Man wanted for threatening children

The Newton County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 25-year-old man who threatened to cut some neighborhood children's throats and made suggestive comments to women at a neighborhood gathering Sunday afternoon.

BOE to name top 3 supt. candidates

The Newton County Board of Education will announce its top three finalists for the superintendent position at its board meeting tonight.

Lowest gas price - April 9

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.33 at the Marathon station, located at 1814 Ga. Highway 11 S near Ga. Highway 142.

NCSO Deputy promoted to Corporal

The Newton County Sheriff's Office recently promoted Deputy Steven Ledford to the rank of Corporal in the Uniform Patrol Division. He has been with the agency since 1998 where he began his career in the detention center. The first eight years of his career was in the Detention Center and in 2006 he transferred to the Uniform Patrol Division as a Patrol Deputy. While in the Uniform Patrol Division, he has been successful and assigned ...

Pedestrian killed identified

The pedestrian hit and killed this morning has been identified as 59-year-old Shirley Ann Reid.

Lowest gas price - April 8

The lowest price for regular gas is $3.39 at QuikTrip, located at 3214 U.S. Highway 278 NW and Emory Street.

Mental health court will help inmates

Some people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar and anxiety disorders see the world in a fundamentally different way and when they lose touch with reality and experience delusions, they can act out in ways that results in them ending up in jail.

Nelson Heights changes management

The Nelson Heights Community Center is set to get another change in management after an up-and-down existence during which it has consistently faced questions about its purpose, operation and funding.

Crime: Neighbor complains of pantless man

Investigators with the Newton County Sheriff's Office are exploring a complaint made by a woman who said her male neighbor frequently walks around outside naked and touches himself in an inappropriate manner.

Teen work program needs local employers

Alcovy High School senior DeMichael Reid wants to one day own and manage his own auto repair shop, and he's getting a jump start on his dream by interning at a local business, a trend that's becoming ever more popular for high school students.

Water, sewer tap fees to increase

The Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority is raising its fees May 1 on the most common residential water and sewer taps, a move executive director Mike Hopkins said accurately reflects real costs in today's market.

4-H'ers qualify for state BB gun tournament

I spent Saturday morning sitting on the back of a pickup at the Walton County Agricultural Center, listening as the 4-H'ers and parents sat around in safety orange T-shirts waiting on each shooter's turn.

Rep. Johnson holds meet and greet

Local officials and citizens in the area had the opportunity to listen to an update on congress and ask Representative Hank Johnson, congressman of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, questions on Saturday at a meet and greet held at the historic courthouse.

BOC to re-apply for two grants

The Newton County Juvenile Court received permission from the Board of Commissioners to reapply for two grants.

JROTC annual awards

The annual JROTC awards ceremony was held at the Golden Fleece Masonic Lodge No. 6, March 28.

Harris last of 4 to be sentenced in Richardson murder in 2007

Liberty Harris, the last of the group that were convicted of the death of 55-year-old Rufus Tony Richardson in 2007, was sentenced Thursday morning.

Wanted teen holes up in home's attic

Covington/Newton County SWAT Team were called to a home in south Newton County Thursday afternoon after a teen wanted for robbery was reportedly holed up in a home with a shotgun. According to Newton County Sheriff's Department 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, deputies first located 18-year-old Ryan Peter-Horn Wednesday evening, but the young man fled before they were able to apprehend him on the outstanding robbery warrants.

GSP: accidents high on Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is considered the official kickoff for summer and celebrations are a common occurrence in Newton County, but law enforcement officials are warning residents to celebrate safely because they will be out in force to make sure citizens are safe. According to a press release from the Georgia State Patrol, troopers will be watching not only for unsafe drivers but also for those not wearing their safety belts. Estimates from the GSP say ...

Necklace theft leads to drug charge

A couple was arrested on marijuana charges Friday afternoon after a woman came to a local jewelry store to return a necklace she stole two days prior.

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.

Morning wreck snarls traffic on Hwy 278

Two cars wrecked on U.S. Hwy 278 early Thursday morning east of Martin's Crossing causing major delays in traffic.

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.

Celebrating the Great Outdoors

More than 100 attendees, from the young and the young at heart, turned out for the 13th annual J.A.K.E.S. (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Day and Outdoor Festival at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on Saturday. The festival, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Federation and Beaver Manufacturing, was designed to turn kids on to the wonders of the great outdoors and featured snake and birds of prey shows, face painting and a free ...

Local GM, Chrysler car dealerships safe from cuts

Covington Car Dealer Billy Fortson received good news for the second day in a row when he did not receive a letter from General Motors Friday. Fortson's Ginn Motor Company is not one of the 1,100 GM dealerships whose contract will not be renewed by GM in 2010.

John Miles Chevrolet not among dealers cut

The John Miles Chevrolet in Conyers announced that it was not among the GM dealerships notified today that their contracts were not being renewed. "We have not received a letter so we are not among the 1,100 that re going to receive the letter today," said owner Kim Miles.

Local legislators discuss recent session's 'winners, losers'

The Georgia Legislative Assembly ended its 2009 session on April 3, and according to Sen. John Douglas (R – Social Circle) the state budget was a winner because the state didn't have to raise taxes. However, he said the state's transportation system was a loser because no bills were passed.

Job workshop to take place Saturday

By Gabriel Khouli District 2 Commissioner Earnest Simmons is sponsoring a free job workshop tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Newton County Historic Courthouse to assist residents looking for work. The workshop is for any jobless or underemployed workers above the age of 16 and will teach residents how to search for jobs and prepare for job interviews. Simmons said he and eight other Newton County residents, including ...

I-20 wreck kills 2 Thursday morning

Two people were killed on Interstate 20 Thursday morning when one car travelled across the median into the

Army Briefs May 14

Army Pvt. Marcus S. Barton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Barton is the son of Kimberly Whedbee of Covington.Army Pvt. C. Forsythe has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Forsythe earned distinction as an honor graduate of the course. He is the son of Lana Forsythe of Covington.Army Reserve Pvt. Marquice S. Geter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Geter ...

Farm Day 2009