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.

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.

Lora Pittman

Mrs. Lora Pittman 90, of Eatonton passed away on May 17. She was born in Covington Feb. 11, 1923 to Zack and Ethel Elliot Patterson.

New superintendent

School district honors retirees

The Newton County Board of Education held a retirement dinner on Thursday for employees. The event honored the many years of service of 54 retirees, who included teachers, administrators and personnel at a number of schools and departments in the county.

Montessori School plans open house

The Montessori School of Covington, which is now enrolling ages 3 through high school, will hold two open house sessions May 21.

Ombudsman transportation may be cut

Student transportation to Ombudsman, Newton's alternative school, is one of the items being considered as a possible cut from the 2013-14 school budget as Newton County School System officials reviewed the tentative budget.

Police chief: No secrecy to seized funds

Georgia's forfeiture laws have come under scrutiny lately, following an investigation into reports of alleged abuse in some counties across the state.

It's not cool to keep silent

I remember the first time I ran away from home. I was in sixth grade and I had been wronged in some way. I was sure my parents loved my sister more or denied me some privilege, and I was having none of that. I stayed home when my parents left for work, skipped school, packed a bag and took my bike to this little secluded spot by the river, thinking that was an awesome place to live. I was home before my parents.

Credit report coding trips up buyers

Are large numbers of homeowners who have negotiated short sales with lenders at risk because of a startling omission in the American credit system? Do their credit reports and scores indicate that they were foreclosed upon, rather than having negotiated a mutually agreeable resolution with their lenders?

Sometimes, perspective changes things

Single and lonely in a new neighborhood, a guy invites his neighbors to a drop-in party. With ample food and drink, he sits alone as party time comes and goes.

Who's teaching students to hate U.S.?

Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who are accused of setting the bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon, attended the University of Massachusetts. Maybe they hated our nation before college, but if you want lessons on hating America, college attendance might be a good start. Let's look at it.

NCSS finds testing issues at Alcovy

"Miscommunication and human error" caused 170 students not to complete the coordinate algebra portion of the End Of Course Test - a state test taken by ninth through 12th-graders - at Alcovy High School, and other testing problems were reportedly found when the Newton County School System investigated concerns after receiving an anonymous email.

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.

Where am I? Brain isn't playing fair

Last week, while out of town and staying in a hotel, I had a most exasperating experience.

Half a century of service

For Sarah Greer Prosser, hard work has always just been a way of life. "Much is given to you and much is required," said the 93-years-old Prosser. "I don't feel like I have done anything special. I like to work." For more than 50 years Prosser has taught in some form or another at Mansfield Baptist Church, but like all good things, her tenure had to come to an end. "I ...

DeKalb Tech adds three vital courses

A feasibility study recently conducted by the DeKalb Technical College Foundation found Newton County had a shortage of skilled workers to meet employers' hiring needs in healthcare, public safety and engineering technology.

Legacy of leadership

After 37 years of public service Covington Mayor Sam Ramsey is retiring. Well known for his sense of compassion and personal integrity, he has left a lasting impression with all those who have worked with him.

Marshall earmarks $100,000 for local homeless shelter

Mayor Sam Ramsey announced Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) had phoned him Friday morning to tell him he had successfully earmarked $100,000 for the planned homeless shelter on Turner Lake Circle.

Abuse in teen dating on the rise

According to recent statistics compiled by the National Youth Violence Prevention Center (an organization sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and various other federal agencies), it is extremely likely that your teen or a teen known to you or your own teen will experience dating violence.  

All I want for Christmas

Looking back on when I was a kid, life was so very much simpler in those good old days. Bucolic Greensboro was not dissimilar from most other hamlets spread all across this largest state east of the Mississippi River. And, most likely, it wasn't too different from little burgs all across the nation, either. The daily routine mostly revolved around school, Boy Scouts, church activities, daily chores - that sort of thing.

All I want for Christmas

Looking back on when I was a kid, life was so very much simpler in those good old days. Bucolic Greensboro was not dissimilar from most other hamlets spread all across this largest state east of the Mississippi River. And, most likely, it wasn't too different from little burgs all across the nation, either. The daily routine mostly revolved around school, Boy Scouts, church activities, daily chores - that sort of thing.

All I want for Christmas

Looking back on when I was a kid, life was so very much simpler in those good old days. Bucolic Greensboro was not dissimilar from most other hamlets spread all across this largest state east of the Mississippi River. And, most likely, it wasn't too different from little burgs all across the nation, either. The daily routine mostly revolved around school, Boy Scouts, church activities, daily chores - that sort of thing.

Alcovy athletics teams with Rocky Plains Elementary School

Alcovy High School boys varsity basketball head coach Eugene Brown and Alcovy principal David Easterday received an award from school counselor Rhonda Denby for partnering with Rocky Plains Elementary School to encourage students to study hard and stay in school.

NFL matchup pits dysfunctional against disappointed

By Bob Baum GLENDALE, Ariz. - This disjointed, dysfunctional season can't end fast enough for the Atlanta Falcons. The Arizona Cardinals at least have a goal of finishing .500 if they beat the Falcons on Sunday and follow that up with a season-ending win at home over St. Louis. Atlanta, on the other hand, is like some battered prize fighter going down for the count. No wonder. The Falcons (3-11) ...

Newton at Jackson Preview

School is out for the holidays, yet that doesn't mean that prep basketball has taken a break.

Eastside wrestling tops Alcovy, Winder-Barrow

On Tuesday, the Alcovy wrestling squad hosted Eastside and Winder-Barrow for a hotly contested region matchup.

Don't let that Christmas tree go to waste

Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful will hold its 17th annual "Bring One for the Chipper" Christmas tree recycling day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 5 at Home Depot in Covington or any neighborhood recycling center.

Suspect allegedly fights deputy after flipping car

A Newton County Sheriff's deputy was compelled to use force on a suspect after the man repeatedly resisted arrest and attempted to pull the deputy's firearm free.

Police make arrest in recent kidnapping case

Newton County Sheriff's arrested Antonio Shy Thursday on charges of kidnapping two women and a small child.