Jessicakes bakery opens in Covington

Anyone with a sweet tooth will be happy to know that a new cake shop has come to town, and the public is invited to taste a variety of made-from-scratch cakes and other desserts at a grand opening on Saturday.

Crime: Double trouble from texting

Deputies answered a call regarding a domestic dispute April 21 and arrested Timothy Ryan Willard, 24, for false imprisonment.

Traffic blocked at 36 and Henderson Mill Rd.

There has been an accident at Ga. Highway 36 and Henderson Mill Road. Three cars are still in the roadway and the Georgia State Patrol is currently working the accident. Expect delays.

Third man takes plea in Nichols murder

A third man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from the 2009 murder of 38-year-old Andrew "Drew" Nichols.

Lowest gas price - April 26

The lowest price for regular fuel is $3.29 at Kroger, located at 5341 Ga. Highway 20 S near Brown Bridge Road.

NCSS wants to expand epidemiology

Newton County School System officials are working to find a way to offer its pioneering epidemiology course, now offered at Newton High School, to more students in the school system. But there are still some kinks that need to be ironed out before that can happen.

Community mourns loss of Moore

James Stanley Moore Sr. was heading to work at SRG Global Wednesday morning, just like the quality control engineer had for almost 40 years, when another vehicle crossed into his lane, ending the 59-year-old's life.

Unemployment drops again

Newton County's unemployment rate of 9.4 percent in March is the lowest since November 2008, - before the housing market crash fully hit Newton County - according to the labor department.

Driver faces homicide charges

The woman who is accused of striking and killing 12-year-old Lynneah Browning with her car in late 2012 has been charged with homicide by vehicle and improper lane usage.

Newborn’s hosts Horneyhead Festival

Newborn's annual Horneyhead Festival takes place Saturday, and the unique event is a fitting choice for a place that labels itself "A Town with Characters."

Concert luncheons to return

The square will once again be filled with the sound of music during the month of May as the Newton County Arts Association hosts its Luncheon Concerts series on square park, starting Thursday.

Local woman celebrates 101st birthday

Nell Nixon celebrated her 101 birthday with friends April 22 at her home in Covington. Attending were Lula V. Smith, Kathy Brown, Pamela Vaughn and caregiver Julie. Smith and Nixon have been friends for more than 50 years, sharing many memories of traveling and spending quality time together.

Georgia Service Guild of Covington wins GFWC Silver Cup

The Georgia Federated Woman's Club Georgia Service Guild of Covington has won the GFWC Silver Cup, the organization's highest honor, for the second year in a row.

Sensational 'Sister Act'

It is always fun to attend a play or a concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, and the award-winning, direct-from-Broadway "Sister Act" is no exception to that stance.

Crime briefs: I think I love you

A woman whose vehicle had been vandalized on previous occasions finally became fed up enough to contact police Wednesday afternoon.

DCA finds no fault with county’s NSP

As far as the Georgia Department of Community Affairs is concerned, Newton County has not violated any Neighborhood Stabilization Program rules.

On my honor

Do a good turn daily: Scouts from Troop 222 converged on Academy Springs Park Saturday afternoon, some, like 10-year-old Ethan Green, worked to clear out the underbrush from dormant plants and one scout worked on identifying trees throughout the park for his Eagle Scout project. Adam Cofer, 18, worked with Loy Summer, Jinx Faulkner, Beryl Bud and others to find the mapped trees that needed markers. The scouts plan on working throughout ...

Monte Carlo for the Arts will hold artistic guitar auction on Feb. 6

Artfully painted and embellished guitars are but a few of the auction items offered at Monte Carlo for the Arts. The event, hosted by United Bank and Air Conditioning Specialist, Inc. is the annual fundraiser for Southern Heartland Arts, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing scholarships and other art related outreach programs to our community. It will be held at the Porterdale Mill Lofts event center at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6. Included ...

Domestic Violence: Healing the hurt

The following is the last in a three-part series looking at domestic violence in Newton County. Names have been changed to protect the victims and their families.

DA’s office recuses itself from Henderson case

District 4 Commissioner J.C. Henderson adamantly denies the charge of battery that resulted in his arrest on Oct. 10, but a preliminary hearing to discuss the case has been delayed.

Burglaries and armed robberies down during holiday season

According to a press release from the Newton County Sheriff's Office, commercial burglaries and armed robberies are usually at their highest peak during the months of November and December due to the holiday season. The NCSO through increased patrols, new zone reorganization, and new 12 hour shifts for deputies was able to totally suppress these types of crimes for the 2009 holiday period. ...

City to get $75,000 more in NSP money

Because of recent success, the city of Covington is receiving an additional $75,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program money from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

County revenue down, depts. cut expenses

The county's finances appear to be holding steady, according to the second quarter financial report discussed at Tuesday's Board of Commissioner's meeting.

Tom Fox hired as new Director of Public Safety

Tom Fox, former City Manager for Porterdale, has taken the position of public safety director for the City of Social Circle.

Haiti: Of great magnitude

Frank Penley spent all day trying to put his week's worth of experiences in Haiti down on paper. He wrote and rewrote. Finally he threw it all away.

Oxford Lions sponsor peace poster contest

Posters for peace: The Oxford Lions Club recently sponsored Peace Poster Contests at Cousins Middle School and Indian Creek Middle School. The contest is designed to encourage youth to express artistically their visions of peace, promote the arts and spread peace and international understanding. Each year's contest consists of an original theme incorporating peace. Twenty-four international finalists are selected each year, representing the work of more than 350,000 young participants worldwide. Grand ...

Sheriff, dentist awarded at MLK celebration

At the 25th annual Newton County Celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday afternoon, two prestigious local awards were presented to community icons. Dr. Melvin O. Baker, DMD was honored with the I Have A Dream Award. The I Have a Dream Award was first presented in 1987 is given to individuals who "exemplify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King," according to celebration committee secretary Josephine Brown.

Pridgett case is ready for spring trial

Attorneys for the prosecution and defense announced Tuesday morning that they are ready to go to trial on the state's case against 19-year-old Jamal Marquez Pridgett, who is charged with shooting several men and killing one during a dice game on the evening of Oct. 7, 2008.

Vehicle chase from DeKalb comes to end in Newton Co.

Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Department were involved with a vehicle chase and brief foot chase Monday afternoon when a man drove a carjacked vehicle into Newton County. According to 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell, deputies were dispatched with an armed robbery that had already occurred. A distraught woman, who was at Delaney Parkway off Crowell Road had called 911 and told dispatchers that she had been kidnapped from the front of her subdivision in ...

Flood warning issued for Newton County