Articles By Author - Gabriel Khouli
Cities will cooperate on natural gas
Covington is building a pipeline to provide natural gas to Stanton Springs industrial park for Baxter International, and Social Circle won't – and never intended to – stand in the way, officials say.
Main Street board OKs ending pact
The planned reorganization of the Main Street Covington program took another step forward Tuesday, bringing Covington city officials' plan to move the program under the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce close to fruition.
City mulls tougher grass, weed laws
Covington City Council members want a cleaner city, and putting more restrictions on the unruly growth of grass and weeds is up for discussion.
Main Street vision shared
Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston has a big vision for Covington. He wants his city's downtown to be more popular than nearby Madison's, its Christmas displays to shine as brightly as Callaway Gardens,' its businesses to thrive, and its residents to be employed and entertained.
BOC plans tax increase
Newton County Chairman Keith Ellis heard residents' request for officials to find a way to balance next year's budget without raising the property tax rate, and he scrambled early last week to find an alternative.
Public safety officials plan blood drive
Working as a 911 center dispatcher for nearly six years, Stykes has heard tragedy in the voices of victims of accidents, crimes and fires, and he's done what he could to calm, reassure and aid them. When Stykes and his co-workers heard about the deaths of more than 20 people in the devastating May 31 tornadoes and storms in Oklahoma, they couldn't help directly but decided to host a blood drive to do their part.
BOC reaches consensus to up millage
County commissioners reached an informal consensus Thursday night to raise the millage rate to 11.59 next year to account for a projected decline in overall property values and spare what they felt were too deep of cuts to the budget.
Church's clothing ministry ready to help
Local ministry Mission 25 is jam-packed with clothes and ready to serve those in need, and its founders and supporters know there's no coincidence it's gotten this far.
Several road repairs scheduled for summer
Several roads in Newton County will be repaired or resurfaced this summer, and projects on Airport, Crowell, Jack Neely and Mote roads will require the most intense work.
Main Str not ready to OK mayor's idea
The board of directors of the Main Street Covington program expressed displeasure at being kept out of the loop, and its members are not yet ready to OK a proposal to move the program, which is responsible for downtown development and marketing, under the local Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioners OK Rx discount card
Residents without health insurance or those whose insurance doesn't cover certain prescriptions will now have access to a free discount prescription card that can be used at several area pharmacies.
Public weighs in on county budget
Chairman Keith Ellis asked for public feedback as officials seek ways to balance next year's budget, and residents responded, calling and stopping by his office Monday asking questions and offering their perspectives.
Cities negotiate over future gas profits
While Baxter International builds its $1 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant at Stanton Springs industrial park, other companies and governments are working to ensure the company will have the water, sewer service, electricity and gas it needs to operate. It's the last one that's proving to be a little complicated.
Builders: Home rebound will take time
Atlanta-based Kerley Family Homes wanted to buy 32 vacant lots in the Covington Place subdivision near Ashton Hills Golf Club and build out the remainder of the subdivision, but the homes they wanted to sell for $225,000 only appraised for $205,000 pre-construction. The company has pulled its plans for now, but owner Joe Kerley said he'll keep an eye on the area and check back in six months.
Chairman invites public input on county budget
Newton County Chairman Keith Ellis expects to spend next week scouring the budget, looking for areas to cut and trying to get his five commissioners to come to a consensus. He said he welcomes any input from the public.
Archive By Author - Gabriel Khouli
Turner Lake shelter final OK delayed again
Once again, the Garden of Gethsemane homeless shelter on Turner Lake Circle is almost ready to open.
County calls work session to discuss 911 fees
Porterdale, Covington and Newton County officials will attempt to resolve the contentious dispute over 911 center charges and services at a special joint work session Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse.
Parties rally before FY budget decided
The county's budget deficit quandary engaged local political parties over the past month by sparking the classic debate over the size and role of government and the amount of taxes the government should levy.
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.
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