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.

Mom of boys is thinking pink

Kari Apted may have a lot on her plate, but the mother of three, soon to be four, has learned how to balance it all. With three boys, Eli, Zach and Jonah, Apted admits that things can get hectic. But she also says a houseful of boys is always endearing.

Sergeant arrested after single-vehicle crash

A Covington man who was a sergeant with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office was arrested following an early morning crash on McCalla Road in Rockdale County.

Street race crash kills baby, teen

Two people were killed, including a teenager and infant, and three others injured in a wreck on I-20 in Rockdale County that police believe was caused by illegal street racing.

Lowest gas price - May 10

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.49 at BP, located at 6229 Turner Lake Road and Brown Bridge Road.

Tea party delight for Mother's Day

If you're looking for a way to delight your mom for Mother's Day, the Phoenix Pass nonprofit for homeless women and children is offering a unique opportunity designed to make her feel like a queen.

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.

Be part of the ‘American Dream’ tonight

Local church collects food to pack pantries

Eastridge Community Church had a mission to pack the food pantries of Newton County, and its members went out and bought enough food to fill 232 boxes.

Newton County Jail Log, May 10

Paul Frazier Allen, 22, 235 Mountainview Drive, Covington, May 2. Hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of firearm or knife while trying to commit crimes, armed robbery, intimidation, taking control of substance.

Snapping Shoals EMC sends students to D.C.

Snapping Shoals EMC is sending two local students from its service area to Washington D.C., as part of the Washington Youth Tour. The two students for 2009's tour are Marilyn Dyess and Mack Parnell. SSEMC sends students to the U.S. capitol for the program annually.

Flying solo

Chris Waters 16, a local student at Eastside High School, just completed his first solo flight on Tuesday. Waters has been training and working for this day all year long with his instructor Bill Leppert from Ocean Isle, N.C.

NCSO official confirms Lanny Barnes has died

Please continue to check CovNews.com for updates on this story.

Ozburn makes short list for Supreme Court nominee

By Gabriel Khouli Alcovy Superior Court Judge Samuel Ozburn is one step closer to becoming a Georgia Supreme Court Justice, after he beat out 29 other candidates to become one of nine finalists. The Governor's Office released its short list Wednesday after the Judicial Nominating Commission finished interviewing the original 38 finalists. "I'm honored. I think this is a very important position and a lot of very qualified people are on the ...

5 shot at teen party

Five teens were shot at a party in the early morning hours of June 28. According to Newton County Sheriff's Office Lt. Tyrone Oliver, deputies received a call of a person shot on Trelawney Lane at approximately 12:01 a.m. When they arrived, the deputies found a large party, and when they entered the home ,they located the five teens who all appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds. Four of the teens - three males ...

Signs of struggle

Shots rang out in a home in the Cedar Creek subdivision Monday morning, and when deputies arrived at the residence, they found three people shot - one of whom died later that day. Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Office were called to a home on Appia Way off Ga. Highway 36 at 9:43 a.m. from two separate people - a man and a woman - both inside the residence at the time.

CFD recognized for sprinkler education efforts

The national nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has named the Covington Fire Department a "Built for Life Fire Department" for its efforts to help Covington citizens understand the life-saving importance of installing fire sprinkler systems in homes. The HFSC established this new designation with federal Fire Prevention and Safety Grant funding, as part of a national campaign to increase the number of fire sprinkler systems in homes.

Crime briefs: Man arrested for exploitation of teen

A 26-year-old Jonesboro man was arrested and charged after chatting with an investigator that he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Walter Alexis Semidey was taken into custody by Newton County Sheriff's Office investigators Tuesday and charged with sexual exploitation of children and computer pornography. According to a statement released by the NCSO, Semidey reportedly began communicating with the "girl" via the internet and had been doing so over a two-month period.

"I've lived a good life"

With census workers beginning to creep into the county to gather information for the 2010 census, many wonder what demographics numbers will reveal about the county at present. However, few have as much insight into the history of our county as centenarians born and bred here do.

Man robs Walgreens, caught within minutes

An 18-year-old Ohio man was arrested Monday afternoon minutes after he reportedly robbed a drug store employee at gunpoint.

Extra officers on the road for July 4 holiday

Law enforcement officers have started an increase in patrol a little early this year in anticipation of a busy Fourth of July weekend.

Restaurant owners discuss string of low grades

After months of complaints about failing restaurant inspection scores, several Newton County restaurant owners finally sat down with local health officials on June 18 to air their grievances and get some answers.

Woman arrested for forging prescription

Christina J. Gray was arrested Saturday at the Kroger Pharmacy on Ga. Highway 20 in Covington. Gray was charged with prescription fraud in reference to a forged prescription sent to the Kroger Pharmacy on June 13. Pharmacy Manager Amie Anderson contacted authorities around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and explained to the officer that she had received a prescription for 10mg of the narcotic Loritab. Anderson also stated that the prescription was sent in by ...

Returned to glory

Looking at Puddy Bullard's glimmering black '68 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS, car enthusiasts know he's put an amazing amount of work into it.

County cuts more than 14 jobs due to budget strains

A sense of melancholy loomed over the historic courthouse and county administrative building this week as 13 county employees cleared out their desks and said goodbye to co-workers, friends and buildings they had called home for years.