
Ga. election board sends Gresham case to Attorney General
At its May 12 meeting, the Georgia State Election Board reviewed the criminal allegations against Horace Don Gresham and voted to refer the case to the Attorney General's office.
Rail purchase information citizens meeting to be on May 18
Peggy Greer, a Mansfield resident, is teaming up with other county residents including Freddie Neely to organize informational meetings at Starrsville United Methodist Church. The group is having their second meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at the church, 2786 Dixie Road. Greer said about 20 people attended the first meeting.
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