BOC tasks county staff with budget cuts

The Newton County Board of Commissioners didn't make any major budget decisions Monday night, but asked the county manager and finance director to propose cuts and prepare two budgets for commissioners to study in two weeks.

McCoy: Where am I? Brain is not playing fair

Commissioners to talk budget tonight

The Newton County Board of Commissioners will talk next year's budget again at 7 p.m., tonight at the Historic Courthouse, and they could resume discussions about whether to increase the property tax rate and cut or enhance any specific services.

Mrs. Ollie Mae Grant Sams

Ollie Mae Grant Sams, age 86, passed Sunday, May 19, 2013. A visitation will be Thursday May, 23rd at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home in Covington,Ga. from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30p.m. Graveside service will be held following the visitation at 2:00 p.m. in the Newborn Memorial Cemetery in Newborn, Ga.

NCSO holds west precinct grand opening

The West Side precinct of the Newton County Sheriff's Office will host its grand opening Tuesday at 10 a.m. The precinct is located at 3665 Salem Road, Suite C2. Although there is limited space, the grand opening is open to the public.

Couple arrested for armed robbery

A man and woman were arrested and charged with armed robbery over the weekend after the victim of the robbery followed them and called police with their tag number.

Mr. Willie Thomas Jr. (Junior)

Celebration Of Life

Athens businessman becomes Republican chairman

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - The new chairman of the Georgia Republican Party says the party won't twiddle its thumbs under his leadership.

Lowest gas price - May 20

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.49 at Shell, located at 10125 Alcovy Road and City Pond Road.

Jekyll breaking ground on overdue convention hotel

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) - Developers are set to start construction on a new convention hotel for Jekyll Island after long delays that largely resulted from difficulties getting a bank loan for the $41 million project.

Fog blankets much of Georgia in wake of storms

ATLANTA (AP) - Fog blanketed much of Georgia in the wake of storms that washed out roads in the northeast part of the state and led to rising streams and rivers.

Atlanta council considers 20-story Ferris wheel

ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta City Council is expected to consider a request to construct a Ferris wheel once used in Paris that would soar 20 stories over downtown Atlanta.

US gas prices up 11 cents over past 2 weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 11 cents over the past two weeks.

Flash flood watch expires, rain continues

UPDATE: The flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service at Peachtree City for counties including Rockdale and Newton has expired but warnings of rain storms continues through the night.

Sunday car show on square canceled

The car show planned for 10 a.m. tomorrow (Sunday, May 19) on the square has been canceled because of weather, according to an email from Main Street Covington Director Josephine Kelly.

Nonprofit holds Clay Shoot and BBQ

The Georgia Natural Resources Foundation is hosting a Clay Shoot and BBQ Saturday and invites the public to come out and shoot flying targets and enjoy some BBQ this weekend in Social Circle.

Joe Hoyt Brewer

Mr. Joe Hoyt Brewer, age 64, of Mansfield passed away March 22, 2013 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia to James Hoyt and Mae Pitts Brewer on September 3, 1948. Mr. Brewer enjoyed working with his hands and could build anything. He loved spending time with his family and working in his garden.

Woman fired after tweeting pic of men making sexist jokes

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - A female developer was fired after tweeting about a group of men she said were making sexual comments at a computer programming conference, fueling an already vigorous debate about gender equality and culture in Silicon Valley.

Out and about!

Even if Mother Nature doesn't know it is Spring! Just ask Elgin Childress of Covington he who says "spring means golf." Elgin dressed in a long sleeve shirt topped with a flees hoodie ignores the brisk wind and below fifty degree temps to practice his swing at The Oaks Golf Course located on Brown Bridge Rd in Covington.

Police arrest 2 teens in Ga. baby killing

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) - Police have arrested two teenagers suspected in the shooting death of a baby in a stroller and the wounding of the baby's mother. Brunswick Police Chief Tobe Green said Friday that 17-year-old Demarquis Elkins is charged with first-degree murder as an adult. The 14-year-old is also charged with murder, but he was not identified because he is a juvenile. The chief said police were still investigating the motive and ...

Pa. caretaker charged with drinking old whiskey

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The live-in caretaker of a western Pennsylvania mansion is facing criminal charges for allegedly drinking more than $100,000 worth of the owner's whiskey.

Ga. Senate passes competing bill on lobbying rules

ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia Senate has upped the ante on the House as the two chambers attempt to overhaul lobbying rules at the Capitol.

Soccer players suspended over drinking allegations

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say 18 players on a high school soccer team in east Georgia have been suspended and removed from the team after they were accused of drinking alcohol while on a school-sponsored trip.

Senate Democrats on track to pass budget

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats controlling the Senate moved on Friday toward approving their first budget in four years, promising another, almost $1 trillion round of tax increases on top of more than $600 billion in higher taxes on the wealthy enacted in January.

Punxsutawney Phil 'indicted' over spring forecast

CINCINNATI (AP) - Famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil might want to go back into hibernation. Authorities in still-frigid Ohio have issued an "indictment" of the furry rodent, who predicted an early spring when he didn't see his shadow after emerging from his western Pennsylvania lair on Feb. 2. "Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early," Mike Gmoser, the prosecutor in southwestern Ohio's ...

Police: Ga. infant killed while pushed in stroller

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia mother says a young gunman opened fire on her baby as she pushed him in a stroller, wounding her and killing the 1-year-old boy.

UGA student reports attack by mime

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A University of Georgia student told police she was attacked by a woman who appeared dressed as a mime.

Lowest gas price - March 22

The lowest price for regular fuel in Covington is $3.44 at the RaceWay, located at 5148 U.S. Highway 278 NW near Piper Street.

Tolls on Georgia 400 to end before Thanksgiving

ATLANTA (AP) - Transportation officials say the tolls on Georgia 400, a busy commuter route on the north side of Atlanta, will end later this year.

UGA student reports attack by mime

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A University of Georgia student told police she was attacked by a woman who appeared dressed as a mime.